Influenza is a virus or a bacterium

How to distinguish a common cold from a virus (ARVI): the difference and differences in treatment

Diseases, the cause of which is the hypothermia of the body, called the people "cold." Their course is very similar to a viral infection.

However, there is a difference between these pathologies. And since the treatment for these diseases is different, the doctor should be able to distinguish one from another.

Adequate diagnosis is also needed because under the mask of an ordinary disease, a dangerous influenza virus can hide, the treatment of which requires obligatory medication.

Otherwise, the disease can become complicated and lead to more serious pathologies.

How to determine the difference between a cold and a viral infection

To learn how to distinguish a cold from ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection), you need to have a complete picture of these diseases. Doctors with long experience have got used to call any respiratory tract infection the general term "ARD".

Of course, this is not wrong, but this concept does not at all point to the type of pathogen that provoked the symptoms of the disease. The causative agents of seasonal infections are divided into two groups: bacteria and viruses. This is the cardinal difference between the two diseases.

All viral infections are part of the ARVI group. These include:

1. Flu.
2. Paragripp.
3. RSV and their subtypes.
4. Rhinovirus.
5. Adenovirus.

Symptoms of the flu virus

The flu, which certainly flares up every year with the onset of cold weather, also refers to viruses that affect the respiratory (respiratory) pathways. But the flu can provoke serious complications and is always very difficult.

All acute respiratory-viral diseases have common characteristics. For the emergence of pathology, it is not enough banal hypothermia or overeating ice cream. Infection usually occurs by airborne droplets from a sick person to a healthy one.

Possible and household way of penetration of the infection into the body, that is, through:

• pieces of furniture;
• toys;
• dishes;
• money bills;
• food.

But such infection with the flu is much less common. But direct communication with a sick person, which can happen in the service, in public transport, in a store, is most often the cause of infection with the flu.

The incubation period of influenza and respiratory tract viruses is very short. The person begins to feel a malaise about 2-3 days after infection. And the flu symptoms are growing rapidly.

From the first signs, to a sharp deterioration in the condition usually takes about two hours. This is due to the fact that in a favorable environment, pathogenic microorganisms begin to multiply actively. In this case, they affect the mucous epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, which provokes the corresponding symptoms:

1. watery discharge from the nasal passages;
2. sore throat;
3. dry cough;
4. fever.

The severity of symptoms is directly proportional to the virulence of the infection. With flu, the temperature already on the first day can jump to the level of 39-40 However, with a mild infection, the temperature may not rise. Most often there is a subfebrile condition.

The prodromal period of the disease, when the body has not yet responded to the virus, but the concentration of infection is already high, also causes a deterioration in well-being. The infected person has the following symptoms:

• general malaise;
• lethargy;
• pain in the eyes and tear;
• nasal congestion in the absence of discharge from it;
• loss of appetite.

The danger of a viral infection is that "on the heels" behind it the second wave can come bacterial. This is due to the fact that local immunity is weakened by the primary virus, that is, the pathway for pathogenic bacteria is open. They begin to activate on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

That's why there are situations in which a person seems to be beginning to recover, but after a while again feels a deterioration in well-being. However, if the treatment is made adequately, this does not happen.

In patients susceptible to allergies, a viral infection often provokes a hypersensitivity reaction in which even ordinary food can cause allergy.

ARVI, depending on the pathogen, lead to different diseases of the respiratory tract. The doctor can diagnose the following pathologies in the patient:

1. Pharyngitis.
2. Rhinitis.
3. Otitis.
4. Sinusitis.
5. Bronchitis.
6. Tracheitis.
7. Tonsillitis.
8. Laryngitis.

What is the common cold and what are its symptoms?

To be able to distinguish a cold (ARI) from a viral infection (ARVI), you need to know the main symptoms of the first and the reasons for its occurrence.

