Living with Avian influenza
An infection caused by bird flu viruses, which usually infect birds but rarely infect people.
Understanding Avian influenza
The viruses usually infect birds such as chickens, other poultry, and wild ducks. Sometimes they infect other animals and, in rare cases, people. A few types have caused most infections in people: H5N1, H7N9, and H5N6. Infections in people have mainly been in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific, and the Near East. There have been a few in the United States.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat (pharyngitis)
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness (fatigue)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include lung and breathing specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Lung and breathing specialists (pulmonologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by bird flu viruses such as H5N1, H7N9, and H5N6. GARD does not list a gene or inheritance pattern for this infection.
Also known as: avian flu; bird flu
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Avian influenza.
Explore research for Avian influenza
Explore actively recruiting Avian influenza studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Avian influenza with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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