Description

Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is caused by the influenza type a virus infections in avian species. Depending on the strain of the avian influenza virus can cause the bird to not have mild symptoms of the disease, serious illness or lead to the death of the birds.

The avian influenza virus rarely infects humans. But health officials worry because the influenza viruses that infect birds can change, called mutate to infect humans and spread from person-to-person more often. Due to a new strain of avian flu could be a new virus to humans, a mutated strain as that could quickly spread all over the world.

People very often take an avian influenza virus of close, long-term contact with live poultry are normally on the farm or in the back yard of co-operatives. People can also contract the avian influenza virus through contact with wild birds or other type of animal. Avian influenza is rarely spread from person to person.

In humans, the flu is a viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs, which are part of the respiratory system. The symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of the flu and may be mild to severe.

Symptoms

The avian influenza virus symptoms can be mild to severe in a person. Symptoms usually occur within seven days of contact with the virus, but it can take up to two weeks. A person can become infected by direct contact with an infected animal, or linen, or in the feces of the animals.

The virus of the flu have similar symptoms. So it needs to be examined to see if you have the flu.

Birds common symptoms of the flu include:

  • Fever.
  • Breathing problems.
  • Pinkeye, also called conjunctivitis.
  • Upset stomach and vomiting.
  • Loose stools, called diarrhea.

Bird flu can cause breathing problems more frequently than other types of flu. And during the pandemic of avian influenza, the risk that a person with the flu you need a machine to help breathing is increased.

When to see a dotor

If you have been exposed to the avian flu, and have any of the symptoms of the disease, consult a health professional immediately.

If your work, travel, or hobbies may have exposed to the avian flu, consider their symptoms. If you have symptoms of avian influenza and may have been exposed, contact your health care professional.

Causes

The flu is caused by viruses that infect the cells lining the nose, throat and lungs.

The flu virus particles spread through breathing, saliva, or mucus in the stool. Avian influenza in humans can occur when you breathe in virus particles. You can also catch the virus if you touch an object with the flu particles on it and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

People very often take the bird flu of close, long-term contact with live poultry are normally on the farm or in the back yard of co-operatives. Rarely, people are exposed to the avian flu through contact with wild birds or other type of animal.

But the birds you can see in a park or in the yard, such as crows or sparrows, are not high-risk. Do not usually carry bird flu viruses that infect humans or farm animals.

It may be possible to be exposed to the avian influenza virus through raw foods, such as eggs, or poultry. In the places where the bird flu has spread to dairy cows, it is possible to contract the avian influenza virus through of raw dairy products. But dairy products that have been heated to kill germs, called pasteurization, are not a risk to avian influenza.

Risk factors

The risk of a human contracting the avian flu is low.

Contact with sick poultry or their environment is the most common avian influenza risk to people. Infected birds can transmit the virus through their breath, saliva, or mucus in the stool.

Rarely, people have contracted the bird flu after contact with wild birds and other animals. And, at times, humans have spent a bird flu to other human beings.

Complications

People with bird flu may have worsening of the medical problems and / or new health problems. Some can be deadly.

Complications include:

  • The worsening of the chronic lung disease, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis.
  • Ear and sinus infection.
  • The failure of the respiratory system, called acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Kidney problems.
  • The problems of the heart.
  • Bleeding in the lungs, lung collapse, or bacterial pneumonia.
  • Sepsis.

Prevention

To prevent avian influenza, follow all the recommendations of actions to protect yourself if you work with animals as a job.

If you are traveling to a place where the bird flu virus is spreading, avoid poultry farms and bird markets, if possible. Cook food completely and wash hands with soap and water after handling food, and animals.

And be sure to get the seasonal flu vaccine each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged 6 months or older. Does not prevent bird flu, but the flu vaccine can help avoid having two influenza viruses at the same time.

If an avian influenza virus leads to a human pandemic, public health agencies have plans for the development of the vaccine and the administration.

People can take steps to reduce further the risk of contracting bird flu in many ways.

  • Avoid contact with animals that are sick or may be sick. Wild or domestic, to keep the birds at a distance, to prevent the germs they can carry.
  • The wear and tear of the eyes, the nose and the mouth, protective equipment when necessary. Flu viruses enter the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes. Wear eye protection, a mask and gloves to help keep the virus if you're in an area where they may be present.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water. This is especially important after touching animals or surfaces that may be contaminated with animal mucus, saliva, or feces.

Obtaining the avian flu, the food is very rare. But it is a good idea to follow safe food handling recommendations.

  • Prevent the spread of germs in the kitchen. Use hot water and soap to wash and clean all the surfaces that come in contact with raw poultry, meat, seafood, or eggs.
  • Cook food completely. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 F (74 C). Cook eggs until the white and yolk are firm. Egg dishes, such as quiche, must reach 160 ° f (71 C). Cook beef to 145 F (63 C) and allowed to stand for 3 minutes. Cook ground beef to 160 ° f (71 C).
  • Avoid raw dairy products. Dairy milk is heated to kill germs is called pasteurized. In the united states, dairy products and foods made with it is to say, on the nutrition facts label if the milk is pasteurized. The raw milk is not pasteurized, so it is more likely to make you sick.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the bird flu, a health care professional will take a sample of fluid from the nose and throat to the test of evidence of avian influenza. You can also take a sample of fluid from the eye if you have pink eye.

If you might have been exposed to the avian influenza virus through work, travel, or your hobbies and you have symptoms of illness, please consult your health care professional immediately.

Treatment

Medicines that stop the flu virus from spreading in the body, called antivirals, work for the treatment of avian influenza. These medicines work best when started as soon as symptoms occur. For this reason, your healthcare provider may prescribe a medication for you before your flu laboratory test results come back.

These medications may include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), or peramivir (Rapivab).

Oseltamivir is taken by mouth. Zanamivir is inhaled using a device similar to an asthma inhaler. Peramivir is administered through a needle into a vein.

If you have the flu, stay in an area away from other people, including those who live with you if that is possible. That's going to help prevent the spread of the disease.

It is important to avoid people if you're waiting for the lab results. If you have the flu, health professionals may suggest testing for people who had close contact with you when he had the symptoms. You may be given antiviral drugs to people who were exposed to the avian flu and are at high risk of serious disease.

Symptoms and treatment of avian influenza (bird flu)