What do you need to know about the influenza?
1. The difference between Cold and influenza?
Cold and influenza have similar symptoms. Generally, Colds are mild while influenza infection can result in complications and hospitalizations. Their difference are listed below：
| Signs and symptoms | Cold | Influenz |
| Symptom onset | Gradual | Abrupt |
| Fever | Rare | Common |
| Headache | Rare | Common |
| Chills | Uncommon | Fairly Common |
| Aches | Mild | Often severe |
| Tiredness | Somtimes | Usual |
1) Influenza can be spread by droplets made when infected people cough,sneeze or talk.
2) People with influenza can be infectious from the day before they are symptomatic up to 7 days after falling ill.
3) Influenza can also be picked up by touching surfaces with the virus before touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
2. Why Influenza is more dangerous than cold?
1) Influenza is very dangerous for older adults:
Since older people have weaker immune system and more medical conditions, making them more susceptible to influenza and its complications;
Up to 70% of patients hospitalized for influenza were ≥65 years old.
Up to 85% of influenza-related deaths happened in people who were ≥65 years old.
2) Influenza may worsen pre-existing conditions such as diabete or heart deisease.
3) Influenza may increase the risk of developing life threatening complications such as pneumonia.
4) Influenza may affect well-being and independence of older adults.
5) influenza infetion can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
3. What can we do to protect yourself from influenza?
1) Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
2) Wash your hands often.
3) Get your influenza vaccine every year.
4) early diagnosis and treatment of the influenza
4. For early diagnosis of influenza, we provide the rapid test kit for:
1) Influenza A/B test
2) Covid+Influenza A/B combo test
3) Covid+Influenza A/B+ RSV+ADV combo test.
