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May 18, 2013
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Bird Flu (cont.)

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Bird Flu Symptoms in Humans

Humans get bird flu through close contact with sick or dead poultry or poultry markets in countries (mainly Asia, Europe, the Near East, and Africa) known to harbor the virus. Infected people experience typical flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Some people also have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or eye infections. Children and even animals (dogs, cats, and other mammals) may develop similar symptoms. This infection can progress to pneumonia and respiratory failure. In fact, bird flu is much more fatal in humans than is normal human influenza. Bird flu causes a very aggressive form of respiratory flu that progresses quickly to ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) and a potentially lethal viral pneumonia. More than half (about 60%) of people who have contracted bird flu have died according to the records that have been kept since 1997.

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