How long does influenza A last and what are the symptoms?

Women with the Flu (Getty)
Women with the Flu (Getty)

this Influenza A It is an acute respiratory disease caused by Influenza A virus, belongs to the family Orthomyxoviridae. It is also called swine flu because it also affects various types of animals (pigs, birds…). The most common virus is H1N1, but there are other viruses circulating among animals, such as H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1.

Influenza A viruses can be transmitted directly from infected pigs to humans and vice versa. The virus is spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or when someone touches an object that has the flu virus on it and then puts their hands to their mouth or nose. therefore, Influenza A transmission rate is very high The risk is greater when it occurs in a closed location.

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As stated by the University Clinic of Navarra, symptom Influenza A is similar to the common flu, as follows:

  • Fever over 38°C. It starts suddenly, with temperatures sometimes as high as 39°C.
  • cough Frequent and intense.
  • Headache.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Stuffy nose.
  • General segmentation (Feeling bad)
  • digestive symptoms: Nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain.

If influenza A is not treated promptly and correctly, it may worsen into more severe clinical conditions. complication, mainly respiratory tract (otitis media, sinusitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, obstructive laryngitis), heart disease and even death. The latter is observed during epidemics.

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Given its wide range of symptoms, the influenza virus persists irregularly in the body. That is, some symptoms last longer than others. For example, fever High (above 38.5 degrees) Lasts four or five days, at most. As far as he is concerned, Muscle pain will begin to spread widely Reduced around the sixth or seventh day. Other symptoms, such as cough or nasal congestion, may last longer.

Women with influenza A (Europa Press)
Women with influenza A (Europa Press)

There are two types of antiviral drugs used to treat influenza A: Adamantane (amantadine and rimantadine) and neuraminidase inhibitor (such as oseltamivir and zanamivir). It is vital that its use is always under medical prescription and supervision.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir to prevent and treat viral infections, making it critical Early diagnosis Patients who develop symptoms suggestive of this disease should begin treatment as soon as possible. Therefore, the effectiveness of these drugs is significantly increased when used in the early stages of infection.

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this Influenza A vaccination This is one of the most effective ways to prevent it. Priority groups for vaccination include health care workers, including those working in nursing homes; essential service workers; pregnant women; and people six months and older with chronic medical conditions.

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