J Korean Med Assoc.  2005 Dec;48(12):1195-1205. 10.5124/jkma.2005.48.12.1195.

Avian Influenza

• Cheong HJ

• KMID: 2015631
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2005.48.12.1195

Abstract

Influenza is an acute febrile disease caused by influenza virus (type A or B). Influenza virus is the major culprit of viral diseases in the respiratory tract with the highest mortality in the human history and can affect 10~40% of the general population within only 4 weeks when it is epidemic. In immunocompetent individuals, influenza infection is mostly limited as 'flu' for several days, but in immunocompromised hosts such as elderly individuals and those with chronic diseases it can result in serious complications such as pneumonia and can also aggravate underlying diseases requiring admission and increasing mortality. Despite the wide application of influenza vaccines for the last decades, influenza still remains an important health issue due to the increase of the susceptible individuals and the recent outbreaks of avian flu along with the emergence of new strains.

Keyword

Avian Influenza

MeSH Terms

Aged
Animals
Chronic Disease
Disease Outbreaks
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Influenza in Birds*
Influenza Vaccines
Influenza, Human
Mortality
Orthomyxoviridae
Pneumonia
Respiratory System
Virus Diseases
Influenza Vaccines