Influenza / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Influenza causes variable epidemics annually and imposes public health problems and socioeconomic burden. They cause epidemic acute respiratory disease, characterized by fever, cough and systemic symptoms. The annual epidemics of seasonal influenza can affect any age group and result in serious illness or death, particularly in high risk populations such as adults > 65 years old, children < 2 years old and those with chronic medical condition at any age. Three types (A, B, and C) are recognized as well as many subtypes within the type A. New influenza A virus subtypes sporadically emerge in humans to cause widespread disease or pandemics. Antiviral therapy with oseltamivir or zanamivir is available and shorten the duration of illness and reduce the rate of complications. Influenza vaccines are effective in the prevention of influenza illness, although improved vaccines are needed.