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