People without prior diseases prone to H1N1

[Ronan Kelly]

People without prior diseases prone to H1N1
May 27th, 2010
PTI.
Most of the people who succumbed to the swine flu virus in the country were otherwise healthy individuals as against the prior belief that mainly those with other underlying medical problems died due to the disease.
After conducting a 'death analysis' of 909 cases, the Union ministry of health and family welfare has found that 535 among these were healthy people who got infected with the virus while remaining 374 had underlying health problems like neurological diseases, heart problems among others.

Deaths are still occurring due to the H1N1 virus and as per government records 27 deaths have been reported this month alone, majority of them from Pune. A total of 1,527 deaths have been reported due to H1N1 virus in the country while 31,904 people have been found positive to it till date.
The first positive swine flu case was reported on May 16, 2009 and the first death was reported on August 3, 2009.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) under the Ministry of health and Family Welfare is responsible for giving information on the pandemic influenza. An IDSP official said, "Mostly people who are otherwise healthy contracted swine flu virus and succumbed. A death analysis of people who succumbed to the H1N1 virus is under process and already 909 cases have been analysed." A similar opinion has been given by the World Health Organisation too. Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for South-east Asia said, "Most of the deaths caused by the pandemic influenza have occurred among younger people, including those who were otherwise healthy." Among the people who had underlying health problems included diabetics (9.5 per cent), those having lung disease (5.7 per cent), those with coronary heart disease (4.5 per cent), people with AIDS (1.8 per cent) and those suffering from neurological disorders (1.5 per cent), he said. "A theory that summer will give relief from swine flu does not work as already 28 deaths have been reported from different parts of the country," a doctor with the AIIMS said.http://www.deccanchronicle.com/health/people-without-prior-diseases-prone-h1n1-358

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: People without prior diseases prone to H1N1

similar report from UK.
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149136

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: People without prior diseases prone to H1N1

High-risk people more prone to H1N1
Umesh Isalkar, TNN, Jul 30, 2010, 04.06am IST

PUNE: An analysis of H1N1 casualties since April has revealed that 42 per cent of the people who died were those falling in high risk category with either some kind of associated illness or low immunity level due to pregnancy.

"Of the 33 people who died due to the H1N1 influenza at Sassoon Hospital since April this year, eight had other associated illness like diabetes, hypertension and six were pregnant woman," Arun Jamkar, dean of Sassoon General Hospital told TOI on Thursday. One among the dead was HIV positive as well, added Jamkar.

Jamkar elaborated, "Among certain groups, primarily those with underlying health problems, there is an increased risk of complications. Such people should seek immediate medical help if they develop flu-like symptoms. Preventive vaccine against H1N1 influenza is available now. People falling in high risk category should get themselves vaccinated."

Pregnant women, people aged 65, children under five, people with chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic heart disease, neurological diseases (including motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson?s), hypertension, diabetes, history of being treated for asthma in the past three years etc. fall among the high risk category.

"People in the above groups should seek immediate medical attention if they display symptoms of the flu," said Sharad Agarkhedkar, president of the city chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA).

"There seem to be two reasons for the death toll among H1N1 infected pregnant women. The first is the altered immune status of pregnant women making them particularly vulnerable to the virus. The second is that late pregnancy compromises lung function. If a pregnant woman gets pneumonia as a complication of the flu, it is particularly difficult to ensure that enough oxygen for the body," said senior gynaecologist Sanjay Gupte, president of the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI). However, early initiation of medical treatment can make lot of difference, added Gupte.

"Since throat swabs of only severely-ill patients are considered for test, we don?t have the data of total number of positive cases in pregnant women in the state. Suspected cases are administered Tamiflu without going for the test," said a state health official.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...le-more-prone-to-H1N1/articleshow/6234485.cms