Parrot Fever (Psittacosis) - Medtick
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Parrot Fever (Psittacosis)

What is it?

It is rare type of infection spread between birds and rarely affects humans.

Cause

  • Bacteria:
    • Chlamydia psittaci
  • Birds (commercial, pets and/or wild)
  • Chickens
  • Geese
  • Turkey
  • Pigeons
  • Cockatiels
  • Ducks
  • Kissing the bird
  • Bitten by the bird
  • Bird droppings (inhaling or being in contact with dust from droppings)
    Inhaling or in contact droplets sneezed by birds
  • Dead birds (including slaughter, culling or butchering)
  • Bedding of infected birds
  • Prolonged contact with birds
  • Where birds are sold in crowded markets and there has been an outbreak of bird flu.

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Ear infection (earache greater than four days) or a discharge?
  • Dislike to light?
  • Runny nose, congestion, cold not cleared by over the counter medication or greater than three weeks?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Sore throat longer than seven days or more?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days?
  • Watery diarrhoea?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Parrot Fever (Psittacosis) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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