Influenza virus symptoms

Flu vs. Cold vs. COVID-19 Symptoms Symptoms Flu Cold COVID-19 Headache Common Rare Common Sore throat Common Common Common Runny nose Common Common Common Muscle aches Common Sometimes Common Diarrhea Sometimes (mostly kids) No Sometimes Cough Common Common Common (usually dry) Nausea, vomiting Sometimes (mostly kids) No Sometimes Loss of sense of smell or taste Rare Sometimes (with congestion) Common (without congestion) Tiredness Common Sometimes Common Fever Common Sometimes Common Shortness of breath Common Rare Common Sneezing Rare Common Rare What Causes the Flu? The flu is caused by various influenza virus strains passed between humans and, in some cases, from animals to humans. The viruses can spread fast across the globe, especially flu A, because of their ability to mutate quickly. This is why flu A viruses can cause a worldwide pandemic. Otherwise, the best thing for you to do if you have the flu is to stay home and rest. Avoid contact with others unless you require medical care or are in a higher-risk group for complications. Avoid being around others until you are fever-free for 24 hours and without other symptoms. If you need to be around others, wear a mask to help prevent the spread of germs. If you are home resting with the flu, stay hydrated with fluids like water, juice, herbal tea, popsicles, broth, or electrolyte drinks, especially if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. Make a warm saltwater mix to gargle and soothe a sore throat. If you're cong...

Parainfluenza refers to a group of viruses — human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) — that cause common respiratory infections. This includes illnesses like colds, croup, bronchiolitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. They’re more likely to cause severe illness in children younger than 5, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems. Overview What is parainfluenza? Parainfluenza is a broad term that healthcare providers use to describe human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) — a group of infectious organisms (pathogens). Parainfluenza viruses cause many types of lower and HPIV infections can affect anyone. They’re common in infants and children. It’s possible to get infected with HPIVs many times in your life, even if you’ve had one when you were younger. You’re less likely to get severe illness after your first infection (usually in childhood). HPIV illnesses have a seasonal pattern. They’re more common in the fall, winter and spring. Types of parainfluenza viruses There are four commonly recognized types of parainfluenza viruses: • HPIV-1 and HPIV-2. HPIV-1 and HPIV-2 are more likely to cause • HPIV-3. HPIV-3 is more likely to infect your airways and lungs, causing • HPIV-4. We don’t know as much about HPIV-4, but experts think it causes illnesses similar to HPIV-3. Is parainfluenza the same as the flu, RSV or COVID-19? Parainfluenza, The name “parainfluenza” sounds the same as “influenza” (the virus that causes the flu) because experts used to think they were a simi...

Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory illness that is very common during the winter months. It affects the lungs, nose, and throat, causing symptoms such as a cough, body aches, and a sore throat. These symptoms may be mild, but they can be severe. The illness results from a virus that spreads very easily from person to person. Someone can contract the virus by coming into close contact with a person who has the infection or by touching a surface that the person has touched, then touching their own mouth or nose. There are four types of Types A and B are responsible for the In this article, we take a look at the symptoms of influenza B, along with how people can treat and, possibly, prevent it. Share on Pinterest Valentina Barreto/Stocksy Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly. They may include one or all of the following: • a general feeling of being unwell • a • a stuffy or • a • muscle aches • body aches • • In some cases, people feel very hot or feverish. A person with the flu may also experience vomiting and The common cold can have similar symptoms to the flu. However, cold symptoms typically come on more slowly. How does influenza B differ from types A and C? Influenza B tends to cause a While influenza A can lead to moderate-to-severe flu symptoms across all age groups, and in animals, influenza B only affects humans. Also, influenza B typically affects children more often than adults. It generally causes stronger symptoms than influenza C. In many people, the flu...

Share on Pinterest Elpidio Juan/EyeEm/Getty Images The four types of influenza are A, B, C, and D. Types A and B are Scientists divide influenza A into two further subtypes based on the proteins that live on the surface of the There are 18 different H subtypes in influenza A that run from influenza H1 to H18. There are 11 N subtypes, ranging from N1 to N11. Each subtype also has different strains that influence the virus further. The symptoms of flu will usually come on suddenly. They include: • a cough • • runny or stuffy nose • muscle or body aches • • In more severe cases, some people experience vomiting and In most cases, the body’s Examples of possible complications from the flu include: • • • sinus infections • ear infections Flu can also worsen existing health conditions, such as Most cases of flu are mild and will go away on their own It is crucial to stay at home for the first few days after getting the infection to avoid spreading the virus to others. During this time, drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible. A range of over-the-counter medications can help ease symptoms. For example, decongestants help to clear a blocked nose, and cough suppressants can ease throat pain from coughing. These medications do not treat the virus itself and cannot shorten illness duration. People at risk of complications may need antiviral drugs to fight the virus. Examples of these medications include oseltamivir ( A doctor will prescribe antiviral drugs to most people w...

What Is Influenza? Also known as the flu, influenza is a contagious illness in the respiratory tract that infects the nose and throat and can move into the lungs. It is caused by influenza viruses, which cause illness that ranges from mild to severe. In the worst cases, influenza can lead to death. Annual vaccination is the best way to avoid the flu. 1 Each year, anywhere from 290,000 to 650,000 people worldwide die from influenza-related respiratory illnesses. 2 The flu burdens the United States with billions of dollars of medical costs and has caused up to 52,000 deaths nationwide in a year. 3,4 However, advancements in vaccinations are helping to turn the tide on the potentially deadly virus. 5 Influenza viruses cause the flu. There are four types of flu viruses: influenza A, B, C and D. 6 The viruses tend to change in two ways: antigenic drift and antigenic shift. Small gene mutations cause drift and can add up to significant variations over time. Shifts, which are rarer, represent a sudden, major change in a virus, resulting in new proteins in flu viruses that infect humans. Shift can occur if a flu virus in an animal population gains the ability to infect humans. Both processes help create viruses that our immune systems fail to recognize and neutralize. As a result, people can catch the flu more than once, and experts must constantly update vaccines. 7 How Does Influenza Spread? Influenza spreads from person to person, mainly via droplets generated when people with ...

Overview Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever. The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu — is through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. If you're otherwise healthy, you'll likely recover without complications. But for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly. Viral gastroenteritis The stomach, small intestine and large intestine (colon) are part of your digestive tract, which processes the foods you eat. Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of these organs caused by a virus. Although it's commonly called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn't the same as influenza. The flu (influenza) affects only your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intestines, causing signs and symptoms such as: • Watery, usually nonbloody diarrhea — bloody diarrhea usually means you have a different, more severe infection • Nausea, vomiting or both • Stomach cramps and pain • Occasional muscle aches or headache • Low-grade fever Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days. Because the symptoms are ...