G. Aruna1, P. Ravi2, Neethi Chandra3
BACKGROUND: Since the 2009 pandemic of H1N1 or Swine Flu influenza, there have been respiratory emergencies every year throughout India, but in the early part of this year that is between January and April 2015 an explosion of cases was seen throughout the country, and so also in our state, Andhra Pradesh. The study of clinical presentation, radiological features and course of the disease helps in early suspicion, isolation, detection and institution of treatment in swine flu positive patients so that further spread of the disease can be controlled and the patients saved.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, S.V.R.R. Govt. General Hospital, Tirupathi, between January 2015 and April 2015. Study sample was the total number of swine flu suspects who were admitted in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit and swine flu wards of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine.
SUMMARY: Out of 32 suspects admitted, 13 tested positive for swine flu. 8 of the 13 were females (61%) and 5 were males (39%). Cold, cough and breathlessness were present in all the patients (100%). Sore throat was present in only 4 patients (30%). 11 out of the 13 patients were in respiratory failure (85%). 9 out of the 13 had comorbidities like diabetes, bronchial asthma and chronic kidney disease (70%). Chest X-ray and CT chest showed ARDS like picture and pneumonia in 11 out of the 13 patients (85%).
