What is influenza A?
Disease description:
Recently, I heard that some friends around me have contracted influenza A, which has made me very worried. I don't know much about this disease, except that it is a respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Could you please explain what kind of illness influenza A actually is?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Ren Yi
Influenza A, short for Influenza A virus infection, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the Influenza A virus. The Influenza A virus has multiple subtypes, such as H1N1 and H3N2. These viruses tend to mutate easily, leading to rapid transmission and a high likelihood of widespread epidemics.
The primary transmission route of Influenza A is via respiratory droplets. For example, when an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets containing the virus can be inhaled by people nearby, resulting in infection. It can also spread indirectly through contact with virus-contaminated hands or daily objects.
After contracting Influenza A, people generally experience symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. Severe cases may lead to complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, which can significantly harm health. Particularly at higher risk of developing severe illness are elderly individuals, children, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions.
If symptoms resembling Influenza A occur, prompt medical attention should be sought, and isolation measures should be taken to prevent spreading the virus to others. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle—including balanced nutrition, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep—can help strengthen immunity and reduce the risk of infection.
