How to distinguish ARVI from influenza?

Annually in the autumn-spring period, the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) and, in particular, influenza increases. And the overall hypothermia, seasonal decrease in immunity, and enhanced susceptibility to viruses contribute to this.

Also provoking factors are increased humidity, dampness, stressful living conditions, poor nutrition, chronic diseases – all this leads to a decrease in the body’s defenses, and the risk of getting sick with ARVI or flu increases significantly. The elderly and children are considered the most susceptible to ARVI and influenza. Statistics show that about 90% of the population develops acute respiratory infections each year. Moreover, each person carries it in his own way – from mild disease symptoms to a bright clinical picture with complications.

What are ARVI and influenza?

ARVI is a group of viral diseases that affect mainly the respiratory tract (nasopharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchus). There exist many pathogens, they are about 150 species. Most often, doctors have to deal with adenoviral, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial infections, as well as influenza viruses and parainfluenza. That means that flu is one of the general group representatives of acute respiratory viral infections. This is the most dangerous causative agent of ARVI, given the severity of the disease, high morbidity and mortality. Influenza virus can cause epidemics and pandemics.

The way of ARVI and influenza transmission is airborne, i.e. the infection mainly occurs when the virus is inhaled by a healthy person. The way of infection transmission through the contaminated objects (through household items) is also possible. During sneezing and coughing, the microparticles (saliva, mucus), which contain the virus, enter the air. By the way, when you sneeze, the virus can spread in a radius of 5 meters. Later this virus settles on surfaces, tissues and human skin or simply stays in the air. The influenza virus retains its viability for a long time – up to 9 hours in the air, 10-12 hours – on paper, and up to 10 days – on the glass. At the human skin the virus dies within 15 minutes, but on plastic and metal objects it remains active up to 2 days.

What are the ARVI symptoms?

Symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections are known to everyone – this is a rise of temperature to 37.5-38.5 C, chills, running nose, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough with possible further transition to a wet one, general weakness, and muscle pain. The disease develops gradually, within several days.

The adenovirus infection is characterized by the damage of eye conjunctiva, therefore pain and eyes smarting, an increased lacrimation and the presence of purulent discharge join the general symptoms of acute respiratory infections.

Rhinovirus infection mainly affects the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity; therefore, the clinical picture is dominated by complaints of hypersecretion (abundant mucous discharge from the nose), redness and flaking of the nasal wings.

In respiratory syncytial infection, the lower respiratory tract is primarily affected, and the general symptoms of intoxication are mild. Often bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia are being observed.

Some people are able to keep working while disease in case of weakly expressed symptoms. This is dangerous because during the first days of disease a person is a source of infection for others, unwittingly. Therefore, if the situation allows, such an employee still needs to be “sent on sick leave” in order to preserve the health of the rest of team.

What are the symptoms of influenza?

The flu develops sharply, suddenly, and this is due to the short incubation period. A person’s temperature quickly rises up to 39–40 °C; it remains at the same level for a few days and is difficult to reduce with antipyretic drugs. In children, febrile seizures may develop on the background of high temperature.

With flu, all symptoms of intoxication are pronounced: severe headache is noted, mainly in the temporal region, pain in the eyes (especially when moving the eyeballs), photosensitivity, bones and muscles aching, general weakness, dizziness, increased sweating, possible diarrhea, sometimes nausea and vomiting. Catarrhal symptoms are mild: running nose is mostly not observed, but severe chest pain and dry cough in the first days of disease are characteristic. It is even difficult to get out of bed; the person requires an extra care and bed rest. In patients with weakened or oppressed immunity, the flu can be complicated by laryngotracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

After the flu, a person feels general weakness, fast fatigue, malaise, dizziness and lack of appetite for a week – the body will “recover” for some time. This is the so-called “asthenic syndrome”, and it can be observed within 2-3 weeks after disease.

If you are sick, it is better to consult a doctor immediately, and try not to treat independently. After all, under the guise of a common cold can hide the flu, in which ordinary tea with raspberries and paracetamol will not help. Adequate treatment can be prescribed only by a specialist with a higher medical education, who will be able to control the course of disease and prevent the development of possible complications (bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis, sinusitis, pericarditis, meningitis). Therefore, if you care about your health – stay out of self-medication at home.