Abstract

GONZALEZ VALDES, Laura Margarita; ORRACA CASTILLO, Odalys  and  SANABRIA NEGRIN, José Guillermo. Influenza A (H1N1) virus: current information. Rev Ciencias Médicas [online]. 2010, vol.14, n.1, pp.295-313. ISSN 1561-3194.

An updated review using the main search motors and international meetings already celebrated related to Influenza A H1N1 pandemics.  Items related to the history, the appearance of the pandemics, the biology of the disease, its epidemiology, clinics, treatment, prognosis and prevention.  Grippe A H1N1 is a pandemic caused by a new variant of the Influenza A virus that has suffered antigenic changes in haemaglutinin and neuraminidase.  This turns populations more susceptible to this infection and produces a temporary burden on the health services.   This virus is transmitted like other influenza viruses.  Its lethality is similar to that observed for the seasonal influenza, but may be enhanced in people having risk factors and in healthy young adults.  Asthma and pregnancy seem to be basic conditions to increase the severity of the infection.  Certain degree of protection may exist, due to cross immunity with ancient strains that circulated in the past times.  The clinical spectrum goes from asymptomatic people to the most severe forms requiring intensive care, when a rapid deterioration of the health up to reach a respiratory failure in 24 hours.  Vaccination during the epidemics seems to be non effective.  Antiviral agents (oseltamivir and zanamivir) are necessary, and the preventive hygiene-sanitary measures are highly effective.

Keywords : Viral disease; influenza; grippe; pandemics A (H1N1); clinics; epidemiology; treatment; prevention.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )