Symptoms of avian flu in humans are similar to those of other types of flu. They include:
- sudden fever (a temperature of 38°C/100.4°F or above),
- dry, chesty cough,
- headache,
- tiredness,
- chills,
- aching muscles,
- limb or joint pain,
- diarrhoea or stomach upset,
- sore throat,
- runny or blocked nose,
- sneezing,
- loss of appetite, and
- difficulty sleeping
These symptoms can come on suddenly.
The time from infection to the start of symptoms (incubation period) is usually three to five days, although in some cases it can be up to seven days. Symptoms usually last for up to a week.
Complications
In rare cases, avian flu can cause rapid deterioration, pneumonia and multiple organ failure, which can be fatal.
