Actor Ki Tae-young recently shared his grueling experience of dealing with a simultaneous diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and influenza B.
In a video titled "How This Couple Has Fun (No Misunderstandings)," uploaded to the YouTube channel he shares with his wife, Eugene, Ki opened up about his recent health struggles. "Singer Kim Jong-kook mentioned on a show that he wasn't feeling well, and I was dealing with a state that was just as bad," Ki began.
He continued, "I'm not entirely sure if it's the exact same condition, but I came down with BPPV, and just as I was beginning to recover, influenza B hit me. It is incredibly rare for me to get sick to this extent," he confessed, adding, "Eugene really went through a tremendous amount of hardship taking care of me during that time."
Ki made his acting debut in the 1997 drama Adults Don't Know and has since built a prolific career appearing in a wide range of works, including The White Tower, Mom's Dead Upset, and To the Beautiful You. He married Eugene, a former member of the pioneering K-pop group S.E.S., in 2011. The couple has two daughters, Ki Ro-hee and Ki Ro-rin.
Causes and Symptoms of BPPV
BPPV is a clinical condition that occurs when otoconia—tiny, stone-like fragments composed of calcium carbonate—become displaced from their normal position and migrate into the semicircular canals of the inner ear, triggering severe bouts of vertigo. The semicircular canals form a critical part of the ear's vestibular system, detecting horizontal and rotational head movements to transmit balance information directly to the brain.
When these fragments shift freely inside the semicircular canals, even minor head movements can create a false sensation that the entire room is violently spinning. A hallmark symptom of BPPV is intense dizziness that lasts for a brief window of less than a minute, typically brought on by changing the position of the head or body. This vertigo can often be accompanied by secondary symptoms such as nausea, heart palpitations, cold sweats, and diarrhea.
While the precise underlying cause of BPPV is not always identified, known contributing risk factors include aging, head trauma, complications from conditions like otitis media or labyrinthitis, and spending prolonged periods lying down.
Managing and Preventing BPPV Recurrence
BPPV should be strongly suspected if an individual experiences persistent dizziness when getting out of bed in the morning, turning onto one's side, or tilting the head backward. Clinical management typically involves targeted medications to alleviate acute nausea and dizziness, alongside canalith repositioning procedures designed to safely guide the displaced otoconia back to their proper place.
Sustaining healthy daily habits post-treatment is essential, as medical reports indicate that roughly 30% of patients experience a recurrence of the condition. Engaging in regular exercise to promote healthy blood circulation can significantly aid in maintaining overall vestibular function. Experts advise avoiding heavy drinking and overwork, securing adequate sleep, and proactively managing stress. It is also highly recommended to avoid sudden, sharp head movements and to break the habit of sleeping exclusively on one side of the body.
Untreated Influenza B Raises Risks of Otitis Media and Pneumonia
Influenza B, the respiratory infection Ki contracted on the heels of his vertigo, is a seasonal influenza virus primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and secretions. Frequently peaking during February and March, the virus presents with a high fever reaching 38°C or higher, alongside headaches, chills, muscle aches, coughing, and phlegm. While it may begin with a deceptively mild fever, the cough typically intensifies over time, leaving patients with a prolonged sense of full-body exhaustion.
Influenza B is notorious for lingering in the system and gradually wearing down the body's immune defenses. If symptoms are neglected or dismissed as a minor cold, serious secondary complications can develop: pediatric patients are highly susceptible to developing otitis media, while older adults face an elevated risk of progressing to pneumonia. If a high fever persists for more than 24 hours despite taking fever reducers, or if chest pain develops alongside a persistent cough, patients should seek immediate medical evaluation at a hospital.
