# Severe Rhabdomyolysis With Acute Kidney Injury Triggered by Influenza A and Strenuous Exercise in a Healthy Adolescent: A Dual-Hit Mechanism

**Authors:** Iliass Benaini, Mohamed Zakaria Bouayed, Younes Oujidi, Mahmoud Faouzi Ismaili, Ilyass Laaribi, Ikram Zaid, Houssam Bkiyar

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.104029 · Cureus · 2026-02-21

## TL;DR

A healthy teenager developed severe muscle breakdown and kidney failure after getting the flu and doing intense exercise, showing how these two factors together can cause serious health issues.

## Contribution

This case report identifies a dual-hit mechanism involving Influenza A and strenuous exercise leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury in a healthy adolescent.

## Key findings

- The patient had a creatine kinase level exceeding 60,000 U/L, indicating severe muscle damage.
- Renal replacement therapy was required due to persistent anuria and metabolic derangements.
- Early diagnosis and supportive management prevented irreversible kidney injury.

## Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious clinical condition often associated with serious complications and can be life-threatening in nature. The following is a case report of a healthy 17-year-old male adolescent who presented with rhabdomyolysis due to a dual hit of Influenza A and excessive physical exertion. Acute onset of myalgia, weakness in the lower extremities, and dark urine warranted his hospitalization in the intensive care unit for critical monitoring and investigation. The laboratory findings indicated a high creatine kinase level of more than 60,000 U/L, severe metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, and renal failure. Despite aggressive fluid resuscitation, persistent anuria and metabolic derangements warranted renal replacement therapy with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration followed by intermittent hemodialysis, resulting in progressive recovery of renal function and clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of recognizing rhabdomyolysis in patients presenting with acute neuromuscular symptoms after febrile illness and strenuous exercise, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and prompt supportive management to prevent irreversible renal injury.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** rhabdomyolysis (MONDO:0005290), acute kidney injury (MONDO:0002492), metabolic acidosis (MONDO:0000440), renal failure (MONDO:0001106)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (taxon 9606)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** myalgia (MESH:D063806), Acute Kidney Injury (MESH:D058186), metabolic (MESH:D008659), renal failure (MESH:D051437), Rhabdomyolysis (MESH:D012206), febrile illness (MESH:D005334), Influenza A (MESH:D007251), renal injury (MESH:D007674), metabolic acidosis (MESH:D000138), anuria (MESH:D001002), hyperkalemia (MESH:D006947), weakness (MESH:D018908)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

21 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13008569/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13008569