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How is avian influenza detected in humans

Avian influenza cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone, so a
laboratory test is required. Avian influenza is usually diagnosed by collecting a swab from the nose or throat during the first few days of illness. This swab is then sent to a laboratory, where they will either look for avian influenza virus using a molecular test, or they will try to grow the virus. Growing avian influenza viruses should only be done in laboratories with high levels of protection. If it is late in the illness, it may be difficult to find an avian influenza virus directly using these methods. If this is the case, it may still be possible to diagnose avian influenza by looking for evidence of the body's response to the virus. This is not always an option because it requires two blood specimens (one taken during the first few days of illness and another taken some weeks later), and it can take several weeks to verify the results.

What are the implications of avian influenza to human health?

Two main risks for human health from avian influenza are 1) the risk
of direct infection when the virus passes from the infected bird to humans, sometimes resulting in severe disease; and 2) the risk that the virus—if given enough opportunities—will change into a form that is highly infectious for humans and spreads easily from person to person.

How is avian influenza in humans treated

Studies done in laboratories suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infection in humans. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these medicines.

Does seasonal influenza vaccine protect against avian influenza infection in people

No. Seasonal influenza vaccine does not provide protection against avian influenza.

Should I wear a surgical mask to prevent exposure to avian influenza

Currently, wearing a mask is not recommended for routine use (e.g., in public) for preventing influenza exposure. In the United States, disposable surgical and procedure masks have been widely used in health-care settings to prevent exposure to respiratory infections, but the masks have not been used commonly in community settings, such as schools, businesses, and public gatherings.



Can I get avian influenza from eating or preparing poultry or eggs?

You cannot get avian influenza from properly handled and ----ed poultry and eggs.
There currently is no scientific evidence that people have been infected with bird flu by eating safely handled and properly ----ed poultry or eggs.
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. Even if poultry and eggs were to be contaminated with the virus, proper ----ing would kill it. In fact, recent studies have shown that the ----ing methods that are already recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for poultry and eggs to prevent other infections will destroy influenza viruses as well.
So to stay safe, the advice is the same for protecting against any infection from poultry

:

Wash your hands with soap and warm water for
at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw poultry and eggs

Clean cutting boards and other utensils with soap and hot water to keep raw poultry from contaminating other foods

Use a food thermometer to make sure you ---- poultry to a
temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit Consumers may wish to ---- poultry to a higher temperature for personal preference

---- eggs until whites and yolks are firm

How is infection with H5N1 virus in humans treated

Most H5N1 viruses that have caused human illness and death appear to be resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for treatment of patients with influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamivir and zanamavir, would probably work to treat influenza caused by H5N1 virus, but additional studies are needed to demonstrate their current and ongoing effectiveness.

http://www.kt.com.kw/ba/birdsflu.htm
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