by Lisa Miller

Created on: January 28, 2009   Last Updated: May 12, 2010

The bird flu can be scary in humans, because the symptoms are so similar to the common flu. There is often no difference in symptoms at all. In preventing a pandemic event, it is often more important to get checked out by a doctor, just to be safe and ensure that you are not infected with the virus such as the bird flu. In prevention and detection of the bird flu, it is best to be overly cautious and careful.

Symptoms of the bird flu are similar to the common flu. Muscle aches, sore throat, and a cough are common symptoms. You may also experience eye infections, pneumonia, severe coughing and breathing problems if left untreated. It is important that you are checked out by a doctor immediately at the first sign of symptoms. Remember that contact with other humans who seem sick may ultimately lead to you getting infected with the bird flu virus. The bird flu can be treated if detected early with anti-virus medication from your doctor.

Avoid groups of people who seem to have the flu. They may be carrying the virus and not even know it, mistaking it for the common flu. Wash your hands frequently and avoid sick birds or bird feces. That is how the virus can be transferred from birds to humans, and humans to humans. Migratory birds, such as geese, can carry the virus and infect easily, since they travel so much from place to place.

There are also different strains of bird flu that have different symptoms. It is still important at the onset of any type of flu-like symptoms to get examined immediately by a doctor, just in case. There are no known cases of the bird flu in the United States, but due to traveling of migratory birds and infection, it is best to be careful. Doctors are trying to develop better vaccines and medications to treat the bird flu, even prevent it. Since some people become resistant to some types of antiviral medications, doctors are also developing alternative methods for treating the bird flu virus.

If you notice any flu-like symptoms at all, it is best to get examined by a doctor. They can often detect the bird flu virus before it worsens, or even becomes deadly. Early detection is the key to treating it faster and preventing an epidemic. Just be careful, and wash your hands frequently. Watch for flu-like symptoms and avoid sick birds or feces. That will help to ensure that you are aware of the bird flu and what its symptoms may be.

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