Bird Flu Symptoms | Bird Flu Virus

Symptoms of Bird Flu in Humans

The symptoms of bird flu (in humans) are much like typical flu symptoms, and can include a cough, sore throat, fever, muscle aches and fatigue. However, bird flu symptoms can vary according to specific viral subtype and strain.

Infection with the bird flu virus can also lead to pneumonia and other severe respiratory diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, and various life-threatening complications. However, treatment in the early stages of infection can lessen the effects of these complications (refer to treatments for bird flu and bird flu natural remedies).

Bird Flu Symptoms in Birds

If you have poultry of your own or often visit parks and nature reserves where there are wild ducks, geese and swans, it will be useful to be able to identify birds that may be exhibiting bird flu symptoms.

Several strains of avian influenza viruses occur naturally in populations of wild birds and usually cause only mild symptoms, but when domesticated birds become infected, they can become very sick and usually die.

Look for ruffled feathers, green diarrhoea, a pinkish discharge from the nostrils, lack of coordination, inability to walk, fly or stand, purple-blue coloured wattles and comb, trouble breathing, swelling of eyelids, comb and wattles. In domesticated poultry, bird flu symptoms also include: a loss of appetite, soft-shelled eggs, and a drop in egg production.

Report any suspected sightings to the health authority in your area.

How is the bird flu virus transmitted?

The current 'bird flu', also known as avian influenza, or Asian bird flu, is caused a virus (H5N1 strain), that is carried in the intestines of many wild waterbirds, particularly ducks, geese and swans. This virus is often passed on to domesticated birds, such as turkeys, ducks and chickens, through contact with the droppings of wild birds and from sharing a source of drinking water or food.

Can the bird flu virus be passed from person to person?

Since 1997, this bird flu virus has mutated to a form that can be passed from sick birds to humans and very recently (May 2006) in Indonesia, it appears to have been passed from human to human to human in several cases, which is a worrying development.

To date, it appears that almost everyone that has become infected with the bird flu virus has come in contact with the droppings, nasal excretions, or blood of an infected bird, or has had very close and prolonged contact with a person infected with the bird flu virus.

If you or your family have come in contact with sick or dead birds, and become ill with bird flu symptoms similar to those described above, consult with your family doctor as soon as possible.

	Bird Flu Symptoms \| Bird Flu Virus Symptoms of Bird Flu in Humans The symptoms of bird flu (in humans) are much like typical flu symptoms, and can include a cough, sore throat, fever, muscle aches and fatigue. However, bird flu symptoms can vary according to specific viral subtype and strain. Infection with the bird flu virus can also lead to pneumonia and other severe respiratory diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, and various life-threatening complications. However, treatment in the early stages of infection can lessen the effects of these complications (refer to treatments for bird flu and bird flu natural remedies). Bird Flu Symptoms in Birds If you have poultry of your own or often visit parks and nature reserves where there are wild ducks, geese and swans, it will be useful to be able to identify birds that may be exhibiting bird flu symptoms. Several strains of avian influenza viruses occur naturally in populations of wild birds and usually cause only mild symptoms, but when domesticated birds become infected, they can become very sick and usually die. Look for ruffled feathers, green diarrhoea, a pinkish discharge from the nostrils, lack of coordination, inability to walk, fly or stand, purple-blue coloured wattles and comb, trouble breathing, swelling of eyelids, comb and wattles. In domesticated poultry, bird flu symptoms also include: a loss of appetite, soft-shelled eggs, and a drop in egg production. Report any suspected sightings to the health authority in your area. How is the bird flu virus transmitted? The current 'bird flu', also known as avian influenza, or Asian bird flu, is caused a virus (H5N1 strain), that is carried in the intestines of many wild waterbirds, particularly ducks, geese and swans. This virus is often passed on to domesticated birds, such as turkeys, ducks and chickens, through contact with the droppings of wild birds and from sharing a source of drinking water or food. Can the bird flu virus be passed from person to person? Since 1997, this bird flu virus has mutated to a form that can be passed from sick birds to humans and very recently (May 2006) in Indonesia, it appears to have been passed from human to human to human in several cases, which is a worrying development. To date, it appears that almost everyone that has become infected with the bird flu virus has come in contact with the droppings, nasal excretions, or blood of an infected bird, or has had very close and prolonged contact with a person infected with the bird flu virus. If you or your family have come in contact with sick or dead birds, and become ill with bird flu symptoms similar to those described above, consult with your family doctor as soon as possible. Home \| Contact Us \| Health Resources \| Sitemap Survive-Bird-Flu.com © 2006. All Rights Reserved - Bird Flu Symptoms
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