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Saturday, 02 June 2007 |
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The bird flu disease has received plenty of media attention in the past and in many areas is still an important topic. In North America people are not at risk regarding the bird flu disease. However in areas where bird flu is prominent, individuals who have direct contact with infected birds, either wild or domestic, are at risk of contracting the bird flu disease. Infected birds spread the bird flu virus through secretions and excretions.
Not only can a person become infected through direct contact with these birds but handling anything that has been contaminated by the virus, individuals can become quite ill because of the bird flu disease. The bird flu disease causes symptoms in humans similar to typical or seasonal influenza. People experience a sore throat, coughing, headaches and muscle aches. In more severe cases the bird flu disease can cause serious respiratory problems and even death. It’s unfortunate that there is no magic cure for the bird flu disease. Often patients are prescribed medications normally given for seasonal influenza. Continuing research offers hope for the future and optimism for an effective vaccine to treat and perhaps prevent the bird flu disease. There are many strains of the bird flu disease. Most of them do not infect humans, again unless close contact with infected birds and contaminated objects is made. Right now, at this point in time, there doesn’t seem to be a risk of a bird flu pandemic. However, viruses have the ability to change and perhaps one day the bird flu disease may be easily passed from one individual to another. If this ever becomes the case, because the bird flu disease is quite contagious among birds, it may well become just as contagious among humans. If this should happen, there may be a risk of a pandemic. What is now a problem in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe could very well become a global concern. |
