Search This Blog

Friday, November 19, 2010

US : What is H5N1?


Via CNN, go to the site for the full story and other links :

" H5N1 sounds like a random collection of letters and numbers, but to doctors who specialize in the flu it spells the name of a fearsome enemy. Unlike even a severe strain of typical or seasonal flu, H5N1 – which is a type of bird flu – causes critical illness or death in a majority of those it sickens.

A person infected with bird flu typically becomes feverish and within a day or two develops trouble breathing, as the virus lodges in the lower respiratory tract. A substantial number of patients have diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Taken early in the illness, the antiviral medications Tamiflu and Relenza can help, but with or without treatment about 60 percent of all patients die."

No comments:

Post a Comment