[Clinical features and contagiousness of influenza A(H1N1) in health care workers and hospitalized patients in a Mexico City hospital].

INTRODUCTION

Respiratory infections increased in Mexico in 2009 due to an epidemic of influenza.

METHODS

To compare symptoms and infectivity of influenza A(H1N1) and seasonal influenza we evaluated epidemiological data and microbiological sampling of health workers (HW) and patients who probably had influenza.

RESULTS

From April to November 2009 we studied 83 HW (29 with influenza A(H1N1) and 8 with seasonal influenza) and 71 patients (26 and 11, respectively). The subtypes of influenza had similar clinical data.

CONCLUSIONS

Fifteen patients with immunosuppression or chronic diseases developed fatal pneumonia; the infectivity was greater for influenza A(H1N1).