Avian influenza (patient information)

Revision as of 14:19, 26 May 2010 by Rday4 (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

WikiDoc Resources for Avian influenza (patient information)

Articles

Most recent articles on Avian influenza (patient information)

Most cited articles on Avian influenza (patient information)

Review articles on Avian influenza (patient information)

Articles on Avian influenza (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Avian influenza (patient information)

Images of Avian influenza (patient information)

Photos of Avian influenza (patient information)

Podcasts & MP3s on Avian influenza (patient information)

Videos on Avian influenza (patient information)

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Avian influenza (patient information)

Bandolier on Avian influenza (patient information)

TRIP on Avian influenza (patient information)

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Avian influenza (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Avian influenza (patient information)

Clinical Trials on Avian influenza (patient information) at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Avian influenza (patient information)

NICE Guidance on Avian influenza (patient information)

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Avian influenza (patient information)

CDC on Avian influenza (patient information)

Books

Books on Avian influenza (patient information)

News

Avian influenza (patient information) in the news

Be alerted to news on Avian influenza (patient information)

News trends on Avian influenza (patient information)

Commentary

Blogs on Avian influenza (patient information)

Definitions

Definitions of Avian influenza (patient information)

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Avian influenza (patient information)

Discussion groups on Avian influenza (patient information)

Patient Handouts on Avian influenza (patient information)

Directions to Hospitals Treating Avian influenza (patient information)

Risk calculators and risk factors for Avian influenza (patient information)

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Avian influenza (patient information)

Causes & Risk Factors for Avian influenza (patient information)

Diagnostic studies for Avian influenza (patient information)

Treatment of Avian influenza (patient information)

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Avian influenza (patient information)

International

Avian influenza (patient information) en Espanol

Avian influenza (patient information) en Francais

Business

Avian influenza (patient information) in the Marketplace

Patents on Avian influenza (patient information)

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Avian influenza (patient information)

Editor-in-Chief: Roseann Day

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

What is Avian Influenza?

Avian influenza in birds

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Human infection with avian influenza viruses

There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. Usually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and has been limited, inefficient and unsustained.

“Human influenza virus” usually refers to those subtypes that spread widely among humans. There are only three known A subtypes of influenza viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) currently circulating among humans. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.

During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. [1]

What are the symptoms of Avian Influenza?

Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which virus caused the infection.

What causes Avian Influenza?

The avian influenza is caused by the H5N1 virus, a subtype of type A influenza virus.

Who is at risk for Avian Influenza?

For current information about avian influenza A (H5N1) outbreaks, see the CDC Outbreaks page.

What are some precautions against Avian Influenza?

-- You cannot get avian influenza from properly handled and cooked poultry and eggs. There currently is no scientific evidence that people have been infected with bird flu by eating safely handled and properly cooked poultry or eggs.

-- Currently, wearing a mask is not recommended for routine use (e.g., in public) for preventing influenza exposure.

-- Travel: CDC does not recommend any travel restrictions to affected countries at this time. However, CDC currently advises that travelers to countries with known outbreaks of H5N1 influenza avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals.

When to seek urgent medical care

If there is any suspicion of avian influenza infection, it is recommended that medical care is sought immediately.

Treatment options

Studies done in laboratories suggest that some of the prescription medicines approved in the United States for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infection in humans. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work.

The H5N1 virus that has caused human illness and death in Asia is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamivir and zanamivir, would probably work to treat influenza caused by H5N1 virus, but additional studies still need to be done to demonstrate their effectiveness.

Where to find medical care for Avian Influenza

Directions to Hospitals Treating Avian influenza

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)

Of the human cases associated with the ongoing H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and wild birds in Asia and parts of Europe, the Near East and Africa, more than half of those people reported infected with the virus have died. Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults and have resulted from direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces. In general, H5N1 remains a very rare disease in people. The H5N1 virus does not infect humans easily, and if a person is infected, it is very difficult for the virus to spread to another person.

Sources

Template:SIB Template:WH Template:WS