.: Bird Flu Facts Can Save Lives
By:Ben Franklin
Doctors and scientists around the world fear it may well become the next pandemic. People have died and many are concerned it's just a matter of time before the crafty bird flu manages to spread not only from bird to human but also from human to human.
The scare level is high as scientists race to create a vaccine and reports of deaths slowly rack up. But what is the bird flu and what can be done to prevent its spread, and more importantly, protect people?
The bird flu is a strain of influenza occurs naturally in birds. Much like humans, wild birds all over the world carry viruses in their intestines, but generally don't become sick from them. Avian influenza, however, is different and can make some birds, including chickens, ducks and turkeys quite sick and can even result in death.
While most bird viruses don't effect humans, the latest strains have been creating problems in the human world, thus the concerns. Since 1997 there have been 100 confirmed cases of human infection with bird flu viruses.
People can become infected with bird flu through close contact with infected birds and most especially their excretions and secretions. Although the spread of the illness from one person to the next has been reported only rarely, and even then not beyond one additional person, there are many concerns in the scientific and medical communities that this will not continue. Viruses such as the flu are well known for their abilities to mutate and there's no reason to believe that won't be the case with this quite deadly strain of flu.
Avian flu symptoms in humans are very much like those of run-of-the-mill flu – with a wide variety found. These can include cough, sore throat, fever, eye infections, respiratory issues and other life-threatening complications.
While it's believed the medications that can help ease the symptoms of human flu viruses might help in the case of the avian flu, there are concerns the bird virus will become resistant to these drugs, creating a bigger issue. At this time there is no vaccine for the bird flu either.
At this point, it is not believed a person can become infected with the bird flu by eating poultry or eggs. As long as safe cooking practices are followed, there should be little concern. To avoid exposure, make sure chicken and eggs are properly cooked and take care to clean up well following preparation. Washing hands and kitchen surfaces is an absolute must. Sanitary practices are a must in avoiding the bird flu and lots of other viruses and bacterial conditions as well.
Will the avian flu become the next pandemic, striking and perhaps killing thousands and thousands the world over?
Unfortunately, only time will tell. The potential, scientists fear, is absolutely there. The only way at this point for people to protect themselves is to use common sense when handling birds – either domestic or wild. Don't eat, drink or smoke while handling birds, live or dead. Wash hands thoroughly and use caution while cooking.
As it is with so many other illnesses, the simple act of hand washing frequently and correctly can go a long way toward minimizing exposure.
Article keywords: bird flu, epidemic
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
#1 Resource
Bird flu update and safety precautions.
http://www.bird-flu-report.com
.: New Health Articles
1). Breakthrough: Why Understanding Separation Anxiety Disorder Will Ultimately Cure It
Understanding Separation Anxiety Disorder Will Ultimately Cure It. Separation anxiety is not only common to kids and parents. Believe it or not, it is also what your dog feels every time you leave them.
2). Should You Worry About Global Warming?
What to do instead of worrying about things beyond your control like Global Warming.
3). Causes of Eczema on Hands and Effective Treatment
One of the most annoying forms of eczema is atopic eczema on hands. In this area it can get very irritating indeed. With the constant use of the hands, and their easy reaching access, the itching can become unbearable, and scratching the itch can become a habit which leads to a very severe rash in some people
4). Are You Looking For Simple and Good Panic Attack Help Tips
This article is about how to look for good and simple anxiety attack help tips and what are the various available options for the sufferer.
5). Can Child Panic Attack Be Deadly and What Are Its Tips and Solutions
This article is about what the tips, solutions and options to help the parents and the child, when a child has anxiety attacks.
6). Life as a Compulsive Overeater
This article talks of the struggles of being a compulsive overeater and the cycle of weight loss and weight gain.
7). Improving the Outcome of Stroke
The majority of strokes occur when a blood clot lodges in a blood vessel, blocking blood flow to a portion of your brain (ischemic stroke). The group of brain cells normally nourished by the oxygen in the affected blood vessels dies almost immediately after blood flow is blocked, while surrounding brain cells experience reduced blood flow.
.: Top Health Articles
1). The Hottest Hair Trends And The Sexiest Hairstyles For 2007
Copyright 2006 David Maillie
Hair has become unequivocally important as it can literally make one look like a movie star or a has been from Hee Haw, which died out many years ago. It is big enough that it is a multi billion dollar industry and the average bill in a salon is approaching $100. In the big cities with a hot hairstylist like Jonathon in Beverly Hills prices can easily top $500 for a cut and style.
2). Collarbone Injury
The clavicle or “collar bone” connects the scapula bone in the shoulder to the sternum in your chest. It functions to hold the shoulder upward and backward.
Clavicle fractures are common bone injuries. A break in the clavicle bone is usually a closed fracture that normally takes approximately 6 weeks to heal in an adult, 4 weeks in a child. The injury rarely requires surgery.
3). Cervical Radiculopathy: Diagnosing a Pinched Nerve in the Neck
When a nerve is pinched in the neck’s spinal column, pain can be such a prominent symptom that more subtle, but diagnostic, aspects are overlooked.
By way of background, the spinal cord in the neck is connected to the nerves of the arms through pairs of spinal nerves. These spinal nerves, also known as roots or “radicles,” transmit incoming messages (electrical impulses) from the arms’ nerves concerning sensations of touch, pain, heat and cold on various patches of skin.
4). Can Chocolate Really Kill Your Dog
We have all heard this all of our lives but how big a threat is it really? Is it life threatening or will it just make him sick? How much chocolate does the animal have to eat for it to cause a negative reaction?
5). Get That Flat Stomach Look? Get Rid Of Big Tummy, Pot Belly And Beer Belly Fast.
How to get that flat stomach look and get rid of big tummy, pot belly and beer belly fast?
By exercising your Transversus Abdominus Muscle. This is the muscle in your abdomen that holds your stomach in giving you the flat belly look. This muscle acts like a corset around your tummy by holding your tummy in and if the muscle is weak, your belly will be distended more easily making your tummy looking much bigger than it should just like having a beer belly.
6). How Long Will It Take To Gain Muscles| Build Muscle Mass
There are many factors to consider when you want to know how long will it take for you to gain and build muscle mass. Questions like are you eating enough and the right nutrients to accelerate muscle growth, are you exercising correctly and regularly and do you have the genes for quick muscle growth need to be addressed.
In this article, we shall discuss whether you have the genetic make up to gain and build muscles quickly.
7). Muscle Imbalance And Chronic Injuries
Injuries can occur anywhere and at anytime, but the most prevalent place of occurrence is in the workplace. The reason for such a high rate of injury is that people spend 8-18 hours a day, 5-7 days a week performing unidirectional (one-way) movement patterns, causing an imbalance in the musculoskeletal system that results in the overuse and under use of certain muscle groups.