Avian influenza is a disease caused by the influenza A virus, type H5N1 and rarely affects humans, but if infected, it can cause symptoms similar to common influenza, such as fever, headache. throat, discomfort, dry cough and coryza. However, this type of flu can still lead to more serious complications, such as shortness of breath, pneumonia, or bleeding.
This type of flu is not transmitted from person to person, it is transmitted mainly through the contact of a person with birds contaminated with the virus, as well as through the consumption of meat from contaminated chickens, chickens, ducks or turkeys. Therefore, to avoid the appearance of bird flu, measures such as cooking poultry well are necessary before eating it and avoiding contact with any type of bird, such as pigeons.
- Symptoms of bird flu in humans appear about 2 to 8 days after contact or ingestion of meat from an infected type of bird.
- The first signs being similar to those of a common flu and appearing suddenly.
- Such as:.
There may also be bleeding from the nose or gums, and the diagnosis is only confirmed by a general practitioner through blood tests and a nasal swab, which is the collection of secretions from the nose to confirm the type of virus in question. source of infection.
The treatment of avian flu should be indicated by a family doctor and consists of the use of analgesics to reduce pain, antipyretics to control fever and, in cases where the person is vomiting, remedies for nausea. or it can also be recommended to receive serum directly. into the vein for hydration. See some of the listed remedies for nausea and vomiting.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe antiviral medications within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, which may be oseltamivir and zanamivir, which are used to help the body fight the bird flu virus. Antibiotics are not indicated for this type of illness because it is viruses and not bacteria that cause bird flu.
Avian influenza is curable, but when it affects humans it is usually a serious case that requires immediate hospital treatment, so if contamination is suspected, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. possible hospital medical service.
After becoming infected with the bird flu virus, the person will likely develop the simplest form, such as the common flu. However, complications such as shortness of breath or pneumonia, for example, can occur. Find out what the symptoms of pneumonia are.
People who may have the most complications are children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems because their bodies take longer to react and fight the virus. Therefore, if they are contaminated, they must be admitted for proper treatment in the hospital.
Transmission of the avian influenza virus to humans is rare, but it can occur through contact with the feathers, faeces or urine of certain types of infected birds, or even by inhaling dust containing small particles of animal secretions or by ingestion of contaminated poultry meat. cause this type of flu.
Furthermore, person-to-person transmission is not common, with few cases in this situation, however, this virus can mutate and pass from person to person through contact with secretions or droplets. sneeze and cough.
Prevention of avian influenza requires certain measures, such as
If an animal is suspected of being contaminated or dead birds are found, contact your health control department for analysis.