Evaluation of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Cases

Introduction: The pandemic H1N1 virus has also affected our country between June 2009 and March 2010. This study aimed to evaluate the cases affected by the pandemic and hospitalized in one’s clinic. Materials and Methods: Demographic characteristics, risk factors, laboratory and radiological findings of the patients hospitalized with a provisional diagnosis of H1N1 influenza between October 2009 and March 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Seventy-five patients admitted to the study, 49 (65.3%) of them were female, and the mean age was 35.9 (18-80). Of the female patients, 13 (26%) were pregnant. The most obvious symptoms of referred patients were fever (98.6%), chills (89.3%), weakness (88%) and cough (85%). Bilateral involvement existed on direct chest X-ray examination during the first application of all patients who needed mechanical ventilation or died later. Forty three percent of the patients had at least one chronic disease. Five of the patients died. The presence of H1N1 was confirmed in 44 (58%) cases by polymerase change reaction (PCR). Exposure to a patient with influenza was positive in 45.5% of the cases (p= 0.019). Lymphopenia was the most common laboratory finding in all patients (64%). Monocyte values were significantly low in certain cases (p= 0.0016). Oseltamivir treatment was used in 72 (96%) patients. Antibiotics were added to treatment in 63 (84%) patients. The most common complication was pneumonia (82%). Conclusion: H1N1 pandemic showed a similar pattern of seasonal influenza but transmission from person to person had been more frequent. Mortality was more common in middle-aged population without underlying comorbid condition