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"Bird Flu" Article
 Article Directory Home Disease And Illness Bird Flu

Bird Flu: What It Is And How You Can Protect Yourself

By Expert Author: Christopher Smith
View Summary | Submitted: 2006-11-25 | Word Count: 435 words
Christopher Smith
Everywhere you turn you see it on the news. Bird flu is on the rise and people are scared. Finding out more about it will help you learn how to protect you and your family.

H5N1: What is it?

Also known as Avian Flu, the H5N1 virus is commonly seen among wild birds and is as typical as the human cold and is transmitted between birds. Domesticated birds can also be at risk to catch Avian Influenza from wild birds.
There is an incubation period of 1-5 days between the time of exposure and the development of symptoms and can be fatal within 2 days. The concern and fear regarding this potential pandemic is that once a virus begins to mutate, it behaves differently and can be transmitted between species. This is the case with HIV. HIV began in monkeys and is commonly seen as a virus between monkeys. After the virus mutated, it spread to humans and the effects have been tragic. The virus is already showing signs of mutation as cases involving cats and pigs have been recently brought to light. The other fear and threat comes from the issue of Human-to-Human contact. If the Bird Flu mutates into a strand that is easily communicable between humans, we could see a pandemic of Avian Flu. Right now, the best way to prevent a pandemic is through careful prevention and monitoring the H5N1 virus closely.

Bird Flu: Symptoms

The symptoms are very similar to the Human Flu strains that we are familiar with. Fever, sore throats, coughs, muscle aches and pains, and general malaise are all signs of the virus. Other symptoms include Pneumonia and trouble breathing. If symptoms are identified early enough, it can be treated successfully. However, there is the threat of death if its left on its own.

Protecting Yourself from Avian Influenza: Goggles and Gloves

Currently, Bird Flu is being seen in Asia and Europe. Since the key to preventing the spread or mutation of the virus is protection, it is strongly suggested that those who are handling anything that has been potentially contaminated with the virus, wear goggles, gloves and masks specifically designed to protect against the virus. You should also make sure that you receive an annual flu shot to protect yourself from having common Influenza at the same time, should you catch Bird Flu. The two viruses together could mutate causing the strand that leads to a pandemic. Always practice good hygiene, hand washing, and stay away from areas that may be contaminated with AvianFlu.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/avianflu/htm/_no_100_no_0.htm

With this information, you can protect your family against a potential outbreak of the Avian Flu virus.
About the Author/Author Bio

Bird Flu Symptoms - Find out what the symptoms of the Avian Flu are and how to best protect you and your family. - http://www.avianstocks.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Bird-Flu--What-It-Is-And-How-You-Can-Protect-Yourself/60555

More "Bird Flu" Related Articles

 

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The avian flu that has affected birds and people in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, is different from the flu that many people get during the cold-weather months. Poultry - like chickens and turkeys - tend to get infected with the bird flu by migrating waterfowl (like ducks, geese, and swans), and spread it to other birds through their infected feces, saliva, or secretions.
Avian flu is caused due to the H5N1 virus which is transmitted from the saliva, fecal matter of the birds. The disease is highly contagious and causes death of birds and poultry population. The virus is lethal and assumes the proportion of pandemic, which can wipe out the entire population of birds and poultry. The virus also spreads to the human beings if they are in contact with the sick bird or poultry. Human beings are also afflicted by the virus which can even be life threatening.
The avian bird flu has taken quite a few lives and could possibly be the next pandemic. The more you know, the better off you are.
Over the past year, Bird Flu has been pasted on the headlines of every major media outlet in the nation. It seems like everybody is worried about it, but when I ask, no one can tell me exactly what it is. Is it as bad as everyone makes it out to be?
Bird flu prevention and protection can help prepare you for an influenza pandemic if it were to occur right now. You should become knowledgeable about the magnitude of what can happen is there were a pandemic outbreak. Certain actions can help lesson the impact on your family.
What you must Prepare during a Pandemic Bird Flu? In the past, many countries are caught unprepared during a disease strike, resulting in many deaths and adverse effect on daily life. Today however, we can prepare for a pandemic disease, such as bird flu. These viruses generally spread from person to person when a sick person/animal sneezes or cough.
Bird flu prevention is probably at the top of most people's minds right now, thanks to the ongoing news reports about bird flu spreading to humans in Asia.
Article Directory Home Disease And Illness Bird Flu

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