What are The Causes Of Influenza? 

Imagine if it’s a cold winter evening, and you’re bundled up in your cozy sweater, sipping hot coffee. But at once, you start feeling a tickle in your throat, your nose gets stuffy, and you start sneezing uncontrollably. Uh-oh, you might have caught the flu!  

So, what’s behind this common illness? Well, it’s the result of Influenza viruses. But do you know how this virus meets your body; what are the causes of it? If No? Then don’t worry. Just read the next part of the blog below because there we have talked about the reasons for influenza, how to treat and prevent it, and its testing types by United Lab Care that you can get to confirm the presence of the virus in detail.  Let’s begin.  

Significant causes of the Influenza virus are:  

 Influenza viruses (tricky viruses) which cause flu, spread in various ways affecting human health badly. Let’s delve into them!  

Contagious nature  

Influenza viruses are highly contagious and can spread from one person to another person very quickly. Like when an infected individual cough, sneezes, or talks, their droplets land on surfaces or objects, and if someone touches those droplets and then touches their mouth or nose, they become infected.  

Contact with infected individuals  

Close contact with someone with the Influenza virus, such as in the same house or workplace, can also increase the risk of flu.  

Touching Contaminated Surfaces  

Influenza viruses can live on surfaces for several hours, and touching those infected surfaces, such as doors, light switches, or shared items, and then touching the face can introduce the virus into the body.  

Weakened immune system  

People with weak immune systems, such as young children, senior citizens, pregnant women, or individuals with chronic health conditions, are more vulnerable to the influenza virus.   

Lack of vaccination  

The risk of influenza increases ten times more if a person is not vaccinated. Thus, it is vital to get annual flu vaccinations.  

Travel and crowded places  

Traveling to places with high Influenza activity or crowded locations, such as shopping malls, public transportation, airports, or large gatherings, can also raise the risk of infection.  

There are three types of influenza tests; each performs differently. So, let’s see each type:  

1. Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs)  

In this flu test, the healthcare provider employs a nasal or throat swab to detect the presence of influenza viral proteins in a patient’s respiratory secretions. Moreover, the result of this test comes in 30-45 minutes, making it a helpful tool for quick diagnosis.   

2. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)  

This test utilizes a nasal or throat swab to identify the flu infection RNA. Contrasted with RIDTs, its results are more accurate. Furthermore, healthcare experts need specialized equipment for performing this test.  

3. Viral culture   

This type of flu testing in Chicago focuses on growing the flu infection in a lab from a respiratory sample. The results of this test are reliable; however, on the other hand, it is slow and may require days to convey results.  

Treatments:   

Rest and stay hydrated  

A person can fight against the virus more effectively if they get the proper rest and fluids. For instance, fluids include tea, hot coffee, soup, and warm water.  

Over-the-counter medications  

Over-the-counter medications are also sometimes given by doctors; for relieving fever, body aches, and headaches. They include acetaminophen or ibuprofen.  

Antiviral medications  

Antiviral prescription medication plays a significant role in treating flu and minimizing the duration of the illness.  

Contact United Lab Care for reliable and timely laboratory services  

Why wait? Take control of your health and protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. Please book your appointment today with United Lab Care in Chicago and experience their exceptional flu testing services. Your health is your number one priority!