Medication
Oct 16, 2019 · Oseltamivir ( Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are drugs that doctors may use to treat type A or type B influenza. Antiviral drugs can reduce a person’s recovery time by around 2 days, but they are...
Self-care
Oct 15, 2021 · When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. For people at high risk of serious flu complications, treatment with antiviral drugs can mean the difference between milder or more serious illness possibly resulting in a hospital stay.
Nutrition
Feb 09, 2022 · How Is Flu B Treated? In most cases, treatment for the flu involves home remedies (including resting, staying hydrated, and sticking to mild, comforting foods, like chicken soup) and letting the virus take its course. However, prescription antiviral medications can be used to treat the flu if it is diagnosed within the first 48 hours of symptoms.
Is influenza B a real illness?
13 rows · Dec 01, 2000 · Zanamivir and oseltamivir are newer agents indicated for the treatment of both influenza A and ...
Which flu is worse an or B?
Apr 10, 2017 · Currently, there are three antiviral drugs recommended for treating the flu: oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), and peramivir (Rapivab®). These drugs work by interrupting the function of neuraminidase on the virus surface and preventing the release of viral particles from infected host cells.
What is the difference between flu an and B?
Nov 01, 2021 · But if you have a severe infection or are at higher risk of complications, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug to treat the flu. 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.
Does oseltamivir work against influenza B?
Mar 26, 2018 · Treating type B influenza If you suspect you have the flu, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Also allow yourself plenty of sleep so your body can rest and recharge. Sometimes influenza...
What is the best treatment for influenza B?
The recommended treatment course for uncomplicated influenza is two doses per day of oral oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir for 5 days, or one dose of intravenous peramivir or oral baloxavir for 1 day. Only one randomized clinical trial has compared baloxavir to oseltamivir for treatment of influenza B.Feb 4, 2022
How do you treat influenza B at home?
9 Tips to Ease Flu SymptomsStay home and get plenty of rest.Drink plenty of fluids.Treat aches and fever.Take care of your cough.Sit in a steamy bathroom.Run the humidifier.Try a lozenge.Get salty.More items...•Dec 23, 2020
How long does the influenza B flu last?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , an uncomplicated influenza infection will last from three to seven days in most people, including children. However, a cough and feelings of weakness or fatigue can last for two weeks or longer.
How long does it take to recover from the flu B?
You should make a full recovery within 2 weeks – while your body may have fought off the infection successfully, you may not feel 100% for up to 2 weeks after being infected. Most of your symptoms should have subsided by this point, but it's normal to feel weak and tired while your body recovers from the infection.
What 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.Mar 18, 2021
What is type B virus?
Unlike type A flu viruses, type B flu is found only in humans. Type B flu may cause a less severe reaction than type A flu virus, but occasionally, type B flu can still be extremely harmful. Influenza type B viruses are not classified by subtype and do not cause pandemics.Aug 27, 2021
What is the difference between Influenza A and Influenza 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.Mar 5, 2020
How can I recover from the flu faster?
12 Tips for a Speedy Flu RecoveryStay home. Your body needs time and energy to fight off the flu virus, which means that your daily routine should be put on the backburner. ... Hydrate. ... Sleep as much as possible. ... Ease your breathing. ... Eat healthy foods. ... Add moisture to the air. ... Take OTC medications. ... Try elderberry.More items...
When does the flu require hospitalization?
Adults with a sustained fever of more than 102 degrees, as well as any combination of the below flu-like symptoms, should seek medical attention: Difficulty breathing. Severe chest or stomach pain. Vertigo and lightheadedness.
How long are you contagious with the flu after taking Tamiflu?
You are still contagious on Tamiflu. The flu is contagious about one day before symptoms begin and up to a week after symptoms start.Feb 27, 2020
How long is someone contagious with Covid?
Most people with COVID-19 are no longer contagious 5 days after they first have symptoms and have been fever-free for at least three days.Apr 1, 2022
What should you eat after the flu?
Consider eating the following foods when you have the flu.Broth. Whether you prefer chicken, beef, or vegetable, broth is one of the best things you can eat when you have the flu. ... Chicken soup. ... Garlic. ... Yogurt. ... Vitamin C–containing fruits. ... Leafy greens. ... Broccoli. ... Oatmeal.More items...
Type B flu isn't always more mild than type A. Here's what you should know
Kelly Burch is a freelance journalist who has covered health topics for more than 10 years. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and more.
Symptoms of Influenza B
Flu B symptoms are often said to be milder than symptoms caused by influenza A. However, flu B can be just as dangerous as flu A, especially in high-risk populations including people over 65. 2
How Is Flu B Treated?
In most cases, treatment for the flu involves home remedies (including resting, staying hydrated, and sticking to mild, comforting foods, like chicken soup) and letting the virus take its course.
Can Flu B Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting your annual flu vaccine. The flu vaccine protects against the most common flu strains. For the 2021-2022 flu season, the vaccine protects against two flu A, and two flu B strains. 4
Summary
There are two common types of flu that affect humans. Flu A and flu B. The infections are caused by different types of the influenza virus. However, they have the same symptoms and treatment. Flu B is not necessarily more mild than flu A, as previously thought. 2
A Word From Verywell
The treatment for flu is the same, no matter which of the flu strains you are infected with. Because of that, it’s not important whether you have flu B symptoms or flu A. Rather than worrying, take care of yourself by resting and hydrating until you begin to feel better.
