What are the clinical symptoms of influenza A? How to treat it? How to prevent influenza A virus infection?

After the spring semester started, more kindergarten children got sick. Many children started with high fever and mild dry cough, and were diagnosed with influenza A after laboratory tests. Since everyone has different understandings of influenza A, this issue of science popularization will talk about this disease.

Influenza A generally refers to influenza A (H1N1) , an acute respiratory infectious disease. Another seasonal influenza A virus that is prevalent worldwide is influenza A (H3N2). Since 2009, the new influenza A (H1N1) has been prevalent worldwide. In August 2010, the World Health Organization announced that the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic had ended.

The general population is susceptible to the new influenza A (H1N1) virus, which generally manifests as flu symptoms. A few cases have severe illness and progress rapidly, and may develop viral pneumonia, combined with respiratory failure, multiple organ damage, and even death in severe cases.

Source of infection

Mainly patients, followed by asymptomatic latently infected people.

Infection route

1 Respiratory transmission

Influenza A is highly contagious and is mainly transmitted through the respiratory tract. The virus can be transmitted to healthy people through droplets, saliva, secretions, etc.

2 Indirect contact transmission

Influenza A can also cause infection in healthy people through contaminated clothing, tableware, toiletries and other items via the digestive tract or conjunctiva.

Clinical symptoms

Influenza A virus is a respiratory virus, and children and the elderly are susceptible. After children are infected, the incubation period is generally 1-7 days, and the incubation period for most children is 1-3 days. Most children have an acute onset, with fever as the main manifestation. The body temperature can reach above 38°C in a few hours, accompanied by symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, cough, sputum, headache, and general fatigue. Because children have low immunity, they are prone to complications of bronchitis and pneumonia after infection, among which secondary bacterial pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia are more common. It may also cause myocarditis and pericarditis. Fulminant myocarditis caused by influenza A is something that clinicians need to pay great attention to. There are also encephalitis and epileptic seizures. Neurological complications often occur 1 to 4 days after the onset of respiratory infection symptoms, manifested as unexplained convulsions, changes in mental state, and even edema and intracranial hypertension.

Detection Methods

It mainly tests for antigen nucleic acid of influenza A (H1N1) virus, and can be done by nasal swab or throat swab. A positive result of virus test indicates a diagnosis of influenza A. In addition, serological examination of children can reveal a significant increase in white blood cells and lymphocytes.

Disinfection method

The disinfection method for the environment and items used by patients with influenza A is to wipe or soak them with chlorine-containing disinfectants. For large-scale disinfection of the environment where patients with influenza A live, you can mop the floor with chlorine-containing disinfectants and disinfect the room with an air sterilizer. For the clothes, bed sheets and tableware used by patients, soak them in chlorine-containing disinfectants for half an hour before washing.

Treatment for influenza A

General population: Antipyretic, cough suppressant and other drugs can be used symptomatically.

People at high risk of severe illness or with severe conditions should be given neuraminidase inhibitors for antiviral treatment in a timely manner, such as oseltamivir, peramivir, etc. Antibiotics can be used for combined bacterial or mycoplasma infection.

How to prevent influenza A virus infection

1. Nursery institutions and schools should pay attention to indoor environmental hygiene, keep the room ventilated regularly, mop the floor frequently with chlorine-containing disinfectant, and wipe objects that children often touch, such as door handles, toys, tables and chairs, etc. Once kindergartens and schools find children suspected of influenza A, they must inform parents to seek medical treatment immediately, and after diagnosis, isolate them at home until they recover.

2. Children should develop good hygiene habits in their daily lives, wash their hands frequently, and pay attention to personal hygiene. At the same time, they should have a balanced diet, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, get enough sleep, drink warm water frequently, and increase physical exercise to ensure good health.

3. Children should avoid places where crowds gather to avoid cross infection.

4. During epidemic seasons, it is recommended to wear a mask and not spit or throw snot tissues anywhere.

5. It is recommended to go to the epidemic prevention department to get the influenza A vaccine, which can reduce the chance of infection with influenza A (H1N1).