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Differential diagnosis of influenza
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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From the correct diagnosis of influenza depends on how quickly you will recover and there will be no complications affecting all vital organs. For this purpose differential diagnosis of influenza is carried out. The doctor's task is to distinguish the flu from other diseases that can affect the upper respiratory tract. For example, the companions of the flu can be adenovirus infection, parainfluenza, respiratory-specific disease, mycoplasma and other pathogens that can easily deprive a person of working capacity and good mood.
[Early diagnosis of influenza and the success of its treatment
These two components directly depend on each other. Proper diagnosis of influenza, which should be carried out as early as possible, allows the doctor to prescribe an anti-epidemic regimen for the patient, and to determine the correct strategy for treating this insidious disease.
The most important property that distinguishes influenza from other respiratory diseases is signs of severe intoxication of the body. That is, headaches and muscle pains, confusion, high fever (although the flu can pass without it) and the urge to vomit (sometimes). With other colds or infectious diseases, toxicosis manifests itself rather poorly, even if a person has a very high temperature. And if it is an infection of the nasal sinuses (rhinovirus), then toxicosis may not manifest at all.
How to diagnose the flu by its appearance?
Did you know that a doctor can diagnose influenza on the basis of other, concomitant diseases? For example, tonsillitis and pharyngitis are manifested when the body is hit by an adenovirus, laryngitis is diagnosed mainly by doctors during parainfluenza, and if laryngitis is manifested with tracheitis, this can mean severe damage to normal flu.
If the patient is diagnosed with rhinitis, it means that he also has ARVI. But the character of ARI - more intense or more weakened - may indicate different concomitant diseases. For example, moderate rhinitis is diagnosed by doctors with normal flu, while rhinitis with swelling of the sinuses of the nose and difficulty breathing testifies to parainfluenza, especially if the discharge of serous mucus is added to these symptoms.
Influenza and adenovirus
If a person suffers from an adenoviral disease, then rhinitis with very large swelling of the nasal concha is attached to it. The mucous membrane of the nose is very swollen, the nose is embedded, but the discharge from it is still abundant. Moreover, among the external signs of adenovirus infection, conjunctivitis is also observed (most often occurring only on one side of the face), as well as an increase in lymph nodes.
Additional tests also show violations of the liver and spleen (although not in all cases). The heart also can not work very well - heart failure may manifest itself. It is not always visible on the external level, by any signs, but the electrocardiogram usually clearly shows changes in the heart rate. Therefore, if the doctor doubts the nature of your disease, he appoints an electrocardiogram.
Also, a doctor can be assigned blood and urine tests. But the main method of differential diagnosis of influenza, of course, is an external examination, close examination of the patient, measurement of temperature and blood pressure, as well as listening to the chest.
How to diagnose complications of influenza?
Usually the temperature of the flu lasts no longer than 4-5 days. But if it does not pass on the fifth day, it means that a person is likely to have complications, and he needs a more thorough diagnosis. Then the doctor additionally checks the work of the kidneys, liver, respiratory system, as well as the liver and brain.
A dry or wet cough and shortness of breath indicates a malfunction in the operation of the respiratory system and the attachment of bronchitis. In such cases, the doctor additionally appoints an X-ray. With changes in the bronchi on the X-ray, blisters and cellular structures are clearly visible. This may indicate a bronchial exacerbation.
If the radiograph clearly shows changes in the vessels, a very clear pattern and rare or frequent foci of interstitial changes, this may indicate that the infection is mycoplasmic. To make sure that it is mycoplasma, it is necessary to follow its characteristic symptoms. You should know that the mycoplasma infection that caused the flu does not show up sharply, but gradually, while the temperature can be high, but there may not be signs of intoxication in the form of muscle pain and headache.
So, when a person suffers from influenza, it is very important that the diagnosis of influenza is carried out on time. This will allow the disease to develop not so hard and for a long time, as well as reduce the likelihood of side diseases.