Avian influenza

Definition

A rare, infectious disease characterized by variable severity and outcome, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection with fever and cough, to influenza-like illness with rapid progression to severe pneumonia, sepsis with shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome and even death. Additional manifestations may include conjunctivitis, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, multiple organ dysfunction, and encephalopathy.