How is Bird Flu Different from Swine Flu?
How is Bird Flu Different from Swine Flu?
Health administrators around the world continue to observe the swine flu occurrence that takes place within the past month, comparisons with the episodic bird flu occurrence over the past decade.
The bird flu failed to be proved as a complete deadly disease, should we bother about swine flu? And the answer is yes, because an infected person may suffer from shortness of breath and may have respiratory failure. Thus infected person must go through proper treatment, in some cases oxygen concentrator is used to save a life.
Infectious disease specialist say there are several key dissimilarities between these two viruses and their pandemic potential.
Comparison between Bird Flu and Swine Flu:
What bird flu is?
Bird flu is also known as avian influenza. It is a viral disease that can contaminate not only birds and animals, but also humans. Most types of the virus are limited to birds.
H5N1 is the common type of bird flu. It is deadly to birds and can easily influence humans and other animals that come in contact with a contaminator. According to WHO (World Health Organization), H5N1 was first discovered in humans in 1997 and has killed almost 60 % infected people.
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is also known as the H1N1 virus, swine flu, pig influenza, pig flu and hog flu. It is a comparatively latest strain of a flu virus that causes symptoms alike to the regular flu. It begins from pigs but is extend primarily from one individual to another.
The WHO (World Health Organization) stated the H1N1 a deadly disease in August 2010. Since then, the swine flu virus has been known as a regular human flu virus. It goes on to extend during flu season like other types of the flu.
Casualty Rate
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Bird Flu
Casualty rate is comparatively high. When individuals become infected, the death rate is approximately 60%
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Swine Flu
Casualty rate is comparatively low. Mortality rate is just 0.02 percent
Transmission medium
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Bird Flu
Transmission medium is direct contact with birds, contamination by infected people or their excretory products.
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Swine Flu
It transfers through contact with pigs, or waste stuff contaminated by infected individuals. It is also transmitted by ticks or lice.
Vulnerable targets
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Bird Flu
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a hospital worker caring for infected patients
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a family member of an infected person
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a poultry farmer
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a tourist visiting affected areas
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exposed to infected birds
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someone who consumes undercooked eggs or poultry
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Swine Flu
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adults above age 65
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children below 5 years
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people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, mellitus, or neuromuscular sickness
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people with compromised immune systems
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pregnant women
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young adults under age of 19 who are getting long-term aspirin treatment
Spreading
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Bird Flu
Bird flu spreads slowly as compared to swine flu
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Swine Flu
Swine flu spreads rapidly by
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coughing
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sneezing
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touching a germ-covered surface and then touching nose or eyes
Effected system of human body
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Bird Flu
All organ systems of human body gets affected by bird flu
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Swine Flu
Respiratory system is affected by swine flu
Preventing
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Bird Flu
You can reduce your risk by keep away from:
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contact with contaminated birds
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open-air markets
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undercooked poultry
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Swine Flu
Easy ways to prevent swine flu are:
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Stay away from large gatherings when swine flu is in season
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Frequently washing hands properly
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Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after using public telephone or laptop
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Stay at home if you are ill
Symptoms of bird flu
In Birds
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A drop in egg production
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Diarrhoea
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Droopy appearance
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Eat or drink
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Inability to walk or stand
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Reluctance to move
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Respiratory distress
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Sudden death in several birds.
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Swollen heads,
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Unusual head or neck posture lethargy
In Humans
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Cough
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Diarrhoa.
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Difficulty in breathing
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Fever, sore throat
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Muscle aches
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Pain in abdomen
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Pneumonia
Symptoms of swine flu
In Pigs –
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Coughing (“barking”)
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Discharge from the nose
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Going off the feed.
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Sneezing, breathing difficulties
In Humans
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Body aches
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Cough
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Fatigue
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Fever (mostly high)
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Headaches
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Runny or stuffy nose.
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Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.
Conclusion
Swine Flu Beats Bird Flu in Person-to-Person Transmission
It has been revealed that the bird flu viruses did not connect to the cells of the upper respiratory area, but could attach lower down unlike swine flu