Question

Identify the disease (LIST OF OPTIONS BELOW)

Case Report # 55              

On March 23^rd, twelve patients from local hospitals were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a confirmed respiratory infection. The average age of the twelve patients was approximately 55 years old.

The most common symptom in all the patients, was fever, cough, breathing difficulties and rash.

All patients needed mechanical ventilation.

Patient history determined there was no known exposure to anyone who had been ill with cough or fever.

Each patient tested negative for Influenza A and B.

The admitted patients each went through a series of chest radiographies to rule out TB and pneumonias.

The chest radiographies showed lungs that were riddled with fuzzy clouds of white nodules (opacities) spread over a large portion of both lungs.

When the nasal swab was tested using PCR (polymerase chain reaction), the results showed the etiology was viral and more specifically an RNA virus that was not see before.

Half the patients died in the first two days. In the following week, March 30^th, eighteen more patients were admitted to the ICU with similar symptoms. Doctors were alarmed at the high mortality rate, especially in the elderly. Five patients were discharged after fourteen days. Each patient had at least 14 days of follow-up. Those that remained in the ICU continued to receive mechanical ventilation.

OPTIONS:

Pharyngitis
Scarlet fever
Diptheria
Otitis media
Common Cold       Aspergillosis

Pneumonias- Meningococcal;
Pneumococcal; Haemophilus influenza

Tuberculosis    

Legionellosis

Psittacosis (ornithosis)  

Chlamydial pneumonia

Q fever   

Pertussis –whooping cough     

Respiratory syncytial virus      (RSV)   

Influenza H1N1          

Answer 1

Answer. The most probable diagnosis comes out to be INFLUENZA H1N1.

This is also known as swine flu. Besides elderly, children and pregnant women are more prone to this infection. This infection is transferred from contaminated droplets or through contamination surfaces and enters through nose, mouth, or eyes.

This virus results in worsening the health conditions, might lead to pneumonia, or can lead to neurological seizures or even total respiratory failure. Its infection rate increases when living with other people of same condition, like in hospitals, or other nursing care centres.