Avian Influenza – risks, symptoms and preventive steps

▴ Avian influenza
Prevention is better than cure. It applies to avian influenza as well which is also known as bird flu. Eyes, nose, throat and lungs are the areas which get attacked by the virus of this flu. Infected birds may have virus in their mucous, saliva and faeces which gets transferred to humans.

There is again need of taking stock of preventive and control measures to prevent avian influenza that has started erupting in the country which is a matter of concern. Since adults above the age of 65, infants up to 2 years of age and pregnant ladies are in high-risk categories, they need to be extra careful.

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza is also known as bird flu. As the name signifies, it is a viral infection that spreads among birds. However, it can also affect animals and humans. There are more than a dozen types of avian influenza or bird flu. Out of these there are four strains - H5N1, H5N6, H5N8, and H7N9 that have affected the most in recent years. You need to be careful about touching infected birds (dead or alive), coming in contact with bird droppings, killing or using infected poultry for cooking.

What are symptoms that get evident if one has been infected?

Avian Influenza symptoms are more or less similar to other flu symptoms. They start getting evident between 2-5 days of infection. You need to consult a doctor if the following symptoms persist.

  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Fever over 38°C or 100.4°F 
  • Muscle pain
  • Body Chills
  • Headache
  • Runny nose
  • Bleeding from the gums and nose 
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating
  • There can also be mild eye infection (conjunctivitis) in some cases.

How to protect oneself from avian influenza?

  • It is best to avoid open air markets especially where you can come in contact with poultry and birds
  • If you are cooking poultry items, ensure that they do not remain undercooked. Cooking at high heat is recommended to kill the virus.
  • Do not consume raw eggs.
  • There are flu shots or flu vaccines available for adults. You may consult your doctor and take it accordingly. It will reduce chances of severity from bird flu as well as the flu that might trouble you due to monsoon or changing weather.
  • Take care of your hygiene. Do not forget the significance of hand wash.

It's just the initial stages of the flu now and by adopting good measures we can prevent a severe outbreak. We all have fallen into the habit of taking safety precautions due to Covid. Keep practising them.

Tags : #birdflu #avianinfluenza #birdflurisks #birdfluprecautions #birdflusymptoms #smitaprasad #medicircle

Related Stories

Loading Please wait...

-Advertisements-




Trending Now

The Neurological Toll of Common Household Chemicals: Insights from Recent ResearchMarch 28, 2024
The Aging Puzzle: Decoding the Mechanisms of AgingMarch 28, 2024
The Double-Edged Sword of Kala-azar Treatment: Shedding Light on Eye ComplicationsMarch 28, 2024
FTCCI Launches Industry-Academia Connect to improve the employability of Engineering Graduates and address the growing demand for Talent in Emerging TechMarch 27, 2024
NTT and Olympus Begin World's First Joint Demonstration Experiment of Cloud Endoscopy SystemMarch 27, 2024
NTT and Olympus Begin World's First Joint Demonstration Experiment of Cloud Endoscopy SystemMarch 27, 2024
2nd Edition of IIFL JITO Ahimsa Run for peace & for non-violence to be held on 31st MarchMarch 27, 2024
Brij Hotels Announced 4 Million in Series A Funding March 27, 2024
Combatting Childhood Sedentariness: The Key to Preventing Premature Vascular DamageMarch 27, 2024
Crucial Findings: Unlocking Paths to Combat Ebola's DevastationMarch 27, 2024
Guarding Against Disease: The Crucial Role of Oral Hygiene in Preventive HealthcareMarch 27, 2024
Sanofi & Cipla announce exclusive distribution partnership to expand reach of CNS portfolio in IndiaMarch 26, 2024
Surmandal's Tribute to the Legends of Hindustani Classical MusicMarch 26, 2024
In Moscow, over 350,000 mammograms have been analyzed using artificial intelligence as part of the compulsory health insurance programMarch 26, 2024
Embark on a Creative Journey: "Kala For A Cause" Unveils Pottery Workshop Series March 26, 2024
Healthtech pioneer Aurora Innovation appoints new CEO – expands in Europe with service that streamlines patient-healthcare interactionMarch 26, 2024
In A Rare Feat, 45 YO Woman Walks Within 6 Hrs. Of Dual Robotic Surgery In A Single Operation At HCGMCCMarch 26, 2024
Improve Cancer Care through Automated CT Analysis: Oncoshield – CTMarch 26, 2024
Empowering Patients: The Role of Advocacy in Indian HealthcareMarch 26, 2024
A New Dawn in Heart Surgery: Mitral Valve Repair for 15-Year-Old PatientMarch 26, 2024