A kind of influenza virus tend to cause bird flu, which hardly infects human, however when it does, it’s deadly! More than 50 percent of infected people with bird flu have failed to recover the fatal disease and thus, died.
Its outbreak had stroked Africa, Asia and some Europe parts, however majority of infected people have had direct contact with infected birds. Moreover, in some cases, it has spread from an individual to another. Researchers nowadays are working hard on its vaccine in order to protect us against this fatal disease.
What are the symptoms of bird flu?
Bird flu symptoms typically start within 48 to 120 hours of infection. However, in majority case, they tend to mimic the symptoms influenza, such as:
- Muscle aches.
- Sore throat.
- Fever.
- Cough.
Few individuals have also reported diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. However in some cases, conjunctivitis- an eye infection is the sole indicator of bird flu.
When is the high time to consult a doctor?
Immediately consult your doctor in case you experience body aches, cough and fever after you have traveled back to a country where the disease occurs. Mention the places you have visited such as open-air markets or farms.
What are the causes of bird flu?
Naturally, bird flu tends to occur in the wild waterfowl. It manages to spread into certain domestic poultry for example geese, ducks, turkeys and chicken. A contact with the feces of infected birds or secretions from their eyes, mouth or nose serves as the basis to transfer the disease.
Furthermore, the crowded places where the birds and eggs are kept in an unsanitary condition, such as an open-air market, are the breeding grounds of infection, spreading it into a wider community.
As per the Food and Drug Administration, consuming properly cooked eggs and poultry meat of infected birds leaves no chance of transmitting bird flu.
What are the risk factors of bird flu?
Contact with infected birds or surfaces that are contaminated with their droppings, saliva and feather put you at a higher risk to get infected. In rare instances, it has reported of being transfer from a person to another.
Mention the possible complications of bird flu:
Individuals with bird flu can develop serious complications such as:
- Heart problems.
- Kidney dysfunction.
- Respiratory failure.
- Collapsed lung.
- Pneumonia.
How is bird flu diagnosed?
- Laboratory tests: fluids samples from your throat or nose can be taken in order to test for the possibility of virus.
- Imaging tests: the doctor can suggest X-rays for assessing your lung’s condition, that will help him decide a suitable treatment plan for you.
How is bird flu treated?
As per the recommendation of health officials, oseltamivir {Tamifli) should be prescribed and used 2 days after noticing the symptoms.
Prevention:
- Vaccination against bird flu can help you protect against the serious disease.
- Travelers must avoid visiting crowded places, open-air markets, small farms and rural areas in a different country, also, wash your hands frequently.
By : Natural Health News
