Influenza virus

In which Influenza virus it is a virus that manifests itself as a respiratory infection. With this virus, (also Flu virus called) there are different genera that belong to the orthomyxoviruses. Depending on the type of virus, influenza can be mild or severe.

What is the influenza virus?

Influenza is an infectious disease. An infection in the winter months is typical for the flu virus. Influenza infection is rare in summer. The influenza virus is divided into three different genera. These genera include Influenza C, Influenza B and Influenza A.

In addition to the genera, there are also different subtypes. The subtypes arise from the change from the virus. Every year the virus changes its surface and thus gains immunity to certain vaccines. Because of this, there are occasional epidemics and rarely pandemics.

The flu can put a lot of stress on the body. Older and chronically ill people are therefore more likely to be affected by influenza than healthy and younger people. Infection with the flu is rarely fatal.

Occurrence, Distribution & Properties

The influenza virus can spread all over the world. Almost 100 years ago the Spanish flu killed millions of people. The Asian flu also claimed many lives. There have been other pandemics in Hong Kong and Russia. The last major flu wave occurred in 2009. Almost 20,000 people died as a result of the swine flu.

The flu spreads through the droplet infection. Close contact with many people increases the risk of catching the flu. Not only direct contact leads to infection with the influenza virus. The indirect contact that occurs when you touch the same objects can also transmit the virus.

After the flu has been infected, it usually only takes a few days for the infectious disease to break out. Anyone who has contracted the flu is already contagious from the time they are infected. This is why it is so easy to spread influenza. The flu usually lasts a week. In children or people with weakened immune systems, fighting influenza may take longer.

When the influenza virus is infected, the symptoms are always similar. The sick person feels exhausted and has a fever. Often, infection with the virus also leads to chills. An infection of the respiratory tract is characteristic of an infection with influenza. Those affected therefore complain of a dry cough and problems with breathing. Occasionally, the respiratory tract infection develops into pneumonia.

The flu is also accompanied by a cold. In individual cases it can also lead to problems in the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea are therefore also an indication of the influenza virus. Many people also have headaches associated with the flu. If children become infected with the flu virus, there is a risk of ear inflammation.

After the infection is over, the symptoms also disappear quickly.

Illnesses & ailments

Infection with the flu virus is dangerous for children, the elderly and immunocompromised people. The above-mentioned groups of people mostly suffer from more severe symptoms and secondary diseases. If there is an infection with the influenza virus, it can lead to a superinfection. The influenza caused by a virus is thus symptomatically worsened by specific bacteria. An infection with bacteria usually makes the use of antibiotics necessary in order to avoid serious disease courses. One sign that may indicate superinfection is an increase in weakness and a fever.

Pneumonia that has a bacterial origin is particularly serious. If left untreated, bacterial inflammation of the lungs can sometimes lead to fatal influenza. People with chronic lung disease are more likely to develop bacterial pneumonia than healthy people.

In rare cases, the brain can become inflamed (encephalitis). Encephalitis manifests itself as a severe headache, nausea, and stiff neck. The sick person often complains of tiredness. Seizures are another sign of encephalitis. Usually those affected also suffer from confusion.

If the flu is spread, it often leads to inflammation of the heart muscle or pericardium. There are no symptoms at the onset of inflammation of the heart. If the inflammation worsens, shortness of breath and palpitations are the first signs of a heart problem. If the heart is affected, sudden cardiac arrest occurs in rare cases. Therefore, those affected should take care of themselves when the heart is involved.

One sign that the flu virus infection is complicated is a rise in fever. The fever usually goes away after four days at the latest. If the fever increases significantly after a few days, a doctor should be consulted immediately.