Abstract Background Myositis is a recognised complication of numerous systemic viral infections including influenza. In adults the typical pattern is characterised by myalgia and marked proximal muscle weakness in upper and lower limbs and resolves slowly over weeks rather than days. Case presentation Here, we describe two male patients with myositis with an unusual distribution of weakness in the distal upper limbs, which both followed a flu-like illness and resolved spontaneously. Both patients had moderate elevations in creatine kinase, extensive negative serological investigations, normal nerve conduction studies and myopathic changes on electromyography. Conclusions In the para-infectious context, myositis is an important differential of acute distal upper limb weakness. This unusual pattern of acute muscle weakness should be recognised to avoid unnecessary in treatments. Similar cases in the recent literature in male patients between the ages of 25 to 55 are reviewed and suggest an emerging pattern of para-infectious myositis.