Influenza type A and B

Holiday working hours:

Dear patients, on the occasion of September 22 - Day of Bulgarian independence, the working hours of our laboratories are as follows:
*Sofia city, both our sites will be closed on 22.09, on 23.09.23, only the central laboratory at 1 Jerusalem Blvd. will be open;
*Varna city, all laboratories will be closed except for:
- 3 ILINDEN STREET - normal working hours, no change
- "TSAR OSVOBODITEL" Blvd. 81 - on 22.09.23 from 08:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and on 23.09.23 will be closed

Influenza type A and B

23/01/2021

In the midst of flu season…

It’s winter. As every year, with the onset of winter comes the flu. Influenza, also known as influenza, is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported at the end of December that the influenza virus prevailing this season is of type A(H3N2) and warned that the most seriously affected people are expected to be people of the age group over 65 , with toddlers traditionally remaining in the high-risk group.

What is the use of examining ourselves?

Testing for the presence of the influenza virus helps us in several ways. First and foremost, when your doctor is sure that you have the flu and not another respiratory illness, he can administer the appropriate treatment. Often, in an effort to quickly alleviate the symptoms of the disease, doctors resort to the use of antibiotic therapy, to which the flu virus does not respond. Correctly diagnosing a disease such as the flu would save you money wasted on antibiotics, as well as all the negatives associated with an incorrect treatment.

In addition, if the flu is detected within the first 48 hours after infection, anti-influenza drugs can be taken to significantly shorten the duration of the illness. Their therapeutic effect consists in a milder course of the infection, fewer complications and a reduction in the duration of shedding of the virus.

The best time to test for the flu virus is within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms—there is more of the flu virus (high viral load) in this interval, and this makes it easier to detect and also the antiviral treatment would be significantly more effective. Early detection of the influenza virus helps limit the spread of the virus and reduces the severity of influenza infection.

Testing for the presence of the influenza virus is highly recommended for people from the risk groups – hospitalized, with a weakened immune system or at risk of complications.

Testing for the flu virus does not require prior preparation.