Study of Profile of Swine Flu Cases Admitted in Tertiary Care Hospital: Lessons Learned!

Abstract

Introduction Swine flu is caused by a novel strain of H1N1 influenza A virus that evolved by genetic assortment. The global pandemic affected India in May 2009. Sporadic cases continue to occur and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Aim To study the clinical profile, laboratory parameters, and outcome of the confirmed cases of swine flu. Methods This was a retrospective study involving confirmed swine flu cases admitted with category B2 and C symptoms from February to September 2019 in Tata Main Hospital. Their case records were analyzed for demographic characteristics, clinical features, treatment, and various outcomes. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on the samples was used to confirm the infection. Observation Of the 12 cases, 33.7% were men and 66.7% were women. There were 66.7% in the age group 41 to 60 years. Case fatality ratio was 25%. Average duration of symptoms was 3.5 ± 2.4 days. Fever and breathlessness (100%) were the commonest symptoms followed by cough and weakness (83.3%). Comorbidities, like diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease, were seen in 25% patients. Pneumonia was the commonest complication. Average length of hospital stay was 17.8 days. Twenty-five percent of the patients needed supplemental oxygen, whereas 25% required noninvasive ventilation and 50% needed mechanical ventilation. Male sex, older age, severity of hypoxemia, need for mechanical ventilation, and involvement of more than 3 radiological zones were the predictors of mortality (P < 0.0001). Conclusions H1N1 influenza can present with severe life-threatening illness. The most common cause of death is pneumonia. Mortality is higher in elderly, men, and those requiring invasive ventilation.