What is influenza A?
Influenza A is an acute respiratory infection. Influenza A is caused by strains of influenza A virus, including: H1N1, H5N1, H7N9. Most infected people can recover without medication. However, there are some cases of hospitalization due to this virus infection because influenza A can cause dangerous complications, especially in children, pregnant women, and the elderly with low resistance.
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How is influenza A transmitted?
The transmission of influenza A virus from sick people to healthy people is very simple. Influenza A virus spreads mainly from person to person by dust particles, tiny droplets of saliva containing the virus of sick people through coughing or sneezing or sometimes sick people can be infected by touching a hard surface such as a doorknob, stair handrail... with influenza virus then touching their mouth or nose.
Influenza A can be transmitted from one day before symptoms develop to seven days after becoming ill. Children and the elderly with weakened immune systems are likely to be contagious for longer periods of time.
Signs of people with influenza A
Influenza A has symptoms similar to those of acute respiratory infections caused by other agents, including fever, inflammation of the respiratory tract (such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose), sore throat and fever. In particular, patients with influenza A often have a high fever of 39-40°C, congested skin, and a red, congested throat.
For children, there is also fatigue, poor appetite, fussiness, severe cases may have difficulty breathing and other complications. The majority of patients will be examined, prescribed medication for outpatient treatment, however, cases with complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis... will be hospitalized for treatment.
Flu A often has a high fever of 39-40°C. Illustration photo
5 groups at higher risk of influenza A
Anyone can get influenza A, however, the following cases need attention because they have a higher risk of infection and more severe progression:
- Children < 5 years old, of which children < 2 years old are at highest risk of infection
- Adults >65 years oldPeople with chronic diseases: Diabetes, heart and lung, kidney failure, liver failure and immunodeficiency
- Pregnant women, especially in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
- Patients with cognitive impairment, neurological disorders, epilepsy, etc.
- People working in crowded environments such as schools, hospitals, and offices are at high risk of infection.
Dangerous complications of influenza A
Influenza A usually does not progress too severely, however, for people with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, or for young children and the elderly, it often becomes severe and can be fatal.
Complications of pneumonia are common in children, people over 65 years old, people with chronic diseases, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes, etc.
In addition, the disease also causes otitis media, sinusitis, urinary tract infections and some symptoms such as high fever, shortness of breath, lung congestion, cyanosis. For pregnant women, if infected with influenza A, it can cause complications such as pneumonia and miscarriage. The most dangerous complications of influenza A are cerebral edema and severe liver damage, with a high mortality rate.
How to treat influenza A at home
- Take fever-reducing medication as prescribed by your doctor. Avoid going to public places or coming into contact with many people. If you do, wear a medical mask.
- Let the patient rest as much as possible. Drink plenty of water, eat a reasonable diet, supplement with adequate nutrients, eat easily digestible foods, and limit drinking cold water.
- Take a warm bath and wear light, loose clothing to reduce body temperature.
- If symptoms do not improve after 7 days, take the patient to a medical facility for timely emergency care.
6 mistakes to avoid when treating influenza A at home
- Do not use antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.
- Do not abuse antiviral drug Tamiflu
- Do not abuse Corticoids in flu treatment
- Do not combine drugs without your doctor's instructions.
- Do not arbitrarily increase or decrease the dose of medication.
- Do not stop taking the medication without your doctor's instructions.
People with influenza A should not take antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. Illustrative photo
What should people with influenza A eat to recover quickly?
People with influenza A should eat easily digestible foods. Drink plenty of water. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C to increase resistance against the virus that causes the disease.
For breastfed babies, breastfeeding should be increased on demand when the baby feels comfortable. For older children, feeding them liquid, easy-to-digest foods such as porridge, soup, etc.
Children should eat lots of green vegetables and fresh fruits rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C to help strengthen their resistance. Children should drink enough water. Meals should be divided into smaller portions throughout the day to make it easier for children to eat and absorb nutrients better.
Preventing influenza A according to recommendations of the Ministry of Health
When symptoms of suspected flu appear : You should go to a medical facility immediately to be examined and accurately diagnosed. From there, take measures to prevent infection to those around you.
Practice good personal hygiene: Wash your hands regularly with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap after handling objects or going to public places, limit contact with people suspected of having the flu, and avoid crowded places during the epidemic season.
- Clean your home and workplace with disinfectant solution, open windows for ventilation.
- Increase resistance by exercising, eating and living a healthy lifestyle.
- Get the flu vaccine fully and on schedule, especially those at high risk of flu infection need to be vaccinated before the epidemic season.
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