Yimaitong Compilation Reference: 1.Influenza A vs. B: What to know-medicalnewstoday-2 Jan2020.2. Official website of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, influenza diagnosis and treatment plan.

Nasal congestion, fatigue and cough are common symptoms of influenza

1. Influenza A

Influenza A can infect humans and animals and is the only flu that can cause a global pandemic. influenza A virus caused the pandemic of avian influenza and swine influenza . Each influenza virus has two types of proteins on the surface: hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

2. Influenza B

Influenza B virus can also cause seasonal epidemics and usually only affect humans. There are two lineages of influenza B: Victoria and Yamagata.

Influenza B occurs more slowly than influenza A.

3. Influenza C

Influenza C viruses usually cause mild illnesses—they don't seem to cause epidemics.

4. Influenza T type

Influenza T type virus mainly affects cattle and does not seem to infect humans.

symptoms

Influenza symptoms can vary from mild to severe and vary from person to person.

1. Common symptoms include: fatigue, nasal congestion, cough, headache, sore throat, body pain, cold, fever, vomiting or diarrhea (most common in children)

2. Some people have severe symptoms , including: chest pain, shortness of breath, severe pain, severe fatigue, high fever, epilepsy seizures, severe dizziness, and disorders of consciousness.

should receive medical care in a timely manner if any serious symptoms occur.

Type A and influenza B are compared with

Type A and influenza B.

1. Prevalence

According to researchers, about 75% of confirmed influenza cases were influenza A, while among the confirmed cases, about 25% of influenza B.

2. Infectious

Influenza A and influenza B are both highly contagious.

When a flu patient coughs or sneezes, droplets enter another person's nasal cavity or mouth, causing the disease to spread. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu virus can cause infection from 6 feet away. In addition, if a person touches the surface of an object contaminated by the influenza virus and then contacts his or her mouth or nose, he or she may be infected with the flu.

CDC reports that influenza patients have the strongest contagiousness 3-4 days after they get sick. Symptoms often appear 2 days after onset, so a person may have contracted the flu before the symptoms of flu appear.

3. Severity

Influenza is usually not dangerous for healthy people. However, it can seriously affect certain groups of people who should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they have flu symptoms. People at high risk of influenza complications include: pregnant women, certain people with chronic diseases, children under the age of 5, and adults over the age of 65.

Many people think that influenza A is more serious than influenza B. However, this is not always the case.

(1) A 2014 study showed that hospital stays for adults with influenza A or B were similar. The incidence of intensive care units is similar to mortality during hospitalization.

(2) A 2016 study found that influenza B virus is more likely to cause deaths in hospitalized children aged 16 and under. The researchers also concluded that children aged 10 to 16 who are infected with influenza B are more likely to be sent to the intensive care unit than influenza A virus.

Treatment

Many people find that home remedies can help relieve flu symptoms, but antiviral drugs are more suitable for people at high risk of complications or severe symptoms.

1. Home Remedies

To relieve flu symptoms, measures that can be taken include: drinking more water, resting enough, taking over the counter medications (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain)

2. Antiviral drug

can shorten the duration of symptoms or prevent complications such as pneumonia. Antiviral drugs can especially benefit people at high risk for influenza complications, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic diseases.

takes antiviral drugs within 1 to 2 days of the beginning of the symptoms, and the effect is best. There are several antiviral drugs against influenza, including: oseltamivir , zanamivir, and paramivir. The 2019 influenza diagnosis and treatment plan also recommends the hemagglutinin inhibitor Abidol, which is used to treat influenza A and B in adults. The dosage is 200 mg each time, 3 times a day, and the course of treatment is 5 days (the clinical application data in my country is limited, and the efficacy and adverse reactions need to be closely observed).

Prevent

The following content helps prevent infection or spread of influenza to others:

➤ Restrict contact with patients

➤ Stay at home when you are sick

➤ Masking your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough

➤ Wash your hands frequently

➤ Disinfect the surface of objects that may have influenza virus

➤ Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth

➤ Wear a mask when you go out

The best way to prevent it is to get the flu vaccine every year . According to a 2017 study, flu vaccines can reduce the risk of in-hospital deaths caused by influenza, prevent relevant intensive care units from being hospitalized and reduce related hospital stays.

Summary

Influenza viruses have 4 types, the most common are influenza A and B.

Although many people can recover through home remedies, influenza A and B can cause serious illness and death in people at high risk of complications. The flu cannot be cured, and rest and drinking water can help relieve symptoms. Antiviral drugs may also help shorten the course of the disease. Patients with severe flu symptoms or complications should receive medical care.

Yimaitong Compilation Reference:

1. Influenza A vs. B: What to know-medicalnewstoday-2 Jan2020.

2. Official website of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Influenza Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (2019 Edition).