Different Types of Influenza Viruses and Symptoms

Influenza or flu is an extremely contagious condition. It is easily spread because infected people are unaware of their condition. Influenza infections show symptoms after about a week, so there is no way to know that you are infected.

introduction of the flu

Influenza viruses are spread in droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They are usually spread from person to person. It can also be spread if a person accidentally touches something that is infected with the virus and then touches their mouth or nose. Infections can spread from the first day a person is infected to the fifth day of becoming sick. People over the age of 65 and children under the age of 5 are at risk of getting seriously ill from the flu. Millions of Americans fall victim to influenza viruses each year, with the greatest number of people getting sick from November to April, which is flu season in the United States.

What are the different basic types of flu viruses?

Influenza virus can be divided into 3 categories: A, B and C. Influenza A virus, the most serious, appears every 2 or 3 years. This virus is prone to regular mutations and produces new strains to which people have little resistance, and is responsible for many epidemics and pandemics around the world. Swine flu and bird flu are the subtypes of this flu virus. These mutations occur due to certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus. HA or hemagglutinin and NA or neuraminidase are the two proteins that make the virus thrive in the body. There are 16 known HAs and 9 known NAs, each representing a different subtype. Swine flu and bird flu viruses are spread from pigs and birds if a human comes into direct contact with them. This leads to multiple human infections and results in an epidemic. Avian influenza, or bird flu, caused many deaths worldwide and had spread to pandemic proportions.

The influenza B virus is relatively less dangerous, and this strain is responsible for smaller outbreaks of infection. If you are infected with type B once, your immune system will resist this type of virus for many years. Influenza B is common among children 5 to 14 years of age who have never been infected before.

The type C virus is a very mild strain of influenza. The symptoms of type C are similar to the symptoms of a common cold. Plenty of rest and water are usually enough to treat this type of virus. Your doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs to fight this virus if your immune system is weak.

flu symptoms

Some people confuse the symptoms of the flu with those of the common cold due to their proximity. However, flu symptoms get worse after a while and you may experience the following problems:

• sneezing
• runny nose
• nasal congestion
• Headache
• high fever
• Shaking chills
• dry cough
• muscle bread
• belly bread
• loss of appetite
• Tired

These flu symptoms can last 7 to 14 days. High fever and body aches may go away after a while, but sore throat, runny nose, and cough may persist for some time. Sometimes the fever can come back for a while. Rest regularly to prevent the disease from prolonging.