Clinical features of 127 cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection in Fujian Province

Objective To investigate the clinical features of 127 cases of the novel influenza A/H1N1 infection in Fujian Province. Methods This study included 127 human cases with the novel influenza A/H1N1 infection in Fujian Province from May 2009 to July 2009. Data were collected and reviewed from hospital medical records. The statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 11.5. Results The median age of the 127 patients (55 were females) was 21 years (range 0.4-58). The median incubation period was 2 d (range 1-12 d). The typical clinical symptoms included fever, cough, sputum, and sore throat. The duration of symptoms in patients less than 5 years old and in patients more than 5 years old were (8.2 ± 4.1) and (5.4 ± 3.0) d respectively, the difference between these 2 groups being significant (z=3.182, P 0.05). 125 patients received antiviral treatment with oseltamivir and they all had a good prognosis. There was a statistical difference in the duration of symptoms between the patients who used oseltamivir within 48 h after disease onset and patients who used the drug beyond 48 h [( 4.7 ± 2.2) vs (7.4 ± 4.1) days, z=4.907, P<0.01]. All of the patients survived. Conclusions The clinical symptoms of this series of patients with the novel influenza A(H1N1) infection appeared to be mild. There were several factors associated with longer duration of symptoms, including aged 5 years or younger, higher fever(body temperature> 38 ℃), higher white blood cell count and lymphocyte count. The early use of anti-retroviral treatment with oseltamivir was useful in shortening the duration. The novel influenza A (H1N1) infection was a self-limited disease, and patients with no complications had a good prognosis. Key words: Influenza A virus, H1N1 subtype; Symptoms and signs; Oseltamivir