Symptoms of the H5N2 flu variant after the first recorded death

Medical experts have explained the symptoms after the first recorded death from a new strain of flu. A 59-year-old man from Mexico died after coming in contact with the H5N2 variant of the flu.

The disease is a strain of bird flu, but the man had not come into contact with birds. SA number of people he had been close to are now being tested for the disease.

The World Health Organization says the man had been hospitalized for three weeks before his death and had underlying conditions. On April 17, he began experiencing “fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and general malaise.” On April 24, he died of complications from the condition.

The NHS says the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against bird flu.

Bird flu symptoms in humans

The main symptoms of bird flu can appear very quickly and include:

• a very high temperature or feeling warm or chills
• muscle pain
• headache
• a cough or difficulty breathing

Other early symptoms may include:

• diarrhea
• disease
• stomach ache
• chest pain
• bleeding from the nose and gums
• conjunctivitis

It usually takes 3 to 5 days for the first symptoms to appear after you’ve been infected.

Within days of the onset of symptoms, more severe complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome may occur.

Getting treatment quickly, using antiviral drugs, can prevent complications and reduce the risk of developing severe disease.

Use NHS 111 online ( 111.nhs.uk ) or call NHS 111 if you have symptoms of bird flu and have visited an area affected by bird flu in the last 10 days.

Your symptoms can be checked over the phone.

If you are abroad

Get medical attention right away if you have symptoms of bird flu.

Contact your travel insurance company if you need advice on where to get help.