Signs and Symptoms of Influenza A
Influenza A, or flu, is an acute respiratory infection that typically occurs during seasonal transitions. Common strains of the influenza A virus include A/H1N1, A/H3N2, A/H5N1, and A/H7N9, with the latter two commonly circulating in poultry. These viruses can infect humans and lead to outbreaks.
When the influenza virus enters the body, it invades various organs and tissues, causing edema in the lungs and damage to blood vessels, resulting in congestion, hemorrhage, and necrosis of respiratory epithelial cells. This provides an opportunity for bacteria to invade the lungs, leading to severe secondary infections.
Bacterial pneumonia can develop from an upper respiratory infection that spreads to the lower respiratory tract. Symptoms of pneumonia include productive cough with green or yellow sputum, increasing fever, and chest pain during deep breathing.
Pneumonia can lead to severe complications such as necrotizing pneumonia and respiratory failure, making treatment much more challenging.
Influenza A is typically self-limiting, but in some cases, it can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Patients with influenza A may experience breathing difficulties, rapid breathing, bloody sputum, and oxygen deficiency, which can become life-threatening. Other common symptoms of influenza A include coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue. These symptoms often resolve without specific treatment.
However, when influenza A progresses to a severe stage, complications such as ear infections, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, high fever with seizures, productive cough, chest pain, pneumonia, and other cardiovascular issues may arise.
The symptoms of influenza A can vary depending on the individual’s health and may range from mild to severe.
What to Look Out For: Influenza A Taking a Turn for the Worse
When influenza A takes a turn for the worse and complications arise, individuals may experience restlessness, lethargy, drowsiness, or unresponsiveness. In more severe cases, seizures and loss of consciousness may occur.
Breathing patterns may change, with rapid breathing and retractions of the chest wall during inhalation. While resting, the individual may exhibit labored breathing, and their lips may appear pale or bluish.
Additionally, their hands and feet may feel cold to the touch, their lips may be dry, their skin may feel clammy, and their radial pulse may be weak or absent. A drop in blood pressure may also be observed.
If any of these warning signs are present, immediate medical attention is crucial, and the individual should be taken to the nearest hospital for emergency care.
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