@misc{cogprints7252,
volume = {9},
number = {4},
month = {January},
author = {Rajesh K Chudasama and Umed V Patel and Pramod B Verma and Chikitsa D Amin and Hitesh M Shah and Anupam Banerjee and Ravikant R Patel},
editor = {Dr Srinivas Kakkilaya},
title = {Characteristics of Fatal Cases of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) from September 2009 to January 2010 in Saurashtra Region, India},
publisher = {BS Kakkilaya},
year = {2011},
journal = {Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences},
keywords = {Influenza A (H1N1); Epidemiology; Fatal cases; RT-PCR; Pregnancy; Antiviral drug},
url = {http://cogprints.org/7252/},
abstract = {Background: India reported first case of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in May, 2009 and Saurashtra region in August, 2009. We describe the characteristics of fatal cases of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection reported in Saurashtra region. Methods: From September, 2009 to January, 2010, we observed 71 fatal cases that were infected with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus and admitted in different hospitals in Rajkot city. Real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) testing was used to confirm infection; the clinico-epidemiological features were observed and documented. Results: Median age of the deceased (71) was 29 years, and 57.7\% were females. Median time observed was 5 days from onset of illness to diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1), and 57.7\% were referred from general practitioner (OR=0.42, CI=0.24-0.74). Median hospital stay reported was 3 days. All admitted patients received oseltamivir, but only 16.9\% received it within 2 days of onset of illness. The most common symptoms were cough (97.2\%), fever (93\%), sore throat and shortness of breath. Co-morbid conditions were present in almost half of the patients who ultimately died, the most common of which was pregnancy (OR=0.15, CI=0.04-0.52). Radiological pneumonia was reported in 98\% patients. Conclusion: Residing in urban area, delayed referral from general practitioner, presence of co-existing condition, especially pregnancy was responsible for mortality among influenza A (H1N1) infected positive.}
}