World travelers and poultry industry workers may risk exposure to avian influenza, or bird flu. This aggressive strain of the influenza A virus, labeled H5N1 and subtypes, caused the first known spread from birds to humans in 1997, according to the World Health Organization.
This rare infectious illness can swiftly cause severe respiratory distress and death. Countries that have recorded human cases include Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt and Azerbaijan. The warning signs of bird flu may be distinct to the subtype that infects the individual patient.
Conjunctivitis Symptoms
Many avian influenza patients report conditions of conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes, as early warning signs of the disease. The Cleveland Clinic notes that conjunctivitis usually causes redness, itching and fluid accumulation in the eyes. A heavy mucus may drain and form crusts in the eyelashes.
Patients may experience eye infections alone or in addition to other symptoms. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that conjunctivitis can develop from handling birds or from direct contact between nesting materials and the eyes.
Influenza Symptoms
The warning signs of avian influenza typically come on quickly following a five-day incubation period, with the illness potentially maturing before the patient becomes fully aware of infection. The Mayo Clinic relates that a high fever, chills and headache may accompany sneezing, runny nose, congestion and muscle aches. As respiratory inflammation progresses, a cough and sore throat may develop.
To link these symptoms to bird flu, patients should review their contact with birds and undergo medical testing. An FDA-approved rapid testing process can identify influenza subtypes.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Warning signs that arise in the digestive tract may be specific to the virus subtype or may occur after eating infected poultry meat. Recorded symptoms of gastroenteritis, an inflammatory condition, include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The FDA reports that fully cooking eggs and heating poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit will prevent transmission of the avian influenza virus.
Respiratory Disease Symptoms
The CDC relates that respiratory problems can develop before some patients manage to identify bird flu. As the lungs become involved with viral infection, pneumonia can cause symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath, along with increased influenza symptoms.
Inflammation of the lungs can swiftly reach life-threatening proportions, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), as per the National Institutes of Health. Signs of ARDS include difficult, rapid breathing and a drop in blood pressure, which restricts blood oxygen transport. Organ failure and death may result.
