Is influenza A severe?
Disease description:
Contracting H1N1 flu, experiencing body fever, headache, fatigue, feeling very unwell. Unsure about the severity of H1N1 flu, wondering if H1N1 flu is generally serious under normal circumstances?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Ren Yi
Influenza A is just influenza A. If the illness is mild, it usually is not severe. However, if complications develop, the condition might be more serious.
Influenza A virus is a virus that causes flu in humans and animals, characterized by high contagiousness and rapid transmission. The severity of influenza A infection varies among individuals. Most people experience flu-like symptoms after infection, such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, and fatigue, which typically resolve spontaneously within a week. In such cases, the illness generally is not severe.
If patients do not receive timely and effective treatment after contracting influenza A, various complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, and encephalitis may develop. In severe cases, it can even lead to life-threatening conditions such as respiratory failure and heart failure.
Particularly children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as those with chronic cardiovascular diseases, are at higher risk of developing severe illness and complications, and their conditions might be more severe.
During influenza season, attention should be paid to personal hygiene, frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with infected individuals, maintaining good ventilation, wearing masks, and avoiding crowded places.
