Stages of the Flu

By jolene

Article Sources

Medical Expert

More About Us

7. Complications

Those with an underlying disease have a high risk of complications due to influenza A virus such as pneumonia, hemorrhagic bronchitis, and death. Some of these complications can occur within hours. In as little as 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, full-blown fatal pneumonia can occur along with breathlessness, hemoptysis (coughing with blood), pulmonary edema, cyanosis (skin turns blue), and death. The replication of influenza A peaks about 48 hours after inoculation and starts to decline gradually. These complications are unlikely to resolve without medical attention. It also often requires the patient to be admitted and it can take weeks or months to recover from serious complications.