Top 10 Article Summaries: How To Recognize A Flu (Influenza) 

Article: Influenza Signs and Symptoms and the Role of Laboratory ... - CDC

Summary: Surveillance can also identify the predominant circulating types, influenza A virus subtypes, and strains of influenza viruses. These rapid influenza diagnostic tests differ in the types of influenza viruses they can detect and whether they can distinguish between influenza virus types. None of the rapid influenza diagnostic tests provide any information about influenza A virus subtypes. Package inserts and the laboratory performing the test should be consulted for more details regarding use of rapid influenza diagnostic tests. Notably, the detection of influenza viral RNA by these assays does not necessarily indicate detection of viable infectious virus or on-going influenza viral replication.

Article: Influenza Signs and Symptoms and the Role of Laboratory ... - CDC

Summary: Surveillance can also identify the predominant circulating types, influenza A virus subtypes, and strains of influenza viruses. These rapid influenza diagnostic tests differ in the types of influenza viruses they can detect and whether they can distinguish between influenza virus types. None of the rapid influenza diagnostic tests provide any information about influenza A virus subtypes. Package inserts and the laboratory performing the test should be consulted for more details regarding use of rapid influenza diagnostic tests. Notably, the detection of influenza viral RNA by these assays does not necessarily indicate detection of viable infectious virus or on-going influenza viral replication.

Article: Diagnosing Flu | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC

Summary: A number of flu tests are available to detect influenza viruses in respiratory specimens. These tests can provide results within approximately 10-15 minutes, but are not as accurate as other flu tests. During an influenza outbreak, a positive rapid flu test is likely to indicate influenza infection. However, rapid tests vary in their ability to detect flu viruses, depending on the type of rapid test used, and on the type of flu viruses circulating. During an outbreak of respiratory illness, testing for flu can help determine if flu viruses are the cause of the outbreak.

Article: Cold Versus Flu | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC

Summary: The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense. How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu? What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold? Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu.

Article: Key Facts About Influenza (Flu) | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC

Summary: Fever* or feeling feverish/chillsCoughSore throatRunny or stuffy noseMuscle or body achesHeadachesFatigue (very tired)Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in young children than in adults. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms that usually start suddenly, not gradually:*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Article: Influenza Signs and Symptoms and the Role of Laboratory ... - CDC

Summary: Surveillance can also identify the predominant circulating types, influenza A virus subtypes, and strains of influenza viruses. These rapid influenza diagnostic tests differ in the types of influenza viruses they can detect and whether they can distinguish between influenza virus types. None of the rapid influenza diagnostic tests provide any information about influenza A virus subtypes. Package inserts and the laboratory performing the test should be consulted for more details regarding use of rapid influenza diagnostic tests. Notably, the detection of influenza viral RNA by these assays does not necessarily indicate detection of viable infectious virus or on-going influenza viral replication.

Article: Influenza (flu) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Summary: Influenza, commonly called the flu, is not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor right away. Pregnant women are more likely to develop influenza complications, particularly in the second and third trimesters. Pregnant women are more likely to develop influenza complications, particularly in the second and third trimesters. Each year's seasonal flu vaccine contains protection from the three or four influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during that year's flu season.

Article: Flu Season 2018: How to Recognize Dangerous Flu Symptoms | Allure

Summary: You may have heard about how dangerous the 2018 flu season is. Flu season spans from October through May every year, and so far this season, 30 children have died from the illness. So how dangerous is this flu season, really? Each year, researchers formulate a flu vaccine meant to protect against the three or four flu virus strains they think will be the most common during the upcoming season. Long Gillespie says that healthy habits like these have been shown to ward off respiratory viruses like the flu.

Article: How to spot flu symptoms - CNN - CNN.com

Summary: Especially in the winter months, it's easy to mix up cold and flu symptoms. "Colds are typically around your nose and face, and you have a sore throat," she said. Individuals with minor flu or flu-like symptoms should refrain from going to the emergency room and instead call their primary health care providers, to avoid overstressing community resources. It is OK to bug us, as health care providers, because we are here to help." Dr. Bernard Camins, also an associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, said flu prevention should be the focus for the public.

Article: Rapid Flu Test: Finding Flu Viruses - WebMD

Summary: But he may want to give you a quick test to be sure the influenza virus is to blame, and not another health problem. When your doctor finds the flu virus, he can give you antiviral drugs early on. A flu test can also help your doctor rule out giving you antibiotics. Some tests can help your doctor figure out which flu virus you have, influenza A or B. The quality of the test depends on the maker, how the test works, and how big a sample of the virus your doctor can collect.