[Influenza A (H1N1): clinical manifestations and prophylactic and therapeutic indications]

Abstract

Influenza A (H1N1) was first diagnosed in Mexico and the United States in April 2009. The rapidity of its worldwide spread has alerted the health authorities and international scientific community. The usual clinical symptoms of this disease cannot be distinguished from those of seasonal influenza and include cough, fever, poor general status, odynophagia and muscular aches. To date, the hospitalization rate has been relatively low (less than 15%). Among the affected population, there are two groups with high morbidity and mortality: pregnant women and persons aged more than 65 years. Treatment consists of the neuroaminidase inhibitors oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir, which can help to reduce complications and symptom duration. Definitive diagnosis is based on reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction techniques. The remaining treatment options consist of universal measures of isolation, antipyretics and rest. Mortality is less than 1% globally but seems to be higher in Latin America. The present study gathers the available information on the manifestations, diagnostic criteria and treatment/prophylaxis of the disease.