Avian Influenza (AI) - Diagnosis
Avian influenza is far more serious than other viruses. Only 2% of people who get the common flu die, while over half of all people who have contracted H5N1 bird flu have died.
As birds migrate, so does H5N1
As birds increasingly become infected with avian influenza in various parts of the world, the likelihood of humans becoming infected increases -- particularly if they have close contact with a bird’s bodily fluids.
Hospitals in Asia, Europe, and Africa have all reported cases of bird flu. It seems only a matter of time before infected birds migrate to North America, South America, and Australia.
When that happens, the correct diagnosis and treatment of avian influenza will be imperative. Although the H5N1 strain of bird flu can be transmitted from birds to humans, the greater concern is that it might spread from humans to humans. This would cause an unprecedented global pandemic.
Recognize the symptoms
With that in mind, it’s important to know the symptoms of avian influenza. With a current human mortality rate of about 50%, it’s best to know what to look for when you or someone you know comes down with bird flu.
Diagnosis of avian influenza is difficult due to the fact that it closely resembles the common flu that many people experience during a typical cold and flu season. Symptoms include:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
There are, however, a few additional symptoms someone infected with H5N1 may experience, such as:
- Eye infection
- Severe shortness of breath
- Pain in the lungs
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding from the nose and/or gums
Recovery is dependent on treating the patient in time, so ill people need to see their doctor as quickly as possible.
Testingthere are three categories of rapid diagnostic testing:
- "Near patient tests" are already used to diagnosis the flu, and results are available after about 30 minutes. The accuracy rate is only 70% to 75%.
- Laboratory antigen detection tests require a lab and are also not 100% accurate.
- Nucleic acid amplification tests take about four hours to process and are highly accurate, but require expensive equipment not available at every healthcare facility -- especially not in poor regions of the world.
If any of these tests come back positive, your healthcare facility should send the sample on to the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
