Hospitalised adult patients with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Objective: To describe the case characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalised with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza infection during the first 2 months of the epidemic. Design, participants and setting: Prospective case series of 112 patients admitted to seven hospitals in Melbourne with laboratory-confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza between 1 May and 17 July 2009. Main outcome measures: Details of case characteristics, risk factors for severe disease, treatment and clinical course. Results: Of 112 hospitalised patients, most presented with cough (88%) and/or fever (82%), but several (4%) had neither symptom. A quarter of female patients (15) were pregnant or in the post-partum pe..