H1N1

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 3, 2009

Moved to the Pandemic flu forum where I am sure you will get much in the way of S&S plus other information on the H1N1 virus

indigo girl · Dec 3, 2009

What are some of the main signs and symptoms of H1N1?

Novel H1N1 is considered to be mild, and maybe moderate as far as pandemics go but some patients do have more severe and even fatal disease. The more severe illness tends to occur in people at risk with other pre-exising health problems such as asthma or diabetes. We have also seen severe cases in otherwise healthy people, but the majority of cases will experience the s/s listed in this article on flu. There are also many asymptomatic cases, we are discovering. And, with swine flu, fever is not always a presenting symptom even in some hospitalized cases. According to CDC, 1/3 of the cases in Mexico had no fever.

Signs and symptoms of influenza A infection usually manifest 1 to 4 days after exposure. The patient typically presents with sudden onset of fever and cough but may also report chills, malaise, myalgias, headache, nasal congestion, coryza, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Classic presentations are less likely to be seen in children, adults older than 60 years, and immunosuppressed patients. Symptoms of more severe illness may include shortness of breath, chest pain, headache, debilitating myalgias, or neurologic dysfunction.
Influenza B and C infections typically manifest with mild clinical symptoms and are most commonly found in children and people who reside in group settings. Healthy adult immune systems are able to develop an antibody response that confers future resistance because influenza B and C viruses demonstrate little genetic variation.
Clinical signs of uncomplicated influenza are few but may include pharyngeal injection, conjunctival injection, facial flushing, and cervical lymph node enlargement. Frequently, the patient's complaint of a severe sore throat is not consistent with the mild pharyngeal injection seen on examination. Findings that indicate a more severe illness may include frank dyspnea, hypoxia, cyanosis, diffuse rales, pulmonary consolidation, a fever that lasts for more than 5 days, or symptoms that last for more than 10 days.

More at: http://www.jaapa.com/h1n1-in-perspective-the-clinical-impact-of-a-novel-influenza-a-virus/article/158686/

(hat tip pfi/homebody)