How to distinguish different types of flu today

Influenza is considered one of the most contagious diseases and can break out into an epidemic. According to WHO statistics, the world has about 5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children infected with influenza each year.

Of these, about half a million deaths are due to flu-related health problems. In Vietnam, each year about 1 - 1.8 million people are recorded with seasonal flu.

Influenza can go away on its own but can also cause serious complications in people with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, anemia, metabolic diseases or immunocompromised people, people over 65 years old, young people. children under 5 years old and pregnant women. The disease can cause complications such as ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, and can even lead to death.

Current influenza virus strains

There are 4 strains of influenza virus designated as A, B, C, D. Of which influenza A and B strains are common in humans, influenza C causes mild illness and is often asymptomatic, while influenza D affects family members. animal and does not cause disease in humans.

Influenza A

Influenza A is the most common form of seasonal flu, accounting for about 75% of human flu infections. Influenza A virus is classified into many subtypes based on the combination of hemagglutinin antigens Hemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (N), which are the main proteins on the surface of the virus. If favorable conditions arise, influenza A can break out into epidemics of various sizes. Global influenza pandemics recorded in world history were also caused by strains of influenza A virus such as influenza A (H5N1), influenza A (H3N2), pandemic influenza A (H1N1).

Influenza A (H1N1): When infected, the patient has symptoms of fever, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, and muscle aches. Nearly 50% of patients also have abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhea. Like seasonal flu, the new H1N1 flu also causes more severe illness such as pneumonia, causing patients to cough a lot, breathe rapidly, have difficulty breathing, and X-rays show lung damage. Some patients have symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary edema, and death.

When infected with influenza A (H5N1), patients often have headaches, body aches.

Influenza A (H5N1): When infected, the patient has a fever and has a fever or continuous fever all day. Temperature can reach 40-41 degrees Celsius; There are cases where there is only a mild fever of 38-38.5 degrees Celsius. These cases often occur in patients with greatly reduced resistance such as immunodeficiency, the elderly, young children, and those with chronic diseases. according to;

Symptoms of hot, red skin appear in patients with high fever, when there is respiratory failure, purple lips and extremities; Patients often have headaches, body aches, and may feel pain around the eye sockets. In severe cases, patients may have consciousness disorders. The disease has a rapid progression and high mortality rate. If detected early, timely treatment can save the patient's life. Therefore, special attention should be paid when in areas where many poultry (chickens, ducks, geese) die, and people with symptoms appear. cough, high fever, headache, body aches.

Influenza A (H7N9) : To date, most patients infected with H7N9 have developed severe pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. However, information about the diseases that the H7N9 virus can cause is still limited.

Influenza B

Influenza B strain is also a form of flu that easily causes illness in humans, accounting for 25% of seasonal flu infections each year. Influenza B is only transmitted from person to person. Influenza B has the ability to spread very strongly, can cause epidemics but has little risk of becoming a pandemic. However, the disease can still have dangerous health effects in severe cases.

Just like influenza A, common symptoms in children with influenza B include: Fever, sore throat, dry cough, headache, body aches, bone and joint pain, fatigue and exhaustion. Children with the flu may also have gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea).

Seasonal flu is difficult to distinguish from other respiratory diseases, diagnosis and treatment must follow the instructions of health authorities.

Influenza C

Compared to two strains of influenza A and B, influenza C strain is less common, less dangerous and does not have typical clinical symptoms. Influenza C virus tends to cause respiratory infections. Symptoms of influenza C are usually only mild and do not cause too many health problems. Influenza C causes symptoms similar to a cold, including: sore throat, sneezing, fever, dry cough, runny nose, headache, muscle aches and sensations.

Influenza D

Influenza D strain mainly causes disease in livestock, but has not been determined to cause disease in humans. Influenza D virus has the same structural composition and cell division characteristics as influenza C virus.

Doctor's advice

According to the Ministry of Health, currently is the time of season change, favorable for respiratory pathogens to develop, so many people suffer from respiratory infections, especially seasonal flu (including influenza A and influenza B).

Symptoms of seasonal flu are difficult to distinguish from other respiratory diseases, diagnosis and treatment must follow the instructions of health authorities.

To proactively prevent seasonal flu and protect the health of yourself, your family and the community, the Ministry of Health recommends:

1. 1. When people have symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose, headache, fatigue, they should not arbitrarily do tests and buy medication at home but should contact a medical facility for advice, examination and treatment. timely handling.
2. 2. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a cloth or handkerchief or disposable tissue or sleeve to reduce the spread of respiratory secretions.
3. 3. Wear a mask, wash your hands with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer (especially after coughing or sneezing). Do not spit indiscriminately in public places.
4. 4. Limit unnecessary contact with people with the flu or suspected cases of the disease.
5. 5. Practice a healthy lifestyle, increase physical activity, and improve health.

How to prevent respiratory diseases during changing seasons

Why do people with tattoos rarely suffer from seasonal diseases?

Common childhood illnesses during the winter-spring season and how to prevent them