How Long Does the Flu Last?
Influenza – is a highly infectious virus, which flows from general intoxication, the inflammation of upper respiratory tract and with a primary lesion of the trachea. Miksovirus Influenza (3 distinct types A, B, C) is a pathogen; is unstable in the environment.
The flu is characterized by rapid spread with the defeat of a large number of people in a relatively short period of time (3-4 weeks). Only a sick person (contagious for 5-7 days of onset of illness) is a source of flu. The incubation period of influenza is 2-5 days.
The manifestation of influenza in typical cases is characterized by sudden onset, marked intoxication from the first hours (chills, headache, dizziness, pain during movement of the eyeballs, increasing weakness, pain in muscles and joints, loss of appetite), high fever with a rapid rise of body temperature up to 38,5-40 ° C. After a few hours / days a person gains tracheitis (dry cough), and nasal congestion. The duration of febrile period, without complicated influenza usually does not exceed five days.
For influenza it is not typical an increase in lymph nodes, enlargement of liver and spleen, purulent conjunctivitis.
Influenza diagnosis is based on a combination of acute onset of the disease, signs of intoxication, fever with respiratory (mainly in the form of tracheitis). There are several methods for specific laboratory diagnosis of influenza, including rapid tests (IF, PCR, etc.).
Influenza can be very dangerous. It occurs seasonally in the cold months of the year. Sometimes the disease lasts quietly, and sometimes more serious and accompanied by outbreaks (epidemics). Recovery is slow – it takes from one to several weeks till the patient feels better and will not be able to return to daily activities. Some complications such as sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia may occur even in healthy people and can be life threatening.
Patients with swine influenza A (H1N1) should be treated as potentially contagious up to 7 days after the first symptoms of the disease. Patients whose disease lasts for more than 7 days after the first symptoms should be treated as potentially contagious until the disappearance of signs of the disease. Children, especially younger age group, can be potentially contagious for a longer period. Contagious period duration can vary depending on the particular strain of swine influenza A (H1N1).
Non-hospitalized patients with confirmed or suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) is recommended not to leave the house for at least the first 7 days after the first symptoms of the disease, except for necessary treatment in medical institutions.
The flu is characterized by rapid spread with the defeat of a large number of people in a relatively short period of time (3-4 weeks). Only a sick person (contagious for 5-7 days of onset of illness) is a source of flu. The incubation period of influenza is 2-5 days.
The manifestation of influenza in typical cases is characterized by sudden onset, marked intoxication from the first hours (chills, headache, dizziness, pain during movement of the eyeballs, increasing weakness, pain in muscles and joints, loss of appetite), high fever with a rapid rise of body temperature up to 38,5-40 ° C. After a few hours / days a person gains tracheitis (dry cough), and nasal congestion. The duration of febrile period, without complicated influenza usually does not exceed five days.
For influenza it is not typical an increase in lymph nodes, enlargement of liver and spleen, purulent conjunctivitis.
Influenza diagnosis is based on a combination of acute onset of the disease, signs of intoxication, fever with respiratory (mainly in the form of tracheitis). There are several methods for specific laboratory diagnosis of influenza, including rapid tests (IF, PCR, etc.).
Influenza can be very dangerous. It occurs seasonally in the cold months of the year. Sometimes the disease lasts quietly, and sometimes more serious and accompanied by outbreaks (epidemics). Recovery is slow – it takes from one to several weeks till the patient feels better and will not be able to return to daily activities. Some complications such as sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia may occur even in healthy people and can be life threatening.
Patients with swine influenza A (H1N1) should be treated as potentially contagious up to 7 days after the first symptoms of the disease. Patients whose disease lasts for more than 7 days after the first symptoms should be treated as potentially contagious until the disappearance of signs of the disease. Children, especially younger age group, can be potentially contagious for a longer period. Contagious period duration can vary depending on the particular strain of swine influenza A (H1N1).
Non-hospitalized patients with confirmed or suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) is recommended not to leave the house for at least the first 7 days after the first symptoms of the disease, except for necessary treatment in medical institutions.
- By Valentina Spragovskaya
- Published 10/22/2009
- Unrated
