A Slice of Orange - October 2011 - Bird flu

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Bird flu Part 2

THE FLU SCARE THAT SWEPT THE WORLD IS SWOOPING DOWN FOR A COMEBACK. BE READY TO SHOO THE BIRD BUG AWAY.

A Slice of Orange is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.

Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD

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nfluenza, more commonly known as flu, has been plaguing humans for

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Flu in season

over two millennia. Since then until the late 1960s, the flu would wreak favor all over the world, killing millions at a time during pandemics.

Fortunately, advances in the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines have significantly reduced mortality.

But the 21st century faced another menace:

Furthermore, a mutant strain is spreading in

bird flu. The technical term for bird flu

our Asian neighbors: Bangladesh, China,

is “avian influenza.” It is called bird flu

Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

because this strain of the flu is adapted

This mutant strain seems to be resistant to

to birds. In fact, avian flu can kill an entire

vaccines. Hence, we should all be extra-

flock of birds in a few days.

vigilant, even those who have already received flu shots in the past few years.

Occasionally, bird flu can transfer from birds to humans, especially when men

As previously mentioned, vaccines against

handle infected birds. When the strain that

bird flu seem to offer very little protection

infects humans is of the H5N1 strain, the

from the new mutant strain. Hence, you

human can become seriously ill. Symptoms

should battle bird flu in other ways.

include: • Fever

Battling the bird bug It is fairly easy for the virus to be transmitted

• Sore throat

from bird to human; transmission between

• Muscle aches

two humans seems rarer. Thus, preventing

• Sore eyes

bird-to-human transmission is key. Bird-to-

• Diarrhea

human transmission can happen when the

• In severe cases, pneumonia and other

virus from bird saliva, body fluids, or excre-

ment, reaches your mucosal surfaces (i.e., your eyes, nose, or mouth) via your hands.

On January 18, 2009, a 27-year-old

Flip the page to know how to keep the flu

woman from eastern China died of bird

virus away:

flu. This started a bird flu scare. Since then, 306 people have died from H5N1 infection in twelve countries. The World Health Organization and health authorities of most countries worked double-time to control the spread of the virus, preventing an outbreak.

But in late August 2011, bird flu threatened to strike again. The United Nations warned that bird flu is making a comeback.

Migration of wild birds expected with the changing of the seasons is facilitating spread of the virus across country borders.

tember, right? Unfortunately, the cool weather brings with it the bug—cough, colds, flu, and other viral diseases that infect the respiratory tract.

One reason for this is that cooler air is usually drier, and viruses stay in the air

• Cough

breathing problems that can be deadly.

Christmas in the Philippines starts in Sep-

longer in dry air. In humid air, the viruses fall out. Cool, dry air also makes mucus stickier and harder to expectorate. Viruses trapped in the mucus stay in the respiratory tract longer. Lastly, in cool weather, more people tend to stay indoors and crowd together (just like during Christmas parties). This makes it easier for viruses to transfer from person to person.

Stay healthy during the upcoming cool Christmas season. Use a room humidifier when the air starts to become cold and dry. When your nose or throat begins to sting after staying in a cool place for a while, it means the air is dry and needs humidifying.

Keep rooms well ventilated, and get out as often as possible to breathe in fresh air.

Avoid crowded spaces. But if you can’t avoid them, clean your hands frequently with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

V o l u m e

1. Avoid touching wild birds.

2. Avoid live-bird markets.

3. Do not buy poultry from unsure sources.

While

human-to-human

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transmission

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is

rare, it can happen, especially if your own body’s immunity is down. Prevent human-tohuman transmission by:

4. Avoid places where birds frequently

visit, at least for now. Avoid trees,

marshes and other places birds call

home. Do not touch bird baths or

bird feeders.

plenty of sleep to 8 hours a day).

5. Wash your hands frequently and

(meaning 7 Exercise regularly

(three to five times a week, but no more; too

thoroughly, especially after touching

birds (dead or alive), eggs, and other

things birds may have infected. Wash

your hands with soap and clean

running water for at least 30 seconds.

Pay special attention to the area

between your fingers and under

1. Avoiding people who have symptoms of

or visiting a country with a bird flu epidem-

your fingernails.

bird flu. If you do need to see them, wear

ic, visit your doctor immediately. Antivirals

6. Cook poultry and eggs well.

a surgical mask; avoid touching your eyes,

may be effective, but should be given with-

7. Keep your kitchen countertop clean.

nose or mouth; and wash your hands im-

in a few days of feeling your first symptoms.

Wash it with soapy water regularly,

mediately after your visit.

These drugs will help keep the virus at bay,

especially after preparing poultry.

8. If you plan to travel, check first if the

country you are visiting is suffering from

an avian flu outbreak.

much may weaken your immunity instead).

Stop smoking—this weakens the protective mechanisms of the lungs.

If you develop the symptoms of bird flu, especially within 10 days after handling birds

preventing the disease from worsening and 2. Keeping your immunity strong. Eat nu-

causing deadly complications.

tritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals (fruits and vegetables are ideal sources,

Keep all these tips in mind, and you can

just like what your mother said). Take

shoo away bird flu.

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The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2011 ActiveLink

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