Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0242429 (sore throat)
 2,760 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In reviewing recent advances in upper respiratory tract infections, we focus on five key topics. First, the use of ribavirin in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection has been limited to the immunosuppressed. Prophylaxis in high-risk patients with specific immunoglobulin is effective and a new monoclonal antibody shows promise. Second, the efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitors in the treatment of influenza has become established. There are unresolved concerns about early implementation of therapy without a firm diagnosis; resource implications are enormous. Third, an outbreak of influenza due to avian influenza virus (H5N1) raised the possibility of a new pandemic. However, there was minimal person-to-person spread although much was learned about pathogenesis of infection. Fourth, evidence favoring the use of ciprofloxacin rather than rifampicin for meningococcal chemoprophylaxis is reviewed. Efficacy in eradicating nasopharyngeal carriage is excellent. Finally, the management of sore throat has been considered. This remains controversial but evidence supporting antibiotic therapy in adults is lacking. If treatment is indicated in childhood, shorter courses of antibiotics may be effective.
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PMID:Upper respiratory tract infections. 1022 40

In December 2003, the largest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 occurred among poultry in 8 Asian countries. A limited number of human H5N1 infections have been reported from Vietnam and Thailand, with a mortality rate approaching 70%. Deaths have occurred in otherwise healthy young individuals, which is reminiscent of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic. The main presenting features were fever, pneumonitis, lymphopenia, and diarrhea. Notably, sore throat, conjunctivitis, and coryza were absent. The H5N1 strains are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine but are susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors, which can be used for treatment and prophylaxis. The widespread epidemic of avian influenza in domestic birds increases the likelihood for mutational events and genetic reassortment. The threat of a future pandemic from avian influenza is real. Adequate surveillance, development of vaccines, outbreak preparedness, and pandemic influenza planning are important. This article summarizes the current knowledge on avian influenza, including the virology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of this emerging disease.
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PMID:Avian influenza: a new pandemic threat? 1506 17

The epidemiology, symptomology, and viral aetiology of endemic influenza remain largely uncharacterized in Cambodia. In December 2006, we established passive hospital-based surveillance to identify the causes of acute undifferentiated fever in patients seeking healthcare. Fever was defined as tympanic membrane temperature >38 degrees C. From December 2006 to December 2008, 4233 patients were screened for influenza virus by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Of these patients, 1151 (27.2%) were positive for influenza. Cough (68.8% vs. 50.5%, P < 0.0001) and sore throat (55.0% vs. 41.9%, P < 0.0001) were more often associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza-infected patients compared to influenza-negative enrollees. A clear influenza season was evident between July and December with a peak during the rainy season. Influenza A and B viruses were identified in 768 (66.3%) and 388 (33.7%) of the influenza-positive population (n = 1153), respectively. In December 2008, passive surveillance identified infection of the avian influenza virus H5N1 in a 19-year-old farmer from Kandal province who subsequently recovered. From a subset of diagnostic samples submitted in 2007, 15 A(H1N1), seven A(H3N2) and seven B viruses were isolated. The predominant subtype tested was influenza A(H1N1), with the majority antigenically related to the A/Solomon Island/03/2006 vaccine strain. The influenza A(H3N2) isolates and influenza B viruses analysed were closely related to A/Brisbane/10/2007 or B/Ohio/01/2005 (B/Victoria/2/87-lineage) vaccine strains, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA1 region of the HA gene of influenza A(H1N1) viruses demonstrated that the Cambodian isolates belonged to clade 2C along with representative H1N1 viruses circulating in SE Asia at the time. These viruses remained sensitive to oseltamivir. In total, our data suggest that viral influenza infections contribute to nearly one-fifth of acute febrile illnesses and demonstrate the importance of influenza surveillance in Cambodia.
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PMID:Influenza epidemiology and characterization of influenza viruses in patients seeking treatment for acute fever in Cambodia. 1969 13

Since 1997, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have increased in frequency and severity. In December 2003, an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza occurred in poultry in eight Asian countries. Vietnam and Thailand also reported human infection due to H5H1 avian influenza virus. Outbreaks of avian influenza (flu) among poultry continue and Thailand has reported human mortality in a second wave of human avian influenza in the year 2004. The main presenting features of avian influenza H5N1 in humans are fever, pneumonitis, lymphopenia and diarrhoea. Notably coryza, sore throat and conjunctivitis were absent. H5N1 strains are sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors which can be used for treatment and prophylaxis. India has been lucky so far, but with emerging infectious diseases, what can be predicted is that the unpredictable will happen and with a population exceeding one billion, the impact will be disastrous. The mortality rate of H5H1 avian influenza has been greater than 70% so far. The need of the hour is to have a proactive National Pandemic Influenza Respone and Preparedness Plan which should outline a coordinated national strategy to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic which is probably imminent. How prepared are we to handle it, is the question that all nations must ask themselves. This article summarises the current knowledge about this emerging infectious disease, the current global situation and the surveillance and diagnostic recommendations.
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PMID:Avian influenza: risk to human health and the need for an effective government policy. 2188 76

The clinical manifestations associated with H5N1 infection in humans range from asymptomatic infection to mild upper respiratory illness, severe pneumonia, and multiple organ failure. The ratio of symptomatic cases to asymptomatic cases is not known, because it is not possible to precisely define the number of asymptomatic cases. A total of 97 cases suffering from avian flu were suspected based on history taking, demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiological investigations. The followings were done for all cases; complete blood picture (differential leucocytic count), coagulation profile, renal and liver function tests. H5N1 influenza virus was diagnosed thorough PCR technique. Changes in arterial blood gases and repeated chest X-rays were reported frequently. All patients were given specific antiviral therapy (oseltamivir). The study described the clinical picture and laboratory results of 81 confirmed avian influenza human cases in an Egyptian hospital (Abassia chest hospital), and reviewed the avian influenza current situation covering from March 2006 to June 2009 with very high pick in the first half of 2009. The significant apparent symptoms were fever as initial and main symptom (93.75%), followed by shortness of breathing (73%), cough (66.6%), muscle & joint pain (60%) and sore throat (40%).
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PMID:Clinical features of avian influenza in Egyptian patients. 2321 16

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N6 virus has caused four human infections in China. This study reports the preliminary findings of the first known human case of H5N6 in Yunnan province. The patient initially developed symptoms of sore throat and coughing on 27 January 2015. The disease rapidly progressed to severe pneumonia, multiple organ dysfunctions and acute respiratory distress syndrome and the patient died on 6 February. Virological analysis determined that the virus belonged to H5 clade 2.3.4.4 and it has obtained partial ability for mammalian adaptation and amantadine resistance. Environmental investigation found H5 in 63% of the samples including poultry faeces, tissues, cage surface swabs and sewage from local live poultry markets by real-time RT-PCR. These findings suggest that the expanding and enhancing of surveillance in both avian and humans are necessary to monitor the evolution of H5 influenza virus and to facilitate early detection of suspected cases.
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PMID:Human infection with a highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N6) virus in Yunnan province, China. 2882 31