Influenza A-induced rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure following a deep tissue massage.

We describe a unique case of severe influenza A-induced rhabdomyolysis in a previously healthy 39-year-old man, who developed symptoms immediately following a 2-hour deep-tissue massage and improved with oseltamivir and intravenous fluids. This case describes a possible temporal association between tissue damage secondary to deep tissue massage and the subsequent exacerbation of rhabdomyolysis in the setting of an influenza A infection. Biological evidence of muscle cell viral invasion with massage supports the possibility of elevated influenza A pathogenicity.