What Symptoms Distinguish Influenza Type A?
Symptoms of type A influenza include coughing, vomiting, fever and conjunctivitis, reports Mayo Clinic. Because wild birds frequently host this type of flu, it is also called avian flu.
Type A flu symptoms can begin two to eight days after infection. Symptoms are similar to those of type B influenza and can also include sore throat, muscle aches, respiratory failure and pneumonia, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Asian H5N1 and LPAI H7N9 are the causes of the most worldwide human illness as of January 2016.
Treatment for type A is similar to that of type B. Patients can take decongestants, antihistamines and acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with fever. Antiviral flu medication may be administered by a doctor if the symptoms are severe. Antivirals work best when taken within the first 48 hours that symptoms appear, according to WebMD.
