What should you know about influenza type A?

Influenza A infects the airways and may spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or releases respiratory particles. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, cough, fatigue, and feeling generally unwell. A cough or fever can have many causes, so symptoms alone do not establish influenza; a clinician may use the illness pattern and, when useful, a test.

Most people recover with supportive care, but influenza can sometimes affect the lungs and contribute to pneumonia. Risk may be higher for older adults, young children, pregnant people, and people with certain long-term conditions.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and use fever or pain medicine only as directed for you. Stay home while you feel unwell, improve ventilation, wash your hands, and cover coughs. Contact a clinician early if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, have a chronic illness, or your symptoms are becoming harder to manage; antiviral treatment may be considered for some people.

Seek urgent medical care for trouble breathing, chest pain, bluish lips, new confusion, severe weakness, dehydration, or a seizure. Arrange prompt assessment if fever or cough improves and then returns, or if you are in a higher-risk group and develop flu symptoms.

Ask whether testing or antiviral medicine is appropriate, how to manage your temperature safely, and which symptoms should prompt reassessment. Ask when you can return to work or school and how to protect household members.