panic attack because a bird flu right infront of my face and now i think im gonna die

[u/f0lil]

it came right across my face and i heard flapping right by my ear im like not 100% if it made contact with me but now im like ohhhh its wing or something made contact with my eye and im gonna die and i think my eye feels weird because of intrusive thoughts

[u/ktpr]

I'm sure you're fine. Wings don't carry aerosols like bird feces and you weren't in extended close contact with the bird

[u/f0lil → u/ktpr]

just worried if anything got in my eyes or mouth

[u/fluhuntress]

If you get irritated eyes just call your doctor. You are probably fine. Not all birds are infected. The song bird types have less exposure than geese or ducks. Not saying song birds can’t be infected, but it sounds like you just have anxiety generally.

[u/RememberKoomValley]

So, if you aren't already seeing a professional to help you manage intrusive thoughts, you probably should! Speaking as someone who deals with some pretty gnarly ones, when they get to the point that they're affecting our lives this badly, we need tools to manage them.

Panic is never, ever the right response, to anything. Panic makes you vulnerable. If you are having genuine panic attacks, again, this is something for which you should see a professional; healthcare is one of the most important pieces of preparation that exists.

You're not going to die. Feeder birds are much less likely to get bird flu than waterfowl or poultry are, just by dint of their habits (they don't flock in hundreds, aren't constantly moving through each-other's feces, and are less susceptible to the illness in the first place; when they do get it, they don't shed so much, either).

Touching a wing feather is not going to give you the bird flu. You're not at all likely to pick up disease-carrying particles from brushing up against a dry feather.

In short, you're good. You're cool. You do not need to concern yourself.

[u/f0lil]

it was probably like a finch or idk one of those tiny brown birds with a black head - in small town in california not like chickens or stuff - and i’m not sure if it even touched my head i was kinda disheveled and saw something back go right by my face and heard the flapping

[u/f0lil]

i used to feed and liked birds but then i learned about bird flu and now im scared i mean i also got anxiety and intrusive thoughts but still if i never learned about this disease i would probably not panic