Signs and Symptoms

During the first three to ten days of contracting bird flu, also known as the H5N1 virus, humans will likely suffer from symptoms that mimic that of a bad cold or of traditional influenza. These include the running of a high fever, sore throat, coughing bouts and/or sometimes coughing up mucus, headaches, and sore, painful, or aching muscles and joints. When a person experiences any of these symptoms, the individual should not automatically assume it is bird flu. As mentioned above, these symptoms are indicative of many common and easily cured illnesses, and bird flu is very rare in most parts of the world. However, those who live in parts of the world where bird flu is present or who may have been exposed to bird flu prior to developing symptoms are encouraged to seek medical guidance right away. It is always good practice anyway for all people to visit a doctor when they develop sudden symptoms of illness.

If bird flu is left unaided, it can lead to the development of many related and complicated problems or other illnesses. It may even lead to death of the infected person, as well as transmission to loved ones and any other individuals the infected person comes into contact with. While there is no cure for bird flu as of yet, there are things that doctors can do to help lessen the risk of developing serious complications. Possible complications and illnesses that may develop as a result of contracting bird flu include infections of the eyes, pneumonia and/or viral pneumonia, cute respiratory disease, brain inflammation, and heart inflammation. The last two complications are particularly serious. The quicker an infected individual visits a doctor, the less likely it is that the virus will be spread to others or that serious complications such as these will develop.