This study aimed to explore the causes and mechanisms of liver damage caused by influenza A virus (IAV), compare the liver damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 and IAV under China’s Glasnost, propose treatment and vaccination recommendations for IAV, and provide new ideas for clinical treatment.

With the Chinese government’s liberalization of management measures, COVID-19 has gradually faded from people’s lives. However, in February and March 2023, a nationwide outbreak of IAV infection immediately followed in China. Numerous patients with H1N1 influenza rushed into hospitals at one time. H1N1 influenza can cause serious illnesses such as high fever and colds, muscle soreness, bronchitis, and severe respiratory distress syndrome. Although decades have passed since the emergence of IAV infection, it is constantly mutating and causing periodic outbreaks. As the number of cases in this nationwide outbreak in China increases, some patients with H1N1 influenza have developed abnormal liver function. Original articles describing H1N1 influenza and liver damage were searched on PubMed, GeenMedical, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Web of Science, following a review protocol. The latest articles on liver damage related to IAV infection were searched in relevant databases, and the mechanisms of IAV-related liver damage were summarized. Data showed that IAV was closely related to liver damage.

Liver damage was found to be caused by excessive proinflammatory factor production, cytokine disorders and cytokine storms, oxidative stress, ischemia-reperfusion injury, drug therapy, and coinfection with multiple viruses. Moreover, existing liver diseases may worsen liver damage after the infection.