Bird Flu Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention Methods
The Bird flu is a virus that once only infected birds. Over time the virus mutated and it now infects both birds and humans. The Bird flu is also referred to as the Avian flu and there are multiple strains of the virus. The H5N1 virus has been particularly problematic and when the flu strain first began to infect people, health experts feared that a worldwide epidemic could occur. The Avian flu virus began to infect humans in 1997 in Hong Kong. Since then the virus has infected hundreds of people from countries around the world.
Bird Flu Symptoms
People who contract the H5N1 virus experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms including fever, headache, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, muscle aches and difficulty breathing. Possible complications of the H5N1 virus are pneumonia, sepsis, severe respiratory distress and organ failure. More than 60 percent of the people who have contracted the flu virus have died after becoming ill.
Steps People Need To Take After Exposure
People who have been exposed to the virus should call their physician or local hospital before making a visit so that they have the opportunity to protect staff and patients from contracting the infection. There are certain medical tests that are used to identify the Bird flu but since the tests are not available at every health care facility it can take a few days before an infected individual receives a proper diagnosis. Doctors often perform a variety of tests to check breathing patterns and the function of major organs including the heart, liver and kidneys.
Best Treatment Options
The Bird flu virus is highly resistant to many common antiviral medications. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can reduce flu symptoms if taken within 48 hours of symptom onset. Zanamivir (Relenza) is another effective antiviral medication when used right away. People who experience severe symptoms require hospital admission and may need to be placed on a breathing apparatus. Individuals with the H5N1 virus are usually isolated during the treatment phase to prevent the spread of the disease. People who share the same home as a person who has the bird flu should also take the Tamiflu medication.
Preventing Infection
People who eat raw or undercooked chicken eggs or meat that comes from an infected bird are at risk of catching the Bird flu virus. Those who handle chickens also have a higher risk of becoming infected with the H5N1 virus. Frequent foreign travelers and health care workers have an increased chance of coming in contact with a person who has the virus. The virus spreads easily and can survive on surfaces for lengthy periods. There is a government approved Avian flu vaccination being stored that can be supplied to the public in the event of a H5N1 pandemic. People should cook chicken or egg products thoroughly and practice safe hygiene methods especially when traveling to foreign locations that have ongoing cases of Avian flu.