Influenza

Serving The Heart of Bergen County
	What is Influenza (also called Flu)? The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. For more information and key facts about influenza: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ http://www.state.nj.us/health/flu/index.shtml What is Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)? Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. For more information about Avian flu in humans: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm What is a Flu Pandemic? An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks or epidemics” of influenza. Seasonal outbreaks are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that already circulate among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes, by subtypes that have never circulated among people, or by subtypes that have not circulated among people for a long time. For more information about flu pandemics: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/pandemics.htm Avian Flu - FAQ What are the symptoms? Bird flu can cause flu-like symptoms in humans, such as fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Symptoms may also include eye infection, pneumonia and severe breathing problems, possibly leading to death. Up to 10 days may pass between being exposed to the virus and developing these symptoms. How is it Diagnosis? Your healthcare provider can perform a test for influenza. If this test is positive, other tests can be done to determine the specific influenza strain, including bird flu. What are the Treatments? People who are infected with bird flu can become very sick. Treatment may include hospitalization, supportive care and/or the use of drugs known as antivirals. In order for antivirals to be effective they must be started within 48 hours of symptom onset. There is currently no licensed vaccine to prevent avian influenza in humans, but research and testing are ongoing. Antibiotics are not effective against any influenza. How do you Reduce risk? Protect yourself from avian flu by taking the same steps you would to guard yourself against colds and other human influenza viruses. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently throughout the day, especially after coughing or sneezing. Soap does not need to be antibacterial soap • Stay home from work or school when you are ill. • Consult your healthcare provider if symptoms persist or become severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you have traveled to an area where bird flu has been reported. • When you plan to travel abroad, check the CDC website (www.cdc.gov), or call their hotline at 1-888-246-2675 for the latest travel advice. If you plan to travel to countries with known outbreaks of avian influenza, avoid poultry farms, contact with live animals in live food markets and any surfaces suspected to be contaminated with bird or animal droppings.

Serving The Heart of Bergen County

What is Influenza (also called Flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

For more information and key facts about influenza:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
http://www.state.nj.us/health/flu/index.shtml

What is Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)?

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

For more information about Avian flu in humans:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm

What is a Flu Pandemic?

An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks or epidemics” of influenza. Seasonal outbreaks are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that already circulate among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes, by subtypes that have never circulated among people, or by subtypes that have not circulated among people
for a long time.

For more information about flu pandemics:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/pandemics.htm

Avian Flu - FAQ

What are the symptoms?

Bird flu can cause flu-like symptoms in humans, such as fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Symptoms may also include eye infection, pneumonia and severe breathing problems, possibly leading to death. Up to 10 days may pass between being exposed to the virus and developing these symptoms.

How is it Diagnosis?

Your healthcare provider can perform a test for influenza. If this test is positive, other tests can be done to determine the specific influenza strain, including bird flu.

What are the Treatments?

People who are infected with bird flu can become very sick. Treatment may include hospitalization, supportive care and/or the use of drugs known as antivirals. In order for antivirals to be effective they must be started within 48 hours of symptom onset. There is currently no licensed vaccine to prevent avian influenza in humans, but research and testing are ongoing. Antibiotics are not
effective against any influenza.

How do you Reduce risk?

Protect yourself from avian flu by taking the same steps you would to guard yourself against colds and other human influenza viruses.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.

• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently throughout the day, especially after coughing or sneezing. Soap does not need to be antibacterial soap

• Stay home from work or school when you are ill.

• Consult your healthcare provider if symptoms persist or become severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you have traveled to an area where bird flu has been reported.

• When you plan to travel abroad, check the CDC website (www.cdc.gov), or call their hotline at 1-888-246-2675 for the latest travel advice. If you plan to travel to countries with known outbreaks of avian influenza, avoid poultry farms, contact with live animals in live food markets and any surfaces suspected to be contaminated with bird or animal droppings.