No abstract available.
Influenza Vaccines* ; Influenza, Human*

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human*

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human*

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human*

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human*

No abstract available.
Influenza, Human

Since the outbreak of the novel influenza H1N1 in Mexico in April 2009, more than half a million cases have been recorded with close to 6000 deaths. In contrast to seasonal flu, this virus appears to have a predilection for the young, obese and pregnant. It’s most important and almost fatal complication is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ICUs around the world have scrambled to upgrade various treatment modalities including high frequency oscillation ventilation, inotropes, antivirals and antibiotics in an effort to reduce the mortality arising out of this complication. More importantly, this complication appears reversible if adequate and early therapy is instituted. In particular, rescue therapies that allow the lung to rest appear to have brought success in some clinical settings. This article describes the experiences of six centres that have used Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) as rescue therapy in patients having ARDS. ECMO has been instituted in many of these cases not only as a bridge to therapy but also to reduce further barotrauma in these patients. ECMO experiences regarding 2 patients at the University of Michigan, 7 in Canada, 68 patients at Leicester UK, 68 in Australia and New Zealand, 1 in Hong Kong and 2 in Singapore are described. (JUMMEC 2010; 13(2): 80-87)
Influenza, Human

Seasonal and pandemic influenza causes considerable morbidity and mortality globally, but the burden of disease is understudied and underreported in developing countries such as Malaysia. Before considering the cost-effectiveness of introducing interventions such as vaccines to control influenza, it is imperative to determine clinical and socioeconomic impact of the disease. This review summarises the main available literature on human influenza in Malaysia, the possible reasons for the lack of study and awareness of influenza, and important knowledge gaps for future study.
Influenza, Human

Background: Influenza is one of the most common illnesses pediatricians face. Children are especially at risk for contracting influenza. Aside from fever, cough and colds, the disease may present differently in children. Complications due to influenza are varied and anti-virals may be useful if given early in the course of illness. Objectives: To determine the clinical profile of admitted pediatric patients with influenza based on rapid testing and determine its prevalence, outcome and complications. Methods: Cross sectional study of pediatric patients who had nasopharyngeal swab for influenza by antigen rapid detection test were included. Retrospective chart review was done on patients with influenza-like illness admitted from 2013-2019. Results: There were 244 patient charts reviewed, the mean age of patients was 5 – 9 years old and majority had no influenza vaccine during the year of admission. Patients presented with fever, cough, colds and non-specific symptoms. Ear pain, difficulty of breathing and myalgia were found to be associated with a positive influenza infection. Of the 244 suspected patients, 133 (54%) were positive for influenza rapid testing, 33% were influenza B positive and 21.3 % were influenza A positive. The most common clinical complication for influenza positive patients was pneumonia. 1 patient had respiratory failure, 5 had febrile convulsions and 7 developed viral myositis. 19% of the subjects had asthma as co-morbidity. Only 11% of the population had their annual influenza vaccine. Conclusion 54% of pediatric patients tested for influenza had positive tests for either Influenza A or B. Although generally a mild illness, it contributes to morbidity and mortality in children. Complications are not uncommon in the pediatric population as seen in this study. Vaccination remains an important preventive measure to curb influenza cases.
Influenza, Human

Background: Influenza is a commonly encountered respiratory tract infection and diagnosis remains to be a challenge. Use of a rapid antigen test may influence decisions on treatment in the emergency room (ER). Objectives: This research aims to determine the effects of rapid influenza antigen test (RIAT) on antimicrobial management of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the ER, determine the clinical profile of pediatric patients with ILI and look into the relationship between RIAT result, symptomatology, and immunization status. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which involved review of charts of 195 pediatric patients with ILI who underwent RIAT (KlintecTM) through a nasopharyngeal swab in the ER of a tertiary hospital from September 2019 to February 2020. Chi-square, Fischer exact test and likelihood ratio were used for data analysis. Results: Most pediatric patients were 7–12 years old males. Majority presented with fever, cough, and colds and underwent RIAT at 2–4 days from onset of illness. About 73.33% of study participants did not receive their yearly influenza vaccine and 70.7% of patients with positive RIAT had no influenza vaccine. There is a lower percentage of vaccinated children who developed cough (86.5% vs. 89.5%) and colds (80.8% vs. 83.2%) when compared with unvaccinated children. RIAT result significantly affected management in terms of antimicrobial prescribing to patients with ILI. Conclusion Influenza presents with non-specific symptoms and vaccination remains a major preventive measure against the disease. The result of RIAT facilitates targeted treatment for influenza and decreases unnecessary antibacterial use, but this should be done with careful thought and interpretation.
Influenza, Human