Understanding Bird Flu |
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You've probably heard the recent scare in the media about avian flu, also known as bird flu, and may be wondering if you or your family members are at risk. Here is some information that will help in understanding avian or bird flu. What is avian or bird flu?It's hard to miss the news reports about "bird flu" and the speculation that it could spread like wildfire across the globe and become the next flu pandemic. The H5N1 virus strain of bird flu is what has scientists so concerned. The H5N1 bird flu virus is spread when wild birds pass the virus along to birds such as chickens or ducks that are being raised for human consumption. While the wild birds do not seem to be affected by the virus, the livestock that contract the virus get very sick. Typically, avian or bird flu is not passed from birds to humans. However, in the past ten years, there have been hundreds of cases of bird flu in humans, and scientists believe that, if it continues to spread, there could be a flu pandemic. That's because there is no immunity from bird flu in humans. Your body cannot develop antibodies, and, typically, hospitalization is required. Because of this, anyone is at risk for avian or bird flu, and that's what raises the concern about a flu pandemic. What is a flu pandemic?While a flu pandemic is rare, they have occurred. With a flu pandemic, flu vaccine is unavailable in the early weeks, and then there is not enough flu vaccine to distribute to the population. With a flu pandemic, hospitals cannot support the scores of patients of all ages who present with serious flu complications. The business infrastructure may come to a grinding halt as scores fall ill to a flu virus strain that mystifies the experts. Flu symptoms with a flu pandemic are much more severe than the standard seasonal flu, and greater numbers of humans are at risk as the flu spreads across the country like wildfire. As more and more people of all ages fall ill, travel may be restricted, offices and schools may close, and large public gatherings can be banned because these gatherings could become breeding grounds for more cases of an incurable flu. There were three outbreaks of a flu pandemic in the 20th century:
Since there have been three flu pandemics in the past 100 years, scientists are convinced that another flu pandemic is inevitable and that any part of the population is vulnerable. The problem is that it is very difficult to tell the difference between a pandemic flu outbreak and a seasonal flu outbreak. Officials claim that testing to determine the type of flu outbreak could take weeks. Major research is being done that will hopefully speed up the process of influenza testing so that if a flu pandemic is imminent, experts will be able to do everything they can to stop this potentially life-threatening illness. What is the flu anyway?Influenza -- commonly called "flu" -- is a contagious viral infection that normally occurs in late fall and winter months. Unlike a common cold, the flu virus has the potential of causing serious flu symptoms and flu complications. Each year, the flu kills around 36,000 Americans and puts any age group at risk for flu complications. Spreading through the upper respiratory tract and sometimes invading the lungs, the flu virus can make you very ill for a week or two -- even longer if you get flu complications such as pneumonia or have a chronic medical condition. Aside from avian or bird flu, what are the other types of flu?The flu virus is categorized into three types: A, B, and C. Type A flu viruses are responsible for major epidemics. That's because these viruses mutate every few years and are difficult to isolate and eliminate. In addition, the human body cannot develop complete immunity to the type A flu viruses. Type B flu is a less common form of influenza. Although it normally has a milder effect on the body, it has been responsible for major outbreaks every three to five years. Type C flu is less common. While type C flu virus causes illness, the symptoms of type C flu are the mildest. How is the flu virus spread?The flu virus is typically spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes -- that is through "droplets" from the respiratory system. The flu normally enters through the nose and settles inside the respiratory tract. What are the symptoms of the flu?Unlike a common cold, the flu hits hard and fast with symptoms of fever (usually high), headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and stomach symptoms, which are more common in children than in adults. For in-depth information, see WebMD's Flu Symptoms: What You Might Feel. Who's at greatest risk for catching the flu?Influenza occurs most commonly in school-age children. Still, the most severe cases of the flu typically occur in infants and the elderly population. Can I take antibiotics with the flu?Antibiotics can't cure the flu. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. The flu is a viral infection. Sometimes flu complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections, occur. If these flu complications are bacterial infections, then antibiotics might be necessary. For in-depth information, see Flu Treatment: Antibiotics or Not? There are "antiviral" drugs available that help treat the signs and symptoms of flu if they are taken within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms. The CDC recommends oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) for the 2007-2008 flu season. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are effective against both influenza A and B viruses. |
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