[Pneumonia in H1N1 flu infection patients].
In March 2009, there was an outbreak of respiratory illness, later identified as caused by Influenza A (H1N1); the affected patients can develop severe lower respiratory infections.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics of 14 patients admitted to Hospital Córdoba diagnosed with H1N1 Influenza-associated pneumonia during July and August of 2009.


METHODS
We analyzed patients admitted between 26/06/09 and 08/09/2009 with diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia. All patients were conducted laboratory, chest X-ray, blood and nasal swab for viral isolation by polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR), beginning treatment with sulbactam ampicillin, clarithromycin, and oseltamivir.


RESULTS
The number of patients studied was 44 patients, in 14 patients was confirmed the diagnosis of influenza by RT-PCR, the median age was 44 years (range 18 to 81 years) and 9 (64%) were female. The average time between onset of symptoms and medical consultation was 5 days and the average hospital stay was 6 days.


METHODS
fever over 38 C, 13 patients (92%), dry cough, 4 patients (28%), productive cough, 9 (64 %), headache and myalgia: 6. Radiological presentation 10 (72 %) patients had bilateral involvement, both bases, and two or more quadrants involved in the chest X-ray. Co morbilities: one patient had heart disease and one patient had COPD.


METHODS
3 patients were alcoholic, 4 patients were smokers, and 2 postpartum. A single patient with H1N1 required mechanical ventilation and died.


CONCLUSIONS
pneumonia influenza (H1N1) can cause bilateral commitment, affect healthy patients at a younger age.
Servicio de Infectología y Clínica Médica del Hospital Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. maritaran@hotmail.com
Mariana
M
Tarán
Pablo
P
Igarzabal
Carlos
C
Bergallo
Fernando
F
Riera
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001118:Argentina; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult