Guest Author - Helen V. Calalang-Javier, MSN, RNC, IBCLC

Health care workers are vulnerable to being exposed to the infection because of direct contact with most people who come to the health care facility with unknown cause of illness. Identification of suspected individuals with signs and symptoms of avian flu and early activation of specific measures to contain the disease is the key to prevention of the spread of an outbreak of a potentially pandemic disease. Here is some helpful information about avian flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here in the United States.
Potential Risk Factors
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC are working collaboratively to prevent the possible outbreak of pandemic flu. These are some of the risk factors that must be avoided to prevent infection:

• Drinking contaminated water
  
• Bathing with contaminated water
  
• Getting contaminated water into the eyes and nose
  
• Using contaminated manure for fertilizer
  
• Direct contact with infected bird or fecal material

Signs and symptoms of H5N1 Avian Influenza
The signs and symptoms are similar to any flu that affect ones breathing or digestive system. The only significant feature of the avian flu is the severity of illness that affects the major body organs and that can be fatal. One of the symptoms is severe breathing problem due to pneumonia. The person that is affected will need a ventilator, a breathing apparatus, until the person gets better. The other signs and symptoms are:

• Fever or a temperature of over 38ºC or 101ºF
  
• Flu–like symptoms, such as headache, muscle pains, sore throat, and runny nose
  
• Non-productive or productive cough and difficulty breathing
  
• Acute gastroenteritis such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

Treatment and Prevention
Avoiding the risks factors mentioned above is important to prevent and contain the disease. Here are keys factors in helping to prevent the disease:

• Take the regular flu shot. A vaccine is still under development against H5N1 however, the seasonal flu shots is still effective to safeguard against the other types of flu
  
• Get early treatment. Do not wait until the symptoms get worst. Zanamavir (Relenza™) is the only anti-viral medication that is effective and prescribed today
  
• Use tissue paper to cover the mouth and nose when sneezing and properly disposing of it is important to prevent the spread of infection
  
• Hand washing and more hand washing cannot be overly emphasized to prevent the spread of infection. Remember that the virus can remain dormant on contaminated bird feces or contaminated water for a long period of time until a vulnerable host comes along
  
• For those who are traveling outside the United States, be careful in drinking tap water. For additional information, read the alert notices released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
  
• Vaccinate all poultry and livestock to prevent and stop the spread of the disease or to slaughter them if necessary. After all, this flu is a common disease of birds
  
• Use of protective personal equipment or garments for those who are involved in culling operations to avoid any direct exposure to infected birds.

To learn more about avian flu, read the following articles or visit the following off-site links from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control:

Pandemic Influenza for Healthcare Professionals

Influenza A H5N1 Detection

Guidelines and Recommendations Interim Guidance about Avian Influenza A (H5N1) for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad

Facts about avian flu