title: Characteristics of Fatal Cases of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) from September 2009 to January 2010 in Saurashtra Region, India creator: Chudasama, Rajesh K creator: Patel, Umed V creator: Verma, Pramod B creator: Amin, Chikitsa D creator: Shah, Hitesh M creator: Banerjee, Anupam creator: Patel, Ravikant R subject: Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences description: 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. publisher: BS Kakkilaya contributor: Kakkilaya, Dr Srinivas date: 2011-01-20 type: Journal (On-line/Unpaginated) type: PeerReviewed format: application/pdf identifier: http://cogprints.org/7252/1/2010-4-9.pdf identifier: Chudasama, Rajesh K and Patel, Umed V and Verma, Pramod B and Amin, Chikitsa D and Shah, Hitesh M and Banerjee, Anupam and Patel, Ravikant R (2011) Characteristics of Fatal Cases of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) from September 2009 to January 2010 in Saurashtra Region, India. [Journal (On-line/Unpaginated)] relation: http://cogprints.org/7252/