About this topic
Bird flu is also called avian influenza. It is a kind of flu that is most often found in birds. In rare cases, it spreads from birds to humans. If it does, this kind of flu can make you very sick. About half of the people who get this kind of flu are likely to die. Doctors think handling a bird with the disease spreads this flu. It may be possible to pass this disease from one person to another. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day.
- Get 6 to 8 hours of sleep at night. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Make sure you have a way to check your body temperature at home.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Your body is weak from too much fluid loss
- Trouble with your breathing
- Shock
- Death
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Always wash after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. You can also cough into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Avoid getting too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share your towels or hankies with anyone who is sick. Clean commonly handled things like door handles, remotes, toys, and hand-held electronic devices, like phones. Wipe their surfaces with a disinfectant. Let them air dry.
- Avoid going to crowded places.
- Stay away from chickens and other birds where there is an outbreak of the bird flu.
- Avoid uncooked or undercooked meat.
- Avoid traveling to places where there is an outbreak of the bird flu.
- Use protective clothing and breathing masks if you work at a job where there may be infected birds.
- Work as a team with public health workers.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum, or change in color of sputum.
- Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth, cracked lips, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, dark colored urine, dry mouth, or feel faint.
Where can I learn more?
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bird_flu ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/avian_aviaire/index_e.php ‚
Centers for Disease Control ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h7n9-virus.htm ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/avian-flu/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