H5N1

H5N1 (A/H5N1) is a subtype of the influenza A virus that can cause sickness in humans and many other animal species. It is the highly pathogenic causative agent of H5N1 flu, commonly known as avian influenza (“bird flu”). Even though there are other strains of bird flu, H5N1 was the first to infect people. Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a virus that can infect not just birds but also people and other animals. The most prevalent strain of avian flu is H5N1. It can easily infect people and other animals who come into contact with a carrier and is fatal to birds.

Infected birds spread the bird flu virus through their saliva, mucus, and excrement. Bird flu viruses may infect people by inhalation or touching something infected with the virus and then touching their eyes, noses, or mouths. Bird flu virus infections in humans have frequently been brought on by unprotected contact with infected birds or surfaces. 

However, certain infections have been found in cases when there was no documented direct contact with diseased birds or their habitat. The avian flu virus spreads from one infected person to close contact very rarely and only to a small number of people, but these viruses have the potential to mutate and acquire the ability to easily travel between people.

SYMPTOMS

If you are suffering from H5N1 infection, you will experience typical flu-like symptoms such as:

  • Breathing difficulties
  • Fever (over 100.4°F or 38°C)
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle aches
  • Malaise
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat

It typically takes between three and five days for the first symptoms of infection to manifest.

Within days after the onset of symptoms, more serious consequences such as acute respiratory distress syndrome or pneumonia may emerge.

DIAGNOSIS

The following tests may also be carried out by your doctor to check for the virus causing avian flu:

  • Chest X-ray
  • Auscultation (a test that detects abnormal breath sounds)
  • Nasopharyngeal culture
  • White blood cell differential

You can undergo additional examinations to judge how well your heart, kidneys, and liver are working.

TREATMENT

Different bird flu strains can manifest as various symptoms. As a result, therapies may differ.

The majority of the time, antiviral drugs, such as

These medications can lessen the disease’s severity. However, the drug must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]