Characterization of child with H1N1 infection and of physical therapy intervention: series cases reports

Abstract

Infection with influenza A, subtype H1N1, is considered acute viral disease and important cause of respiratory disease. Children were considered as one of the groups at risk, due to the immaturity of the immune system. Physical therapy can play in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases in children, using various techniques and therapeutic procedures. Thus, this study aims to describe the care of children in physical therapy in a teaching hospital with diagnosis/suspected H1N1 infection. Is a descriptive study of series cases reports performed by analysis of medical records. Investigated medical records of 14 children with median age of 1 year and 5 months, 10 male and 4 female. The most frequent clinical presentation was respiratory effort, followed by cough, fever, runny nose, vomiting and body ache. The techniques of respiratory physiotherapy were commonly performed, followed by kinesiotherapy, guidelines for parents, oxygen support and encouragement to neurodevelopment. The average hospital stay was 4.57 days. Some kind of sign of respiratory effort, some children were added to the diagnosis/suspected with H1N1 infection associated diseases diagnosis. Physical therapy was performed mainly to improve respiratory mechanics by means of clearance techniques and other respiratory techniques, but concern about mobilizations, guidance for parents and development motor was also highlighted.