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What Are the Signs of the Bird Flu?

The bird flu, or avian influenza, is an influenza sometimes found in poultry that rarely affects humans. However, the disease has shown the ability to transmit to humans with deadly consequences. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than half of people who contract the bird flu eventually die from the disease. Knowing the signs of bird flu may increase chances for survival by getting early treatment.

  1. Muscle Pain

    • People with the bird flu often complain of aching muscles throughout the body. This is a common symptom in all kinds of influenza outbreaks, but it should be considered a sign of the disease especially if the patient has been in a part of the world where bird flu occurs. There is additional concern if the person has visited any farms or areas where chickens or other birds may have been in large numbers, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Coughing

    • Coughing is another common sign of bird flu that is also a sign of the common flu bug. Again, this symptom should be more seriously considered a sign of bird flu if the person has been in a region where bird flu is occurring.

    Fever

    • Fever is the body's immune response to infection and the fever often appears when influenza is affecting the body. While a fever is not necessarily a sign of bird flu, it should be considered to be one if other symptoms also exist.

    Sore Throat

    • People with bird flu often develop a sore throat. This symptom, like so many others associated with the disease, is also common with other types of influenza. It should be considered more seriously if multiple symptoms occur and the person may have been exposed to sick birds.

    Respiratory Distress

    • Bird flu may cause respiratory distress in those infected with the virus. Acute respiratory distress may result from the virus as well as pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Vomiting and Diarrhea

    • Those suffering with the bird flu may begin to show symptoms in the form if diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms often follow a bout of nausea and a general feeling of fatigue.

    Conjunctivitis

    • Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is the infection of the clear outer membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball. Bird flu may cause this infection in some people and the white of the eye may turn red or pink because of the inflammation of the blood vessels in the area, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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