Colds are a consequence of hypothermia of the body, which can be obtained:

• with freezing of hands and feet;
• if you ignore the headgear in the cold season;
• in damp weather;
• in the draft;
• when swimming in an open pool.

Under the influence of cold in the human respiratory ways begins to occur a microbial inflammatory process. What are the main characteristics of diseases caused by hypothermia?

The causative agents of the common cold are:

1. staphylococci;
2. streptococci;
3. Haemophilus influenzae.

These microorganisms are present on the mucous membranes of each person, but under appropriate conditions they are activated.

Infecting with a cold can not be prevented, and only very weak people and small children can "catch" a respiratory bacterial infection.

Under the influence of cold, the human immune system experiences stress and refuses to protect the body from the activation of opportunistic bacteria. Their reproduction leads to an infectious disease, which is accompanied by an inflammatory process.

Colds include the following diseases:

• rhinitis;
• pharyngitis;
• sinusitis;
• any angina.

And most often they arise in those patients who already have a chronic form of these pathologies.

Meanwhile, with strong immunity and in the absence of provoking factors, minor hypothermia is unlikely to provoke the disease.

The incubation period of bacterial infection is quite long (3-14 days). However, if the ARI is triggered by hypothermia, the incubation period may be reduced to 2-3 days. With a cold, the prodromal period, as a rule, is absent.

Disease after hypothermia or SARS can immediately begin with clinical manifestations.

Usually the symptoms of acute respiratory infections are clearly pronounced:

1. a sore throat;
2. severe persecution;
3. nasal obstruction;
4. Unnecessary, but thick discharge from the nose;
5. subfebrile temperature (most often) or normal parameters.

But sometimes (very rarely) the disease is not accompanied by local manifestations, and there is only a slight deterioration in the general condition, which the patient can write off for severe fatigue.

Treatment of cold should come immediately. Otherwise, a mild disease can develop into a real bacterial infection, for the elimination of which antibacterial treatment is required.

Moreover, hemolytic streptococcus, which causes most colds, can give serious complications to the heart, kidneys or joints.

Now it became clear what the common cold is different from a viral infection:

• In ARVI, infection occurs from contact with the patient, ARI is an autoinfection;
• the prodromal period in ARVI is one day, with ARI it is absent;
• SARS is characterized by a bright start, the symptoms of colds are usually blurred (with the exception of any one sign);
• discharge from the nose in ARVI are abundant and liquid, with a cold they are either absent altogether or have a thick consistency.

Methods of treatment of ARVI

In order to prescribe an adequate treatment for a cold, it is important for the doctor to know what it provoked. Why? The answer is very simple: if you prescribe antibiotics to a patient with a viral infection, the drugs will only weaken the immune system of the body, but they will not affect the cause of the disease.

This will lead to the fact that the patient will develop a dysbacteriosis and resistance of pathogenic bacteria present on the mucous throat and nose. The body will lose the ability to resist a viral infection, the disease will be protracted and can result in serious complications.

Treatment of viral infections should take place according to the following scheme: First of all, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs:

1. Cytovir 3.
2. Isoprinosine.
3. Kagocel.
4. Remantadine.
5. Interferon.
6. Viferon.

If the body temperature rose to 38.5 and higher, antipyretic medicines are indicated:

• Cefephecon.
• Paracetamol.
• Nyz.
• Ibuprofen.
• Nurofen.

In the early stages of influenza with a dry cough, antitussive agents and mucolytics that dilute sputum are required:

1. Libexin.
2. Sinecod.
3. Ambrogen.
4. Bromhexine.
5. Mukaltin.

Treatment requires the intake of vitamin complexes and restorative drugs that stimulate the body's resistance.

Drugs that relieve pain and sore throat:

• Septhotte.
• Ajicept.
• Lizobakt.
• Tantum Verde.
• Hexoral.
• Furacilin solution for rinsing.

In addition, it is recommended to perform daily inhalation of the larynx and nasopharynx with saline or mineral water. This procedure is necessary for moisturizing and softening the mucous membrane.

