[Influenza a (H1N1) virus infection in humans: review to 30th October 2009]

Since human infection by a novel influenza virus A H1N1 of swine origin was reported in April 2009, the virus has spread worldwide causing a pandemic. In the Southern Hemisphere, the first pandemic wave has taken place, coinciding with Austral Winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, transmission has been sustained under the basal level of epidemic until the first weeks of October, when incidence rates have risen up to the pidemic level in some countries, including Spain. This work reviews the differential characteristics of this novel virus in terms of pathogenicity, clinical syndrome and epidemiology, as well as the diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic procedures available; information we consider relevant to minimize the impact of this new pandemic in our area.