# 1844
I've returned from my week-long exile from the Internet. My car has 2600 more miles on the odometer, my email inbox has 400 new unread messages, and my recently repaired roof leaked in 4 places during my absence.
But it's good to be home. My thanks to those who inquired about my absence. I make this week long trek to Missouri to see my Lyme doctor twice each year, and admittedly, it's tough being cut off from the Internet.
I was able to sneak a peek at the excellent coverage provided by Crof', Scott, and the Revere's site a couple of times, so I've been well briefed on the news.
Thanks guys, you made taking a break so much easier.
It isn't unusual for a medical journal to include an article on avian influenza or pandemics. That happens practically every month. What is unusual is for a medical journal to produce an issue entirely devoted to pandemic influenza.
The journal Respirology has done exactly that. They've produced a supplementary issue chock full of information on avian flu. For those unfamiliar with this medical journal, this is how they describe themselves:
Respirology
Official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.
Edited by:
Philip J. Thompson
Respirology is a journal of international standing, publishing peer-reviewed articles of scientific excellence in clinical and experimental respiratory biology and disease and its related fields of research including thoracic surgery, internal medicine, immunology, intensive and critical care, epidemiology, cell and molecular biology, pathology, pharmacology and physiology.
All of the articles listed below may be freely accessed without a subscription to Respirology.
I've not had a chance to read this issue yet, but from the looks of the contents, I expect I'll be devoting a good deal of time to it.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION: Avian influenza: From basic biology to pandemic planning
Li-Cher LOH, David S.-C. HUI AND Richard BEASLEY
pages S1–S1
Global epidemiology of human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses
pages S2–S9
Review of clinical symptoms and spectrum in humans with influenza A/H5N1 infection
pages S10–S13
Avian influenza: Update on pathogenesis and laboratory diagnosis
John M. NICHOLLS AND J.S. Malik PEIRIS
pages S14–S18
Update on influenza anti-virals
pages S19–S21
Influenza A/H5N1 infection: Other treatment options and issues
pages S22–S26
Intensive care management of life-threatening avian influenza A (H5N1)
Curtis N. SESSLER AND Nicole D. GRAY
pages S27–S32
Pandemic planning in China: Applying lessons from severe acute respiratory syndrome
Nan-Shan ZHONG AND Guang-Qiao ZENG
pages S33–S35
Response to avian influenza and preparedness for pandemic influenza: Thailand's experience
pages S36–S40
Update on influenza vaccines
pages S41–S43
Pandemic planning: Non-pharmaceutical interventions
pages S44–S48
