Avian flu: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is bird flu?

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type of flu that is commonly found in poultry due to the H5N1 flu virus. However, this virus can mutate and spread to humans.

If humans are infected with the bird flu virus, the symptoms that appear will vary, ranging from mild to severe and potentially life-threatening. This transmission usually occurs due to contact with infected birds or poultry or undercooked cooking.

This disease cannot be transmitted between people, but experts fear there is a possibility that the virus could mutate again and spread between people.

How common is this disease?

This disease is more common in poultry, but the rate of spread in humans is high. Even so, the number of occurrences in birds is the most common in the world.

According to the World Health Organization, human infections were first discovered in Hong Kong during the 1997 bird flu outbreak. Since 2003, the virus has spread from Asia to countries in Europe and Africa. Until 2019, WHO recorded 1,300 cases of infection that occurred in humans, with the death rate reaching 455 people.

In Indonesia, the bird flu virus is spread in several districts and cities. Based on data taken from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, from 2005-2018, there were 200 cases with 168 deaths due to this disease. However, the incidence of this disease has decreased from year to year.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of bird flu?

The signs and symptoms of bird flu for each sufferer can vary, from those that resemble flu, such as fever and cough, to severe ones such as pneumonia and shock.

In the case of H5N1 infection, there were also signs of digestive problems, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

The initial symptoms of this disease will usually be seen after 2-8 days of transmission.

Some of the symptoms of bird flu that appear, such as influenza in general, are:

• High fever that exceeds 38 degrees Celsius
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Headache
• Muscle ache

In addition, in some patients, additional symptoms are also found which include:

• Diarrhea
• Gag
• Stomach ache
• Bleeding gums
• Nosebleed
• Chest pain
• Eye infection

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. The signs above are not typical signs of bird flu, but if you have recently had contact with birds that have died from this virus, you need to be vigilant. Consult a doctor to be sure.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any of the signs or symptoms mentioned above, and you are in a poultry farm, get yourself checked by a doctor.

If other symptoms and complications arise, such as breathing problems or shock, do not delay seeing a doctor for further treatment.

Everyone's body is different and will show varying symptoms. Always consult a doctor to get the most appropriate treatment for your health condition.

Cause

What causes bird flu?

The cause of this disease is influenza virus type A, subtype H5N1. Influenza type A is found in humans and several types of animals.

Another familiar type of influenza virus type A is H1N1, or you are more familiar with swine flu or swine flu.

Influenza viruses contained in poultry can be further divided into A (H5N1), A (H9N2), and A (H7N9). This division is based on the various protein forms of each virus.

The virus that is mostly found in bird flu infections in humans is type H5N1. This virus grows naturally in waterfowl such as ducks and geese, but can spread easily to other birds such as livestock.

The mode of transmission of bird flu to humans can occur through direct or indirect contact with the feces, fluids or saliva of infected birds.

In addition, the transmission of bird flu to humans can be caused by several things, such as:

• Air contact in areas with many infected birds
• Cooking infected livestock products
• The process of cooking undercooked livestock or poultry products

Risk factors

What increases my risk of developing this disease?

There are several factors that can increase your risk of contracting the bird flu virus, such as:

1. Be in an area with lots of birds, such as a farm, aviary, or a zoo
2. Travel to areas with high bird flu cases
3. Eat foods that are processed poultry or eggs, especially those that are not fully cooked

Having a risk factor does not mean you will definitely get this disease. It's just that, you will be more likely than those who do not have the above factors.

Complications

What are the possible complications due to bird flu?

If not treated immediately, bird flu can have fatal consequences, even endanger lives. Possible complications that can occur due to bird flu include:

• Pneumonia
• Respiratory disorders
• The kidneys don't function properly
• Heart problems
• Shock

Of the total number of people infected with this disease, half of them end up dying from not being treated quickly. The percentage of deaths that may occur in sufferers is 60%.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

This disease can be diagnosed by several methods of examination methods. One way is to take fluid samples from the nose and throat (swab test) You to be examined in the laboratory. Laboratory tests aim to find out whether there is a viral infection and other complications caused by the bird flu virus.

Some other tests that you may also do to diagnose this disease include:

• Blood tests to check for white blood cells
• Chest X-ray to check the condition of the lungs
• Other tests to check liver, heart and kidney function

How to treat bird flu?

The goal of bird flu treatment is to reduce symptoms, prevent the development of the virus in the body, and increase the sufferer's chance of survival.

The recommended treatment for bird flu by doctors is antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir or zanamivir. These drugs should be taken immediately 48 hours after symptoms first appear.

Avoid using other antiviral drugs, such as rimantadine and amantadine. Many cases of this disease have become resistant to these drugs.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be taken to treat bird flu?

One of the main steps that need to be taken to prevent transmission of this disease is to vaccinate the H5N1 virus. However, this vaccine is not yet available in general health services and will only be made available during an outbreak.

Therefore, you can take steps to prevent contracting bird flu, such as:

1. Avoid areas infested with birds

The first step is to avoid areas that are frequently infested with poultry, such as farms, rice fields, or bird cages. This is especially important if you are traveling to a country with a high incidence of bird infection.

2. Wash your hands regularly

Before eating and finishing activities, make sure you wash your hands. Wherever you go, be prepared hand sanitizer alcohol-based ingredients in your bag.

3. Cook poultry products as thoroughly as possible

If you are going to eat processed poultry products such as chicken, duck, or eggs, make sure that the food has been cooked until it is completely cooked.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.