Avian Influenza first occurred in Italy, but nowdays is spread along the world.It is an infectious disease caused by type A strains of the influenza virus.
All birds are supposed to be susceptible to the avian influenza, but particularly domestic poultry. The only subtype that can cause severe illness to people is Influenza A /H5N1 virus, initially it affects chickens, ducks and other birds by the process of mutation they can become highly pathogenic. If the bird flu virus recombines with a human flu virus and mutate it may become possible the transmission from human to human as happened in Asia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia Thailand. The disease may affect the birds in two form: a mild one and a highly lethal one.
The lethal form manifests as a severe disease, rapid contagious and a high mortality rate in 48 hours. It has been named”chicken Ebola” because of the massive internal haemorrhaging. All 16 HA and 9 NA subtypes are known to infect waterfowl, but in wild birds routine testing will always find new viruses those are inactive viruses. Highly pathogenic viruses have a genetic mark which distinguishes them from other viruses, by combining sets of amino acids the low pathogenic viruses transform in highly pathogenic ones.
Avian influenza viruses are easily transported from farm to farm even to new geographical areas by migratory birds and by contaminated people, vehicles, equipment, feed, and cages. Viruses survive for quite long in low temperatures, in high temperatures viruses have been shown to survive fewer days. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommends vaccination against outbreaks. Control measures are of all infected or exposed birds, proper disposal of carcasses, the quarantining and rigorous disinfection of farms, and the implementation of strict sanitary, or biosecurity, measures.
Outbreaks are difficult to control and present a high risk of infection, poverty is a determining factor for transmission of bird flu when butchering and preparation of poultry meat for cooking. Restrictions on the movement of live poultry, both within and between countries, are another important control measure. In small rural areas an outbreak is hard to be detected because usually people are disinformed and tend to think that thing aren’t so bad and that it could only be a natural death, not even thinking of avian influenza so they do not alert the authorities. The owners may even want to protect their birds when culling because if the avian influenza virus is found the birds will be killed and the farmers won???t be recompensated. Control is far more difficult under poultry production systems in which most birds are raised in small backyard flocks scattered throughout rural or periurban areas.
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What is influenza and how is it caused?
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory tract. Its symptoms include fever, runny nose, stuffed up nose, fatigue, headache, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and achy muscles and joints. Not only is the flu contagious, it could become severe and even prove to be fatal if left untreated.
The flu is largely caused by three types of viruses, that is the influenza virus A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics while type B causes less significant, more localized outbreaks. Meanwhile, type C is less common and causes only mild symptoms. Capable of passing from person to person by airborne transmission (i.e., sneezing or coughing), the virus is also known to survive on objects for a short period of time. Therefore, influenza can spread through touch too. Moreover, the influenza virus can also spread by inhaling droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or by coming in direct contact with an infected person’s secretions.
Is Tamiflu an effective antiviral drug for Bird Flu?
Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) the drug in use, blocks the influenza virus from spreading between the body cells. As a consequence, this antiviral drug is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both Influenza virus A and B infections. Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, first and foremost acts as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, preventing progeny versions from becoming detached from infected cells.
The first orally active neuraminidase inhibitor to be commercially developed, Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), is a prodrug that is hydrolysed hepatically to active metabolites. Developed by US-based Gilead Sciences and currently being marketed by Hoffmann–La Roche (Roche) under the trade name Tamiflu, this drug is generally available by prescription only.
Why Tamiflu?
It is essential to buy Tamiflu because:
It is recommended for use during infections with flu viruses A and B
It eases various ailments like weakness, cough, headache, fever, sore throat that accompany the flu affliction
It can prevent the onset of flu even when the patient has been exposed to the virus
Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, serves as an aggressive inhibitor for sialic acid that is found on the surface proteins of normal host cells; Tamiflu, in fact, prevents new viral particles from being released by infected cells.
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Influenza, commonly known as the “flu” is a serious infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Though, most of the symptoms of influenza are similar to that of the common cold, the influenza infection often causes a more severe illness. If not treated in time, the symptoms of influenza may turn serious and may even prove to be fatal. Influenza is a contagious disease that is caused by a virus in your body. The flu virus can spread from an infected person to a healthy person through cough, sneezing or by touching the objects contaminated with tiny droplets from coughing or sneezing. Most influenza outbreaks happen in late fall and winter; people are easily affected because of weakened immune system during this period. Elderly people who are 65 years and older, young children and people with lung or heart diseases, certain chronic health problems or weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing complications. If you suspect influenza, you should immediately contact your doctor.
Symptoms of influenza
The symptoms of influenza are similar to that of the common cold. Many times therefore, flu remains undiagnosed for several days. However, flu requires special attention as it may prove to be life threatening if not treated in time. Some of the commonly reported symptoms of influenza include:
• Fever of 100°F (37.8°C) to 104°F (40°C)
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Body aches and muscle pain, commonly in the back, arms or legs
• Severe headache
• Sneezing
• Dry cough
• A runny or stuffed nose
• Weakness
• Fatigue, a general feeling of sickness (malaise)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting (particularly in children)
The symptoms of influenza can begin within 1 to 4 days (2 days on an average) of being first exposed to the virus. The effects of influenza usually subside after 2 or 3 days however, fever may last up to 5 days while cough may persist for 10 days or longer. A general feeling of weakness may also last for several days or weeks.
