How to differentiate between type A and type B influenza
Disease description:
Hello, my friend was recently diagnosed with influenza B. I'd like to ask, how can influenza A and influenza B be distinguished?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lu Haiying
Influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B are both acute respiratory infections caused by influenza viruses. Their symptoms are very similar and include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache. Because these symptoms generally cannot be clearly distinguished based on clinical presentation alone, laboratory testing is usually required to accurately differentiate between influenza A and influenza B. Examples of such tests include rapid antigen detection, nucleic acid testing, and serological testing.
