Avian flu – symptoms and treatment in humans. How can you get infected? WE EXPLAIN

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Our Country has informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the detection of the world’s first case of H5N8 avian influenza in humans. It is a highly contagious strain that has not been present in humans before. What is bird flu? It is an infection caused by influenza A virus belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. It usually occurs in birds, although there are also cases of infection in humans.

A few words about bird flu

Avian flu is an ailment that has been around for a long time. The first information about an epidemic caused by influenza dates back to 412 BC. Since then, every few hundred years, cases of worldwide invasion of a disease, the cause of which are unknown, have been reported.

The first serious reports of avian influenza date back to 1997. Then, in Asia, a Hong Kong farm died of poultry with H5N1 strains. At that time, sixteen people became infected with the microbes, eight of which ended in death. The bird flu virus reached Europe in 2003, while the bird flu arrived in Poland in 2006. In general, the bird flu virus does not pose a significant threat to people who respect hygiene. Panic in society is rather the result of the media hype surrounding this ailment.

The flu virus family is not homogeneous. Most generally, it can be divided into three groups:

1. Type A virus – infects humans and other mammals and birds. It is most often responsible for epidemics. The avian influenza virus is a type A influenza virus and belongs to the Orthmyxviridae family. Due to the presence of haemagglutinins (H) and neuraminidases (N) – proteins that help the virus penetrate into the cells of the body – there are 16 types of H and 9 N, which gives 144 possible combinations.
2. Type B virus – infects only humans.
3. Type C virus – infects humans and pigs; has a mild course.

Avian flu – how do we get infected?

The main reservoir of avian flu is poultry and wild animals such as pigeons, ducks and geese. The bird flu virus can spread through the air and also through fertilizers. The source of possible infection, apart from water, may also be contaminated feed, non-disinfected work clothes and equipment, and contaminated means of transport. The bird flu virus dies above 50 degrees Celsius, so you should not be afraid of eating boiled / fried poultry or eggs.

Avian flu viruses are divided into two groups:

1. highly pathogenic HPAI viruses – cause severe bird flu, with a mortality rate of nearly 100%. Chickens, turkeys and other burrowing animals are the most susceptible. This group of viruses includes some subtypes, such as H5N1 or H7 and H5. They have the ability to reproduce throughout the body of a sick person, which in turn causes damage to vital organs;
2. low pathogenic LPAI viruses – these are viruses that include all subtypes of the influenza virus (including H5 and H7). This type of virus causes a mild flu accompanied by gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms.

Avian flu – symptoms in humans

Avian flu in humans causes symptoms similar to those of ordinary flu:

1. fever,
2. cough,
3. sore throat,
4. muscle and joint pain,
5. conjunctivitis,
6. diarrhea,
7. vomiting.

The bird flu virus rarely infects humans. When that happens, however, flu is much more difficult than the “classic” human flu. The following course of the disease is occasionally observed: fever, sore throat, cough. Subsequently, viral pneumonia may develop, leading to acute respiratory failure.

How to recognize and treat bird flu?

Identifying bird flu is not an easy task as it is difficult to distinguish it from seasonal flu or other ailments just by the symptoms of the flu. To confirm the suspicion of avian influenza, it is necessary to test specific antibodies or detect the virus using PCR (molecular biology).

Preparations that prevent influenza virus from entering cells are oseltamivir and zanamivir. These drugs work to stop the virus from attaching to and releasing it from an infected cell. More specifically, this is possible by inhibiting neuraminidase, a viral protein found in the viral envelope. For drugs to work effectively, treatment must be started as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours of the onset of the disease. Unfortunately, this is not always possible because the symptoms are not very specific. The indication for the administration of oseltamivir is contact with someone who has been diagnosed with avian flu.

There is little evidence of efficacy of drugs other than those listed above. Controversy is the administration of steroids that suppress the immune system, which theoretically could be used in patients with avian flu. Unfortunately, this method is not officially recommended by the WHO.

Treatment of avian influenza in a hospital setting involves maintaining the patient’s basic life functions. The therapy is being implemented to support the functioning of the circulatory system and mechanical ventilation. In extreme cases, renal replacement therapy is started.

How can I protect myself against bird flu?

1. Avoid contact with any birds, regardless of their health condition – avoid places with large groups of birds, i.e. farms, henhouses, pigeon flocks in the squares,

2. There is no need to do without poultry meat and eggs, as the avian influenza virus is destroyed by heat treatment at temperatures above 50 ° C.

3. There is a preparation available on the Polish market for patients diagnosed with avian flu and recommended by WHO, which can be prescribed by a physician.

4. Always wear disposable protective gloves when you come into contact with birds, for example on a farm.

4. Remember to wash your hands after each contact with birds.

5. Try to avoid eating raw eggs.

6. All items that have previously been in contact with raw meat, such as a cutting board, knives or plates, should be thoroughly washed with special detergents. Freezing meat will not kill the bird flu virus.

7. Products such as poultry and eggs should be kept in a tightly closed package so that they do not come into contact with other products.

8. It should be ensured that children do not stay in places with large crowds of birds, eg poultry farms.

Avian flu – complications

People who have not died of bird flu may develop complications that significantly delay recovery. May appear:

1. pneumothorax (air enters the cavities of the lung as a result of a pleural rupture);
2. lung damage (arising from artificial ventilation with a respirator);
3. hemorrhages;
4. Reye’s syndrome (especially in children) – a liver transplant is often required.

Also read:

1. Everything you need to know about the flu
2. Serious flu or common cold? Find out how to tell them apart
3. Myths and Facts About Swine Flu

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