Yet another patient admitted with suspected H1N1. Very similar presentation this time as well. It starts as a flu-like illness and progresses to a full-blown ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). The rapid flu test is negative again. I am not even sure if we should be using those. The patients are being treated empirically based on their presenting symptoms. It strikes me how quickly the patients develop organ failure including renal dysfunction. What looks like pneumonia on CXR is likely hemorrhagic pneumonia. That will explain why it’s so difficult to ventilate those patients. Most patients so far have some preexisting condition like diabetes, COPD, CHF etc.
We have been warned that there is national respirator shortage and we should use them sparingly. The vaccine is yet to be widely available.