To flush the infection, you need to wash your nose several times a day with salt water. With this procedure, mucus is better excreted from the nasal sinuses, which prevents the development of sinusitis.

The patient needs to provide bed rest, in extreme cases, children should be prohibited moving games.

The patient's room needs to be ventilated several times a day and moistened in it. The patient needs to drink as much as possible, for this are good:

1. herbal infusions and decoctions;
2. tea with raspberries;
3. tea with honey and lemon;
4. lime infusion;
5. fruit drinks, fruit drinks and kissels.

Medicamental therapy is recommended to be supported by all kinds of folk remedies. In the course are all acceptable recipes.

The food of the sick person should be rich in vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to eat more garlic and onions.

These products contain phytoncide - a natural antiviral component.

Treatment of colds

Treatment of acute respiratory disease is different from the methods used in ARVI. If a week after starting therapy the patient does not feel relief, then the bacterial infection has joined the virus infection. In this case, the patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs.

With a mild cold, it is sometimes enough to rinse your nose and water it with drops containing antibiotics. With severe rhinitis and swelling of the nasal mucosa, breathing can be improved with vasoconstrictive drops.

To get rid of perspiration and sore throat is possible resorption of Grammidine tablets or irrigation with Bioparox aerosol. The only condition - all these drugs should appoint a doctor.

Cope with colds will help Sprays TeraFlu Lar, Stopangin, Geksoral. The patient shows an abundant drink, thermal compresses on the throat.

In the absence of the effect of local therapy, systemic antibiotics are usually prescribed:

• Erythromycin.
• Azithromycin.
• Amoxiclav.
• Flemoxin.

This is especially necessary if the disease passes into the stage of bronchitis or tracheitis.

Prevention of ARVI and ARI

Since the reasons for the development of these diseases are different, preventive measures should also be different. However, there are common points.

To prevent an off-season virus, it is necessary:

1. avoid the place of a large crowd of people;
2. wear a face mask;
3. use the means that form a protective film in the nose (Nazoval);
4. to exclude contacts with sick people;
5. do preventive vaccinations.

In order not to develop a cold, a person must strengthen his immunity. For this you need:

• to eat well;
• to be hardened;
• Expose the body to sports loads;
• visit salt caves;
• often walk in the open air;
• eradicate bad habits;
• sleep well.

All these measures are also good for the prevention of ARVI, since strong immunity is a guarantee that a small amount of the virus that got into the body, just die there and can not provoke the ailment.

In conclusion, the expert will tell you how to correctly distinguish between flu and cold.

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How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection? How to identify - a viral or bacterial infection?

To understand how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial "cold", or rather, by the general condition of a child or an adult during a cold disease, it is quite possible. This does not require special knowledge. One has only to listen to the advice of pediatricians and carefully observe the patient's condition. That, in turn, will serve as a good help in the correct diagnosis and choice of treatment tactics.

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection? Komarovsky gives advice

The famous pediatrician Eugene Komarovsky argues that it is very important for parents to understand the main differences between viruses and bacteria. To do this, it is necessary to understand how the viruses work.

Their fundamental feature is that they are not able to reproduce without other cells. Viruses are introduced into the cell and force it to make copies of them. Thus, in each infected cell there are several thousand. And the cell in this case most often dies or becomes unable to perform its functions, which causes the person certain symptoms of the disease.

Viruses are selective in cell selection

By the way, one more feature of viruses will be able to tell how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one. Komarovsky in his works asserts that these microorganisms are very selective in choosing a cell suitable for reproduction. And they capture only the one that they can then force to work for themselves. For example, the hepatitis virus can only reproduce in liver cells, and the influenza virus prefers cells of the mucous membranes of the bronchi or trachea.

In addition, it can cause certain diseases only in specific biological species. For example, precisely because the smallpox virus could exist only in the human body, it is completely Disappeared from nature after the introduction of mandatory vaccinations, which were carried out throughout the world for 22 years.

