Articles: pandemics.
-
Increasing number of epidemiological and clinical studies to date showed that the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, by its characteristics, significantly differs from infection caused by seasonal influenza. Therefore, the information about clinical spectrum of manifestations, risk factors for severe form of the disease, treatment and outcome in patients with novel flu are still collected. METHODS; A total of 98 patients (mean age 32 +/- 15 years, range 14-88 years) with the signs and symptoms of novel influenza were treated in the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Military Medical Academy. There were 74 (75.5%) patients with suspected influenza A (H1N1) 2009, 10 (10.2%) with the likelihood and 14 (14.3%) with the confirmed influenza. In all the patients we registered the basic demographic data, risk factors for severe disease, symptoms and signs of influenza, laboratory tests and chest radiography. We analyzed antiviral therapy use and disease outcome (survived, died). ⋯ Novel influenza A (H1N1) is most commonly manifested as a mild acute respiratory disease, which usually affects young healthy adults. A small number of the patients develop severe illness with acute respiratory failure and death. Patients seem to have benefit from antiviral therapy especially in first 48 hours.
-
We describe the epidemiology, clinical features, radiological findings, therapy and course for 15 patients hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases UOC of Gravina Hospital Caltagirone for a serious respiratory condition with verified infection A (H1N1) from 9 November to 22 December 2009. We retrospectively reviewed medical records, laboratory and instrumental tests performed on hospitalized patients. All patients had significant respiratory impairment: nine had co-morbidities and risk factors such as obesity, pregnancy, immunosuppressant conditions and muscular dystrophy. ⋯ All patients received antiviral and symptomatic therapy for 5-21 days. A(H1N1) virus infection led to a mild to moderate flu syndrome, which was often cured by symptomatic treatment; some patients required hospitalization for viral pneumonia, mixed pneumonia or ARDS. In previous flu epidemics there was no development into ARDS (40% in our series).
-
Severe neurologic complications have been rarely reported during novel pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus infections. We describe the case of an 10-year-old boy with new onset seizures and proven influenza A(H1N1) 2009 infection showing a reversible hyperintense lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum on T2-weighted and FLAIR magnetic resonance images without contrast enhancement. Transient splenial lesions have been described in the context of virus encephalopathy and do not require specific treatment.
-
Influenza A H1N1 2009 led to 189 deaths during the Australian pandemic. Community-acquired respiratory viruses not only can cause prolonged allograft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients but have also been linked to bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We report the impact of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic on Australian lung transplant recipients. ⋯ There was BOS grade decline within a year in six cases (32%). In conclusion, Australian lung transplant recipients were variably affected by the H1N1 pandemic mirroring the broader community with significant morbidity and mortality. After initial recovery, a considerable proportion of survivors have demonstrated BOS progression.