10/26/2009 - News
Severe Swine Flu Mainly Affects the Young Part II
By: June Chen, MD
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A group of researchers from Canada, Mexico, and United States report that critical illness from the 2009 swine flu in Mexico occurred in young individuals and was associated with a high fatality rate. This swine flu study was published online October 12, 2009 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The 2009 influenza A (H1N1, or swine flu) virus was first reported in the southwestern United States and Mexico in March 2009. Therefore, the population and health care system of Mexico City experienced the greatest early burden of critical swine flu infection. In order to describe the baseline characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of critically ill patients in Mexico hospitals, the researchers performed an observational study of 58 critically ill patients with swine flu. They found that the sickest patients were young, with an average age of 44, and nearly all of them required mechanical ventilation for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and low oxygen levels in the blood. The researchers also found a high case-fatality rate.
These findings highlight the importance of early recognition of swine flu, as well as the possible severity of the swine flu infection among relatively young patients. Individuals who experience fever and respiratory symptoms should seek prompt medical attention both for early treatment and to reduce the likelihood of passing swine flu on to others.
Source:
JAMA. 2009;302(17):(doi:10.1001/jama.2009.1536).
Created on: 10/20/2009
Reviewed on: 10/26/2009
Reviewed on: 10/26/2009
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