Information on health articles
Avian Influenza, Not Just For The Birds
You have seen it on the news. It has been featured on talk shows. It has been covered by newspapers and magazines. "It" is called the Avian or Bird Flu.
Seems like pretty scary stuff, doesn't it? An infection that there is no real cure for? And how many really know about Avian Flu? Isn't it just for the birds? Do we really have to worry about it?
Well, the answer is yes and no. On the one hand it is a potentially deadly and contagious virus, and on the other, it is actually rare in occurrence.
The thing is that most people simply do not know that much about this virus. This article will examine what Avian Influenza is, it's effects, and how it can be combated.
First, we will look at how this disease affects birds. It is a virus that naturally occurs in birds world-wide. The H5N1 virus is responsible for causing Avian or Bird Flu. The actual virus is carried by wild birds in their intestines. The interesting thing about that fact is that the carriers may not get sick, instead they spread the virus to other birds.
The spread of infection amongst birds happens when non-infected birds come into contact with the saliva, feces, or nasal secretions of infected birds. This can be bird to bird or via surfaces that have become contaminated with the virus. Also, this can affect domestic fowl, as well. And this contact can either be direct or through contact with contaminated surfaces.
There are two main types of this virus in birds, low and high pathogenic forms. The low pathogenic form may not be detected and may even produce only mild symptoms, amongst those infected. Unfortunately, the high pathogenic form is quite aggressive and often deadly. It affects multiple internal organs and the mortality rate can be as high as 90 to 100 percent
within a 48 hour time period.
Ok, so big deal. It affects birds, why should I care? Because it affects humans. And in some cases, with deadly consequences.
Since 1997, there have been recorded cases of Avian Flu infection in humans. These cases involve the several subtypes of influenza. Most have happened due to direct contact with poultry that is infected. This would involve chickens, duck, turkeys, etc. And, this also includes contact with cages, perches, feeders or any object that poultry would use.
Three subtypes of influenza have been noted in human beings. These are H1N1, N1N2, and H3N2. Again, it is important to note that rarely is the spread of Avian Influenza from person to person reported. And transmission from the infected to beyond one person is also a rarity.
What are some of the symptoms that are associated with Avian Influenza infection in humans? Fever, cough , muscle aches, and sore throats are among the initial symptoms reported. Others can include eye infections, respiratory distress, as well as other serious complications.
Are there treatments available to combat this disease? Yes, there are. A class of drugs called Anti-Virals would be the choice of treatment against this disease. Some of these include drugs such as Symmetrel�. The problem is that this virus continues to mutate and this makes the anti-viral drugs less effective. So, it is a constant battle for new drugs to be produced to meet the demands of destroying an ever-changing disease.
While Avian Flu is a serious disease, it continues to be rare in occurrence. It still deserves to be treated as the very serious and potentially lethal virus that it is ever-evolving.
A Bit Of Information on wellness and health
Acid Reflux Food
Another common explanation for the relationship between acid reflux and vinegar is the placebo effect; people feel better because they expect to feel better. This effect is termed placebo because that�s the name for the decoy drug used in drug trials. Participants in the placebo group receive a fake drug (either a sugar pill or other pharmaceutical filler) to study the impact of expectations of medication on actual symptoms.
Some sufferers don�t particularly care why acid reflux and vinegar are related � as long as they are. Feeling better is the end goal for most with acid reflux disease and many are willing to try anything once. The good news is that vinegar is unlikely to be harmful to people when consumed in reasonable quantities. Some acid reflux sufferers have indicated that acid reflux and vinegar don�t mix well; they report intense increases in pain when ingesting vinegar.
=>
acid reflux cure
You have seen it on the news. It has been featured on talk shows. It has been covered by newspapers and magazines. "It" is called the Avian or Bird Flu.
Seems like pretty scary stuff, doesn't it? An infection that there is no real cure for? And how many really know about Avian Flu? Isn't it just for the birds? Do we really have to worry about it?
Well, the answer is yes and no. On the one hand it is a potentially deadly and contagious virus, and on the other, it is actually rare in occurrence.
The thing is that most people simply do not know that much about this virus. This article will examine what Avian Influenza is, it's effects, and how it can be combated.
First, we will look at how this disease affects birds. It is a virus that naturally occurs in birds world-wide. The H5N1 virus is responsible for causing Avian or Bird Flu. The actual virus is carried by wild birds in their intestines. The interesting thing about that fact is that the carriers may not get sick, instead they spread the virus to other birds.
The spread of infection amongst birds happens when non-infected birds come into contact with the saliva, feces, or nasal secretions of infected birds. This can be bird to bird or via surfaces that have become contaminated with the virus. Also, this can affect domestic fowl, as well. And this contact can either be direct or through contact with contaminated surfaces.
There are two main types of this virus in birds, low and high pathogenic forms. The low pathogenic form may not be detected and may even produce only mild symptoms, amongst those infected. Unfortunately, the high pathogenic form is quite aggressive and often deadly. It affects multiple internal organs and the mortality rate can be as high as 90 to 100 percent
within a 48 hour time period.
Ok, so big deal. It affects birds, why should I care? Because it affects humans. And in some cases, with deadly consequences.
Since 1997, there have been recorded cases of Avian Flu infection in humans. These cases involve the several subtypes of influenza. Most have happened due to direct contact with poultry that is infected. This would involve chickens, duck, turkeys, etc. And, this also includes contact with cages, perches, feeders or any object that poultry would use.
Three subtypes of influenza have been noted in human beings. These are H1N1, N1N2, and H3N2. Again, it is important to note that rarely is the spread of Avian Influenza from person to person reported. And transmission from the infected to beyond one person is also a rarity.
What are some of the symptoms that are associated with Avian Influenza infection in humans? Fever, cough , muscle aches, and sore throats are among the initial symptoms reported. Others can include eye infections, respiratory distress, as well as other serious complications.
Are there treatments available to combat this disease? Yes, there are. A class of drugs called Anti-Virals would be the choice of treatment against this disease. Some of these include drugs such as Symmetrel�. The problem is that this virus continues to mutate and this makes the anti-viral drugs less effective. So, it is a constant battle for new drugs to be produced to meet the demands of destroying an ever-changing disease.
While Avian Flu is a serious disease, it continues to be rare in occurrence. It still deserves to be treated as the very serious and potentially lethal virus that it is ever-evolving.
A Bit Of Information on wellness and health
Acid Reflux Food
Another common explanation for the relationship between acid reflux and vinegar is the placebo effect; people feel better because they expect to feel better. This effect is termed placebo because that�s the name for the decoy drug used in drug trials. Participants in the placebo group receive a fake drug (either a sugar pill or other pharmaceutical filler) to study the impact of expectations of medication on actual symptoms.
Some sufferers don�t particularly care why acid reflux and vinegar are related � as long as they are. Feeling better is the end goal for most with acid reflux disease and many are willing to try anything once. The good news is that vinegar is unlikely to be harmful to people when consumed in reasonable quantities. Some acid reflux sufferers have indicated that acid reflux and vinegar don�t mix well; they report intense increases in pain when ingesting vinegar.
=>
acid reflux cure
posted by Tina Bradbury at 3:23 am
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