What is the difference between influenza A and influenza B?

Winter and spring are the peak seasons for influenza. If you are not careful, your family and friends will be infected and have symptoms such as coughing and fever. Some people have influenza A, while others have influenza B. So what is the difference between influenza A and influenza B?

From the perspective of the scope of spread:

Influenza A can infect humans, mammals and birds and has a wide range of transmission;

Influenza B only infects humans and pigs and is less prevalent, but can also cause large-scale epidemics, such as face-to-face, or in kindergartens or even school classes.

Influenza A and B are both highly contagious. When a person infected with either virus coughs or sneezes, the virus can spread rapidly through droplets.

From the perspective of symptoms:

The incubation period of influenza A is relatively long, generally 1-3 days, and can be up to 7 days. Influenza A initially presents symptoms similar to those of common flu, but the body temperature is relatively high, generally exceeding 39°C, muscle aches, accompanied by dizziness, headache, diarrhea, vomiting and other symptoms or some of them, while respiratory symptoms are mild or not obvious.

The typical symptoms of influenza B are similar to those of influenza A: such as persistent high fever (over 39 or even 40 degrees), mental depression, mild respiratory symptoms, dry throat, sore throat, dry cough and other symptoms, sometimes accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea.

There are other symptoms that can help identify influenza B. For example, if you are infected with influenza B, you will have flushing of the face, bloodshot eyes, and congestion of the pharynx. When you open your mouth, you will find follicles on the soft palate. Some children also have calf pain (calf pain is caused by influenza B).

Inspection methods:

The inspection methods for influenza A and influenza B mainly include:

1. Influenza virus nucleic acid test: By collecting respiratory samples from patients (such as throat swabs, nasal swabs, sputum, etc.), real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing is performed to detect influenza virus nucleic acid. This is the most commonly used detection method, which can quickly and accurately determine whether the patient is infected with the influenza virus and what type of influenza virus is infected.

2. Influenza virus antigen test: By collecting respiratory samples from patients and testing them with a rapid influenza antigen test kit, preliminary results can be obtained in a short time.

3. Serological testing: Determine whether the patient is infected with the influenza virus by testing the level of influenza virus-specific antibodies in the patient's serum.

Disease prevention advice

In addition to maintaining good personal hygiene habits, avoiding crowded public places, and maintaining a good work and rest schedule, it is recommended that you pay attention to the following points:

First, if you have fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue, body aches and other discomfort symptoms, you should go to a medical institution in time, and do not self-diagnose and take medicine. Because the medication methods for viral infections and bacterial infections are different, you cannot blindly use "anti-inflammatory drugs".

Secondly, if you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough, you should isolate and treat them in time. Influenza patients are most contagious on the 2nd to 4th day after onset. During this stage, you cannot go to work or school while sick, and it is easy to spread the virus to people around you. During the home isolation treatment stage, you should also pay attention to maintaining relative isolation from your family, especially if there are elderly people and young children at home.

Third, whether it is a collective unit such as a school, childcare institution or a home environment, cross ventilation should be carried out at least twice a day, each time for 10-15 minutes. Thoroughly refreshing the indoor air can effectively reduce the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms in the air and reduce the risk of human infection and disease.

Finally, it should still be emphasized that influenza vaccination is the most economical and effective way to prevent influenza. Especially young children, the elderly, patients with underlying diseases and pregnant women. Getting vaccinated can significantly reduce your chances of getting the flu, thereby reducing your risk of serious complications or aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions.