Influenza: Symptoms, Complications, and Treatment

Home
/
Health Wiki
/
Influenza: Symptoms, Complications, and Treatment

Contents

In this article we will look at:

You can click on any of the links above to navigate to the section of your interest. 

What is influenza?

Influenza or flu is a contagious respiratory illness, that is caused by the influenza virus. There are three different types or strains of influenza virus that affects humans - A, B, and C.

Strains A and B are more hostile than C. They cause the annual endemic with many people suffering from the symptoms of high fever, coughing, headaches, sniffling, and body aches.

If you suffer from any of these symptoms you need to consult your family physician or a general practitioner.


Some subtypes of Influenza A, commonly called Swine flu (H1N1 virus) and Bird flu (H5N1 and H7N9 viruses) have caused serious infections in people, which have also resulted in death.

How is influenza caused?

The flu virus spreads through contact with an infected person, and through coughing and sneezing. When people who are infected, cough or sneeze, droplets are released into the air. People nearby inhale these droplets and get exposed to the virus.

Infection also spreads when unsuspecting people touch any surface, contaminated with the droplets of cough and sneezing of an infected person, and then touch their mouth or nose.

Who is prone to influenza?

Anyone who is exposed to an infected person, faces the risk of getting infected with the influenza virus.

What are the symptoms of influenza? How is influenza diagnosed?


The most common symptoms of influenza include:

  • pain in the muscles
  • body ache
  • throat pain
  • cough
  • sneezing
  • high fever
  • loss of appetite
  • dehydration
  • fatigue
  • running nose
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • chest congestion

Diagnosis


To diagnose influenza, the healthcare provider simply swipes the inside of your nose or mouth with a swab and sends the swab for testing. No blood test is required for diagnosing influenza, though, at times, doctors suggest blood tests to rule out any other form of infection apart from influenza.

What are the complications of Influenza?


Complications of influenza can include:

Swine flu, a severe strain of influenza can lead to more serious complications apart from the above, such as:

Bird flu, another severe strain of flu can also result in the following dire complications apart from all the ones mentioned above:

  • acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),
  • abdominal cramps
  • seizures
  • organ failure
  • lung failure
  • shock
  • altered mental status
  • death

What is the treatment for influenza?

Though the main treatment for influenza is plenty of rest and drinking plenty of fluids, the doctor may prescribe some antiviral medications for you which will reduce the risk of complications that may arise from the flu.

Would you like to consult a doctor for Influenza ?
Find a Doctor

Questions answered by trusted doctors

Verified User
Fever and cold influenza
My son having fever till 103F,since 6 days and he is not taking food lips are dry, eyes are reddish, I am giving him crocin ds and ziffi 100 mg syrup but still same and no improvement
Dr. Poornachandra Tejaswi S
General Physician, Hubli
Give your child acetaminophen. If your child is age 6 months or older, ibuprofen is OK, too. Read the label carefully for proper dosage. Don't give aspirin to an infant or toddler. Call the doctor if the fever doesn't respond to the medication or lasts longer than one day...You can try a number of things to make yourself or your child more comfortable during a fever: Drink plenty of fluids. Fever can cause fluid loss and dehydration, so drink water, juices or broth. For a child under age 1, use an oral rehydration solution. These solutions contain water and salts proportioned to replenish fluids and electrolytes. Rest. You need rest to recover, and activity can raise your body temperature. Stay cool. Dress in light clothing, keep the room temperature cool and sleep with only a sheet or light blanket. Kindly consult a pediatrician for further management.
Verified User
Influenza medicine
Sir..they have given influnza medicine to my pregnant wife in stomach. But I come to know that it will be given in back. Does it give any complications to my wife or my baby. She is almost 9 months pregnant now.
Dr. Swathi S Aithal
General Physician, Bangalore
Hello.... usually influenza vaccine is given intramuscular and sometimes even intra dermal... I believe it has been given intramuscular only I don't think you need to worry about it... you can confirm with your gynecologist about the same ...do not worry there won't be any complications for the foetus as far as intramuscular vaccine...thank you
Ask health queries and get free answers from doctors in 24 hrs
Ask a Free Question

Did you know?

Influenza follows certain climatic patterns

The Indian cities get affected by influenza in particular patterns related to the climatic conditions. In Srinagar, Uttaranchal, parts of North-East India the virus goes into circulation during December-April. Cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Dibrugarh, Pune, and Alappuzha experience outbreak of the virus between July-October. Southern cities such as Chennai and Vellore see the outbreak during November - December

Influenza can cause major complications

Influenza can lead to major complications when children below 3 years and adults over the age of 65 years get affected.

Influenza can worsen the condition of ailing people

Influenza can lead to major complications in people suffering from diabetes, cancer, asthma, bronchitis, chronic heart problems, kidney, liver, lung, blood diseases, or weak immune systems.

Related videos

Influenza (Flu)
Prevent Cold & Flu With Turmeric Milk
Influenza - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

Related articles

Rhinoplasty in India

Rhinoplasty is known as nose job. It is a plastic surgery which helps in reconstructing and correcting the shape of the nose. Reconstructive surgery and Cosmetic surgery are the two types. Nose job helps in improving the appearance of the nose.

COPD: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is used to describe group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma. Know more about COPD, its causes, symptoms, treatment and videos on Health-Wiki | Practo

HIV Positive: Symptoms, Treatment, and Causes

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Know more about HIV, its causes, symptoms, treatment and other useful facts, links and videos on Health-Wiki | Practo

Home Remedies

Drink Warm Water

Drink a lot of warm water. Since flu tends to make you dehydrated, drinking water will not only keep you hydrated but will also help flush out all the toxins.

Be a Couch Potato

Being a couch potato while suffering from flu helps. Get as much rest as you can.

Soups

Hot soups, especially chicken soup seems to help alleviate the symptoms of influenza

Consume Raw Garlic

Crush three to four cloves of garlic and consume raw. The compound allicin found in it is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and helps to stubborn coughs and remove mucus

Onion and Ginger Mix

Crushing some onion and ginger and consuming the mix raw is highly effective in treating infections of the respiratory tract, cough, cold, and bronchitis. This mix is highly effective in killing bacteria.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, helps the body’s natural immune system to fight external virus and bacteria. Lemons and oranges are very rich in Vitamin C. Drinking orange and lemon juice thus helps in reducing phlegm and provides relief to the congested respiratory system.

Drink Herbal Teas

Drinking green teas or herbal teas such as lemon tea, chamomile tea, cinnamon tea, or ginger tea, helps to increase the resistant power of the body. This in turn keeps the viruses and bacteria in the body from replicating.

Drink Tulsi Juice or Tea

Tulsi or Basil leaves are known for anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Boil 8-10 leaves of basil in water or tea and sip it. It will strengthen your immune system and help it to fight the bacteria, clear your phlegm, and soothe your respiratory system.