Description Influenza is a comm...
Description
Influenza is a common, contagious viral respiratory infection. People start developing symptoms about 24 to 48 hours after the virus first enters their body. There are three main types of influenza (A, B, C). Type A is most able to change its structure from year to year, giving it the ability to produce widespread outbreaks. Because Type A so frequently changes its structure, a new type of vaccine is required each year to protect against the strains of the virus that are circulating that year. The disease is usually self-limited (resolves without treatment), but can be fatal in the very young, very old, or if there is a coexisting depression of the immune system. It sometimes can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold and the flu based on symptoms alone. In general the flu is worse than the common cold and symptoms such as fever (usually over 101F) and body aches are more severe with the flu. For more information: http://www.flu.gov
Symptoms
Fever, headache, tiredness (fatigue), chills, dry cough, sore throat, stuffy and congested nose, muscle aches and stiffness. The fever in influenza tends to be higher (> 101 F or 38.3 C) than in other viral upper respiratory infections (URIs) such as the common cold. The muscle aches and fatigue tend to be more severe as well.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A nasopharyngeal swab to detect the viral antigen may be done. A chest X-ray may be done to rule out pneumonia.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Rapid flu test (antigen test)
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A nasopharyngeal swab to detect the viral antigen may be done. A chest X-ray may be done to rule out pneumonia.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Rapid flu test (antigen test)
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice
Treatment
Rest and medications to reverse the fever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) are given to reduce the symptoms. Patients are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. Antiviral medications can be given but should be started within 40 hours of the first symptoms. Each year the effectiveness of these drugs changes and selection is based on the type of influenza and the resistance of the virus. The two antivirals recommended by the CDC are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). These medications can also be given to prevent the disease (called prophylaxis). Yearly flu vaccine is the most important step in protecting against the flu viruses. Most urgent care centers, retail clinics and pharmacies can administer a flu shot. Use our provider search function to find the closet available location near you.