Perednik Healthy Life Info

These days many people become worried when a cough, runny nose, especially if you use any shortness of breath. This is because of bird flu cases so hebohnya, and many experts worry about a pandemic (widely spread of the disease and simultaneously).

Bird flu can indeed affect anyone. However, attitudes certainly not panic best solution.

Avian Flu & Pneumonia. Bird flu was identified people with shortness of breath. According to dr. Martin Rumende, Sp.PD, KP, Staff Pulmonology Division, Department of Medicine FKUI / RSUPN Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta, “Acute respiratory infections (ARI) infection can appear as upper respiratory tract, such as regular cough and flu (common cold ). Also, could emerge as well as infection of the lower respiratory tract, known as pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs. ”

The cause of respiratory diseases, in general, is a virus. But, this does not mean always the H5N1 influenza virus causing bird flu on the rise today. So, you do not immediately panic if you or your family suffering from coughs and colds. Because, you do not necessarily suffer from bird flu.

“In virology, influenza virus is divided into three, namely A, B and C. While clinically, influenza virus is divided into two, namely human influenza, which often causes influenza, as often we have experienced so far, and avian influenza, the cause of bird flu. Well, this bird flu virus, is part of the influenza A virus, “said dr. Martin.

Variations symptoms. The symptoms of bird flu there are similarities with ordinary flu symptoms, namely:
Fever of about 39 º C
Coughing
Sore throat
Weak
Headache
Joint pain and abdominal
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Cornea infection
In the deteriorating situation could occur great difficulty breathing disorders. This occurs because the flu infection has spread to the lungs and cause inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia).

However, symptoms can vary in each person. There are not accompanied by headache, some are not accompanied by diarrhea, and so on.
“It is typical of bird flu infection is, but can cause infection upper respiratory tract, can also cause infection lower respiratory tract. In fact, this happens in a short time, ie 3-5 days, “said dr. Martin’s continuing education FKUI S3 in this.

Fuss, if the attack is actually a bird flu, the treatment (a new temporary tamiflu) can only be done if the virus is still causing a disturbance in the upper respiratory tract, which is about the first three days.
So, could cure bird flu? “It could, provided that the treatment be done properly,” said dr. Martin. If the infection has continued spreading to the lungs and cause inflammation there, usually difficult to overcome.

There is also a disease whose symptoms resemble the H5N1 bird flu, the infection of the lower respiratory tract, where the person suffering from a cough, sore throat, accompanied by shortness of breath. This can be found in people who suffer from infections that cause bacterial pneumonia. It’s just that the people who have respiratory tract infections with causes the bottom of bacteria, treatment can be done with a certain dose of antibiotics.

Laboratory tests. To find out whether someone is infected with bird flu virus or not, have gradually laboratory. Initially, tests done to see whether the cause of viruses or bacteria.

From this examination will be seen the number of cells, white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood. If a high number of leukocytes, the estimated bacterial cause. If the white blood cell count is decreasing from the normal, then the cause is a virus estimated.
Once the bacteria known to cause, then treatment with antibiotics is given immediately. This treatment to prevent infection spread to the lower airway, which can cause pneumonia (pneumonia).

If the cause is a virus, it needs further investigation to determine the virus type. Fuss, examination to determine the bird flu virus enough time to eat. In fact, treatment for infections from bird flu must be done quickly. Well, here troublesome.

Given the current influenza due to H5N1 influenza viruses are endemic in poultry, the medics are not only examine the disease symptoms, but also the environment and the activities of the patient. In the patient will be asked whether the recent no contact with the animal / poultry or in people with bird flu.

Given the symptoms varies, symptoms usually are most suspect, increased body temperature (above 38.5 º C), sore throat, and runny nose. If the laboratory examination of suspected white blood cells decreases, then the doctor will give medicine tamiflu. The hope was that the virus can be prevented and not expand into the lower respiratory tract.

Which could create confusion is, if the H5N1 influenza virus infection had entered the lower respiratory tract and cause inflammation in the lung pneumonia. “In these circumstances, could pneumonianya also boarded by bacteria, so the results of blood tests could have seen her white blood cell count increased,” said dr. Martin Rumende.

Even if the initial examination known infections caused by viruses, but the initial laboratory tests were still not sure whether a person is really infected with bird flu. Therefore, to ensure that necessary steps further tests that can not be done in any place.

“If the high temperature of more than 2 days and decreased leukocytes, should immediately check the mucus tissue removal in the nose or mouth (to lubricate the nose or mucous membranes of the mouth using a special cotton) to be sent to the lab of Health Research (Center for Health Research and Development) Department Health of Indonesia in Jakarta, “said dr. Martin Rumende. This examination takes days (if the patient is a lot, means also have to queue) and can not be done elsewhere.

So, no wonder if the patient had died was not yet certain whether the cause of bird flu virus or not. On the other hand, is not impossible, with the same symptoms, the patient had died of pneumonia caused by bacteria, which happens not handled properly.

Stay alert. In conditions like this epidemic, we can not and do not need to panic. “The important thing, watch out for symptoms and our environment. For example, if the body felt flu-like symptoms, it could not hurt us to remember our recent activities. Is there any contact with poultry, especially sick birds, or, contact with other bird flu patients. Such allegations of doctors will be able to take action and appropriate diagnosis, “said dr. Martin.

As we know, the bird flu vaccine has not been found. But that does not mean nothing can be done, right? Your vigilance is needed. Not only by avoiding contact with sick poultry and immunize pets at home, but also may not release from the lead a healthy lifestyle. Namely, increase body resistance by eating a balanced nutritious diet, exercise and adequate rest. Immune system strong is key to effective against many germs.