Health Care

Everywhere you turn you see it on the news. Bird flu is on the rise and people are scared. Finding out more about it will help you learn how to protect you and your family.

H5N1: What is it?

Also known as Avian Flu, the H5N1 virus is commonly seen among wild birds and is as typical as the human cold and is transmitted between birds. Domesticated birds can also be at risk to catch Avian Influenza from wild birds.

There is an incubation period of 1-5 days between the time of exposure and the development of symptoms and can be fatal within 2 days. The concern and fear regarding this potential pandemic is that once a virus begins to mutate, it behaves differently and can be transmitted between species. This is the case with HIV. HIV began in monkeys and is commonly seen as a virus between monkeys. After the virus mutated, it spread to humans and the effects have been tragic. The virus is already showing signs of mutation as cases involving cats and pigs have been recently brought to light. The other fear and threat comes from the issue of Human-to-Human contact. If the Bird Flu mutates into a strand that is easily communicable between humans, we could see a pandemic of Avian Flu. Right now, the best way to prevent a pandemic is through careful prevention and monitoring the H5N1 virus closely.

Bird Flu: Symptoms

The symptoms are very similar to the Human Flu strains that we are familiar with. Fever, sore throats, coughs, muscle aches and pains, and general malaise are all signs of the virus. Other symptoms include Pneumonia and trouble breathing. If symptoms are identified early enough, it can be treated successfully. However, there is the threat of death if its left on its own.

Protecting Yourself from Avian Influenza: Goggles and Gloves

Currently, Bird Flu is being seen in Asia and Europe. Since the key to preventing the spread or mutation of the virus is protection, it is strongly suggested that those who are handling anything that has been potentially contaminated with the virus, wear goggles, gloves and masks specifically designed to protect against the virus. You should also make sure that you receive an annual flu shot to protect yourself from having common Influenza at the same time, should you catch Bird Flu. The two viruses together could mutate causing the strand that leads to a pandemic. Always practice good hygiene, hand washing, and stay away from areas that may be contaminated with AvianFlu.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/avianflu/htm/_no_100_no_0.htm

With this information, you can protect your family against a potential outbreak of the Avian Flu virus.

Article Source: http://www.kokkada.com

Bird Flu Symptoms - Find out what the symptoms of the Avian Flu are and how to best protect you and your family. - www.avianstocks.com

By: Bogdan Epureanu

The Avian Flu virus, also known as the Bird Flu virus or as H5N1, is a sub-species of the Influenza A virus which causes severe illness and death in humans and animals. Since 2003 this deadly virus has been spreading globally causing fear and panic in countries all around the world. First recognized in Vietnam, to date the virus has 291 known cases and has claimed 172 lives as well as permanently changed thousands more in 11 countries globally including China, Egypt, Indonesia, and Turkey. Most recently the British government has pledged to spend £200 ($400) million to import enough Tamiflu and Relenza to vaccinate approximately a quarter of the population against the Bird Flu.

With a 60% death rate recorded from infected patients of the H5N1 virus, it’s easy to see why being prepared for such an event is highly recommended by professionals and scientists like world-renowned virologist Robert Webster who has published an article titled "The world is teetering on the edge of a pandemic that could kill a large fraction of the human population". Webster urged for adequate resources to fight a major world threat that could kill anywhere from 5 to 150 million people and even possibly billions of lives over the course of just a few years.

The resources Webster is talking about are Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Relenza (Zanamivir), the only two effective antiviral drugs that are to be used in the treatment of the H5N1 Virus which causes the Bird Flu. Unfortunately for Tamiflu and Relenza patients, in order for these antivirals to be most effective they need to be administered at the early stage of infection which in turn has caused many countries to stockpile in preparation for the pandemic. This global stockpile has resulted in a major shortage for these life saving antivirals leaving many private citizens without access when these will be needed the most. Drug companies, manufacturers, and scientists are scrambling to come up with a vaccine to protect the world against the H5N1 strain of influenza, but currently Tamiflu and Relenza are the only antivirals that have shown promise in fighting the virus to date.

With the knowledge and warnings that have been provided to us it is just common sense to realize that this is a global problem and you need to be prepared. Act now to protect your family because with the current demand for these medications it may soon be too late. And we strongly believe that every family deserves equal access to Tamiflu and Relenza life saving antivirals - not just the governments who stockpile only for the health care workers and whoever they deem are suitable for treatment during a pandemic. Don't delay - protect your family today.

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

If you want to find more information about the subject please visit the following pages which deals in details with bird flu, Tamiflu and Relenza.