Difference Between Bird Flu and Swine Flu

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are several types of influenza viruses that affect humans, including influenza A, B, and C viruses. Among these, influenza A viruses are further classified into subtypes based on their surface proteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). The two subtypes that have caused pandemics in the past are H1N1 and H3N2. However, other subtypes of influenza A viruses, including H5N1 and H1N2, have also been reported to cause disease in humans.

Bird flu and swine flu are both caused by influenza A viruses but are caused by different subtypes of the virus. Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is caused by influenza A viruses that primarily infect birds. Swine flu, on the other hand, is caused by influenza A viruses that primarily infect pigs. In both cases, the viruses can mutate and infect humans, leading to serious illness.

What is Bird Flu?

Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. The virus is primarily found in wild birds, particularly waterfowl such as ducks and geese, but can also infect domesticated birds such as chickens and turkeys. The virus is highly contagious among birds and can spread rapidly within flocks.

In humans, bird flu can cause severe respiratory illness and can be fatal in some cases. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected birds or their droppings. Human-to-human transmission is rare but can occur in close contacts of infected individuals.

Bird flu can cause serious illness and death. People can become infected with the virus by −

• Direct contact with infected birds (sick or carriers of the virus);

• Contact with objects and surfaces contaminated by infected birds;

• Contact with secretions and feces, where the concentration of the virus is very high

It is considered that risk exists also in the consumption of non-thermally processed poultry products.

The risk of bird flu development is higher in people who −

• Work in poultry farms;

• Work with raw poultry materials;

• Travel/live in countries affected by bird flu;

• Consume thermally untreated poultry products;

• Have been in contact with an infected bird.

H5N1 virus infection is associated with the following influenza-specific symptoms −

• Fever;

• Cough (most often dry) and difficult breathing;

• Nausea;

• General fatigue;

• Muscle pain;

• Headache;

• Diarrhea;

• Sore throat;

• Conjunctivitis.

The potential complications of bird flu include &minnus;

• Pneumonia;

• Sepsis;

• Organ failure.

Pneumonia resulting from bird flu is aggressive and leads to the development of the so-called acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Nearly 60% of the patients with bird flu develop complications.

Currently, the specific bird flu prophylaxis through vaccines is limited mainly to people at risk of contagion. The prevention includes a set of non-specific measures −

• Avoid direct contact with wild and domestic birds;

• Do not touch objects and surfaces contaminated with bird feces or secretions;

• Maintain very good personal hygiene;

• Do not consume raw poultry products.

• Antivirus therapy is performed with Oseltamivir and Zanamivir.

The symptomatic remedies for the treatment of bird flu are basically the same as for any other influenza infection – antipyretics, anti-cough remedies, vitamins, as well as a suitable home or hospital regime.

What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu (H1N1) is a type A influenza, affecting pigs, or a form of human flu, caused by a related virus. In the past it affected only by people, having direct contact with pigs. Several years ago a new virus emerged that spreads among people, without contact with pigs.

• Most of the affected people are between 5 and 45 years old.

• It is considered that the virus is no more dangerous than a common influenza virus.

• The severity of the disease ranges from very mild to severe cases leading to death. Most people infected with swine flu are recovering without antiviral treatment and medical care.

• The virus spreads from person to person. The infection is transmitted easily, via droplets, coughing or sneezing, it is inhaled or transmitted by hands that have previously touched contaminated surfaces.

• Sick people can infect others within 7 days after the symptoms have occurred.

The symptoms of swine flu include

• Fever;

• Cold chills;

• General fatigue;

• Cough (most often dry) and difficult breathing;

• Pain in joints and muscles;

• Eye pain;

• Muscle pain;

• Headache;

• Diarrhea and vomiting.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of other flu types. Only a test can indicate the type of virus. The H1N1 virus is demonstrated by the polymerase chain reaction method that detects its nucleic acids.

One of the most common complications of swine flu is the development of pneumonia. Other complications include −

• Angina;

• Otitis media;

• Septic shock;

• Meningitis;

• Encephalitis.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent swine flu and is widely used. Swine flu prevention includes a set of non-specific measures −

• Avoid confined spaces with many people;

• Wear a mask when you are in a confined space;

• Maintain very good personal hygiene;

• Avoid contact of hands with eyes and mouth;

• Try to avoid contact with sick people;

In most cases, symptomatic remedies, fluid intake, and rest are sufficient treatment for the swine flu. It is successfully treated with Oseltamivir and Zanamivir, but such treatment is only necessary if there is a risk of developing complications.

Differences: Bird Flu and Swine Flu

One of the key differences between bird flu and swine flu is their origin. Bird flu is primarily a disease of birds, while swine flu is primarily a disease of pigs. Another difference is the severity of illness that they cause in humans. Bird flu is generally more severe and has a higher mortality rate compared to swine flu. However, human cases of bird flu are relatively rare, whereas swine flu is more common and affects more people each year.

The symptoms of bird flu and swine flu are similar and can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. In severe cases, both illnesses can lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure. Treatment for both illnesses usually involves antiviral medication and supportive care, such as rest and hydration.

Prevention of both bird flu and swine flu involves good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding contact with sick people or animals. Vaccines are also available for both illnesses, although the vaccine for bird flu is primarily used in high-risk populations, such as poultry workers and healthcare workers who may come into contact with infected birds.

Characteristics	Bird Flu	Swine Flu
Definition	Bird Flu: Bird flu (H5N1) is a type A influenza, causing an infection that most commonly affects wild birds.	Swine Flu: Swine flu (H1N1) is a type A influenza, affecting pigs, or a form of human flu, caused by a related virus.
Relationship	Bird Flu: A source of infection in humans are birds carrying the virus – domestic or wild.	Swine Flu: In the past a source of infection in humans were infected pigs. Several years ago a new virus emerged that spreads among people, without contact with pigs.
Occurrence	Bird Flu: The risk of bird flu development is higher in people who work in poultry farms or with raw poultry materials, travel/live in countries affected by bird flu, consume thermally untreated poultry products, have been in contact with an infected bird.	Swine Flu: Most of the affected people are between 10 and 45 years old.
Spread	Bird Flu: People can be infected with the virus by direct contact with infected birds, contact with objects and surfaces contaminated by infected birds, contact with secretions and feces, and in very rare cases – in close contact with sick people. It is considered that risk exists also in the consumption of non-thermally processed poultry products.	Swine Flu: The virus spreads from person to person. The infection is transmitted via droplets, coughing or sneezing, it is inhaled or transmitted by hands that have previously touched contaminated surfaces.
Prevention	Bird Flu: The prevention of bird flu includes avoiding direct contact with wild and domestic birds, not touching objects and surfaces contaminated with bird feces or secretions, maintaining a very good personal hygiene, not consuming raw poultry products.	Swine Flu: Swine flu prevention includes avoiding confined spaces with many people, wearing a mask, maintaining very good personal hygiene, avoiding contact of hands with eyes and mouth, avoiding contact with sick people.
Vaccines	Bird Flu: Currently, the specific bird flu prophylaxis through vaccines is limited mainly to people at risk of contagion.	Swine Flu: Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent swine flu and is widely used.
Prognosis	Bird Flu: Nearly 60% of the patients with bird flu develop severe complications and die.	Swine Flu: It is considered that the swine flu is no more dangerous than a common influenza virus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bird flu and swine flu are both caused by influenza A viruses but are caused by different subtypes of the virus. Bird flu is primarily a disease of birds, while swine flu is primarily a disease of pigs. Both illnesses can cause respiratory illness in humans, but bird flu is generally more severe and has a higher mortality rate.