Treatment FAQ

what is best treatment for type a flu

by Ottis Hegmann Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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These drugs can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), peramivir (Rapivab) or baloxavir (Xofluza). These drugs may shorten your illness by a day or so and help prevent serious complications. Oseltamivir is an oral medication.Nov 1, 2021

Medication

The best fluids to drink are:

  • clear liquids, such as water and broth
  • over-the-counter preparations like Pedialyte (good choice for any age)
  • sports drinks, which can help with electrolyte replacement (this should be reserved for older children and adults)

More items...

Self-care

Lifestyle and home remedies

  • Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. ...
  • Try chicken soup. It's not just good for the soul. ...
  • Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza.

Nutrition

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What is the best over the counter flu remedy?

Watch for these signs of an emergency when you have the flu: 1 

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or severe abdominal pain
  • Confusion
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Severe vomiting or vomiting that won't stop

How can I treat the flu naturally at home?

What is the best medicine for influenza?

When to seek treatment for flu?

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How long does it take to get over influenza A?

Flu symptoms, including fever, should go away after about 5 days, but you may still have a cough and feel weak a few days longer. All your symptoms should be gone within 1 to 2 weeks.

How long does influenza type A last?

How long does Type A flu last? Symptoms typically last five to seven days, although they can linger for up to two weeks.

What cures a flu quickly?

The CDC recommends baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), or zanamivir (Relenza). The drugs work best when you get them within 48 hours of your first symptoms. They may shorten the time you are sick and make your symptoms milder if you take the medicine early on.

How serious is type A flu?

In some people, the flu can be severe and lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. This is mostly likely to affect the very young, the elderly, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with chronic health problems.

Which flu is worse A or B?

Type A influenza is generally considered worse than type B influenza. This is because the symptoms are often more severe in type A influenza than in type B influenza. Type A influenza is more common than type B influenza. Researchers suggest that most adults have considerable immunity against type B influenza.

How contagious is flu type A?

Both influenza A and B are highly contagious. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, droplets can enter another person's nose or mouth, transmitting the illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , flu viruses can infect others from up to 6 feet away.

Does vitamin C help with flu?

In studies in which people took vitamin C only after they got a cold, vitamin C did not improve their symptoms. A note about safety: Vitamin C is generally considered safe; however, high doses can cause digestive disturbances such as diarrhea and nausea. Echinacea has not been proven to help prevent or treat colds.

When should I go to the doctor for a flu?

If you are otherwise healthy and not at increased risk of complications, seek medical advice if your flu symptoms are unusually severe, such as: Trouble breathing. A severe sore throat. A cough that produces a lot of green or yellow mucus.

How do u get flu A?

Influenza viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.

What's the difference between flu A and B?

Influenza A is usually the more common form of the virus and tends to circulate early in the season, while influenza B is normally less common and shows up late in the season. This season, influenza B has been more common and is circulating earlier than in previous seasons.

How do you catch type A flu?

The influenza A virus is highly contagious. It can spread through tiny droplets of bodily fluid from coughing, sneezing, or talking. Someone may even catch the flu by touching their mouth or nose after coming into contact with a surface or object that has the virus on it.

What is influenza A?

Influenza A is a type of virus that causes influenza (the flu), a highly contagious respiratory illness. If you get it, you will need to rest at ho...

What are the types of influenza A?

As well as infecting people, the influenza A virus can infect animals, including birds (causing avian flu) and pigs (causing swine flu or H1N1). In...

What are the symptoms of influenza A?

If you have influenza A, you will have some or all of these symptoms: fever and chills headache and muscle aches feeling tired and weak sneezing, a...

How is influenza A treated?

If you have influenza, you are likely to get better within a week or so by: resting in bed taking mild pain relief to reduce your pain drinking ple...

Can influenza A be prevented?

Influenza spreads very easily from one person to another. If you have influenza, you should stay at home while you're sick, cover your face when yo...

What is the type of influenza?

What is type A influenza? Influenza — also known as the flu — is a contagious viral infection that attacks your respiratory system. Influenza viruses that infect humans can be classified into three main groups: A, B, and C. Type A influenza infection can be serious and cause widespread outbreaks and disease. Common symptoms of type A infection can ...

How does influenza A clear?

In some cases, influenza A symptoms can clear on their own with ample rest and fluid intake. In other cases, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication to fight the infection.

What is the name of the drug that stops the virus from replicating?

