Parrot fever is a rare form of infection brought about by the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria. The condition is generally acquired from birds, but parrots are not the only culprits. Other wild and domesticated birds might be carriers of the infection.
One can acquire parrot fever by direct handling an infected bird or inhaling the fine particles of urine, droppings or other bodily excretions.
How to recognize a bird with parrot fever
An infected bird does not necessary have any symptoms. The bird might carry the bacteria for months before any outward signs arise.
An infected bird might shiver or have difficulty breathing. Other signs that might be present include:
- Diarrhea
- Drainage from the nose or eyes
- Weight loss
- Discolored droppings in varying shades of green
- Lethargy and sleepiness
A sick bird might have poor appetite or even cease to eat completely.
What are the indications?
Among humans, the condition strikingly resembles the pneumonia or flu. The signs generally start around 10 days after exposure but might take only a few days or up to 19 days to manifest.
Parrot fever has various symptoms that can be linked with the flu such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Diarrhea
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dry cough
Other possible signs that might be present include shortness of breath, chest pain and light sensitivity.
Management of parrot fever
Parrot fever is generally treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline. In some cases, the doctor might choose other types. Young children are usually given azithromycin.
Once a diagnosis is given, antibiotic therapy is continued for 10-14 days after the fever settles.
Most cases can fully recover with treatment. Nevertheless, the recovery process might be slow among young children, elderly or those who have preexisting health conditions. Nevertheless, parrot fever rarely results to death among those who are given correct treatment.