Giuseppe
Emeritus
Clinical management of human infection with pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009: Revised guidance - November 2009 (WHO, excerpt, edited)
[Source Full PDF Document: LINK. EDITED.]
Clinical management of human infection with pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009: Revised guidance - November 2009
Introduction
A novel influenza A (H1N1) virus of swine origin emerged among people in Mexico during the spring of 2009 and spread with travellers worldwide, resulting in the first influenza pandemic since 1968. As of October 2009, 195 countries have reported confirmed human cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
While the majority of illnesses caused by pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection have been self-limited mild-to-moderate uncomplicated disease, severe complications including fatal outcomes have been reported.
The pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus differs in its pathogenicity from seasonal influenza in two key aspects.
First, as the majority of human population has little or no pre-existing immunity to the virus, the impact of the infection has been in a wider age range, in particular among children and young adults. Secondly, the virus can infect the lower respiratory tract and cause rapidly progressive pneumonia especially in children and young to middle-aged adults.
In October 2009, WHO convened an international consultation represented by all WHO Regions, in Washington, DC, USA, to revise the guidance on clinical management of patients with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection. Experts in public health, laboratory
science, pathology, and clinical care came together to review the published evidence to date and to share unpublished data. This document incorporates the knowledge made available to WHO and updates previous WHO guidance.
Additional WHO guidance on pharmacological management, as well as infection control recommendations for health care facilities, are available separately. We anticipate commissioning full evidence reviews in preparation for another international consultation in 2010.
This clinical guidance will then be revised accordingly, based upon new information. The purpose of this document is to provide information for clinicians managing patients with suspected or confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection.
(...)
-
-----
[Source Full PDF Document: LINK. EDITED.]
Clinical management of human infection with pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009: Revised guidance - November 2009
Introduction
A novel influenza A (H1N1) virus of swine origin emerged among people in Mexico during the spring of 2009 and spread with travellers worldwide, resulting in the first influenza pandemic since 1968. As of October 2009, 195 countries have reported confirmed human cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
While the majority of illnesses caused by pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection have been self-limited mild-to-moderate uncomplicated disease, severe complications including fatal outcomes have been reported.
The pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus differs in its pathogenicity from seasonal influenza in two key aspects.
First, as the majority of human population has little or no pre-existing immunity to the virus, the impact of the infection has been in a wider age range, in particular among children and young adults. Secondly, the virus can infect the lower respiratory tract and cause rapidly progressive pneumonia especially in children and young to middle-aged adults.
In October 2009, WHO convened an international consultation represented by all WHO Regions, in Washington, DC, USA, to revise the guidance on clinical management of patients with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection. Experts in public health, laboratory
science, pathology, and clinical care came together to review the published evidence to date and to share unpublished data. This document incorporates the knowledge made available to WHO and updates previous WHO guidance.
Additional WHO guidance on pharmacological management, as well as infection control recommendations for health care facilities, are available separately. We anticipate commissioning full evidence reviews in preparation for another international consultation in 2010.
This clinical guidance will then be revised accordingly, based upon new information. The purpose of this document is to provide information for clinicians managing patients with suspected or confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection.
(...)
-
-----