Symptoms of Avian Influenza

Avian influenza (also called H5N1 or bird flu) in humans causes typical flu-like symptoms. Additional symptoms can be more complicated or even life-threatening. The symptoms people have are usually connected to the specific strain of the virus that made them sick. Avian influenza has been known to cause death in humans.

Flu Symptoms

• Avian influenza symptoms include familiar flu-like symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches.

Complications

• Avian influenza can also cause more serious complications such as an eye infection (conjunctivitis), severe respiratory illnesses, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting or neurological changes.

Causes

• Avian influenza is thought to be caused by direct contact with sick or dead infected poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who work with poultry should practice careful hand hygiene and use personal protective equipment to guard against avian influenza.

Diagnosis

• A person with avian influenza cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone; a laboratory test is necessary. Health professionals must collect a swab from the patient's nose or throat and send it to the lab for diagnosis.

Treatment

• The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend the prescription antiviral medicine oseltamivir for treating and preventing avian influenza.