What determines the severity of a viral infection

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection can also be understood by the specific features of the course of a viral infection. They depend on what kind of cells and how many were affected by it. It is clear that penetration, for example in encephalitis, of viruses into brain cells is a much more dangerous condition than the defeat of the nasal mucosa in influenza.

The course of the disease is also affected by the fact that human cells change in a certain way during life. So, due to the fact that in children the main liver cells (hepatocytes) have not yet been formed, it is difficult for the viruses to develop in them, and therefore children under the age of almost do not get hepatitis A. In older children, this disease passes fairly easily, but in adults, hepatitis is a serious disease. The same applies to viruses that cause rubella, measles and chickenpox.

By the way, in some cases the virus, having penetrated into the cage, does not develop in it, but ceases, being there in the "dormant" state, ready at a convenient opportunity to put us before a question how to distinguish a virus infection from bacterial at adults and children.

SARS: signs of these diseases

In our reasoning, one should not miss the fact that many diseases are referred to as SARS, but a whole group of ailments that are based on infection with a large number of various viruses.

In order to distinguish one virus from another, it is required to make tests. But they are carried out by doctors, if necessary, and for parents it will be enough to remember how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection.

The most characteristic sign of acute respiratory viral infection is a rapid onset. If the upper respiratory tract is affected, then one can observe:

• a strong temperature rise, up to 40 ° C (all depends on the pathogen);
• acute rhinitis - transparent mucus is abundantly allocated from the nose, which is often accompanied by lacrimation;
• Perspiration and pain appear in the throat, the voice becomes hoarse, a dry cough arises;
• the patient feels symptoms of general intoxication: aching muscles, weakness, chills, headache and lack of appetite.

How Eugene Komarovsky describes bacterial infections

Explaining how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in a child, Komarowski separately tells about the peculiarities of bacteria.

Bacteria are microorganisms that, unlike viruses, can develop independently. For them, the main thing is to find a suitable place for nutrition and reproduction, and this causes diseases in the human body.

To combat bacteria, many drugs (antibiotics) have been invented. But these microorganisms have one more unique feature - they mutate, adapting to new conditions and hampering the process of getting rid of them.

Bacteria most often do not require a specific habitat, like viruses. Staphylococcus, for example, can exist anywhere, causing inflammation in the lungs, and on the skin, and in bones, and in the intestines.

Than bacteria are dangerous for the human body

And, of course, the main thing in the matter of how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection is the determination of the harm that certain microorganisms can cause.

If we talk about bacteria, then it itself, as a rule, does not cause our body much damage. The greatest danger is contained in the products of its vital activity - toxins, which are nothing more than poisons. It is their specific effect on our body that explains the symptoms of each particular disease.

And the bacterium, and its toxins, the human body reacts the same way as the viruses, producing antibodies.

By the way, in most bacteria, toxins are produced in the process of their death. And they are called endotoxins. And in a small number of bacteria, toxins are released during the life process (exotoxins). They are considered the most dangerous poisons of all known. Under their influence, there are diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, gas gangrene, botulism and anthrax.

What are the symptoms of respiratory tract disease caused by bacteria?

Knowing how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection, you do not miss the onset of a new wave of the disease.

Bacterial infection quite often joins the already existing viral, since the latter has time to greatly weaken the immunity of the patient. That is, the already existing symptoms of acute respiratory infections are associated with otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis or other diseases.

The onset of bacterial respiratory tract infection is usually not pronounced (the temperature rises slightly and gradually, the general state changes imperceptibly), but the leak may be more severe. And if the virus infection is expressed by a general malaise, the bacterial infection, as a rule, has a clear dislocation. That is, you can always understand what the bacteria were struck - the nose (sinusitis), the ear (acute, middle or purulent otitis) or the throat (bacterial angina).

