People with suspected symptoms of avian flu (bird flu) will be advised to stay at home or will be cared for in hospital (in isolation from other patients).
Depending on the type of flu they have, the patient may be kept in isolation for up to 10 days. The main recommendations are:
- rest
- drinking plenty of fluids combined with proper nutrition
- medications to help treat fever and pain, such as aspirin and paracetamol (aspirin should not be taken by children under the age of 16)
Antiviral medication
Antiviral medication works by stopping the virus from multiplying in your body.
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) could be effective in treating influenza caused by the H5N1 bird flu virus. However, more studies are needed to demonstrate their effectiveness.
Treating complications
Complications, such as bacterial pneumonia, may develop in some people and can be treated with antibiotics. People who are severely affected may need to be given extra oxygen to help them breathe, for example, through a ventilator (a machine that assists with breathing).
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Treating avian flu
