Clinico-epidemiological profile of Influenza A H1N1 cases admitted at a tertiary care institute of western India.

Abstract

Background: H1N1 is a novel strain of Influenza A virus that evolved by genetic reassortment. Following its emergence in March 2009 in Mexico, H1N1 virus spread rapidly throughout the world. India confirmed its first case on 16 May 2009 when someone tested positive for the H1N1 in Hyderabad. Aims & Objectives: (1) To study the epidemiology of Influenza A H1N1 cases; (2) To study clinical presentation of Influenza A H1N1 cases. Materials and Methods: Clinical epidemiological characteristics of Influenza A H1N1 cases admitted at IDW (Infectious Disease Ward) at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Solapur. Cases from August 2009 to December 2009 were descriptively analysed. Data were analysed using MS Excel software. Results: At GMCH, till December 2009, a total 4229 patients were screened for Influenza A H1N1, of which 110 were admitted and tested. Maximum cases were detected in the month of October and the patients of age group >15-30 years accounted for 30% (33 cases) of the cases. Influenza A H1N1 resulted in death of 17.2% of the admitted cases, of which 47% deaths occurred within 48 h of admission. Common symptoms were fever and cough. Conclusion: On the basis of these findings, it can be safely hypothesized that prevalence of Influenza A H1N1 is high in the younger population, and fever, cough and sore throat are the most common symptoms with which the patients usually present.