• From the nose there are thick purulent discharge. Cough is most often wet, and sputum is difficult to leave.
• On the tonsils is formed plaque. There are signs of bronchitis.

Unfortunately, bacteria, as you have already seen, can cause more serious problems - bronchitis, pneumonia or even meningitis. Therefore, combating them with antibiotics is extremely necessary to prevent the serious development of the disease. But remember, these medicines are prescribed only by a doctor!

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial by a blood test

Of course, the main difference between bacterial and viral infections will be the results of blood tests.

So, in the presence of viruses, the number of leukocytes does not increase, and sometimes even slightly below the norm. The leukocyte formula can change only due to an increase in the number of monocytes and lymphocytes, as well as a decrease in the number of neutrophils. ESR in this case may slightly increase, although in cases with severe course of SARS it can be high.

Bacterial infections entail, as a rule, an increase in the number of leukocytes, which is provoked by an increase in the number of neutrophils. The percentage of lymphocytes decreases, but the number of stab neutrophils and young forms, myelocytes, increases. ESR is often quite high.

The main signs by which you can distinguish between viral and bacterial infections

So, let's sum up how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in children and adults. Common signs of all viral infections can be reduced to the following list:

• From the moment of infection to the first manifestations of the disease passes one to three days;
• another day or three last the symptoms of intoxication and allergies to viruses;
• and the disease itself begins with a high temperature, and its first signs are rhinitis, pharyngitis and conjunctivitis.

Bacteria, in contrast to viruses, develop more slowly. Very often a bacterial infection is layered on an already existing viral disease. The main sign of bacterial infection is clearly expressed place of its "application". And now once again we list the signs of a bacterial infection:

• a slow onset, often manifested as a second wave of viral infection;
• long (up to 2 weeks) period from the onset of infection to the first manifestations of the disease;
• not very high temperature and a clear expression of the lesion focus.

Do not pull with a doctor's advice!

Knowing how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in a child by analyzing blood and by general signs, still do not try to make conclusions on your own and prescribe a treatment.

And in the situations listed below, an emergency specialist's help is extremely necessary:

• the temperature of the patient rises to 40 ° C and above and besides it is badly knocked down by antipyretic agents;
• consciousness becomes confused, or fainting;
• on the body there is a rash or small hemorrhages;
• in the chest, painful sensations are detected during breathing, as well as its difficulty (especially a serious sign is the allocation of pink sputum when coughing);
• From the respiratory tract, there are discharges of green or brown color, having impurities of blood;
• there are chest pains that do not depend on breathing.

Do not hesitate to consult a doctor, and the patient's health will be restored!

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Fighting the influenza virus

Flu is the most common seasonal disease associated with lung damage.The cause of the disease is the influenza virus, which is characterized by a huge number of species and their characteristics.The degree of severity of the disease and the individual tolerability of it by a sick person directly depends on the state of the immune system. The greatest risk of the disease can be for young children, pregnant women and the elderly due to their vulnerability to this pathology. The seasonal flu gets a special breadth of development. The time of its activity comes in the autumn-winter period with the aggravation of the epidemiological situation in the region.

This viral disease is characterized by the fact that it has acquired the status of an annual phenomenon that mutates, is complicated new strains, so during the onset of colds, it is necessary to clearly understand what is the flu and how to deal with it.

Danger of influenza

Every year, a large number of people die from the flu. Most of them are children and elderly people with weakened immunity. The peculiarity of the disease is that it can cause significant harm to the human body, affecting its various organs and systems. The big threat is influenza at conception of the child, in view of the fact that spreading, he starts to develop toxic substances that adversely affect human organs. Influenza viruses destroy all the environment favorable for engraftment of the fetus and can cause a miscarriage. If the fetus nevertheless begins to develop, the heavy influence of the virus can cause a number of pathologies in the genital area, respiratory and other body systems. Therefore, the flu and conception are not compatible.

