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The symptoms of bird flu (Avian Influenza) are more or less similar to symptoms of flu which include cough, sore throat, fever, muscle aches and tiredness. But bird flu symptoms differ according to the specific viral sub type and strain. Eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and inflammation of the brain and heart are the other common complications of bird flu symptoms.
So, if you have recently been to a country that had an out break of bird flu and if you seem to be having symptoms of bird flu, it is advised that you see a doctor immediately. You also need to inform the doctor about your visit to that particular country and also if at all you had made any visits to markets, farms or any other place where birds are found in large quantities. Above all the characteristics bird flu symptom is the development of manifestations in the lower respiratory tract which happens in the early stages. This will lead to problems in breathing and slowly it would aggravate. The person develops hoarse voice and a crackling sound while breathing. In most of the cases it is misunderstood as pneumonia.
Bird flu symptoms in birds are common in natural reserves and parks where wild ducks, geese and swans are kept. The virus can cause only mild symptoms in wild birds but usually with domesticated birds; the effects can be severe even leading to death. Ruffled feather, green diarrhea, a pinkish discharge from the nostrils, lack of coordination, inability to walk, fly or even stand, purple-blue colored wattles and comb, breathing trouble, swelling of eyelids, comb and wattles, loss of appetite, soft-shelled eggs and a drop in egg production are the common symptoms of bird flu in birds.
Suggestions for travelers to prevent themselves from symptoms of bird flu are avoiding contact with birds like chickens, ducks and geese and also avoiding visits to market places if you are in a country affected by bird flu. Prevent young children from inserting contaminated objects into their mouths. You need to wash eggs thoroughly before using it as sometimes eggshells can be contaminated with bird faeces. Stop eating food which contains uncooked egg such as mayonnaise. Proper cleaning of hands, chopping boards and utensils is necessary after touching raw poultry. Cooking poultry items at higher temperature will destroy the bird flu virus in about 60 seconds.
As of today human cases of bird flu is reported in six countries - Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. And all human cases have come across with outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu in poultry and as of the statistics Vietnam is the one which is affected the most by it.
