THE first Influenza A (H1N1) patient here whose illness was serious enough to get him hospitalised in the intensive care unit is now in stable condition. A Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) spokesman said his condition is being closely monitored and he is still receiving treatment.

The 63-year-old man had gone to the hospital's emergency department on Sunday, after having flu-like symptoms for three days. He also has underlying medical conditions such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol.

He was admitted and isolated by doctors to treat complications, such as pneumonia and heart disease. Laboratory testing later confirmed that he was infected with H1N1 and he was given the antiviral Tamiflu.

According to an earlier Ministry of Health press release, the man was transferred to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Monday morning because of his multiple existing conditions. His son told The Straits Times on Tuesday that the man has made some progress since and is conscious.

Although in close proximity to other patients in the ICU, he has been isolated in a glass room with entry into the room restricted even for family members. But they were able to see him from outside the room, where he gave them the thumbs-up to signal that he is okay.

On the morning of his admission to TTSH, he had started to feel breathless. His family immediately called an ambulance and his son accompanied him to the hospital. At the time, his family did not suspect that he might have H1N1. 'I have no idea where he might have got it from,' said his 35-year-old son.

He said that he did not know if his father was ill in the days leading up to his admission. He had gone to work on Saturday morning as usual.

The man's wife has since also developed a sore throat and runny nose, but a test at the Communicable Disease Centre later came up negative for H1N1, he added. The rest of the family have not developed any symptoms, he said.

He plans to take leave until his father's condition improves; it is also an added precaution in case he is carrying the virus.

Worldwide, people with immune systems weakened by chronic lung, heart and other diseases have been more susceptible to H1N1 flu infections and serious complications. On Tuesday, Singapore confirmed 106 new cases of H1N1, bringing the total tally to 1,217 confirmed cases.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times