The H1N1 virus has killed more healthy individuals as compared to those with underlying health conditions this year. An analysis of the 192 H1N1 deaths in the State so far has shown that 108 victims did not have any co-morbid conditions, while 84 had co-morbid conditions.
H1N1 is an airborne respiratory disease caused by the type-A influenza virus. Maharashtra has recorded more than 1,900 cases so far this year. “Among those with co-morbid conditions, 60 patients had diabetes, hypertension or both. Five of the victims were pregnant women,” State epidemiologist Dr. Pradeep Awate said.
Doctors said more fatalities in healthy individuals are worrisome, as the virus is known to be more fatal in patients who have existing health conditions. Pregnant women, children and senior citizens are also at added risk.
One of the main reasons for H1N1 deaths is a delay in the initiation of treatment. According to State government officials, nearly 39% of the 192 patients who succumbed had received oseltamivir only on the sixth day or later. Oseltamivir, the medicine that works against H1N1, is available under various brand names like Tamiflu or Antiflu.
“If there is a delay in treatment, patients’ symptoms become worse. But when a patient gets timely treatment, we start seeing him recover within 36 hours,” Dr. Pratit Samdani, a physician who practises in several south Mumbai hospitals, said. In the past two months, Dr. Samdani has seen nearly 60 positive H1N1 cases.
Government officials said private practitioners often delay treatment while waiting for test reports for H1N1. “We have made a protocol to put patients on treatment before testing if the symptoms are similar to those of H1N1,” a State health official said. Nasal congestion, sore throat, high-grade fever, cough, breathlessness, body ache, vomiting, and diarrhoea are classic H1N1 symptoms.