PSITTACOSIS

General Information

DEFINITION--An infectious form of pneumonia transmitted by birds.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Lungs.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Fever and chills.
• General ill feeling.
• Appetite loss.
• Cough without sputum that progresses to cough with occasional discolored sputum.
• Shortness of breath.

CAUSES--Infection by the organism, Chlamydia. Microscopic chlamydia organisms are not bacteria, viruses or fungi. However, they can be destroyed with antibiotics. Psittacosis is found in psittacine birds (parrots, parakeets, lovebirds), poultry, pigeons, canaries and some sea birds. Germs enter the human body by inhalation of air that contains the germ or by a bite from an infected bird. Incubation is 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.

RISK INCREASES WITH--Exposure to birds, especially in zoos, pet shops or on farms.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Avoid dust from bird feathers and cage contents.
• Don't handle any sick bird. Imported psittacine birds must be treated for 45 days with feed that contains chlortetracycline. This eliminates the organisms from the birds' blood and feces.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Diagnosis is suggested by symptoms and history of exposure to birds. Firm diagnosis is determined by recovery of the organism from mice, eggs or tissue culture inoculated with the patient's blood or sputum.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Treatment involves medication (sometimes intravenous) and supportive care for symptoms.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Severe or fatal pneumonia.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually curable in 7 to 14 days with early diagnosis and treatment. Fever may remain for 2 or 3 weeks before falling slowly, unless antibiotics are used.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Use a cool-mist, ultrasonic humidifier to increase air moisture and loosen lung secretions. Use pure water; don't put medication in the humidifier. Clean humidifier daily.
• Use a heating pad or warm, moist compresses on the chest to relieve pain.
• Don't smoke.

MEDICATION--

• Your doctor may prescribe tetracycline (an antibiotic) for at least 10 days to control fever and other symptoms.
• Don't suppress the cough if it produces sputum. It is performing a useful function in ridding the lungs of mucus. If the cough is non-productive and painful, you may suppress it with prescribed medication.
• For minor pain, take non-prescription drugs such as aspirin or acetaminophen.

ACTIVITY--Bed rest is necessary until the fever, pain and shortness of breath have been gone at least 48 hours. Then normal activities may be resumed gradually. Fatigue and weakness may persist for a long time, so don't expect a quick return to normal strength.

DIET--No special diet. Increase fluid intake to at least 1 glass of fluid every hour. This helps to thin lung secretions so they can be coughed up more easily.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of psittacosis.
• The following occurs during treatment: Fever. Pain is not relieved by heat or prescribed medication. Shortness of breath increases. Fingernails become dark or bluish. Blood appears in the sputum. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea occur.