Symptoms and signs of bird flu in humans

Avian influenza is a dangerous infectious disease in birds caused by viruses. The lion's share of viruses cannot infect humans, except for the H5N1 avian influenza virus strain, when the symptoms and signs of the disease begin to appear in humans.

In humans, H5N1 flu is extremely aggressive. The general condition is rapidly deteriorating, the situation is aggravated by a high probability of death. This type of virus has been poorly studied, which makes it incredibly dangerous.

The incubation period is quite long. Usually it does not exceed one week, although scientists recorded incubation cases of 17 days.

A qualified doctor will detect bird flu in humans in several ways.

• High temperature - 38 degrees or more.
• The presence of flu-like symptoms characteristic of traditional "human" flu.
• Diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, chest and muscles, bleeding from the nose and gums.
• At the initial stage, signs of respiratory tract damage may appear.
• Two days after the illness, the patient has difficulty breathing and "gurgling sounds" appear. In this case, the voice becomes hoarse.
• When coughing, sputum is released containing an admixture of blood.

The main carriers of the pathogenic microorganism of the bird, upon contact with which there is a human infection. Animals sometimes carry the virus. The virus can be transmitted by airborne droplets like swine flu H1N1. Malicious microorganisms freely penetrate the eyes and respiratory system.

Is it possible to get infected by eating meat from infected chickens? According to scientists, under the influence of high temperature, the pathogen dies. Therefore, the probability of infection is negligible. As for raw eggs, no cases of the disease have been found after their use, however, it is not worth the risk. It is better to eat boiled eggs.

How to treat bird flu in adults and children

Timely diagnosis, along with the right therapy, plays a huge role in recovery.

The doctor will make a terrible diagnosis only after interviewing the patient, a thorough examination and a detailed analysis of the results of laboratory tests. The bird flu strategy is determined by which internal organs are affected. The treatment for adults and children is the same.

1. A sick person is placed in an isolation ward. He is given personal dishes, clothes, bedding and hygiene products. In contact with the patient, personal protective equipment, a bathrobe, gloves and a gauze bandage are used.
2. The results of studies have shown that medications designed to treat other types of flu are suitable for controlling the disease.
3. A neuraminidase inhibitor is the most common anti-bird flu medicine. The duration of treatment and dosage are prescribed by the doctor.
4. At the initial stage, antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu are administered to the patient. Tamiflu has been shown to be effective during past epidemics.
5. A less effective drug is Arbidol. At the initial stage of the disease, the dosage is recommended to be doubled, which will provide the ultimate antiviral effect.
6. With fever, it is customary to lower the temperature with Paracetamol, Efferalgan or Ibuprofen. Interferon-containing medicines, Laferobion or Laferon will help strengthen immunity.
7. Aspirin and antibiotics are dangerous in bird flu. In particular, Aspirin has a bad effect on blood coagulation, and antibiotics harm internal organs, remaining completely harmless to the virus, which is deeply hidden in the cells.

In 70% of cases, the struggle ends with the death of patients. People who managed to prevail over the virus do not gain any immunity. Therefore, with the next contact with infected birds, the disease may reappear.

If you suspect bird flu, you should not be treated on your own, only urgent hospitalization will help. Folk remedies against bird flu do not exist.

Prevention: how not to get the bird flu

In the final part of the article, I will discuss the prevention of such a terrible disease as bird flu. The vaccine against the disease has not yet been developed (2016). European, Chinese, Russian and American scientists are trying to create a cure, but to no avail.

• Do not allow children to play with birds. Adults are not recommended to touch dead birds.
• If a dead bird is found in the yard, it must be buried. During the procedure, use a respirator, and then change clothes and take a shower.
• Store eggs and poultry meat in a refrigerator separately from other products.
• If contact with sick birds could not be avoided, and after the symptoms listed at the beginning of the material appeared, immediately consult a doctor.

Bird flu cases are rare. This is because the virus is transmitted from infected birds. If the infection begins to spread between people, the epidemiological prognosis will become unfavorable. I hope this does not happen.

Watch the video: Infectious Diseases A-Z: Avian influenza bird flu (December 2024).