Respiratory Infection
About Influenza A & B
Influenza viruses are RNA viruses of three types: A, B and C. Influenza A is the most virulent, causing illness that ranges from no symptoms to fatal disease. It has several subtypes, including H1N1, which caused the 1918 Spanish flu and the 2009 swine flu pandemics.
Influenza B mutates less readily, has a narrower host range and does not cause pandemics. Both A and B cause similar illness, and complications such as pneumonia are more serious in the elderly, infants, young children and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Sore throat and cough
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Pneumonia or worsening of chronic conditions
Test Options
- INF A/B/H1N1 — detects and differentiates influenza A, B and H1N1