Influenza A - what is it? Influenza A and B: symptoms and treatment

The flu got its name from the French word "grasp", which characterizes its effect well.

This disease develops rapidly. Since morning, a healthy person starts complaining about health at noon, and by midnight in some cases may no longer have a chance of recovery.

Historical facts

Influenza epidemics periodically cover the whole space of the globe and become a historical fact. For example, from such a type of flu as the Spanish, for 1918 and 1919 people died more than during the entire time of the First World War.

The causative agent, which is considered the cause of the flu, was discovered in 1933 and was subsequently called the virus A.

The year 1944 was marked by the discovery of the virus B, the next - the virus C - was discovered in 1949. Over time, it was determined that the viruses that cause influenza A, B, are heterogeneous, are constantly changing, and as a result of these transformations, a new modification of the flu can appear.

What is the flu

I wonder what the flu A or B is like. This is an acute infectious disease that begins almost instantaneously. Immediately viruses affect the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Because of this, a runny nose appears, the paranasal sinuses become inflamed, the larynx is affected, breathing is disrupted and a cough develops.

With blood, the virus moves through the body and, by poisoning it, disrupts vital functions:

• High fever, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
• There are headaches and muscle pains;
• And in some cases hallucinations may occur.

The most difficult situations are characterized by intoxication, which leads to the destruction of small vessels and multiple hemorrhages. The consequences of influenza may be pneumonia and heart muscle diseases.

Influenza A and B are types of acute respiratory diseases. When a disease occurs, a violation of the human defense mechanism. Under the influence of microbes that are in the upper respiratory tract, cells die on the trachea and bronchi, the path opens up for infection into deeper tissues and the bronchial cleansing process becomes more difficult. In this case, the function of the immune system is suppressed. Because of this, a short period is sufficient to initiate pneumonia or to awaken other respiratory viruses.

How is it transmitted

A person is susceptible to a disease such as influenza A and B. This means that the likelihood of getting sick for the second and third time, especially a new subspecies. The disease is transmitted as follows:

• During communication with a sick person, through his droplets of saliva, mucus, phlegm;
• Together with food that has not been thermally treated;
• With a direct touch of the hands of the patient;
• Through the air, through the dust.

The patient is enveloped by a zone consisting of infected particles, the size of which is from two to three meters. Through any items that were in his hands (for example, phone, armrest arm, door handle) can catch the flu A.

What is this contagious disease, everyone should know - a person poses a danger to others even during the incubation period, even before he felt unwell. However, on the sixth day from the onset of the disease, he practically does not pose a threat to the health of others.

Influenza A virus

So, the flu type A - what is it? This is one of the most terrible varieties of this disease. Immunity, which is acquired by a person who has had type A influenza, lasts two years. Then it becomes dangerous again.

It is interesting that between human and animal viruses, hereditary materials can be exchanged, and viral hybrids can appear on contact. As a result, the flu can affect not only humans, but also animals.

Approximately, every 35 years, a virus that causes influenza type A also undergoes significant changes. What it is, it is better not to know. After all, mankind does not have this serotype of immunity, as a result of which the disease covers most of the world's population. It flows in a very severe form. And in this case they speak not of an epidemic, but of a pandemic.

Symptoms and peculiarities of percolation

It should be mentioned, telling about the type A flu, that this is a disease that is characterized by rapid spread. From two to five days the stage of incubation lasts, and the period begins which is characterized by acute clinical manifestations.

For flu, taking place in mild form, it lasts from three to five days. And after 5-10 days a person recovers. But for another 20 days a person can feel tired, weak, have a headache, be irritable and suffer from insomnia.

Let's list what causes the flu A symptoms in children:

• The temperature rises to 40 ° C;
• The child is shivering;
• The kid stops playing, whines, becomes very weak;
• Complains of headache and muscle pain;
• he has a sore throat;
• Abdominal pain and vomiting are possible;
• Begins a dry cough.

Treatment

Treatment includes recommendations not only on taking medications, but also on compliance with the regime. Since influenza A and B symptoms and treatment are the same, our advice is suitable for each of them.

During a period of elevated temperature, a person loses a lot of fluid that must be replenished. The first thing you need to do in the period of illness is to drink tea, drinks, decoctions of herbs abundantly. A good effect on the course of the disease is provided by chicken broth. By increasing the rate of mucus discharge, it reduces the swelling of the nose.

The use of coffee and alcohol causes dehydration of the body, which has already lost a lot of liquid, so it is better not to drink during illness.

What is dangerous about influenza A

What is it - the flu, know almost everything. But the opinion that this is a common disease, which everyone has been ill many times and without consequences, is mistaken. Its main danger is in the consequences that it can cause: pneumonia, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis. It can exacerbate chronic diseases, provoke complications of the cardiovascular system, create problems from the muscular system.

By the way, the type A flu, unlike the disease caused by the B virus, is more dangerous. As a result of this disease, intoxication, hemorrhages into important organs, pulmonary complications, cardiac and cardiopulmonary insufficiency can lead to death .

Prevention

In order not to be among the infected, each of us needs to follow preventive measures that can prevent the flu. And what is it? First of all, you must follow the basic principles of a healthy lifestyle, such as proper nutrition and even physical exercise. Quenching is also important.

Vaccination helps the body to form immunity to the most expected strain of the virus. The drug is administered 1-3 months before the expected onset of the epidemic.

A cotton-gauze dressing reduces the chance of getting infected through the respiratory tract. The bandage is changed several times a day to avoid getting infected from the bandage itself.

Here are some more tips for prevention:

1. The intake of vitamin preparations increases the protective functions of the body.
2. Garlic reduces the number of microorganisms in the mouth.
3. Avoiding visits to crowded places during an epidemic reduces the likelihood of infection.
4. During an epidemic it is desirable to conduct a wet cleaning of the room daily.
5. Helps protect against microbes treatment of the nasal cavity with oxolin ointment.
6. The use of antiviral drugs protects against the disease.

If the house is sick

Despite some differences, doctors still combine influenza A and B (symptoms and treatment). First of all it is recommended to give the body an opportunity to relax. Due to this, you will help the immune system. Necessary requirement - compliance with bed rest. And most importantly - calling the doctor at home, because it may not be the flu, and what it is - without a specialist's examination is impossible to say.

In order to reduce the possibility of infection of family members, the patient is placed in a separate room or fenced off from the main room. The patient is given separate utensils and hygiene items.

It is necessary and wet cleaning with disinfectants, since thanks to it the concentration of viruses is more than halved. A good health effect gives ventilation at least 3 times a day.