What do we know about Avian influenza?
Avian influenza or bird flu is an infectious flu, which is defined as viruses adapted to birds.
Avian influenza viruses mostly do not cause infection in humans.
Which factors trigger Avian influenza?
The risk of the disease is higher in the following conditions:
• Working in poultry
• Traveling to countries where virus exists
• Contact with an infected bird
• Contact with a person having bird flu
• Eating raw or undercooked poultry
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Avian Influenza?
• Diarrhoea
• A cough
• Cold, runny nose
• A sore throat
• Breathing trouble
• Fever higher than 100.4 degrees F
• Muscle ache
How Avian Influenza Is Diagnosed?
• Chest X-ray
• Nasopharyngeal culture
• Throat virus detection by RT-PCR
• White blood cell differentiation
• Nasopharyngeal virus detection by RT-PCR.
• Auscultation
What are the complication of Avian Influenza?
• Pneumonia
• Acute respiratory failure
• Organ failure
• Sepsis
Is it a fatal disease?
Prognosis can depend on the severity of the infection. The disease can prove fatal if it remains untreated.
How to Prevent Avian Influenza?
Avoid traveling to countries affected by the virus.
If working in a poultry farm, use protective clothing and breathing masks.
Avoid undercooked or uncooked meat.
