Signs and Symptoms

The avian flu was one of the first pandemics that the modern world was confronted with. It is believed that the pandemic was caused by a strain of the influenza A virus, H5N1 who managed to adapt and transform as to live for longer in the host body and be transmitted through bodily fluids. The virus also affected individuals and here one can read more about how the signs and symptoms of an infection with the bird flu.

The avian flu is most likely to replicate in the lower respiratory tract and cause viral pneumonia. Specialists claim that there is no human strain of this virus as all of the individuals who contracted the disease were infected by the avian strain. Yet, people who get infected with a humanized influenza A virus notice symptoms such as sore throat, conjunctivitis, muscle aches, cough, and fever and in more serious cases it may lead to breathing problems and in the end to a severe form of pneumonia which may be fatal. The severity of the disease depends on the individual’s immune system and to one’s previous exposure. Individuals who have been exposed to the virus before are partially immune and thus the severity is significantly reduced. However, these symptoms are only associated with the humanized influenza A virus and specialists do not know whether they would be the same with those caused by a potential humanized avian influenza.

The mortality rate of the avian flu, especially of those affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza, is quite high. The World Health Organization estimates that in over 60% of the individuals who contracted the virus died. However, specialists claim that the real mortality rate is in fact much lower because many people contract the virus and develop mild symptoms and they never present themselves to a doctor, making it possible to count them. This in the end leads to a higher mortality rate.