Introduction
What is that differentiates a common flu from bird flu? This is enough to raise a widespread panic because the medical world has been trying to caution us of an incoming pandemic that could wipe out nations in minutes, if we don’t take a step now to prevent and treat the virus. It is but obvious that we start educating our selves on the subject of avian influenza or bird flu. Both cold and flu are viral infections that cause similar symptoms, such as coughing and sore throat. Here's the difference. A cold is only a minor viral infection of the nose and throat, while the flu, on the other hand, is usually more severe, with symptoms that include the sudden onset of high fever and the addition of aches and pains. Bird flu is an infection mainly cause by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses; occurring naturally among birds, and attacking humans when they are in close contact with the infected poultry and so on.
Bird flu-what is it?
Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The "low pathogenic" form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the "highly pathogenic" form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90 to 100%, often within 48 hours.
How do people become infected with avian influenza?
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from an ill person to another person has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person. During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have direct or close contact with infected birds or with surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. Treatment of bird flu Ever since the outbreak of avian influenza in 2004, the U.S. Government has been trying to invest in bird flu vaccines. There have been so many such as Amantadine, Relenza, Rimantadine, Tamiflu, Oseltamivir, out of which Tamiflu or Oseltamivir seemed to be the most effective drug in curbing the infection. Right now, the primary treatment option is the flu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), a neuraminidase inhibitor that works by preventing the virus from escaping its host cell. It's not clear how effective Tamiflu will ultimately prove against (A) H5N 1. In Southeast Asia, resistance to it seems to be developing quickly. Another antiviral flu drug, Relenza, may be an alternative. Conclusion There have been conflicting reports from some of the South-East Asian countries that bird-flu affected patients have started showing resistance to Tamiflu. However, there are no factual reports published so far that can validate such cases. Scientists are at work to invent even a more effective and full-proof that can kill the virus. Currently there is no vaccine as such that people can use to prevent themselves from the infection. The virus appears to be resistant to two older generic flu drugs, amantadine and rimantadine. However, the newer flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza are expected to work – though supplies could run out quickly if an outbreak occurs.
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