• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2013

Purpose: This retrospective study was performed to identify the clinical characteristics of influenza B infection and compare to influenza A infection. Methods: Medical records of patients diagnosed with influenza using a multiplex PCR test, admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, during the 2011-2012 influenza season were analyzed. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of influenza B patients were investigated and compared with those of influenza A patients. Results: A total of 145 influenza patients were enrolled during this study period. Among these, 66 and 78 patients were diagnosed with influenza A and B, respectively, and 1 patient was diagnosed with co-existing influenza A and B. Cough (88.2%), rhinorrhea (77.1%) and sputum (60.4%) were the most common symptoms among these influenza patients, and most were diagnosed with upper respiratory infection (31.9%) or lower respiratory infection (49.3%). In comparison to influenza A patients, influenza B patients were older ($4.7{\pm}4.1$ years vs. $3.3{\pm}2.5$ years, P=0.016), and the number of fever days before hospitalization were longer (3.0 days vs. 2.5 days, P=0.043). While sore throat (10.3% vs. 1.5%, P=0.039) and vomiting (20.5% vs. 6.1%, P=0.012) were more common in influenza B patients than in influenza A patients, other clinical and laboratory characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: No significant differences in clinical and laboratory perspectives were manifested in influenza A and B infections. Preventive measures should be emphasized over treatment in influenza B due to prolonged fever duration before admission.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.519-524
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• 2009

This study surveyed the knowledge level, self-efficacy, seriousness in infection, and behavioral intention for H1N1 targeting some undergraduates for the Health Division who are attending university where is located in Metropolitan Area, and surveyed the difference according 10 gender. As a result, the following conclusions were obtained. 1. As for knowledge on H1N1, the highest correct-answer rate was shown in the item as saying that 'New influenza may be possible for person-to-person infection(94.6%).' The item as saying that 'New influenza is what is same as avian influenza(16.3%)' showed the lowest correct-answer rate. The knowledge of H1N1 was indicated to be averagely 7.8 points given making it score. 2. As for self-efficacy on H1N1 according to gender male students were shown to be higher than female students. Thus, there was significant difference(P < 0.05). As for seriousness about infection, female students were indicated 10 think it more serious about infection with H1N1 than male students. Thus, there was significant difference(P < 0.01). As for behavioral intention, the response as saying at 'When an acquaintance is attacked by new influenza, I will try to consider meeting' was indicated to be higher in female students with 3.98 points than male students with 3.79 points. Thus, there was significant difference(P < 0.05).

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.158-169
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• 2004

Purpose : Although influenza is one of the most important cause of acute respiratory tract infections in children, virus isolation is not popular and there are only a few clinical studies on influenza and diagnostic methods. We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical features of influenza in children and rapid antigen detection test(QuickVue influenza test) on fist half of the year 2004 in Busan. Methods : From January 2004 to June 2004, throat swab and nasal secretion were obtained and cultured for the isolation of influenza virus and tested by rapid antigen detection test(QuickVue influenza test) in children with suspected influenza infections. The medical records of patients with influenza virus infection were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Influenza viruses were isolated in 79(17.2%) out of 621 patients examined. Influenza virus was isolated mainly from March to April 2004. The ratio of male and female with influenza virus infection was 1.2 : 1 with median age of 4 years 6month. The most common clinical diagnosis of influenza virus infection was bronchitis. There was no difference between influenza A and B infection in clinical diagnosis and symptoms. All patients recovered without severe complication. The sensitivity obtained for rapid antigen detection test (QuickVue influenza test) was 93.6% and the specificity was 80.2%, the positive predictive value 40.8%, the negative predictive value 98.8%. Conclusion : With rapid antigen detection test, it is possible early detection of influenza in children. reduction in use of antimicrobial agent and early use of antiviral agent.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.171-179
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• 2020

Purpose: In Korea, seasonal influenza is an important respiratory illness afflicting children every year. We aimed to investigate the childhood epidemiology in Jeju during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. Methods: Children aged <13 years, who were tested for influenza at the Jeju National University Hospital during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 influenza seasons, were included. Demographics and the influenza test results were retrospectively reviewed from their medical records. Results: This study included 5,219 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) (2017-2018: n=2,279; 2018-2019: n=2,940). The mean age of the eligible children was 2.85±2.79 years, and the most common age among ILI patients in each season was 1 year group. There were 902 (17.3%, 902/5,219) confirmed influenza cases during the 2 seasons. The rate of influenza confirmed by rapid influenza diagnostic test or polymerase chain reaction among ILI patients in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons was 10.4% (236/2,279) and 10.3% (303/2,940) for influenza A, and 9.1% (208/2,279) and 5.3% (155/2,940) for influenza B, respectively. The mean age of influenza-confirmed cases was 4.09 years and 5.05 years in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons, respectively (P<0.05). Weekly distribution of influenza was similar to that of ILI in the clinical sentinel surveillance system in both seasons. Conclusion: The difference in the influenza epidemic trend and age-group distribution between the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons was distinct in Jeju. Steady epidemiological studies on influenza in Jeju are needed for comparison with other regions of Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.1087-1095
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• 2015