A new medication called baloxavir marboxil ( Xofluza ), created by a Japanese pharmaceutical company, was approved in October 2018 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Trusted Source. . This antiviral drug helps stop the influenza virus from replicating.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Common signs of an influenza infection include: coughing. runny or stuffy nose. sneezing. sore throat. fever. headache.

How long does it take for flu symptoms to go away?

chills. body aches. Sometimes, influenza A symptoms may resolve on their own. However, if symptoms persist for more than a week without improvement, schedule a visit with your doctor.

How long does it take for a doctor to test for influenza?

In this procedure, your doctor swabs your nose or throat. The test will detect influenza viral RNA within 30 minutes or less.

Is type B influenza as severe as type A?

Type B influenza can be just as severe. Trusted Source. as type A influenza but is less common throughout the flu season compared to type A. Humans are the natural host for type B infection. Type B viruses mutate much slower than type A infections and are categorized by strains, but not subtypes.

What to do if you have the flu?

CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes or heart disease.

What is the name of the medication that is prescribed to treat the flu?

There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. What are antiviral drugs? Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against flu in your respiratory tract. Antiviral drugs are not sold over the counter.

What is an antiviral?

Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. Flu antivirals are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, intravenous solution, or an inhaled powder) and are not available over the counter. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia, ...

Why is it important to take antiviral medicine early?

It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat people who are very sick with flu (for example, people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications, either because of their age or because they have a high risk medical condition.

How long does it take for antiviral drugs to work?

Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatments when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health condition or is very sick from flu (for example, hospitalized patients).

How to keep from getting sick?

While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Can you buy antiviral medication over the counter?

Antiviral drugs are not sold over the counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your doctor or health care provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections.

How to get better if you have the flu?

If you have influenza, you are likely to get better within a week or so by: resting in bed. taking mild pain relief to reduce your pain. drinking plenty of liquids . eating light foods when you are hungry. In some people, the flu can be severe and lead to serious complications such as pneumonia.

Why is it important to get a new flu shot every year?

A new vaccine is needed every year because influenza viruses change constantly. Flu vaccine is available for everyone aged over 6 months. The vaccine is particularly recommended if you are at risk of complications of influenza, or if you live or work with people at high risk of getting the flu.

What is the type of flu in children?

Influenza type C can cause an illness in children that is similar to the common cold. Most people who have flu are infected with the influenza type A virus. This virus has caused flu pandemics — the worldwide spread of a new disease.

Can a cold cause fever?

Influenza A is a bit like a very bad cold, but a cold doesn't usually cause aches and pains or a high fever. If your symptoms get worse instead of better, it's best to see a doctor. You should also get help straight away if you feel chest pain, you are short of breath, dizzy or confused, or you are vomiting a lot.

Can the bird flu be passed on to humans?

In some cases, these types of influenza can be passed on to humans. Bird flu: Avian influenza — also known as 'bird flu' — is a subtype of influenza virus A (H5N1) that mainly affects birds. The virus has caused serious infections in humans and deaths but has not been found in Australia. Swine flu: This is a type of influenza A virus found in pigs.

How to help a person with the flu?

If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms: Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. You may need to change your activity level, depending on your symptoms.

What to take for achiness from influenza?

Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza.

How long should you stay home with a fever?

To help control the spread of influenza in your community, stay home and keep sick children home until fever has been gone for 24 hours. Avoid being around other people until you're feeling better, unless you're getting medical care. If you do need to leave your home and get medical care, wear a face mask.

Can you take zanamivir with asthma?

Oseltamivir is an oral medication. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device similar to an asthma inhaler and shouldn't be used by anyone with certain chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung disease.

Do you need to be tested for influenza?

During times when influenza is widespread, you may not need to be tested for influenza. Your doctor may diagnose you based on your signs and symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may suggest that you be tested for influenza. He or she may use various tests to diagnose influenza. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is becoming more common in many ...

How to prevent the flu from spreading?

A person can regularly wash their hands to help prevent the spread of flu. To help prevent the flu from spreading, people should wash their hands regularly, especially during the winter months. Several vaccines are effective at preventing the flu.

How long does it take for the flu to clear up?

Influenza A will usually clear up on its own within 2 weeks. Stay at home for the first few days, and get plenty of rest and water. Over-the-counter medications can help to ease symptoms but do not shorten the illness duration.

What proteins help the virus to attach to cells in the body?

