Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza is also known as the bird flu. The deadly form was first discovered in Italy in 1878. It is a Type A virus that occurs among wild aquatic birds and can infest domestic poultry and other birds and animal species. Although the virus does not normally infect human beings, there have been rare cases where humans have been infected with the virus. The disease is spread by contact with an infected bird’s feces, or secretion from its nose, mouth, or eyes. (Commission)
What are the causes of avian influenza? Due to the rare cases of human contact with the virus, humans should avoid the following things to prevent getting infected. They should avoid touching infected birds and secretions from infected birds such as saliva or fluids, de-feathering infected birds, and inhaling dried feces dust from infected birds. Also avoid preparing
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The first step to receiving a proper diagnosis of the virus is to call the hospital to speak with an on call doctor or nurse to alert them of your concerns. There are tests that is used to confirm avian influenza however, they are not readily available and must be ordered an advance. There are other test that the doctor can do includes Auscultation, chest x-ray, nasopharyngeal culture, throat virus detection by RT-PCR, and white blood cell differential. (Commission)
Treatment options for Avian Influenza The avian influenza can be treated with antiviral medications, such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). The medications should be taken within 48 hours after symptoms have started to be effective. Oseltamivir is usually given to others who live in the same household with the infected person to prevent the spreading of the disease. Those with severe infection might be placed on a breathing machine. It is recommended to get an influenza (flu) shot to avoid the chance that avian flu virus mixing with a human virus.
[1, 4, 5, 9, 13] There have been no documented cases where a human has contracted the disease from another human. [4] It appears, based on field and lab data, that infection requires direct contact with the virus through means such as contact with infective bodily secretions, urine, or tissues. [12] It is unknown to scientists how the virus can be maintained in the bat populations and avoids extinction as the host species becomes immune to its presence. [14] The incubation period from time of infection to the onset of symptoms is about 5-14 days in experimentally induced animals [4] and 8-14 days in natural field cases.
It has not taken human to human transmission yet, that we know of. So far all cases of the virus result from people coming into close contact with bird blood or droppings. If the transmission of the virus does take human to human form, it could unleash a global pandemic. This is the first time in history that humans have been able to prepare themselves for an epidemic. The bird flu virus travels with migrating birds.
The Influenza virus is a unique respiratory viral disease that can have serious economic and social disruption to society. The virus is airborne transmitted through droplets release by coughing or sneezing from an infected person or by touching infected surfaces. Symptoms range from mild to severe and may even result in death. People with the virus usually experience fever, headache, shivering, muscle pain and cough, which can lead to more severe respiratory illness such as pneumonia. People most susceptible to the flu virus are elderly individuals and young children as well as anyone whose health or immune system has been compromise. The most effective way to counteract the influenza virus is to get the flu vaccine which is available by shots or nasal spray before the flu season as well as practicing safe hygiene. (CDC, 2013)
the animals and cattle as well. The disease was so contagious that touching even an object that had
A person can prevent the disease. And, there are many ways to do this. One is to put on insect repellent with Deet. Another is to wear long sleeves and long pants. Also, tuck your pants in socks. And, wear a hat. Finally, stay away from wooded areas.
The treatment for the influenza virus is to get plenty of bedrest and to drink plenty of fluids. On occasion a physician may prescribe an antiviral medication like Tamiflu or Relenza; but only in the first few days that symptoms arrive. The prognosis for the influenza virus is that most people will recover fully from the influenza virus.
It is necessary in order to understand Avian Flu's impacts on society to first understand what H5N1 influenza is. Like any virus, influenza viruses cannot reproduce on their own the way bacteria can. Technically, viruses aren’t even alive because in order for them to reproduce, they must take over the living cell of another organism. This makes all viral diseases notoriously hard to cure because modern research has yet to reveal a medication or procedure that can kill a virus without killing its host. The best medications that we currently have available to treat viruses can only prevent the virus fro...
Influenza is a major public health problem which has outbreaks all over the world. Resulting in considerable sickness and death rates. Furthermore, it is a highly infectious airborne disease and is caused by the influenza virus. Influenza is transmitted easily from one person to another person, which has a great impact on society. When a member of society becomes sick, it is more prone to spread to other people.