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. We consider, in this paper, regression models as a prediction model of influenza disease. While most of previous researches use mainly the meteorological variables as a predictive variables, we consider social media information in the models. As a result, we found that the contributions of two-type of informations are comparable. We used the medical treatment data of influenza provided by Natioal Health Insurance Survice (NHIS) and the meteorological data provided by Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). We collect social media information (twitter buzz amount) from Twitter. Time series model is also considered for comparison.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

Influenza is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus with symptoms of high fever and headache. Since influenza especially mutates into multiple subtypes in the carrier's body, it is a serious threat for mankind such as Spanish influenza. The treatment of influenza infection mandates the use of antiviral drugs through rapid diagnostic test. Generally, immunochromatography-based rapid influenza diagnostic tests are used for rapid diagnosis in an emergency. In this paper, we propose an influenza analysis algorithm based on image processing to examine a large number of patients suspected of being infected with influenza. Also, we propose a robust influenza analysis algorithm based on the joint cumulative mass function under varying radiometric conditions such as illuminant and exposure differences. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the error of influenza diagnosis under different radiometric conditions.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2016

Purpose: An outbreak of influenza virus is uncommon in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The clinical presentation of influenza virus infection in neonates is diverse. This study was aimed to report an outbreak of influenza A in a NICU and to investigate the clinical characteristics of influenza virus infection in neonates especially preterm infants during the 2011-2012 influenza season in Korea. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 29 patients who were evaluated by respiratory virus multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at NICU of Kosin University Gospel Hospital during the 2011-2012 seasonal influenza outbreak in Korea. Results: Eleven patients (37.9%) were influenza A virus RT-PCR positive during the survey periods. They were all preterm infants and three of them had no symptoms. Eight patients had symptoms and it was fever (18%, 2/11), respiratory difficulty (72.7%, 8/11) without symptoms of upper respiratory infection, and gastrointestinal symptoms (27.3%, 3/11). The median duration of symptom was 5 days. There were differences of duration of admission at the test of respiratory RT-PCR, Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score, use of mechanical ventilation, and use of dexamethasone before infection between influenza A virus RT-PCR positive and negative group. All 11 patients with influenza A were discharged without any complications. Conclusions: The symptoms of influenza A virus infection in the preterm infants is nonspecific. Influenza A virus should be considered as a possible cause of infection in NICU during the influenza season in the community.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim for this study was to investigate clinical manifestation of seasonal influenza A and B during the 2012 winter season in Wonju, South Korea. Their clinical and laboratorial characteristics and effect of oseltamivir were compared and analyzed. Methods: Children under the age of 18 years who visited the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital with fever or acute respiratory symptoms and who were diagnosed with influenza A or B by rapid antigen test from nasopharyngeal swab were selected for the study. The medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Influenza A was detected in 374 patients (83.7%), and influenza B in 72 (16.6%). The incidence of influenza A was highest in February (n=186), while that of influenza B was highest in March (n=36). The most common symptoms were fever (n=434, 97.1%) and cough (n=362, 81.0%). No significant differences were observed between influenza A and B in symptoms and laboratory data. Patients who had used oseltamivir within 2 days showed statistically lower admission rate, shorter admission duration, and lower incidence of pneumonia. Conclusion: This study found no statistical difference between influenza A and B, in symptoms, progression, and laboratory test, but those who were treated with oseltamivir given within 2 days of the onset of fever experienced more positive outcomes.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.300-311
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing on influenza vaccination among socio-demographic characteristics and health behaviors. Data of 18,299 adults of age between 19 and 65 years who answered to the survey on National Health and Nutrition and influenza vaccination from 2007 to 2010 was used and analyzed. Overall influenza vaccination rate was 21.7%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors influencing on influenza vaccination were an increasing age, a residence in rural area, a high personal income, a low educational level, jobless women, experience of hospital visits, and morbidity of chronic illnesses. In conclusion, influenza vaccination rate in Korea is low and influenced by multiple socio-demographic factors and health behaviors. It is needed to seek a strategy to develop a vaccination program in consideration of factors associated with influenza vaccination.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2005

Influenza is an important public health problem which occurs almost every winter in temperate climates and is often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death. In 1999, our influenza surveillance was initiated with 4 voluntary sentinel physicians and the Public Health Center. During the 2003-2004 influenza season, 124 influenza viruses were isolated from 401 clinical specimens, which were collected from patients with Influenza-like illness(ILI) in Seoul. The case definition of ILI is a case with fever more than $38^{\circ}C$ and systemic symptoms; cough, or sore throat. ILI was the highest at the 20-49 age $group(23\%)$ and the rate of virus isolation was the highest at the 7-19 age $group(50\%)$. Among 124 influenza viruses, isolates 83 were identified as A/H3N2 type and others were subtyped as influenza B viruses in 2003-2004 season. Influenza viruses were collected $39.1\%$ at Nowon-Gu, $13.5\%$ Gangnam-Gu and Seocho-Gu etc. and the isolate rate of virus had the area difference; Yongsan-Gu $66.7\%$, Gangnam-gu $50.0\%$, Nowon-Gu $39.9\%$, Kangbuk-Gu $36.8\%$, Seocho-Gu $27.8\%$, Dongjak-Gu $21.2\%$. Out of 401 individuals, 160 was vaccinated $(40\%)$ and the vaccination rate was the highest at the 20-49 age $group(32\%)$. These findings may contribute to the recommondation of the influenza vaccine formulation and the development of influenza control measure.