These proteins, hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), help the virus to attach to cells in the body, causing the infection. There are 18 different H subtypes in influenza A that run from influenza H1 to H18. There are 11 N subtypes, ranging from N1 to N11.

What is the most common symptom of influenza A?

A cough is common symptom of influenza A. The four types of influenza are A, B, C, and D. Types A and B are widespread. Trusted Source. during most winters in the United States. Type C is milder than types A or B and does not spread as easily. Type D influenza mostly affects cattle and not humans. Scientists divide influenza A into two further ...

What are the symptoms of a virus?

a cough. sore throat. runny or stuffy nose. muscle or body aches. headache. fatigue. In more severe cases, some people experience vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms tend to be more common in children than in adults. In most cases, the body’s immune system will fight the virus off itself.

Can zanamivir shorten the duration of a virus?

These medications do not treat the virus itself and cannot shorten illness duration. People at risk of complications may need antiviral drugs to fight the virus. Examples of these medications include oseltamivir ( Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). They can reduce recovery time by a couple of days.

Does the immune system fight off viruses?

In most cases, the body’s immune system will fight the virus off itself. But some people will experience complications. These are more common in older adults and those with conditions that affect their immune systems. Taking immunosuppressant medications can also increase the risk of complications.

What is the best medicine for the flu?

Several herbal remedies are touted to help treat flu, including: North American ginseng, licorice roots, berries and pomegranate, guava tea, and Bai Shao. Although many people swear by these herbal favorites, there needs to be further scientific research to support their effectiveness.

What is the best way to get rid of the flu?

Water is best but drink whatever you fancy (other than alcohol and coffee) and plenty of it. Hot water with lemon and honey and herbal teas containing ginger, berries or Echinacea are old favorites for many. If you’ve been in contact with someone with the flu virus, you may not notice the effects for a few days.

What is the best cough medicine for a sore throat?

Flu Treatment #6: Soothe your cough with honey. Honey may offer some sweet relief for your sore throat and cough. Research from the Cochrane Database, a leading repository of clinical evidence, found that “Honey may be better than diphenhydramine for relieving and reducing the effect of cough on children.

What is the flu?

Influenza—better known as the flu, is a nasty viral infection that strikes millions every year, both in the winter and spring. If you have full-blown flu, ...

How to get rid of a swollen nose?

Clean your hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hands cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as this can be a route for infecting you. Avoid close contact (six feet or less) with people who are sick.

What to do when you have a fever and are fighting a virus?

When you have a fever and are fighting a virus, you need plenty of fluids to help your body fight the infection and to replace fluids lost from sweating and any vomiting or diarrhea you may have.

How long does zinc help with cold?

According to The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “Oral zinc lozenges may reduce the duration of the common cold (research is sparse on flu), when started within 24 hours and taken for a time period of less than 2 weeks.” They advise against the use of intranasal zinc. Some clinicians warn, however, that side effects (such as dry mouth, constipation, and nausea) can result from use with several medications. Limit zinc use to one week only, and stop if you get side effects.

How many subtypes of influenza are there?

These subtypes are based off of the combination of two proteins on the viral surface: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). There are 18 different H subtypes and 11 different N subtypes.

When is the flu most common?

It’s most common during the fall and winter months. It typically spreads through respiratory droplets when a person who has the flu sneezes or coughs. The family of viruses that influenza is a part of is large. You may have heard that there are different types of influenza viruses — particularly influenza A and influenza B.

Why is influenza A so diverse?

Due to the breadth of potential hosts and its ability to genetically change over a short amount of time, influenza A viruses are very diverse. They’re capable of causing a pandemic. This happens when a virus that’s significantly different from circulating influenza A strains emerges.

Can influenza A cause respiratory illness?

Influenza types A, B, and C can cause illness in humans. But types A and B cause seasonal epidemics of respiratory illness nearly every year. Influenza A typically causes the majority of illnesses during flu season. It has the potential to lead to pandemics due to its dynamic, faster changing nature and large host range.

Does zanamivir work?

Trusted Source. in late 2018. The zanamivir, oseltamivir, and perami vir medications noted above work by reducing the ability of the virus to release itself from infected cells. The newer drug, baloxavir marboxil works by reducing the ability of the virus to replicate.

Is influenza C serious?

Influenza C is regarded as the least serious of the three types that humans can get. It typically produces a mild respiratory illness in adults. But there’s some evidence that it can cause serious respiratory illness in children under age 2. The CDC.

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