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Symptoms Of Bird Flu: First Signs When You Might Be Having Bird Flu

Last Updated: Jan 06, 2021

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Bird flu is infecting human though consumption of domestic poultry infected by H5N1 virus. The contaminated food consumed by a person causes infection in the digestive tract and show symptoms like watery stools, blood in stools, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may starts within two to eight days and can seem like the common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath may occur. If such symptoms are persisting for more than two days, having abdominal pain, getting dehydrated etc. then a person should see the doctor.

You may have Bird flu infection if you experience any of the symptoms such as:

Respiratory difficulties

A person experiencing difficulties or discomfort in breathing and have a feeling of incomplete breath, he should seek medical attention. There are many signs of bird flu that are similar to other respiratory illnesses but shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing is observed for more than seven days then patient must contact health care department or facilities near to him. The condition of patient is considered as very serious when he started trouble in breathing, pneumonia, serious respiratory distress, may be sometimes respiratory failure.

Fever

Bird flu is caused by infection of influenza virus that is entering into body through nose and mouth route and mainly affecting respiratory system. Once the virus starts its replication in body, immune system fights against it and responsible for abnormal increase in body temperature, called as fever. Such symptom of fever is only related to bird flu if it persists in body for more duration of at least 3-7 days along with other symptoms. This abnormal rise in body temperature is only considered as fever when it has temperature of or .

Headache

For getting diagnosed with bird flu, person should first observe symptoms like mild to moderate headache, with mild sore or irritated throat, fever and some breathing difficulties. There may be occurrence of severe generalized headaches if a person is infected with influenza virus. The reason behind this symptom is body’s immune system which is releasing infection fighting molecule, cytokines that in turn bringing inflammation leading to headaches. On other side, swelling and inflammation in parts of respiratory system such as sinus cavities which are filled with mucus causing pressure resulted as headaches in such types of virus infections.

Muscle aches

An infection of H5N1 virus form of influenza starts its effect over body with mild muscle aches that are getting worsen in time period of 3-5 days. People mostly complain about their muscles as it is so sore and achy as it hurts to move. Natural chemicals are released by body that helps white blood cells of blood to fight off the infection. Such symptoms of feeling weak, fatigued, and extremely exhausted with muscle aches or body aches are considered as a good sign because body is trying to get back the normal health.

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Malaise

Malaise is taken as an sign of being ill or becoming, where a person encounter overall feeling of discomfort or lack of well-being. It may starts slowly or quickly as per body’s ability that get affected with disease. Generally, the symptoms of bird flu appear in time frame of 3-7 days where a malaise is one of them. There is an advice of determining and observing other symptoms of disease as through it only the true cause behind the malaises can be identified. Occurrence of malaise is generally associated with infectious or systemic disease and it falls in non-specific symptoms category.

Runny nose

Rhinorrhea or runny nose is condition that is a result of excess nasal mucus production causing watery nasal secretion. Such secretion is discharging from nostrils or dripping down the throat. This symptom has produced because the infections had inflamed and swelled the inner linings of the nasal passages and sinuses. With such symptoms creating confusion between flu or bird flu and cold can be only determined after closed observation of symptoms for at least 10 days and can be treated with antiviral drugs.

Sore throat

As bird flu or H5N1 influenza virus is primarily targeting the respiratory system, it is affecting throat, nostrils and other parts of respiratory system. Once a person caught by the virus, it is producing pain, scratchiness or irritation in the throat that is often getting worse during process of swallowing anything. There are many other symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing, swollen red tonsils, sore or swollen glands in neck or jaw, a hoarse or puffed voice associated with sore throat. Such symptoms can be cured once patient starts its treatment of antibiotics to fight infection.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
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