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Bird Flu- Prevention and Treatments
By Saira Simmons
Bird flu is turning out to be a terror for Asian countries; the epidemic is growing
rapidly which is a matter of concern for the U.S. Government. The recent out break
has the potential to become a human
flu pandemic.
As per recent updates Bird Flu has taken the lives of almost 50 people in Southeast
Asia and resulted in the deaths of millions of poultry. The virus can be a serious
threat if it develops the capacity of easy transmission from one person to another.
Bird flu symptoms
Bird flu symptoms are like any other flu's. The symptoms worsen to become a severe
respiratory disease that has been fatal in a high percentage of cases.
In February 2005, researchers in Vietnam reported human cases of bird
flu in which the virus infected the brain and digestive tract of two children.
Both ultimately died after a few days of struggle. Hence, this proves that the
bird flu may start like any other flu but more often than not is fatal.
Fortunately, no human cases of bird flu have been seen in the U.S. or North America.
Yet as a precaution, the CDC is asking people who have traveled to East Asia to
see a doctor if they develop flu-like symptoms. It's important to tell the doctor
about having visited these areas so the proper tests can be done. Prevention is
better than cure.
Avian Flu Treatment
The current bird flu strain is immune to older flu drugs. However, the drug remains
sensitive to the newer flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. However, supplies remain
short. Unfortunately there's only one plant making Tamiflu - and the U.S. isn't
the only country desperately trying to build up a stockpile. Other countries,
such as Britain, have also started stockpiling the drug.
Antiviral drugs, some of which can be used for both treatment
and prevention, are clinically effective against influenza. But these drugs too
have some limitations.
Avian Flu Vaccine
At least four months would be needed to produce a new vaccine, in significant
quantities, capable of conferring protection against a new virus subtype. Such
a vaccine will not be easy to produce, as the virus kills the chicken eggs usually
used to mass-produce flu vaccines. One approach being contemplated is to produce
the vaccine from a similar (but not egg-killing) strain isolated from ducks in
Singapore in 1997.
About the Author
Saira Simmons is a well known author who has long been writing articles related to health & fitness. Her articles are well known across the web for being quite informative and according to the changing trend in the pharmacy industry.
saira.simmons@gmail.com
www.checkflu.com
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