In addition to the probability of getting an inflammatory process in the lungs (pneumonia), the flu is dangerous and the development of diseases such as otitis, pleurisy and bronchitis in a complicated form. Pleurisy is dangerous and insidious because it affects the shell, which covers the lungs.

Purulent inflammation of the middle ear - otitis, can cause not only inflammation in the ears, but also the neck and teeth. The flu that caused complications can cause this disease to be chronic, which is fraught with constant suppuration from the ears, frequent inflammation, and with severe form and partial loss of hearing. The greatest danger at any stage of the flu is the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the airways through which oxygen passes into the lungs. The bronchial mucosa is damaged, thereby creating conditions for the multiplication of bacteria. If the patient does all the recommendations for the flu, then the shell can recover. But in another course of circumstances, the ailment can cause serious pathological changes in the body.

Every year, doctors set a single indicator of the epidemiological threshold of influenza. Despite preventive measures against the disease, the epidemic threshold for influenza changes its indicators annually, and most of it is made up of children and the elderly.

Clinical picture

The mechanism of development and origin of the disease is that the pathogenesis of influenza has a number of characteristics. At the beginning of the autumn-winter period, very often patients are confused with influenza and parainfluenza.

These two states have a completely different picture of development. Influenza is an acute, sudden and severe disease that begins with a lung injury. Parainfluenza manifests itself gradually with headache, coughing, runny nose and changes in voice. The dominant influenza virus in the beginning of winter is seasonal, which gradually changes into a type A virus and all its subtypes.

The classification of influenza has its own peculiarity: for many years infectious diseases have divided this disease into three types: influenza A, B and C. Of all forms, type C is the safest and easiest in its clinical development: it does not cause an epidemic and is characterized as a mild respiratory disease.

The type of influenza A virus has a variety of complicated forms. The reason for this was the mutation of influenza, which leads to completely different reactions of the patient to the same type of virus. As a result of such a feature, many people who have weak immunity, very hard to tolerate the flu. The first type of illness is classified as seasonal. Sometimes, especially at the first stages of manifestation, its symptoms can be confused with catarrhal diseases, its course looks like ARVI, ARI. This type of disease begins because people are infected with the virus as a result of being permanently in stuffy, enclosed spaces with a large number of those present. This type of influenza is characterized by a number of complications, including:

• the appearance of bacterial pneumonia;
• violation of water balance in the body;
• exacerbation of concomitant diseases;
• an inflammation of the ears.

To treat this type of disease virus doctors recommend immediately anti-influenza drugs. In addition, do not forget about wearing a gauze bandage so as not to infect the surrounding people with airborne droplets. It is mandatory to use vitamins and other means that strengthen the immune system. Influenza in adults and children is treated almost equally, the difference is only the dosage.

Another subtype of virus A in medical practice was called avian influenza, in which the carriers of the virus are poultry. Symptoms of this disease are very similar to colds, but can be complicated by the appearance of pneumonia and heavy breathing. As a rule, if this type of infection occurs, patients die if treatment is not started at the earliest stages.

The third type is swine flu. It is very similar in its symptoms with seasonal, but it adds high body temperature, fever, cough, bowel disorder, lung damage. Treatment procedures are appointed depending on the patient's immunity and on what signs of the disease predominate.

This type of illness requires that the treatment be carried out at home. The patient needs bed rest with the doctor's therapy. With proper and timely treatment, the patient can count on recovery.

Types of disease

It is customary to distinguish between such types of influenza as:

• atypical;
• highly pathogenic;
• intestinal.

Atypical flu begins very quickly and differs from seasonal flu with serious complications. He is very cunning, because a person can get sick in any season, even in the summer. His unexpected appearance indicates that the virus is in the air constantly, which causes danger.

Highly pathogenic influenza is a disease that occurs as a result of a specific strain of the virus, for example, avian flu, and poses a huge threat to human life.

No less dangerous is rotavirus influenza, which appears as a result of rotavirus intestinal infection.

