Not flu without respiratory symptoms?
The notion that “unrespiratory symptoms are not flu” is a common area of error. Influenza, as an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, although symptoms typically include respiratory performance, may also involve other systems, especially in specific populations where respiratory symptoms may not be significant. We should therefore have a clear understanding of the incidence and progress of the flu:
I. Typical symptoms of influenza
Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza virus infections (mainly influenza A and B viruses). Typical symptoms include:
Heat: Influenza patients usually experience high heat, with a temperature of 39°C or higher and long duration.
Respiratory symptoms: including cough, stomach pain, nose plugs, aldicarb, etc., but not all flu patients have these symptoms and the severity of the symptoms varies.
All-body symptoms: Influenza patients also have whole-body symptoms of muscle acidity, inactivity, headaches and abdominal atrophy, which are often more significant than respiratory symptoms.
II. Atypical symptoms of influenza
In addition to typical symptoms, influenza may present a number of atypical symptoms in certain specific populations, which may not involve respiratory systems:
Symptoms of digestive tracts: In some cases, children suffer from influenza and are characterized by digestive tract symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. This is more common in type B influenza.
Symptoms of the nervous system: Very few patients with influenza may experience stressful manifestations of the nervous system, such as encephalitis, meningitis etc., but these symptoms are rare.
Other systemic symptoms: Influenza can also cause complications in other systems, such as cardiacitis, transectivation, but these are also relatively rare.
III. Why can’t there be respiratory symptoms or flu?
Individual differences: There are differences in the sensitivity and response of different populations to influenza viruses. Some may manifest themselves mainly in systemic symptoms, while respiratory symptoms are relatively light or less visible.
Type of virus: Different types of influenza virus (e.g. A, B) can lead to different symptoms. For example, influenza type B is more likely to be in the form of digestive tract symptoms among children.
Complications: Influenza can also cause complications such as stroke, sinus, bronchitis and pneumonia. These complications can mask or alter pre-existing respiratory symptoms, further complicating and diversifying influenza performance.
IV. Accurate diagnosis of influenza
Because of the diversity of the symptoms of influenza and the potential for individual differences and complications, accurate determination of influenza requires a combination of factors:
Epidemiological history: Epidemiological information such as whether a patient has been exposed to influenza or is in the flu pandemic season helps to make preliminary judgements.
Clinical Symptoms: Although the symptoms of influenza are varied, typical symptoms such as high heat, body muscle acidity, etc. still have some diagnostic value.
Laboratory testing: Laboratory methods such as influenza virus nucleic acid testing, antigen testing or serobiology testing provide an important basis for identifying influenza. These tests directly detect the presence of influenza viruses or the immune response within the patient.
V. Influenza prevention and treatment
Prevention: Inoculation against influenza is the most effective means of preventing influenza. In addition, the maintenance of good hygiene practices, increased exercise and increased body immunity also helped to prevent influenza.
Treatment: For flu patients, antiretroviral treatment should be provided as early as possible to mitigate symptoms, reduce the pathology and reduce the risk of complications. At the same time, treatment for illnesses such as deheating, coughing, etc. are also necessary complementary treatments.
In the light of the above, the notion that “a flu is not a flu without respiratory symptoms” is one-sided. The symptoms of influenza are diverse and may involve multiple systems such as respiratory and digestive tracts. Thus, a combination of the patient ‘ s epidemiological history, clinical symptoms and laboratory results is needed to determine whether or not it is flu. At the same time, increased influenza prevention and treatment is an important means of reducing influenza morbidity and mortality.
