What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
Disease description:
Doctor, many students in my child's class have recently contracted influenza A, and I'm very worried that my child might also get infected. I would like to learn more about the symptoms of influenza A so that I can make a timely assessment if my child shows any signs. My child lives on campus and has close contact with classmates. I want to know what the initial symptoms of influenza A are usually like, and whether they resemble those of a common cold, making them easy to confuse?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Ren Yi
Influenza A refers to type A influenza. Influenza A is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza A virus. Its symptoms are usually more severe than those of the common cold. Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea.
Patients with influenza A typically develop high fever, with body temperature rapidly rising above 39°C, possibly accompanied by chills. Cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and runny nose are also common symptoms of influenza A. The cough may be dry or productive, and sore throat may result from viral invasion of the respiratory system causing inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa.
Myalgia, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite are common systemic symptoms in patients with influenza A. These symptoms can cause extreme discomfort. Some patients may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If the above symptoms appear, especially high fever and respiratory symptoms, prompt medical attention is recommended for diagnosis and treatment. Doctors will determine whether a patient is infected with the influenza A virus based on symptoms, physical signs, and laboratory test results. Once diagnosed, antiviral medications should be started as early as possible, and patients should follow medical advice for rest and symptomatic treatment.
