Bird Flu
Avian influenza is flu infection in birds. The disease is of concern to humans, who have no immunity against it. The virus that causes this infection in birds can mutate (change) to easily infect humans. Such mutation can start a deadly worldwide epidemic.
Research for a Cure
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to minimize suffering and death from influenza. In FY 2006, President Bush approved an unprecedented amount of resources to fund vaccine research, development, and procurement.
That funding will support research on faster and more efficient ways to produce vaccine as well as ways to extend a given supply of vaccine.
There is also research into effective antivirals, seeking medications that can effectively reduce the severity of an influenza attack.
Treatment
There is no highly effective treatment for H5N1 flu, but oseltamivir (commercially marketed by Roche as Tamiflu), can sometimes inhibit the influenza virus from spreading inside the user's body. This drug has become a focus for some governments and organizations trying to prepare for a possible H5N1 pandemic.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Supplementation dramatically reduces the incidence of ALL viral infection. And should that person become infected with a particularly virulent strain, the severity of the illness is dramatically reduced.
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