Bird Flu Article

How Bird Flu Differs From Common Flu

Flu among humans is a common annual occurrence and is usually not fatal. But avian flu virus has infected many people worldwide and quite a few have succumbed to it. There is considerable difference between these 2 viruses and many are not aware of it. Further there are many types of flu like common flu, pandemic flu and avian flu. This article aims to differentiate the 3 flu types.

Common flu or seasonal flu is known technically as human influenza. It occurs on an annual basis and affects millions of people every year. People almost consider it akin to common cold and it is usually treated with antibiotics and pain killers like ibuprofen. It can be avoided by taking a flu shot every year. Some of its symptoms are fever, muscular pain, diarrhea, respiratory problems and vomiting. The common flu is a respiratory disease and is transmitted from one person to another. Many people are immune to the flu virus and are never infected by it.

The avian or bird flu virus appears in wild birds naturally while the H5N1 virus is a lethal form of the avian flu virus that is transmittable from domestic birds to individuals. It can only be passed on from birds to humans and not between persons. The virus has killed millions of birds and quite a few people. Persons infected by bird flu virus usually require hospitalization and their condition needs to be closely monitored. No vaccines are yet available to treat the patients while they are usually administered antibiotics. Eye infection and pneumonia are some of the common symptoms of bird flu but the symptoms may vary with the type of virus. The avian flu virus can result in organ failure and is much more severe than the common flu virus. Because of lack of immunity, humans are very susceptible to an attack of this virus.

Pandemic flu is widespread outbreak of new types of flu virus that attacks a large section of the population. The pandemic flu is typically caused by new type of flu virus that human beings have not been exposed to earlier or not exposed to for many years. Due to lack of immunity to pandemic flu virus among humans, it can spread quickly and cause immense loss of lives. Even though it is not transmittable from person to person presently, the avian flu has potential to become pandemic. People affected with chronic ailments like asthma or other lung diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are more susceptible to die if infected with pandemic flu. Obviously pandemic flu differs from common flu in its severity. Avian flu is yet to assume pandemic proportion but scientists and researchers worldwide are working towards developing vaccines for preventing pandemics.