host posted on December 31, 2005 23:15
When to respond
See your doctor immediately if you develop flu symptoms, including a fever, cough and body aches, and have recently traveled to a part of the world where bird flu occurs. Be sure to let your doctor know when and where you were traveling and whether you visited any farms or open-air markets.
Doctors have rapid tests to identify the flu virus, but the tests can't distinguish between avian flu and other influenza A viruses. For that reason, specimens from anyone with a suspected case of bird flu would be sent to state health labs or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for analysis.