Influenza, a global respiratory infection, affects millions annually. The Orthomyxoviridae family’s A, B, and C viruses cause the disease. Infections can range in severity from asymptomatic to fatal. Despite attempts to create effective vaccines or medications, no such agent has been developed due to mutation rates and unique genome shapes.
Mode of Transmission
Influenza viruses are mostly spread by droplets released by infected persons when they cough, sneeze, or speak. In rarer cases, individuals may contract flu by touching their mouth, nose, or eyes after coming into contact with an infected surface or object.
The severity of symptoms in Influenza A
Similar to common colds or COVID-19, real flu symptoms include fever, headache, joint pain, and stuffy nose. It affects the entire body and starts suddenly, improving within a week. Typical flu symptoms include fever, joint pain, headache, sore throat, chills, severe fatigue, dry cough, stuffy nose, loss of appetite, and extreme tiredness.
Risk factors for severe complications
Influenza A is more common in older and younger individuals, especially those under 2. Living conditions like nursing homes and a weakened immune system increase the risk of contracting the flu. Chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke also increase the risk. Race, ethnicity, aspirin therapy use, pregnancy, and obesity also contribute to the risk of influenza A complications. Long-term aspirin therapy can increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
How Influenza A Affects Vulnerable Groups (Complications)
The flu is generally mild and goes away within a week or two. However, high-risk individuals may develop complications such as croup, sinus, ear, lung, heart muscle, central nervous system infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome, muscle damage, toxic shock syndrome, and worsening of chronic illnesses like asthma or kidney disease. Any type of respiratory tract infection in infants and young children frequently results in the development of a middle ear infection.
Treatment and Recovery Expectations:
- Rest and home remedies like chicken broth and herbal teas are important for flu symptom relief, but there’s no scientific proof that these methods speed up recovery.
- Vitamin supplements and inhalation devices are available for flu treatment, but they don’t have strong evidence of effectiveness.
- Painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can relieve pain but can cause Reye’s syndrome in children and teenagers.
- Special flu medication, like oseltamivir, is prescription-only and can reduce flu duration but may cause nausea and vomiting.
- Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria and not viruses, so they don’t help unless there are signs of bacterial infection.
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Preventative Measures to Reduce Risks:
Flu and cold viruses spread through droplet infection, contact with infected individuals, and direct contact. To protect yourself and others, wash your hands frequently, cough into your elbow, let fresh air in, and discard used tissues. Wearing a mask can also help. Even after symptoms subside, limit contact, work from home, and consider a flu vaccination. It’s crucial to limit contact with others during the contagious period.
Summary
It’s essential to see a doctor if you suspect you may have the flu. This is even more important if you already have other illnesses that raise your risk of problems, such as diabetes or chronic lung disease. If you have the flu and have close contact with high-risk individuals, it is also advisable to consult a physician.
References
Vasin, A. V., Temkina, O. A., Egorov, V. V., Klotchenko, S. A., Plotnikova, M. A., & Kiselev, O. I. (2014). Molecular mechanisms enhancing the proteome of influenza A viruses: An overview of recently discovered proteins. Virus Research, 185, 53–63. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.03.015
Neumann, G., & Kawaoka, Y. (2015). Transmission of influenza A viruses. Virology, 479-480, 234–246. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.03.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). (2006–). Overview: Influenza. In InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). (Updated 2022, November 22). Retrieved from NIH.
