Avian Influenza

Cheong, Hee Jin

doi:2005.48.12.1195

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 48(12); 2005 > Article

Continuing Education Column

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2005;48(12):1195-1205.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2005.48.12.1195

Avian Influenza

Hee Jin Cheong

Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Gu-Ro Hospital, Korea. heejinmd@korea.ac.kr

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.

Key Words: Avian Influenza