Symptoms of Influenza A
Influenza A is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the Influenza A virus. Symptoms of Influenza A can include fever, sore throat, body aches, coughing, and headaches. Other symptoms can range from mild to severe, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Treatment for Influenza A
Treatment for Influenza A depends on the severity of symptoms. Most people with Influenza A can recover with rest and home care measures. These include getting plenty of fluids, taking over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce fever and body aches, and staying away from work or school until symptoms are gone.
If symptoms become more severe, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). These medications can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Preventing the Spread of Influenza A
The best way to prevent the spread of Influenza A is to practice good hygiene habits such as washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with sick people, and covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. It is also important to get a flu shot every year to help protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu.