Short and Long Term Effects of Influenza a on Lung Function

The spirometric lung function, including the maximum midexpiratory flow rate (MMFR), of groups of non-smoking and smoking men and women 10 to 30 months after suffering from A/Hong Kong/68 influenza was compared with that of matched groups who had not had influenza. No effects attributable to influenza were found in either the smokers or the non-smokers. By contrast a reduction in MMFR was found in seven of 13 adults and in two of three children during the first eight weeks of convalescence from A/England/42/72 strain of influenza. After six months the MMFR had returned to preinfluenzal levels. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were not consistently diminished.