What it is
Most at risk are people who handle poultry or wild birds. Properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat.
Antiviral medicines can be given to people who are ill or who have been exposed. Health authorities track outbreaks closely.
Common signs
- High temperature and aching muscles
- Cough and breathlessness
- Sore red eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Diarrhoea or being sick
How it is usually diagnosed
- A nose and throat swab tested in a lab
- Questions about contact with birds and travel
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Swab results
- Notes on the date and type of bird contact
- Any treatment or preventive antivirals given
Questions to ask your doctor
- Do I need antiviral medicine after this exposure?
- Should the people I live with be checked?
- Which symptoms should make me seek help?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Severe breathlessness, chest pain or confusion after contact with birds: call 112 and mention the bird contact
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.