In view of the fact that the incubation period of the disease is about five days, the patient becomes a carrier of the infection from the very first days. Although after an illness the body produces a permanent immunity to this type of virus, a person can get sick twice. In the course of the disease, the intestinal mucosa is affected, and its inflammation begins.

Very often people confuse their flu-like condition with common colds. But there are features of the flu and it is necessary to clearly distinguish between its symptoms and cold symptoms, since improper treatment or neglected flu can lead to poor results. With the flu, the disease begins sharply, with a cold - sluggish. Colds are characterized by low temperature.

With flu, fever for several hours passes into a severe form and gives a high body temperature.

Characteristic for the common cold is the preservation of working capacity, there are no symptoms of intoxication, there is no severe headache. With the flu, there are symptoms such as photophobia, severe headache and temporal pain, dizziness, muscle aches. During the examination of the throat, a plaque is often observed in the tongue, which may indicate a strong toxicity of the body. Cough and a feeling of heaviness in the chest for a cold are observed almost immediately. With influenza, such symptoms can occur only on the second day.

Quite often, the flu causes reddening of the eyes. Even after two or three weeks after the treatment of the disease, the patient may experience rapid fatigue, loss of strength, sleep disturbance, irritability.

Historical epidemics of influenza

In the world medical practice cases are known when, during the pandemic (epidemic) of influenza, the most dangerous were varieties of the influenza virus, leading to mass deaths. Among such it is worth noting the deadly Spanish flu, which killed more than fifty million people. This is the most terrible epidemic in the history of mankind, which has gone into oblivion and today is not a threat to the world community.

At present, there is a so-called goat flu - fever Ku, which is spread by infected animals. A person can become infected with the virus of this flu only by close contact with the animal, or by eating his meat.

When infected with goat flu, a person increases the size of the spleen and liver, a rash appears on the body, the pupils turn red and the symptoms of pneumonia develop. To date, cases of infection have been reported only in the Netherlands.

Today, the once dangerous Hong Kong flu, caused by the A (H3N2) virus, is a seasonal flu and spreads to South Korea and China. Its name was received because of the main distribution in Hong Kong in 1969.

Modern infectious disease noted a few years ago the emergence of a new viral variety, which, despite a very small threat to the world, gained wide publicity and led to a worldwide panic. This is a type of disease, like Chinese flu. After studying the molecular structure of the virus, scientists excluded him from the list of dangerous, giving him the status of Chinese seasonal flu.

Preventive measures

One of the most important moments in the treatment of the disease is its prevention. People prone to catarrhal and viral diseases should prepare in advance to make the flu as easy as possible.

The basis of prevention includes several components that help to withstand the disease qualitatively. It is easier to survive the incidence of influenza due to a timely vaccination. To date, there are two types of vaccines: live and inactivated. Live vaccines have a group of non-contagious and weakened viruses, inactivated do not contain live viruses. Vaccines "Grippol", "Microgen", "Fluarix", "Influvac" are very popular.

Strengthening the body in the fight against influenza plays an important role. The use of vitaminized foods in the daily diet will help replenish the supply of useful substances, strengthen the body. Particular attention should be paid to vitamin C and group B.

In a period of complicated epidemiological situation, it is better not to visit places with a large number of people. This will help protect yourself from infection. A good antiviral is washing the nose with a solution of sea salt. To prevent the drying out of the mucous membrane, it is necessary to keep the air humidified in the apartment. This will help to avoid the accumulation and penetration into the nasopharyngeal mucosa of pathogenic bacteria that cause the reproduction of a viral infection and lead to the spread of the disease with influenza. Do not forget that you have to begin to temper the body from the summer. Water procedures, cold wiping can be done at home and in winter.

Particularly dangerous is self-medication, the use of methods of traditional medicine, which can not only complicate the process of recovery, but also lead to serious consequences. Only strict adherence to medical recommendations can give a positive result in the treatment of the disease.

