Bacterial coinfection complicated nearly all influenza deaths in the 1918 influenza pandemic
and up to 34% of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infections managed in intensive care
units worldwide. More than 65 000 deaths attributable to influenza and pneumonia occur
annually in the United States. Data from 683 critically ill patients with 2009 pandemic
influenza A (H1N1) infection admitted to 35 intensive care units in the United States reveal
that bacterial coinfection commonly occurs within the first 6 days of influenza infection …