Bird flu outbreaks are a serious concern.
The bird flu, or Avian Influenza, is a sickness common in wild birds. In rare instances, though, this virus-caused sickness can spread from wild birds to domesticated birds (turkey, chicken and ducks) and then to humans. This very rare form of flu can cause severe sickness in infected humans, and can pose a pandemic risk to regions affected by the flu virus. Humans infected with avian influenza do exhibit symptoms that can be detected.
Coughing
Coughing is the body's reaction to infections or reactions in the respiratory tract. The purpose of coughing is to bring up and expel any foreign or dangerous materials in the lungs and throat and can manifest when the body is infected by the avian influenza virus. Coughing from bird flu symptoms can be dry (wheezing cough that brings up no mucus) or productive (coughing that brings up and expels infected mucus) and can last for weeks after exposure. This is typical of most influenza infections but should be examined nonetheless.
Breathing Difficulties
Drawing in and exhaling a deep breath of air can cause itching, irritation or discomfort for the person infected with avian influenza. Symptoms range from mild coughing when trying to breathe to the inability to breathe deeply at all. When accompanied by diarrhea or nausea, breathing difficulties should be examined immediately to diagnose the root cause of the symptoms and begin treatment or containment as needed.
Headache and Fever
Splitting headaches are a typical symptom of any flu infection, including exposure to the avian flu viruses. Accompanied by fever, these symptoms register a viral infection that the body is trying to fight off using the immune system. Cold and hot chills, vision blurring, high fever, ringing ears and a pounding headache can register as bird flu signs, and should be evaluated by a medical professional. Though not typically life-threatening symptoms, when combined with other bird flu symptoms, headache and fever should be considered dangerous.
Fatigue and Muscle Aches
General malaise, fatigue, unexplained drowsiness, and muscle aches are all signs of a viral infection. Combined with other flu symptoms, these ailments can cause loss of energy and general tiredness and tenderness throughout the day. Unexplained muscle aches over the body are a serious symptom and should prompt an examination if experienced in conjunction with fever, nausea, diarrhea and headache.
Runny Nose and Sore Throat
Though often symptoms of the common cold, when combined with the other flu symptoms caused by the avian influenza virus they serve as indicators that an infection is being attacked in the sinuses, throat or glands of the body. Often the first and most overlooked sign of influenza infection, sneezing and coughing are also the most effective way for the virus to spread from one infected human to another. A runny nose and sore throat should be treated as normal cold symptoms; if preceding the other symptoms of avian flu, though, they should be treated with extra precaution to avoid spreading the contagious virus further.
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