What age is considered a person at risk for influenza?
Persons six months or older with an underlying medical condition (e.g., cardiac, pulmonary) who are at increased risk for complications of influenza or who required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year (see medical conditions below)
How long does it take for antiviral agents to work?
For antiviral agents to be effective, they must be used within 48 hours of the onset of influenza symptoms. Antiviral agents reduce the duration of fever and illness by one to two and one-half days and also reduce the severity of some symptoms.
When was zanamivir approved?
In 1999 , the FDA approved zanamivir and oseltamivir for the treatment of uncomplicated acute influenza A or B in patients who have been symptomatic for less than 48 hours. 8, 9 There is some evidence that these agents are also effective for prophylaxis, although they are not yet approved for this indication.
When to use amantadine?
Use of amantadine or rimantadine is appropriate if influenza virus A is known to be the predominant agent in a particular year or location. Data need to be evaluated on the development of resistance and use of the newer antiviral agents in geriatric patients, high-risk patients and children.
Is Zanamivir safe for children?
Zanamivir (Relenza) not indicated in children less than 7 years of age; oseltamivir (Tamiflu) not indicated in children less than 18 years of age. Zanamivir generally not recommended in patients with underlying airway disease (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); may cause allergic-like reactions.
Is rimantadine an antiviral?
Vaccination is the most effective public health measure to combat this illness. Amantadine and rimantadine are older antiviral agents that have been important adjuncts in the prevention and treatment of influenza A outbreaks.
What are the other drugs used to treat flu?
Two other drugs, rimantadine (Flumadine®) and amantadine (Symmetrel®), were used to treat flu infection in the past. They worked by disrupting ion channels in the wall of the virus, preventing the virus from replicating during the initial stages of infection, soon after its been taken inside a human cell. However, rimantadine and amantadine are only effective in treating Influenza A, and several strains of flu have already developed resistance to them. Thus, the two medicines are no longer recommended in the United States for treating the flu.
Why are antiviral medications important?
Antiviral medicines are an important tool in both controlling influenza by treating the patient’s infection and helping to prevent severe illness that can result from flu, including bacterial pneumonia.
When was Peramivir approved?
For example, NIAID supported the initial Phase 1 clinical studies of peramivir, which was approved in 2014 by the Food and Drug Administration to treat flu infection in adults.
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 get rid of the flu?
If you suspect you have the flu, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Also allow yourself plenty of sleep so your body can rest and recharge. Sometimes influenza B symptoms improve on their own. However, those who are at high risk for flu complications should seek medical treatment immediately.
What are the symptoms of influenza B?
Common symptoms of type B influenza include: fever. chills. sore throat. coughing. runny nose and sneezing. fatigue.
What is the influenza virus?
Influenza — commonly known as the flu — is a respiratory infection caused by flu viruses. There are three main types of influenza: A, B, and C. Types A and B are similar, but influenza B can only pass from human to human. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trusted Source.
Can you get a cold with Type B?
Type B influenza can cause you to experience symptoms more severe than a common cold. In some cases, this infection resolves without the need for medical attention. However, if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve after a few days, schedule a visit with your doctor.
Is influenza B contagious?
Type A. The most common form of influenza, type A can spread from animals to humans and is known to cause pandemics. Type B. Similar to type A, influenza B is also highly contagious and can have dangerous effects on your health in more severe cases. However, this form can only be spread from human to human. Type B influenza can cause seasonal ...
Is type B a milder disease?
Trusted Source. reports both types A and B can be equally severe, challenging a previous misconception that type B tends to be a milder disease. A common indicator of the influenza virus is a fever, often more than 100ºF (37.8ºC).
Can the flu cause stomach pain?
Stomach symptoms. In rare cases, the flu may cause diarrhea or stomach pains. These symptoms are more common in children. It can be mistaken for a stomach bug since children infected with type B influenza may experience: nausea. vomiting. abdominal pain. loss of appetite.
How to prevent the flu?
washing the hands often. disinfecting surfaces that may contain flu germs. avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. wearing a mask when leaving the house. The best method of prevention is to receive a flu vaccination every year.
How far away can you get the flu?
Trusted Source. , flu viruses can infect others from up to 6 feet away. Alternately, a person can catch the flu if they touch a surface contaminated with the flu virus, then touch their own mouth or nose. The CDC report that people with the flu are the most contagious in the 3–4 days after becoming ill.
How long does it take for antivirals to work?
Antiviral medications work best when a person takes them within 1–2 days. Trusted Source. of symptoms starting.
Is the flu contagious?
Contagiousness. 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)
Is the flu dangerous?
For a person who is generally healthy, the flu is not typically dangerous. However, it can severely affect certain groups of people, who should seek medical attention as soon as they suspect that they have flu symptoms.
Can the flu cause death?
It can cause severe illness and worsen some chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. In some cases, it can lead to death. Read this article to learn more about the types of flu and their symptoms and treatments.
Can you cure the flu with home remedies?
While many people recover from the flu with home remedies, influenza A and B can each cause serious illness and death in people with a high risk of complications. There is no cure for the flu, but rest and drinking fluids can help ease symptoms. Antiviral medications may also help shorten the duration of the illness.
