Clinical Analysis of 10 Cases with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the features of patients with positive PCR tests for pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus who were admitted to our clinic during the 2009 pandemic. Methods: We included ten patients who were hospitalized with the prediagnosis of pneumonia between 21.10.2009-01.12.2009 with positive PCR results for pandemic H1N1 virus, and their files were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Eight of the 10 patients were male and 2 were female. The mean age of the patients was 39.8 +/- 14.6 years. Two of the patients were hospital staff and four patients had comorbidities. The most common symptom was shortness of breath (80%), followed by cough (70%), nausea, vomiting and sputum (30%). Leukocytosis and increased sedimentation rate were detected in only 3 of the patients. In eight cases pneumonic infiltrations were detected in chest roentgenogram. Patients were treated with peroral oseltamivir and intravenous levofloxacin. Three cases progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). One patient died of ARDS. Conclusion: In conclusion, close follow-up of patients with viral pneumonia can be life saving.