STUDY OF CLINICAL PROFILE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF H1N1 INFLUENZA PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN EASTERN RAJASTHAN

DR ABDUL WAHID; DR DHEERAJ SINGH SHEKHAWAT; DR GIRISH CHANDRA VERMA; DR ARUN VINAYAGAN

Volume : VIII, Issue : XI, November - 2019

STUDY OF CLINICAL PROFILE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF H1N1 INFLUENZA PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN EASTERN RAJASTHAN

Dr Abdul Wahid, Dr Dheeraj Singh Shekhawat, Dr Girish Chandra Verma, Dr Arun Vinayagan

Abstract :

Background: Even though pandemic of Influenza A(H1N1) virus has settled, yet yearly epidemics continue to occur. We describe the clinical profile of H1N1 positive patients admitted in Medical college Hospital, Kota, from August 2018 to March 2019, all coming from eastern Rajasthan. Methods: We collected prospective data of 75 patients whose throat swabs were positive for novel influenza H1N1 by RT–PCR assay (TAQ MAN real time PCR CDC protocol). Results: Majority (62.66%) of the cases were between 16–45 years of age group. Females (62.66%) were significantly more affected than males (37.33%), p value=0.025. Most common symptoms were cough (100%), fever (85.33%) and shortness of eath (57.33%). 40 cases (53.33%) out of 75 cases had one or more co–morbid condition. Hypertension (24%), pregnancy (12%) and diabetes (8%) were the most common co–morbid conditions. The mean duration between onset of symptoms and admission in hospital and start of oseltamivir was 4.61 days in patients who died in comparison to 3.62 days in patients who were cured, overall it was 3.8 days. Death of 13 cases (17.33%) occurred. Mortality was 15% in cases with co–morbid conditions and 20% in cases with no co–morbid condition (not significant, p value=0.71). Mortality was 19.14% among female patients as compared to 14.28% among men. 5 out of 9 pregnant patients had fetal loss during their course of pregnancy. Conclusions: Although the pandemic era of H1N1 has settled, epidemics occurring every year in different parts of our country continuously reminds us of the danger ahead. H1N1 Influenza occurs in post monsoon period mainly, thereafter incidence decreases due to attainment of immunity against spreading strains of virus. Vaccination should be done in the month of August – September rather than in November to prevent epidemics. Early initiation of treatment with oseltamivir may reduce mortality. Patients with risk factors require additional attention because of high morbidity.