Clinical course of avian influenza A(H5N1) in patients at the Persahabatan Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, 2005-2008.

Background: Limited understanding of the presentation and course of influenza A(H5N1) infection in humans hinders evidence-based management.

Methods: We reviewed the case records of patients admitted to the Persahabatan Hospital (RSP), Jakarta, Indonesia, with influenza A(H5N1) confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Twenty-two previously well patients, aged 3 to 47 years (median 24.