What’s the Difference between Flu A and Flu B?
What is the Flu?
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are four types of flu viruses: Influenza A, Influenza B, Influenza C, and Influenza D. Only two of these types – Influenza A and Influenza B – are the culprits of the yearly winter epidemics known as "flu season."
Influenza A versus Influenza B
But what exactly is the difference between Influenza A and Influenza B? NEWS10 spoke with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) about the two types:
According to NYSDOH, Influenza A viruses infect humans, birds, and pigs, whereas Influenza B only infects humans. Influenza A tends to be more severe and has the potential to cause pandemics. Influenza B, on the other hand, is generally less severe, though it can still cause serious illness, especially for more vulnerable populations like children or older adults.
2024-2025 Flu Season
According to NYSDOH, the impact of the seasonal flu, such as the number of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, varies from year to year. What usually stays consistent is the general time that the flu season occurs, which is typically during the fall and winter.
This season, however, flu cases in New York began rising about a month later than usual, leading to a significant number of infections leading into February. For the week ending on Feb. 1, the peak of the season thus far, according to a NYSDOH flu tracker, there were 54,360 reported flu cases.
What about Bird Flu?
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu or H5N1, has made recent headlines as cases rise in poultry and livestock populations across the United States. There have also been some human cases of bird flu following exposure to infected animals in states like California, Michigan, Washington, and more, according to the CDC.
Despite nationwide alarm over bird flu, which is a subtype of the Influenza A virus, the CDC currently reports that the threat to the public remains low. There have also been no human-to-human transmission of the disease, according to the center.
Flu Prevention
There are several measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the seasonal flu, according to NYSDOH:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water is not accessible
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home when sick
- Cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Get the flu vaccine
What to Do if You Get the Flu?
Most people who get the flu only experience mild symptoms and do not need additional medical care or antiviral drugs, NYSDOH told NEWS10. In these cases, all you should need to do is stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to receive medical care. Over-the-counter medications may also help with mitigating flu symptoms.
However, if you have symptoms of flu and are at a higher risk for complications, are very sick, or worried about your illness, you should reach out to your health provider immediately. If given early, antiviral medications can reduce symptoms and reduce the amount of time that you are sick, according to NYSDOH.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the flu?
- The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
- What are the main differences between Influenza A and Influenza B?
- Influenza A viruses infect humans, birds, and pigs, whereas Influenza B only infects humans. Influenza A tends to be more severe and has the potential to cause pandemics, while Influenza B is generally less severe.
- What is the best way to prevent the flu?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when sick, cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- What should I do if I get the flu?
- Most people who get the flu only experience mild symptoms and do not need additional medical care or antiviral drugs. However, if you have symptoms of flu and are at a higher risk for complications, are very sick, or worried about your illness, you should reach out to your health provider immediately.
