Jakarta, ThedailyID — Influenza A and regular flu can look similar at first. Both can cause fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue.
However, the two can differ in how quickly symptoms appear and how intense they become. Knowing the differences can help people recognize when an illness may need medical attention.
Influenza itself comes from viruses in four main types: A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B cause most seasonal outbreaks.
Influenza A gets particular attention because it can also cause pandemics. The virus can change through two processes known as antigenic drift and antigenic shift.
The virus can also move between animals and humans. Scientists classify Influenza A variants based on two surface proteins, hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).
Influenza A spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. People can also become infected after touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their face.
Crowded places and poorly ventilated rooms can increase the risk of transmission.
One of the clearest differences appears in how the illness starts. Regular flu-like illnesses can develop gradually over one or two days.
Influenza A can appear much more suddenly. People may experience a rapid onset of intense symptoms and feel severely unwell within a short time.
High fever is one common symptom of Influenza A. Body temperature can reach around 38 to 40 degrees Celsius.
Severe muscle and joint pain can also occur, particularly in the back and limbs. Headaches and extreme fatigue are other common symptoms.
People with Influenza A may also develop a dry cough, sore throat, and blocked nose. Some patients can experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, especially children.
The timing of transmission also makes Influenza A difficult to identify. An infected person can spread the virus about one day before symptoms appear.
Transmission can continue for around five to seven days after symptoms begin. As a result, someone who looks healthy may still spread the virus.
The biggest concern comes when symptoms become severe. Difficulty breathing or worsening shortness of breath requires immediate medical attention.
Severe chest pain or pressure can also signal a serious complication. Sudden confusion or reduced consciousness requires urgent medical care as well.
Other warning signs include a high fever that does not improve after taking fever-reducing medicine. Bluish lips or fingernails also require immediate attention.
People should also seek medical help if their condition suddenly worsens after initially improving. This pattern can indicate a secondary bacterial infection.
Influenza can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and respiratory failure. In severe cases, complications can become life-threatening.
Globally, seasonal influenza causes around one billion infections each year. Health organizations estimate that 3 to 5 million cases become severe, while respiratory complications contribute to 290,000 to 650,000 deaths annually.
So, while Influenza A and regular flu can share similar symptoms, their onset and intensity can differ. Sudden high fever, severe body aches, extreme fatigue, or breathing problems deserve particular attention.
