This retrospective study of 288 adults and adolescents determined the impact of adjuvant corticosteroids administered to patients hospitalized with severe influenza A (H7N9) viral pneumonia in mainland China. The authors found that, contrary to expectations, high-dose corticosteroids were associated with increased mortality and longer viral shedding in patients with influenza A (H7N9) viral pneumonia. The authors conclude that corticosteroids are not indicated for use with this type of severe influenza.
Adjuvant corticosteroid treatment in adults with influenza A (H7N9) viral pneumonia
Written By
Cao B, Gao H, Zhou B, Deng X, Hu C, Deng C, Lu H, Li Y, Gan J, Liu J, Li H, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Fang Q, Shen Y, Gu Q, Zhou X, Zhao W, Pu Z, Chen L, Sun B, Liu X, Hamilton CD, Li L