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Bird Flu Definitions:
Definitions relating to H5N1, Avian Bird Influenza virus and Pandemics. (Part 6)
Highly pathogenic H5N1, the cause of the current concern, is
an avian virus that has caused the death or destruction of tens of
millions of birds around the world and has cost the poultry industry
billions of dollars. Here are some definitions:
Keywords:
Asian flu, Avian flu, Avian influenza, Bacteria, Cold, Flu, H5N1,
Influenza, Pandemic, Vaccine, Virus, (anti-virus) xodigo.
Downloads as PDF's are available on the left-hand side.
Asian flu: A pandemic (see below) of influenza A (H2N2) in 1957-58. First identified in China in late February 1957, the Asian flu spread to the United States by June 1957 where it caused about 70,000 deaths. Also known as Asian influenza.
Avian flu: See: Avian influenza
Avian influenza: Also known as fowl plague, avian flu, and bird flu. A highly contagious viral disease with up to 100% mortality in domestic fowl. Caused by influenza A virus subtypes H5 and H7. All types of birds are susceptible to the virus but outbreaks occur most often in chickens, turkeys and geese.
Bacteria: Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that reproduce by dividing. Most bacteria can grow on nonliving surfaces. Not all bacteria are harmful, and some are even beneficial. But when infectious bacteria enter your body, they can make you sick. The distinction between viruses and bacteria is important because drugs that are effective against one type of infection won't work against the other type.
Cold (common): check our "What is the common cold" fact sheet
Flu: Short for influenza (see below)
H5N1: For a more comprehensive look at the hemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N) etc, check this link (in a new window):
Influenza: The flu is
caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract which are divided
into three types, designated A, B, and C. Most people who get the A
type flu recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks, but some people develop
bacterial complications, such as pneumonia. Much of the illness and
death caused by influenza can be prevented by annual influenza
vaccination.
See also our "What is Influenza"
fact sheet for in-depth details.
Pandemic: An epidemic (a sudden outbreak) that becomes very widespread and affects a whole region, a continent, or the world. By contrast:
* An epidemic affects more than the expected number of cases
of disease occurring in a community or region during a given period of
time. A sudden severe outbreak within a region or a group as, for
example, AIDS in Africa or AIDS in intravenous drug users.
* An endemic is present in a community at all times but in low
frequency. An endemic is continuous as in the case of malaria in some
areas of the world or as with illicit drugs in some neighborhoods.
The word "pandemic" comes from the Greek "pan-", "all" + "demos", "people or population" = "pandemos" = "all the people." A pandemic affects all (nearly all) of the people. By contrast, "epi-" means "upon." An epidemic is visited upon the people. And "en-" means "in." An endemic is in the people.
Vaccine: A preparation containing killed or altered versions of an infectious agent or virus. Vaccines are given to make people immune (resistant).
Virus: A micro-organism smaller than a bacteria, which cannot grow or reproduce apart from a living cell. A virus invades living cells and uses their chemical machinery to keep itself alive and to replicate itself. It may reproduce with fidelity or with errors (mutations)-this ability to mutate is responsible for the ability of some viruses to change slightly in each infected person, making treatment more difficult.
Examples of viral illnesses range from the common cold to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The Dutch microbiologist Martinus Beijerinck (1851-1931) was the first person to use the term "virus" for the invisible disease-causing material that he showed to be self-replicating.
and Agent, antiviral: An agent that kills viruses or suppresses their replication and, hence, inhibits their capability to multiply and reproduce.
Xodigo: (this site: www.xodigo.com) X = multiply, exchange, network, cross. Odigo [Greek] = conduct , drive , guide , instruct , lead. Thus Xodigo is to multiply the instruction of wisdom or, to lead by learning.
Sources: WHO, Center for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC),
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Nature, British Medical
Journal (BMJ), The Lancet, EU Department of Health, news reports.
Next: » Is mine a cold or flu?
All
Articles in this series:
» 1) Bird Flu and me - facts,
risks, can I get it and can I stop it?
» 2) Basics on Bird Flu
- What it is, history, what is a pandemic?
» 3) How is human influenza A
(H5N1) and Pneumonia treated?
» 4) Pets and Animals -
Can my dog or cat get H5N1, symptoms?
» 5) Summary - what are
the plans, costs and what can I do?
» 6) Preventing viral infection
spread - important tips.
» 7) Definitions for H5N1, avian or
bird influenza.