Some of the bird flu symptoms are identified. As regards the other symptoms the usual guess work is going on. In birds, the virus H5N1 causes diarrhea, excessive shedding, a swollen head and difficulty in breathing.
but how will you take note of these symptoms unless you are a bird expert?
Some more symptoms are, fever, sore throat, muscle ache, chest pain, lethargy, cough and headache. If the infection has taken a serious turn in you, the following symptoms would indicate the state:
eye infections
acute respiratory problems
pneumonia
inflammation of the heart
inflammation in the brain.
Immediate hospitalization in the case of severe symptoms is not only advisable but absolutely necessary. Human to human help is most welcome in most of the adversaries, but not at this time when your H5N1 virus is waiting for the opportune moment to take hold of the person who is coming to help you.
So, avoid all contacts and let a trained health worker handle the precious cargo!
This virus is actually found in the bird’s intestines. Even in the birds, the symptoms are not severe as such. But the way in which the birds are handled in the poultry farms (they are packed closely together with chicken and turkeys) helps the cause of rapid spread of bird flu.
A general alert was sounded in health circles all over the world, when the mutated variety of the bird flu virus, H5N1 showed its teeth. That was in the year 2003. The infected poultry led to several human infections. About 50 % of the affected died. The other 50% turned temporary vegetarians and inspired many others to follow the suit.
The mode of infection is simple. Come into contact with the birds saliva, face or nasal secretions and you certainly have it instantly. The other birds which come into similar contacts have no chance of survival. As for human beings, if protective measures are not taken, become susceptible to the disease.
