Influenza A + B virus

Influenza is a viral respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus (Influenza virus)

The influenza virus has 4 strains, two of which are most virulent in humans. The types that mainly affect humans are Influenza A and B (Influenza A, B), and are responsible for the seasonal winter epidemics, where they affect large numbers of people. In particular, the influenza A virus is known to cause influenza pandemics in the global community with a new mutation.

Influenza A virus

More specifically, the influenza A virus consists of 2 proteins, (H) hemagglutinin and (N) neuraminidase. Hemagglutinin (H) has 18 subtypes (H1 to H18) and neuraminidase (N) 11 (N1 to N11). Influenza A virus subtypes also occur in several birds and in nature, which can create new mutations of the virus. Mutations occur when 2 different types of virus infect the same host and exchange genetic information. One of the most well-known new strains is H5N8, also known as “Bird Flu”. The most common types of influenza A virus found in humans are those that cause Seasonal Influenza H1N1 and H3N2.

Influenza B virus

It is similar to influenza A virus in terms of symptoms and clinical picture. Influenza B virus is only transmitted from person to person. Influenza B virus is more common in children.

Because influenza A can be transmitted from animals to humans it is more likely to cause pandemics. Influenza B, while highly contagious, only spreads from person to person and does not usually cause pandemics.

Modes of transmission of the influenza virus

The main mode of transmission of the influenza virus is airborne, through droplets (coughing, sneezing) from an infected person. In some cases, the virus can be transmitted from an infected bird and direct human contact without any protection.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Flu symptoms include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny Nose
• stuffy or congested nose
• Muscle pains
• Headache
• Fatigue
• More rarely in adults vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms appear mainly in children.
• Flu symptoms can appear at any time and the peak lasts for about 3-5 days. After this period, the fever, cough, and severe symptoms may subside but the feeling of fatigue may last for several days.

Flu Treatment

Treatment of the flu includes treatment with antiviral drugs and antipyretic-analgesics after consultation with your doctor.

For the flu, there are vaccines that protect against the disease and are recommended for susceptible groups and high-risk groups at least once a year.

Methods of Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the influenza virus type can be made through molecular testing from Startbio. Through molecular testing we can ascertain if we are sick with a strain of the flu virus

The process takes a few minutes and does not require any preparation.

Startbio offers molecular testing packages to determine the strain (A or B) as well as to type (H1N1 / H3N2 / H5N1) you have contracted.

Many times the symptoms of Covid-19 and the flu virus can be quite similar. This can confuse the patient and the Doctor as to which treatment to follow. Determining the type of infection (Covid-19 or the flu virus) is necessary for the doctor to prepare a suitable treatment plan.

The genetic type test packages you can find in Startbio are the following:

What are the differences between Flu and Covid-19?

Allergies : StartBio answers the most frequently asked questions about allergies that concern you and your child.