Media Orientation Training Notes. Three Day Workshop - AI.Comm

HANDOUT #9AVIAN INFLUENZA GLOSSARY1 OF 4Definitions and explanations of commonly used words and terms relatedto avian influenza.AntibioticsAntibiotics are medicines designed to kill bacteria and to treat andprevent bacterial diseases and infections. Antibiotics are not usedto prevent or treat influenza (which is a virus, not a bacteria) butmay be used to treat bacterial infections that may occur ascomplications of influenza infection.AntibodyA protein produced by B cells in the body in response to thepresence of an antigen, for example, a bacterium or virus.Antibodies are a primary form of immune response in resistance todisease and act by attaching themselves to a foreign antigen andweakening or destroying it.AntigenThe substance that stimulates the production of an antibody.Antigenic shiftWhen influenza A viruses, including subtypes from differentspecies, can swap or refit genetic materials and merge, whichresults in another subtype different from both parent viruses.AntiviralsAntivirals are drugs that kill or prevent the growth of viruses,including influenza. Tamiflu is an example of an antiviral drug usedto treat influenza.Avian InfluenzaAvian influenza, also known as avian flu or “bird flu,” is an infectioncaused by the avian influenza viruses. These flu viruses occurnaturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide commonly carry theviruses in their intestines or respiratory tracts but usually do notget sick from them. However, bird flu can be contagious amongbirds and can make some domesticated birds including chickens,ducks, and turkeys – very sick and kill them. The risk to humans ofavian flu is generally low to because the viruses occur mainlyamong birds and do not easily infect humans. However, during anoutbreak of avian flu among poultry, there is a possible risk topeople who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that havebeen contaminated with excretions from infected birds that carrythe virus.ContagiousCapable of transmitting disease; affected by or carrying a diseasethat can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact.AI.COMM: Media Orientation Training Notes 68