Clinical presentation of influenza a (H1N1) infection in a local emergency department in Greece
https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4690-7-S1-P184
© Voudoukis et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010
Published: 11 May 2010
Keywords
Background
After the global spread of the new swine-origin influenza virus A (H1N1) the World Health Organization raised the level of influenza pandemic alert up to phase 6, thus declaring a public health emergency of major importance. In response to this declaration many countries, including ours, organized a network for the reporting, diagnosis, and treatment of influenza A (H1N1) infection. Our aim is to report the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of H1N1 infected patients, who presented to our local emergency department and compare their clinical features with patients with common influenza-like symptoms who tested negative for the H1N1 virus.
Methods
Our study included forty-five patients with influenza-like symptoms who presented to the emergency department of General Hospital of Argos from July to August 2009 and whose medical history was suggestive Clinical examination, blood and x-ray tests were conducted in all patients. In addition, pharyngeal swabs were obtained and tested for detection of H1N1 virus by real-time reverse transcription--PCR (RT-PCR) of H1N1 infection.
Results
Patients' clinical and laboratory data
H1N1(+) N = 18 | H1N1(-) N = 27 | P VALUE | |
|---|---|---|---|
Age (mean ± SD) | 28.3 ± 12.8 | 31.2 ± 13.5 | 0.468 |
White Blood Cells (mean ± SD) | 6.670 ± 2.340 | 8.910 ± 4.250 | 0.049 |
Duration of Illness (days) (mean ± SD) | 5.22 ± 1.99 | 5.22 ± 1.99 | 1.000 |
Gender (male/female) | 9/9 (50%/50%) | 17/10 (63%/37%) | 0.388 |
White Blood Cells | 0.095 | ||
Normal | 15 (83.3%) | 22 (81.5%) | |
High | 0 (0%) | 4 (14.8%) | |
Low | 3 (16.7%) | 1 (3.7%) | |
Neutrophilles | 0.172 | ||
Normal | 13 (72.2%) | 17 (63%) | |
High | 1 (5.6%) | 7 (25.9%) | |
Low | 4 (22.2%) | 3 (11.1%) | |
Lymphocytes | 0.816 | ||
Normal | 8 (44.4%) | 13 (48.1%) | |
High | 4 (22.2%) | 4 (14.8%) | |
low | 6 (33.3%) | 10 (37.1%) | |
Monocytes | 0.393 | ||
Normal | 7 (38.9%) | 14 (51.9%) | |
High | 11 (61.1%) | 13 (48.1%) | |
Fever | 0.420 | ||
≥38 | 14 (77.8%) | 18 (66.7%) | |
<38 | 4 (22.2%) | 9 (33.3%) | |
Hospital admission (no/yes) | 15/3 (83.3%/16.7%) | 26/1 (96.3%/3.7%) | 0.134 |
Complications (no/yes) | 17/1 | 25/2 | 0.807 |
Bronchitis | 1(5.6%) | - | |
Pneumonia | - | 2(7.4%) |
Discussion
The clinical characteristics of the new influenza A (H1N1) appeared mild and resembled those of common influenza-like illness. The patients who tested negative for the H1N1 virus had a higher mean value of white blood cells; nonetheless their number remained within the normal reference range of our laboratory. Further studies are necessary in order to verify these results.
Authors’ Affiliations
Copyright
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd.
