Influenza symptoms and how they differ from those of ARVI
The term “influenza” comes from the French gripper (grasp, catch). The name very accurately reflects the nature of
the disease, its suddenness and rapidity of onset, as well as the mode of transmission. It is very easy to get the
flu: the virus can be transmitted in a confined space from the distance of up to 7 m! The virus is most commonly
transmitted by airborne droplets, but it also persists on solid objects. The virus is particularly “hardy” in low
temperatures and humidity, which explains the rapid spread of influenza during the cold season.
Interestingly, a characteristic feature of influenza is the absence of a runny nose on the first day of disease,
which is unique to the virus. During the colder seasons, other respiratory viral infections, known as acute
respiratory infections or ARVI, can also occur.
Influenza-like symptoms are caused by rhinoviruses, adenoviruses and parainfluenza viruses - about 200 different
pathogens in all! However, true influenza is much more severe and leads to more serious complications than all other
catarrhal diseases, so it is important the type of virus be recognized and the correct treatment be chosen straight
away.
Influenza is an
acute infectious disease
PREDOMINANTLY AFFECTS THE UPPER AIRWAY
THE DISEASE IS ACCOMPANIED BY HIGH FEVER AND SEVERE INTOXICATION
LET'S FIND OUT WHAT SIGNS CAN MAKE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE SUSPECT YOU HAVE THE FLU?
First signs of disease
From infection to the appearance of the first symptoms is only a couple of days, and sometimes only a few hours. The
virus proliferates quickly in the body, causing the first signs of disease- malaise, chills, aching joints and
muscle pain.
Onset of disease
Always acute, sudden: temperature rises sharply to 39-40 °C, resulting in dizziness and headache. In all other viral
infections, catarrhal symptoms, i.e. runny nose, sore throat, cough, bronchial mucous membrane inflammation -
bronchitis - usually prevail first. It is only after a while that the fever sets in.
Respiratory tract symptoms
Respiratory symptoms are milder with the influenza: you may get a dry cough, chest pain and a itchy throat. After
twenty-four hours, a runny nose joins this “pleasant set”.
Intoxication syndrome
Influenza is characterized by a pronounced syndrome of intoxication, manifested by chills, muscle and headaches, a
feeling of aching all over the body, and severe weakness. That is why it can be difficult to get out of bed during
the acute period of disease.
Severe influenza
When severe, the influenza causes neurological symptoms: headaches, seizures, loss of consciousness, delirium and
hallucinations against a background of very high fever.
Vascular damage
The influenza virus affects blood vessels, making them fragile, so internal hemorrhages and nosebleeds can occur, as
well as cardiovascular disorders.
Important!
If you have the influenza, you should not take acetylsalicylic acid (eg aspirin) to lower your temperature — it
makes the blood thinner and prevents it from clotting, which again can lead to internal bleeding.
Recovery period
Fever in influenza lasts for an average of 2 to 5 days and the whole acute period of the disease lasts 7 to 12 days.
It takes 3-4 weeks for the cells of the upper respiratory tract and blood vessels to fully recover, so it is so
important to avoid reinfection during this period.
A COMPARATIVE TABLE OF SYMPTOMS CAN HELP YOU QUICKLY REALIZE YOUR PARTICULAR TYPE OF DISEASE
Symptoms: |
— influenza |
— other acute respiratory infection |
|---|---|---|
| Onset of the disease | Acute, severe fever | Gradual |
| Temperature | Almost always high (38-39 C°) especially in young children, lasts 3-4 days | Usually low (no higher than 38 C°) |
| Headache | Common | Sometimes |
| Muscle and Other Pains | Common, strong | Weak |
| Weakness, fatigue | Common, can last up to 3 weeks | >Sometimes |
| Severe condition, exhaustion. | Common, especially at the onset of the disease | Never |
| Stuffed up nose, runny nose | Sometimes | Common, pronounced |
| Sneezing | Sometimes | Gradual |
| Sore throat, redness | Sometimes | Common |
| Chest discomfort | Common, may be pronounced | Mild to moderate |
| Cough | Often troublesome cough that develops on the 2nd day of the disease | Dry cough, appears at the onset of the disease |