What causes avian flu?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Avian flu, or bird flu, occurs when a person is infected by a strain of influenza virus that normally infects birds. It is not very contagious from one to person to another. Unlike seasonal flu, it is usually spread by contact with infected birds. Infected birds may be wild or domesticated.

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Diana Meeks

Antibiotics can only be used to treat bacterial infections that may be complications of the avian fl...

Diana Meeks

You can get the avian flu if you get a flu shot, because the flu shot only works to protect you agai...

Discovery Health

Despite the difficulty of bird flu's transmission to people from birds and from person to person, pu...

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

The symptoms of avian flu, or bird flu, include a high temperature, cough, throat soreness, and sore...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Avian Flu

Influenza, or the flu, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by one of many different types of influenza virus. Not all of these viruses infect humans. Avian flu is a type of influenza that usually afflicts birds or pigs. The condition is very dangerous if contracted by humans. Symptoms of avian flu are similar to those of other flu viruses and include body aches, sore throat, fever and cough. Antibiotics are used to treat complications from flu viruses, like pneumonia or bronchitis, but there is currently no vaccine for avian flu being used in the human population.

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