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Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is bird flu? " пїЅ Bird flu (also known as "avian influenza " пїЅ) is a type of flu that normally happens in birds. In rare cases, it has spread from infected birds to humans. Even though bird flu is rare in humans, when it does happen it is usually severe. пїЅ пїЅ

There are a few different types (also called "strains " пїЅ) of bird flu. Cases of one strain of bird flu called "H5N1 " пїЅ have occurred in parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. In January of 2014, there was even a case of it in Canada in a person who had traveled to China. More than 640 people have developed H5N1 bird flu since 1997, and about 60 percent of those people have died. H5N1 can make people very sick. In March and April of 2013, doctors found a new strain of bird flu in people in China called "H7N9. " пїЅ Cases have also occurred in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. By mid-February of 2014, more than 300 people had gotten sick from this strain, many of whom had died. пїЅ пїЅ

Many people who have gotten bird flu were around sick or dead birds in the week before they got sick. Scientists think that people who get bird flu usually get it from sick birds. But if the virus that causes bird flu changes or "mutates, " пїЅ it might become possible for bird flu to be passed from one person to another. In fact, new strains of the bird flu continue to emerge. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the most common symptoms of bird flu? " пїЅ The most common symptoms are different for different strains of bird flu. So far, all strains tend to cause: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Fever (temperature higher than 100 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ or 37.8 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ)
  • Cough
  • Trouble breathing

Other symptoms might include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Diarrhea
  • Headache or body aches
  • Feeling confused
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose

Is bird flu dangerous? " пїЅ Yes, bird flu can be very dangerous. It can cause severe illness. More than half of the people who get H5N1 bird flu die. Around 3 in 10 people who get H7N9 bird flu die. People with bird flu are much more likely to have severe illness and to die than people with seasonal flu. пїЅ пїЅ

How can I protect myself from bird flu? " пїЅ In general, its a good idea to: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol hand rubs.
  • Stay away from sick people or animals.
  • Stay away from chickens and other birds in countries where there are outbreaks of bird flu. This includes markets that sell live birds.

What should I do if I get symptoms of bird flu? " пїЅ Call your doctor of nurse right away if you have been around sick or dead birds or have traveled in a country that has had cases of bird flu. Do not leave your house unless your doctor or nurse tells you to go to a clinic or hospital. Many people with bird flu need to be in the hospital. пїЅ пїЅ

While you are at home, rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can also take acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) to relieve fever and aches. пїЅ пїЅ

Do not give aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin to children younger than 18. In children, aspirin can cause a serious problem called Reye syndrome. пїЅ пїЅ

Take your child to the doctor if he or she: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Starts breathing fast or has trouble breathing
  • Starts to turn blue or purple
  • Is not drinking enough fluids
  • Will not wake up or doesn't react to you
  • Is so fussy that he or she does not want to be held
  • Gets better from the flu but then gets sick again with a fever or cough
  • Has a fever with a rash

If you go to a walk-in clinic or a hospital because you think you have bird flu, tell someone right away why you are there. The staff will ask you to wear a mask or to wait somewhere where you are less likely to spread your infection. пїЅ пїЅ

Can bird flu be treated? " пїЅ Yes, people with bird flu usually get medicines called "anti-viral medicines. " пїЅ These medicines can help people avoid some of the problems caused by bird flu. Antibiotics DO NOT WORK on the flu. пїЅ пїЅ

What if I am pregnant? " пїЅ Any kind of flu can be very dangerous for pregnant women. If you are pregnant, it is very important that you get vaccinated against seasonal flu. You should also avoid taking care of anyone who has the flu. пїЅ пїЅ

If you are pregnant, call your doctor or nurse right away if: пїЅ пїЅ

  • You might have been near someone with the flu.
  • You think you might be coming down with the flu. In pregnant women, the symptoms of the flu can get worse very quickly. The flu can even cause trouble breathing or lead to death of the woman or her baby. That is why it is so important to talk to doctor or nurse as soon as you notice any flu symptoms.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83059 Version 5.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

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пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