Table of Contents
Can the flu impact the nervous system?
One of the most common extrarespiratory complications of influenza virus infection is central nervous system (CNS) disease (1, 2). Clinically, CNS disease can range from mild febrile seizures to severe or even fatal meningoencephalitis (2, 3).
What body system does the flu affect?
The flu is a virus that infects your upper respiratory tract (throat, sinuses) and it can also infect your lower respiratory tract (lungs). When the virus infects your lungs, your body tries to fight the infection.
Which virus affects central nervous system?
I. Introduction
| Virus | Family | CNS Disease |
|---|---|---|
| Herpes simplex viruses-1 and -2 | Herpesviridae | Meningo-encephalitis |
| Rabies virus | Rhabdoviridae | Encephalomyelitis |
| West Nile virus | Flaviviridae | Meningo-encephalomyelitis |
| Nipah virus | Paramyxoviridae | Encephalitis |
Can the flu cause brain inflammation?
Encephalitis (en-sef-uh-LIE-tis) is inflammation of the brain. There are several causes, but the most common is a viral infection. Encephalitis often causes only mild flu-like signs and symptoms — such as a fever or headache — or no symptoms at all. Sometimes the flu-like symptoms are more severe.
Can flu cause permanent damage?
Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.
What are the long term effects of the flu?
What Are the Most Common Complications? They include viral or bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and ear infections and sinus infections, especially in children. The flu can worsen long-term medical conditions, like congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
How does the flu leave the body?
Coughing and Sneezing—Within a few days of a viral infection, the fluid from a runny nose may change color from clear to yellow to green. Mucus is designed to trap offending viruses, which are efficiently and quickly expelled from the body through coughing and sneezing. Fever—Fevers fight influenza viruses.
Which two viruses are known for their ability to infect the central nervous system?
HEVs and alphaviruses, such as Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (EEEV, WEEV, VEEV) primarily infect neurons within the CNS, which has a cytopathic effect. HEVs are responsible for a large percentage of worldwide viral encephalitides [1].
What type of virus attacks neurons in the nervous system?
Most viruses that enter can be opportunistic and accidental pathogens, but some like herpes viruses and rabies virus have evolved in time to enter the nervous system efficiently, by exploiting the neuronal cell biology.
What does brain inflammation feel like?
One of the most common symptoms of brain inflammation is brain fog, that feeling of slow and fuzzy thinking. Other common brain inflammation symptoms include depression anxiety, irritability, anger, memory loss, and fatigue. Even getting a song stuck in your head is a symptom.
Can the flu make you feel disoriented?
Sudden dizziness. Confusion. Extreme or persistent vomiting. Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
What are the symptoms of long Covid?
What are the symptoms of long Covid?
- fatigue.
- breathlessness or shortness of breath.
- difficulty sleeping.
- anxiety and depression.
- heart palpitations.
- chest tightness or pain.
- joint or muscle pain.
- not being able to think straight or focus (‘brain fog’)