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Since the onset of a bird flu outbreak, many people have gone to
their doctors in a panic that they may have contracted bird flu.
Although hypochondria may play a minor role, the similarity of
some of the flu strains may as well be at fault. While the
beginning symptoms of bird flu mimic those of the regular flu,
there are subtle differences to watch for.
The initial symptoms of bird flu include fever, sore throat,
body ache, and cough - basically the same symptoms of the
seasonal flu. While you can rule out a common cold because of
the inclusion of body aches, you may not be able to tell which
flu strain is at hand. Specifically, a fever of 102 to 104
degrees for a period of 3 to 4 days is common. Likewise,
headaches, severe muscle aches, and nasal congestion are also on
the list of signs of bird flu. The length of these conditions
should be watched to identify possible concerns.
Once these symptoms begin to manifest, you should seek medical
care. Many people will try to "tough it out", but with the
possibility of death as a result, going to the doctor should
seem less intimidating.
There are certain signs that should send you to the emergency
room or doctor immediately. Symptoms lasting for more than ten
days or that are severe in nature may be an indication your body
is not able to defend against the infection at hand. Painful
breathing, difficulty in breathing, or bluish skin are also
concerns you should watch for. Pneumonia is a common result of
the flu, one that is the primary reason for flu deaths.
Therefore, pain in the lungs or signs that your body is not
getting adequate oxygen may point to a more severe problem.
Fainting, dizziness, or confusion are also red flags that should
lead you to the doctor's office, as well as obvious warning
signs like excessive vomiting, dehydration, and complications
arising from other medical issues.
While many of the initial symptoms are the same for various flu
strains, the primary difference apparent with bird flu is the
severity of the effects. It worsens quickly, and due to the
reaction of the immune system after infection, the body is not
able to recover. This is the concern with bird flu and should be
remembered when trying to differentiate the regular flu strain
and bird flu.
About the author:
Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written
extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird
Flu and Cohn's Disease. For more of her articles, go to
http://www.imedicalvillage.com now.
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