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We learn - how is the flu transmitted?

The source of infection is an infected person, from this it becomes clear how the flu is transmitted. This disease belongs to the number of viral. The main lesions are localized in the lower and upper respiratory tract. The flu is accompanied by severe intoxication of the body, which can lead to serious complications. The likelihood of a lethal outcome is not ruled out.

The main types of virus

To date, there are three main types of the disease:

• virus type A;
• virus type B;
• type C virus.

The first type of influenza is especially dangerous. And people and animals can suffer from it. Each epidemic is characterized by its severity. This type of virus previously prevailed between certain species of animals. For example, swiftly spreading among birds, it could be dangerous only for them. To date, the viruses are mutating, so this pattern is not met. Now the flu of animals is dangerous for people.

The virus type A2 is distributed among the infected population.It is subdivided according to the surface antigen into hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.H5 and H7 are especially dangerous, they can lead to death. The recent avian influenza A (H1N1) virus worried health professionals. After all, it is dangerous not only for birds, but also for people. Avian influenza viruses, transmitted by airborne droplets, can lead to serious consequences for humans.

Type B. This type of influenza is found only among people. Characterized by a severe reaction, but compared with type A is much easier to tolerate.

Virus S. This variety is the most innocuous. It does not cause severe symptoms and epidemics. The type C virus is poorly understood. Symptomatology is easy, sometimes it does not manifest at all.

Source of disease transmission

The main source of infection is an infected person. The virus is able to stand out together with sputum, saliva and secreted secretion from the nose. Often, infection occurs when sneezing and coughing. The virus can get on the mucous membrane of the eyes and nose. It penetrates the respiratory tract immediately through the air. This is possible with close contact with a sick person.

Infiltrating the body with the influenza virus, begins to multiply rapidly. After all, these conditions are favorable for him. It is sufficient for several hours before the complete destruction of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. This place is one of the most favorite. The disease does not affect other organs, it concentrates exclusively in the respiratory tract. From this point of view, expressions like "intestinal flu" are not appropriate. After all, the disease is not capable of affecting other organs and systems of the body.

To date, there are no major protective mechanisms that are capable of provoking recovery. After 5 days, the virus stops reproduction on its own. It is during this period that a person becomes absolutely safe for others. Gradually, recovery comes.

Mechanism of disease transmission

The ways of influenza transmission do not include several varieties of this process. The disease can enter the human body only through the air or as a result of eating contaminated meat with insufficient processing. The viral aerosol released by the patient contains highly dispersed and low-dispersed particles. Besides them, there are drops of different sizes.

As mentioned above, the main way of transmission of the disease is airborne. Viruses that cause acute respiratory ailments are localized in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Moreover, they are characterized by their tropism towards them. This indicates that the virus just gets on the mucosa for further reproduction.

Any infection that penetrates the body, can cause those reactions that are necessary for its successful spread.

Respiratory viruses lead to the development of coughing, tearing and sneezing.

During these processes, some of the malicious viruses are isolated from the human body. In close contact with other people, the particles actively settle on their mucous membrane. It's enough just to breathe in the virus. However, infection does not always happen, it all depends on the strength of the body's immune system and the type of the virus itself.

There is another way of transferring the disease - contact. We can consider it more dangerous than airborne. However, many people are confused when they hear about this mode of transmission. Most of them believe that the flu can be transmitted sexually. Such a judgment is not true. The contact path implies somewhat different. During coughing or sneezing, a person covers his face with his hand. This contributes to the settling of bacteria on its limbs. By hand with bacteria, a person can touch various objects or make a handshake. Thus, all viruses end up on the limbs of a healthy person. Not compliance with the rules of hygiene easily settles bacteria in the body. This entails infection. Viruses easily spread and multiply in the human body.

It is worth noting the fact that most bacteria are resistant to the effects of the external environment. They can persist on objects for a long time. This indicates that infection can not occur immediately.

respiratoria.ru

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