The complications of bird flu are frequently dire and includeshortness of breath or difficulty breathing,pneumonia,acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),abdominal pain,lung collapse,shock,altered mental status,seizures,organ system failure, anddeath. Unfortunately, individuals who become infected with bird flu often have one or more the complications listed above. The mortality (death) rate varies somewhat between strains with H5N1 at about 55%, and H7N9 at about 37%.