Influenza treatment
Home treatments are the best way to influenza treatment. Some of the most recommended home treatments include:
• Take as much rest and sleep as possible. Sleeping and resting helps your body’s natural immune system to fight the influenza virus
• Take lots of fluids to replace those lost from fever and to keep your body hydrated
• Avoid smoking and breathing other people’s smoke as tobacco products affect your body’s ability to recover
• Do not consume alcohol or alcoholic beverages
• Keep yourself away from other people as much as possible. This is because influenza is an infectious airborne disease that can be spread through droplets of saliva or sweat
• Inform you doctor as soon as the symptoms of influenza are noticed
• Your doctor may suggest the use of antiviral medicines like Tamiflu (oseltamivir).
Tamiflu works effectively against both the influenza A and B viruses. The medicine prevents the spread of the virus and thereby helps to reduce the intensity and duration of influenza symptoms. For best results, Tamiflu treatment should be started within 2 days of the onset of influenza symptoms. You can also take Tamiflu to prevent influenza from occurring in case you have been exposed to the virus. As Tamiflu is a prescription drug, it should be taken only after consulting a doctor.
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About Tamiflu
Tamiflu is approved for the treatment of the Influenza virus and also aids from futher spread with in the body, treating flu at its source. Its mechanism of action includes attacking the virus that causes the flu instead of simply masking the symptoms of the flu in adults and children over 1 year of age. It is also indicated as a prophylaxis against the flu.
Tamiflu facts include:
The trade name for Tamiflu is oseltamivir phosphate
Unlike other antiviral flu medications, such as Flumadine and Symmetrel, Tamiflu is effective against both type A and B strains of flu
The drug helps in the reduction of the duration of the flu symptoms by about 1.3 days
This medication is a neuraminidase inhibitor
There is no generic version of Tamiflu available on the market and neither is it available through the NHS.
How does Tamiflu work?
Tamiflu, an antiviral drug, is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both Influenza virus A and B. A neuraminidase inhibitor, Tamiflu acts as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, which helps in the prevention of new viruses emerging from infected cells. Tamiflu is the only neuraminidase inhibitor that has been proven to fight against Bird Flu.
Tamiflu was the first commercially developed, orally active neuraminidase inhibitor. Considered a pro-drug, Tamiflu is hydrolysed hepatically to active metabolite, the free carboxylate of oseltamivir.
Tamiflu is indicated for treatment and prevention in people at least one year of age and above. Reports are that Tamiflu may have an adverse effect on infants under the age of one.
Tamiflu Dosages
Tamiflu tablets are available as 75mg capsules and as a 12mg/ml tutti-frutti flavored oral suspension for children who are too young to swallow the pills. Tamiflu can be taken either with or without food. But, there are reduced chances of upset stomach if Tamiflu is taken with a light snack, milk, or a meal. In addition, this drug does not treat other flu-like viral infections, such as the stomach flu, colds, or RSV.
Tamiflu treatment should be started with the first appearance of the flu symptoms or soon after exposure to the flu. If one has the flu then Tamiflu must be taken twice a day for five days. But, if you want to take Tamiflu as a preventive medication against the flu, Tamiflu must be taken once a day for ten days. Tamiflu can be taken for up to six weeks. Do not take two doses at a time to make up for a missed dose.
Tamiflu precautions
Safety and effectiveness of Tamiflu have not been determined in people with chronic heart or lung disease, kidney failure, or in people with other underlying medical conditions. In addition:
Efficacy for Tamiflu has not been established in the treatment of flu-like illnesses caused by any virus other than influenza A and B (e.g., stomach flu, common cold, or other respiratory illnesses not caused by influenza).
Tamiflu is not known to work in other kinds of infections that appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different types of treatment.
Taking Tamiflu should not affect an individual’s decision to have an annual influenza vaccination.
The safety and efficacy of repeated courses of Tamiflu treatment have not been established.
Tamiflu is not indicated for treatment or prevention of the flu in patients less than 1 year of age.
Tamiflu side effects
Vomiting, abdominal pain, epistaxis (nosebleeds), ear disorders, conjunctivitis (pinkeye) and nausea are the most common side effects of Tamiflu. Tamiflu side effects are mostly mild to moderate and are generally presented within the first two days of taking the medication. Sometimes, taking the medication on a full stomach may prevent these side effects.
Severe rash is another side effect of Tamiflu and the medication must be stopped in case this happens.
With Tamiflu, some people are at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, abnormal behavior, convulsions, and encephalitis.
In order to prevent side effects, it is also essential to tell your healthcare professional about receiving nasally administered influenza virus vaccine during the past two weeks.
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