Which of the following is a non-respiratory complication of influenza?

Which of the following is a non-respiratory complication of influenza?

• A. Pneumonia
• B. Bronchitis
• C. Acute Heart Failure
• D. Sinusitis

Answer: (C)

Influenza can trigger problems outside the lungs, affecting the heart and circulation. The heart may fail to pump effectively during and after influenza because of systemic inflammation, increased stress on the heart, possible myocarditis, or worsening of preexisting heart disease. This kind of complication involves the cardiovascular system, not the airways or lung tissue, so it is non-respiratory. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinusitis all primarily involve the respiratory tract—lung tissue, airways, or sinus cavities. They can occur with influenza, but they remain respiratory complications, whereas acute heart failure reflects heart involvement and systemic effects.

Influenza can trigger problems outside the lungs, affecting the heart and circulation. The heart may fail to pump effectively during and after influenza because of systemic inflammation, increased stress on the heart, possible myocarditis, or worsening of preexisting heart disease. This kind of complication involves the cardiovascular system, not the airways or lung tissue, so it is non-respiratory.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinusitis all primarily involve the respiratory tract—lung tissue, airways, or sinus cavities. They can occur with influenza, but they remain respiratory complications, whereas acute heart failure reflects heart involvement and systemic effects.