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What impact does influenza A have on lung function?

Mar 14, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Influenza A may affect lung function by causing pulmonary inflammation, leading to respiratory dysfunction, increasing the risk of lung infections, triggering chronic respiratory diseases, and potentially causing pulmonary fibrosis. If diagnosed with Influenza A, patients can, under a physician's guidance, take medications such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Ganmaoling granules, or Oseltamivir phosphate capsules to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness.

Influenza A, also known as Type A influenza, may affect lung function in several ways, including causing pulmonary inflammation, leading to respiratory dysfunction, increasing the risk of lung infections, triggering chronic respiratory diseases, and potentially causing pulmonary fibrosis. If you have concerns or if symptoms persist or worsen, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Pulmonary inflammation: After infection with the influenza A virus, the virus invades the respiratory mucosa and causes pulmonary inflammation. This inflammation may lead to congestion and edema of lung tissues, and in severe cases, even pulmonary consolidation, thereby affecting normal lung function.

2. Respiratory dysfunction: Worsening pulmonary inflammation may lead to respiratory dysfunction, presenting symptoms such as tachypnea and dyspnea. The inflammation impairs the lung's ventilation and gas exchange functions, failing to meet the body's oxygen demand.

3. Increased risk of lung infections: Following infection with the influenza A virus, the patient's respiratory mucosa may be damaged and defense mechanisms weakened, making secondary bacterial infections more likely. Such mixed infections can further aggravate pulmonary inflammation and increase the risk of lung infections.

4. Chronic respiratory diseases: Long-term or recurrent influenza A virus infections may lead to chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These diseases cause long-term damage to lung function and affect the patient's quality of life.

5. Potential pulmonary fibrosis: In rare cases, infection with the influenza A virus may lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a severe lung disease that causes the lung tissue to become stiff and thickened, significantly impairing the lung's ventilation and gas exchange functions.

If diagnosed with influenza A, patients can take medications such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Ganmaoling granules, and Oseltamivir Phosphate capsules under a doctor's guidance to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness.

References:

[1] Ma Yanfang, Ma Chengjie, Li Xin, et al. Long-term follow-up study of 12 patients with influenza A (H1N1) (2009) [J]. China Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2016, 31(07): 957-961. DOI:10.16368/j.issn.1674-8999.2016.07.268.

[2] Zhang Li, Wang Chunyan, Sun Xin, et al. Follow-up study on clinical laboratory tests and pulmonary function of patients with severe pneumonia caused by influenza A (H1N1) virus [J]. China Journal of Modern Medicine, 2015, 25(24): 34-37.

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