Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is a form of influenza A virus, the most wide-spread and potentially serious of the three types--influenza A, B and C. The most common form of avian influenza is known medically as H5N1 and, while it rarely infects humans, when it does, it is potentially deadly. The Mayo Clinic reports that more than 50 percent of the humans infected with it have died. Symptoms, however, are not that different from other forms of the flu.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis or pinkeye is an infection of your eyes. This may be caused by other viruses than avian flu and may be caused by bacteria as well. It manifests itself as a redness of the eye along with itching, swelling, a discharge from your eye or burning. The National Institutes of Health state that your vision generally will not be affected by conjunctivitis, but it can be irritating. It also is contagious.
Pain
Avian influenza may induce pain that may be indistinguishable from normal flu. You may get a sore throat, just as with regular seasonal flu. You also may get typical aches and pains throughout your body and a headache is also possible.
Fever and Cough
The viral infection of avian flu may cause you to become feverish. This means that your body temperature will rise beyond the normal level--98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius in most people--and you may experience chills. You also may develop a cough with the infection.
Pneumonia
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that more severe respiratory ailments also may occur when you have been infected by avian flu. Pneumonia and viral pneumonia, along with acute distress of your respiratory system, are potential symptoms of the infection. Pneumonia, the National Institute of Health states, is a lung inflammation that makes it difficult to breathe. It also may be accompanied by a fever and cough.
