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Avian Flu Symptoms

Avian flu is a strain of influenza virus that primarily affects birds, such as chickens, but it has been known to infect humans on occasion. Avian flu frequently causes deaths in birds and sometimes death in humans. In the early 1918, bird flu, as it is also called, was responsible for a global pandemic resulting in millions of human deaths. The symptoms of avian flu are similar to normal viral influenza ("the flu"), though there are sometimes more severe, life-threatening complications.

  1. Cold Symptoms

    • Just like the conventional flu, some of the most common symptoms of bird flu are normal cold-like symptoms. Coughing is a common symptom, as is congestion. A sore throat is also a common early warning sign, while vomiting and diarrhea are somewhat less common. In general, flu exhibits many symptoms of the common cold, but often the symptoms are more severe or pronounced.

    Flu Symptoms

    • Avian flu also shares many symptoms in common with the flu, which are not generally associated with the common cold. According to the Mayo Clinic, muscle aches, which may occur for no apparent reason, and body chills or shivering are possible symptoms. A high fever is also a common symptom of avian flu.

    Malaise

    • As with the flu, avian flu is likely to lead to a strong feeling of malaise and fatigue. With mild infections like the common cold, it is often possible to continue normal physical activity without much impact from the virus, but flu tends to be more debilitating. Even lying still in bed can be uncomfortable due to high fevers and body aches.

    Eye Infection

    • According to the Centers for Disease Control, another symptom of avian flu is a mild eye infection, which is not commonly associated with other types of flu. Sometimes an eye infection might be the extent of the symptoms that the virus exhibits.

    Severe Complications

    • The reason avian flu has caused global pandemics is that it sometimes leads to life-threatening complications. The Mayo Clinic states that avian flu can cause viral pneumonia, which is an irritation of the lungs that can cause shortness of breath. Avian flu can also lead to acute respiratory distress, which is responsible for many deaths associated with the virus.

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