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You might know about influenza. However, what about influenza type B? Have you ever heard of it? What is the difference with ordinary influenza? Check out the full explanation below.
What is influenza type B?
Influenza viruses are generally of three types, namely types A, B, and C. Generally, people are more familiar with influenza type A, than type B.
Type B influenza is still categorized as a seasonal flu epidemic. What distinguishes between types A and B is the transmission.
Type B influenza is only transmitted through humans. Although rarely known by people, this type of influenza is as dangerous as type A.
In influenza type A, this virus can be found in animals and humans are also at risk of contracting it from these animals. Meanwhile, type B transmission can only be from humans to other humans.
Therefore, if you experience symptoms of influenza disease, consult a doctor immediately to get the right treatment.
Causes of influenza type B
As explained earlier, this type B flu virus is transmitted from humans to other humans.
Influenza is caused by a flu virus that causes infections in the nose, throat and lungs. The flu virus can spread if the sufferer sneezes, coughs, even talks.
This is caused by the patient's saliva is contaminated with the virus, so that when mixed in the air, the potential to stick to someone's mouth or nose.
Therefore, flu sufferers are strongly encouraged to wear masks every time they go out of the house because it is feared that they can spread it to others.
Symptoms of influenza type B
Basically, the symptoms of influenza B with type A are almost the same. Both of them cause an increase in body temperature and even high fever.
Some other symptoms that arise when the influenza virus attacks your body include:
- Fever
- Feel cold
- Sore throat
- Cold and cough
- The body and muscles feel achy
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
One of the usual symptoms that appear when you suffer from influenza is seen from your body temperature. If you have a fever and your body temperature reaches 41.1ºC, immediately consult a doctor to get a more appropriate treatment.
Complications of type B influenza
According to the CDC, most people who get the flu will recover within a few days to two weeks later.
However, for those of you who have the flu and do not heal after a few weeks, you may have experienced complications.
Even though it looks trivial, flu viruses, like influenza type B, can threaten your life and make you vulnerable to various diseases, such as:
- Sinus and ear infections
- Pneumonia or pneumonia
- Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis)
- Kidney failure
- Sepsis
How to deal with influenza type B
Influenza, both type A and B, can be cured if you get enough rest and take medication regularly.
If this happens to your child, try to keep encouraging him to eat nutritious food and stay hydrated.
Some things you can do to help the healing process of influenza B, including:
- Resting and drinking lots of water because of a high fever can make you tired and prone to dehydration.
- Take drugs that can reduce fever and aches, such as ibuprofen or tylenol.
- Gargling with salt water to reduce cold symptoms, in the form of coughing and sore throat.
- Keeping a distance from others to prevent transmission of the disease, especially children and adults who have not yet received a flu vaccine.