Abstract
During the 2003/2004 influenza season, we studied the influenza immunization rate number of influenza patients, preventive measures, and post-exposure prophylaxis with oseltamivir, in 198 patients who were admitted to five wards for physically and mentally handicapped patients.
In spite of an influenza immunization rate of 80-100%, 32 of the 40 patients in one ward caught influenza. The reason for the epidemic in the ward was that the first patient was thought to have a common respiratory infection not influenza, since influenza had not spread in our area, consequently, the patient was not immediately isolated from other patients in the same ward.
Influenza did not spread to the rest of the four wards because patients with a fever were immediately isolated from other patients in the same ward. In addition, patient who had been exposed to influenza were administered oseltamivir for post-exposure prophylaxis. The patients administered oseltamivir did not catch influenza and no side effects from the medication were observed. Therefore, it is very important during the influenza season to immediately isolate patients with a fever from other patients in wards for the physically and mentally handicapped. Furthermore, administration of oseltamivir for post-exposure prophylaxis is effective for the prevention of influenza epidemics.
