Influenza begins as a local upper respiratory tract infection (everything from the neck up). Once it makes its way into the lungs it promotes cell to cell spread and transmission to other people through respiratory droplets. Flu usually lasts up to 28 days.
Basically the virus destroys the mucosal layer that protects your upper and lower respiratory tract. This damage makes the respiratory tract susceptible to subsequent bacterial invasions.
Signs & Syptoms
Adults and children experience the flu in different ways. Children’ s fever is higher and they usually have abdominal pain and vomit.
Adults
- rapid onset of fever
- malaise (crappy feeling)
- weakness & fatigue
- loss of appetite
- sore throat
- muscle aches
- nonproductive cough
Children similar to adults ++ plus
- higher fever
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- earache
- croup
Timeline
Day 1: infection
Day 2: first line immune defense
Day 1——-Day 5 virus incubates & symptoms begin.
Day 5: secondary immune response
Day 1—————————Day 9 you are infectious and can spread to others
Day 7—————-Day 28 there are changes evident in the respiratory tract.
Up to Day 21: It can take unto 21 days to fully recover.
Day 28: immunity to fight similar strains of flu in the future.
