Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that attacks the respiratory system: the throat, the nose, the lungs and the bronchial tubes. The virus is airborne and usually enters the body through the mouth, the nose or the eyes. The flu virus was first identified in 1933, says Medicine Net. The flu viruses can be divided into three different types: A, B, and C. Only types A and B pose a serious threat to people’s health, since type C infections don’t usually cause any major symptoms.
A and B Type Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of the type A and B flu typically appear fast, only hours after exposure to the virus, and the person's condition can worsen rapidly. Common symptoms of the flu include high fever, or over 101 degrees Fahrenheit in adults, and 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit in children, extreme tiredness, muscle aches, chills, headaches, dry cough and loss of appetite. Children may also suffer from diarrhea and vomiting. Not all of these symptoms need to be present for someone to have the flu. Having one or two of these is enough to suspect the flu and warrant seeing a doctor.
C Type Symptoms
Type C flu is much less severe than type A or B flu. It typically causes a respiratory infection, according to the WrongDiagnosis.com. The symptoms that are typical for type C flu, but are not common for type A or B include runny nose, sore throat, nasal congestion, watery eyes, red nose and red skin. This type of flu also shares some of the symptoms of types A and B. These include headache, cough, aching muscles, fever, joint paint and fatigue.
Progression
Most sufferers of the flu get well one to two weeks after their symptoms appear. Nevertheless, some people, such as the elderly, people with chronic health problems and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for serious flu complications such as pneumonia. Approximately 36,000 people die from the flu every year in the United States, according to Medicine Net. A person with the flu who is at risk for complications should see a doctor right away, says the Mayo Clinic. It is possible to reduce the length of the viral infection by taking anti-viral drugs within the first 48 hours after the symptoms appear.
