Extreme Rhabdomyolysis Secondary to Influenza A Infection

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle cells, leading to the release of intracellular contents into the bloodstream. If left untreated, this disease can cause serious complications, such as myoglobinuric acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, arrhythmias, and death. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of rhabdomyolysis is fundamental to avoid progression to severe complications. It can be caused by trauma, strenuous exercise, drugs, and infections. The authors present a case of a previously healthy 33-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with flu-like symptoms and generalized muscle pain. Extreme rhabdomyolysis was detected, with abnormally high serum creatine kinase levels. Despite the extreme elevation of creatine kinase, the patient did not develop acute kidney injury. Other common and rare causes of rhabdomyolysis were excluded. Although influenza A infections do not commonly cause severe rhabdomyolysis, this case highlights the importance of considering this diagnosis in patients with influenza-like symptoms and prompt diagnosis and management to prevent serious complications.