Table of contents:
- What is influenza type B?
- Causes of influenza type B
- Symptoms of influenza type B
- Complications of influenza type B
- How to deal with influenza type B
You may be aware of influenza. However, what about influenza type B? Have you ever heard of it? How is it different from ordinary influenza? Check out the full explanation below.
What is influenza type B?
There are generally three types of influenza viruses, namely types A, B, and C. Generally, people are more familiar with influenza type A, compared to type B.
Influenza type B is still categorized as an outbreak of seasonal flu. What distinguishes between types A and B is transmission.
Influenza type B 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 human to human.
Therefore, if you experience symptoms of influenza, consult a doctor immediately to get the right treatment.
Causes of influenza type B
As previously explained, the type B flu virus is transmitted from human to human.
Influenza is caused by the flu virus which causes infections of the nose, throat and lungs. The flu virus can be spread when the sufferer sneezes, coughs, and even talks.
This is because the patient's saliva has been contaminated with the virus, so that when it mixes in the air, it has the potential to stick to someone's mouth or nose.
Therefore, flu sufferers are strongly advised to wear a mask every time they go out of the house because it is feared that they can spread it to other people.
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 of the other symptoms that appear when the influenza virus attacks your body include:
- Fever
- Feeling cold
- Sore throat
- Cold and cough
- The body and muscles feel sore
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
One of the most common symptoms when you have influenza is seen in your body temperature. If you have a fever and the body temperature reaches 41.1 ºC, immediately consult a doctor to get a more appropriate treatment.
Complications of influenza type B
According to the CDC, most people who catch the flu will recover within a few days to two weeks later.
However, for those of you who have the flu and it doesn't go away after a few weeks, it could be that you have experienced complications.
Even though they may seem trivial, flu viruses, such as influenza type B, can threaten your life and make you susceptible to various diseases, such as:
- Sinus and ear infections
- Inflammation of the lungs or pneumonia
- Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis)
- Kidney failure
- Sepsis
How to deal with influenza type B
Influenza, both types A and B, can be cured if you get enough rest and regularly take medication.
If this happens to your child, try to keep encouraging them to eat nutritious food and stay hydrated.
Some things you can do to help the healing process for influenza B include:
- Rest and drink water Which is a lot because a high fever can make you tired and prone to dehydration.
- Take drugs which can reduce fever and aches, such as ibuprofen or tylenol.
- Gargle with salt water to reduce flu symptoms, in the form of coughs and sore throats.
- Keeping your distance from other people to prevent disease transmission, especially children and adults who have not received the flu vaccine.
