• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.91 no.1
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• pp.88-91
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• 2016

Influenza infection may be complicated by various infectious or non-infectious diseases. Among them, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an uncommon hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by uncontrolled proliferation and activation of macrophages and lymphocytes, and it is often life threatening. A previously healthy male patient was suspected to have HLH after influenza B infection. The diagnosis was established based on clinical diagnostic criteria suggested in the HLH-2004 trial. Despite prompt antiviral therapy, the patient expired on day 19 of hospitalization. Influenza can thus be complicated by HLH. Due to the non-specific manifestations of HLH, clinical suspicion and early diagnosis are important.