Medical officials agree that one of the characteristic features of the influenza is its air-borne infectivity. "One case to-day may mean a hundred to-morrow and thousands within a week," according to the chief medical officer of the Local Government Board. To protect oneself against the infectious illness that can spread without direct contact with the sick, it is recommended that people situate themselves in well-ventilated rooms. However, once you have contracted the disease, you are to quarantine yourself in an isolated home.5 Other symptoms of influenza include extreme exhaustion, aching limbs, headaches and sometimes, inflammation of nasal mucous membranes.6 The most common preventatives and curatives sold at the chemist's are quinine, cinnamon, and eucalyptus, with quinine being a favorite prescription by doctors.7 However, other medicines are also used against the influenza epidemic. The author of "Influenza: Its Cause and Treatment" is noted for stating that Formamint Tablets are the best source of infection prevention.
Illnesses have long haunted the human race. As long as these illnesses have existed, humans have developed ways to cure themselves, beginning with simple herbs and proceeding as far as vaccines and complex medicines. One cure that long eluded scientists was that of the influenza virus. Now, the influenza vaccine, or flu shot, saves thousands of lives a year and helps prevent serious complications resulting from influenza infection.
Influenza is a financial burden to society, thus it is extremely important to find a treatment that will alleviate the problems associated with influenza (WHO, 2017). The Baloxavir Marboxil is a newly discovered treatment that is currently in the process of being developed by a Japanese pharmaceutical company called Shionogi. This innovative treatment is a single-dose pill that can potentially eradicate the influenza virus within twenty-four hours, as shown in the diagram below (Refer to figure. 2) the Baloxavir Marboxil prevents the virus from replicating through inhibiting the enzyme that is required for the multiplication of the influenza virus. (Hafner, 2018) & (Grens, 2018).
Viruses can be transmitted in many ways. Being in contact with an infected person will most likely transfer the virus. One can also obtain the virus through swallowing, inhaling, and unsafe sex. Poor hygiene and eating habits usually increase the risk of catching a viral infection. Contracting a viral infection is followed by adverse s...
The Flu was first founded in Seattle September, 1918. The avian flu can also be known as the “Bird Flu”. The bird flu is being passed around by migratory birds. It can be transmitted from birds to mammals and in some limited circumstances to humans. The flu will also be known as the H5N1 virus. The H5N1 virus has raised concerns about a potential human pandemic because its virulent (deadly; extremely dangerous) and it can evolve like other influenza viruses. As many other viruses and illnesses the flu can be a lot more deadlier. When you get the flu the lungs are severely harmed from infected cells called macrophages and T-cells. The virus can spread way beyond the lungs but generally do not. Many people catch the flu and think they have the common cold because of some of the same symptoms. But actually the flu can be more dangerous if you don’t treat it immediately.
for which no cure has yet been created. It is important to know however, that methods are currently available which can prevent the transfer of this virus, and even slow down its malicious effects. before they become fatal. It is equally important to know how to avoid getting the virus and also the symptoms in case you might run across them. They are all a lot.
It can only be transmitted through feces, mucus or saliva. Birds that are infected with the virus and three or more touches through the facial openings, there is a 90% or more chance that whoever touched it will become infected with H5N1 flu. But, if humans take safety precautions, such as hand washing it should be easy to prevent the spread of this virus. Human to human transmission has only been seen two cases, both outside the United States, one in Indonesia and the other in Thailand. This disease only been transmitted through these people because they did not take safety precaution which was needed to protect themselves. The case in Indonesia was a male poultry worker who was infected with H5N1 flu. He was then contaminated with the rest of his family with whom he close contact with. However the case in Thailand was very similar he was a poultry worker as well, who became very sick after been infected with H5N1 virus. He also infected other family members through close contact. There has similar mutation which led up to dreadful Spanish flu in 1918 that concerns the World Health Organization (WHO) that it could happen again. There is a 99% chance that if the virus mutate, it will be a lot more deadly than the flu of 1918. There have been several reasons to lethality, one of the reasons is that the world has more highly populated and city has become denser.