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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you suspect that you have bird flu, you need to see your family physician. If you are very ill, you may need to be hospitalized.
What you can do
You may want to write a list that includes:
- Detailed descriptions of the symptoms
- Record of recent travel to an area where bird flu is prevalent
- Information about past medical problems
- Information about the medical problems of parents or siblings
- Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor
In addition to listening to your description of symptoms, your doctor will perform a physical exam. He or she may also take a sample of fluid from your throat or nose. To be useful, these samples must be taken within the first few days after symptoms appear.
- Key facts about avian influenza (bird flu) and avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Areas with confirmed human cases of H5N1 avian influenza since 2003. World Health Organization. http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_H5N1inHumanCUMULATIVE_FIMS_20090506.png. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Beigel JH. Influenza. Critical Care Medicine. 2008;36:2660.
- Influenza, Avian. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/160112679-3/888248314/2088/347.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00018-6--s1115_7157. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Epidemiology, transmission and pathogenesis of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Avian influenza vaccines. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- What consumers need to know about avian influenza. FDA. http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm085550.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2009.
- Flu (Influenza): What's the difference between seasonal flu, pandemic flu and avian (bird) flu? National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/understandingFlu/DefinitionsOverview.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2009.
- FDA clears rapid test for avian influenza A virus in humans. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm149557.htm. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Treatment and prevention of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- Avian influenza (bird flu). World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/print.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- H5N1 influenza virus vaccine questions and answers. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm080753.htm. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
