Flu-like syndrome in a patient with antitubercular therapy

Flu-like syndrome is a clinical state characterised by fever, malaise, headache, myalgia and vomiting that can be generated by various infectious agents or drugs. A case of a 69 year-old man with a 4-month history of cough with purulent sputum, fatigue, night sweats and serial sputum smear for acid alcohol fast bacilli positive is presented. The patient began treatment with rifampicin + isoniazid + pyrazinamide + ethambutol and three hours after treatment administration, he presented with malaise, chills, vomiting and fever. The next day, although he reported an improvement in his condition, upon taking the second therapy dose the referred symptoms recurred. Flu-like syndrome was diagnosed. This is a rare entity that has been relatedto antitubercular drugs and must be promptly identified to provide appropriate managementand to improve the patient's adherence to pharmacotherapy.