How long does the flu typically last. What are the most common flu symptoms. When should you seek medical attention for flu complications. How can you speed up flu recovery. What treatments are available for influenza. Who is at higher risk for severe flu. How effective is the flu vaccine.

Understanding Flu Duration and Symptom Timeline

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can leave individuals feeling miserable for days or even weeks. Understanding the typical duration and progression of flu symptoms can help you better manage the illness and know when to seek medical attention.

The flu generally follows a predictable timeline:

• Symptoms appear within a few days of infection
• Peak intensity occurs between days 2 and 4
• Most people start feeling better after 5-7 days
• Full recovery can take up to 2 weeks
• A lingering cough may persist for several weeks

It’s important to note that the duration and severity of flu symptoms can vary from person to person. Factors such as age, overall health, and whether you’ve received a flu vaccine can all influence how long the illness lasts.

Can flu symptoms come and go?

Some individuals may experience fluctuations in their flu symptoms. It’s not uncommon for symptoms to improve and then worsen again, or for certain symptoms to be more pronounced at different times of the day. For example, many people report feeling worse in the morning or evening.

Recognizing Common Flu Symptoms and Their Onset

Unlike the common cold, which typically develops gradually, flu symptoms often appear suddenly and with greater intensity. Within a matter of hours, you may transition from feeling perfectly fine to experiencing a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

The most common flu symptoms include:

• High fever (often the first sign)
• Chills and sweats
• Muscle aches and body pains
• Headache
• Extreme fatigue and weakness
• Dry, persistent cough
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Occasional vomiting (more common in children)

Is a high fever always present with the flu?

While a high fever is a hallmark symptom of the flu, not everyone will experience this. However, when present, fever often appears before other symptoms and tends to be more severe than fevers associated with common colds.

Flu Recovery: What to Expect and How to Manage Symptoms

As the flu progresses, most people begin to feel some relief around day 5. By day 7, a significant improvement is typically noticeable. However, it’s crucial to remember that recovery times can vary, and it’s not unusual for the flu to last longer than a week.

To promote a faster recovery and manage symptoms effectively, consider the following strategies:

1. Get plenty of rest and stay in bed
2. Stay home to avoid spreading the infection
3. Drink ample fluids, including water and electrolyte-rich beverages
4. Use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
5. Practice good hand hygiene to prevent household spread

When is it safe to return to work or school after having the flu?

It’s generally advisable to stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks without the use of fever-reducing medications. This helps prevent the spread of the virus to others. If you’re still experiencing significant symptoms or fatigue, it may be best to extend your recovery time at home.

Antiviral Treatments: Effectiveness and Considerations

Antiviral medications can play a crucial role in managing flu symptoms and reducing the duration of illness. These prescription drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset.

How do antiviral flu drugs work?

Antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), work by preventing the flu virus from replicating in your body. This can help shorten the duration of symptoms and may reduce the risk of serious complications.

Key points about antiviral flu treatments:

• Most effective when started within 2 days of symptom onset
• Can reduce symptom duration by 1-2 days
• May lower the risk of flu-related complications
• Require a prescription from a healthcare provider
• Can have side effects in some individuals

It’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks of antiviral medications with your healthcare provider, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are at higher risk for flu complications.

High-Risk Groups and Potential Flu Complications

While most healthy individuals recover from the flu without significant issues, certain groups are at higher risk for severe illness and complications. These high-risk groups may experience longer-lasting symptoms and are more vulnerable to serious flu-related problems.

Individuals at higher risk for flu complications include:

• Infants and young children
• Adults aged 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems
• Those with chronic medical conditions (e.g., asthma, heart disease, diabetes)

What are some serious flu complications to watch for?

Severe flu complications can include:

• Pneumonia
• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)
• Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
• Muscle tissue breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
• Multi-organ failure

These complications can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 200,000 people in the United States require hospitalization due to flu-related complications each year.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Flu Symptoms

While most cases of the flu can be managed at home, there are situations where medical attention is necessary. Being aware of warning signs can help you determine when to consult a healthcare provider or seek emergency care.

When should you see a doctor for flu symptoms?

Consider seeing a doctor if:

• Symptoms persist or worsen after 7 days
• You develop new symptoms, such as ear pain
• You have a high fever that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medications
• You’re in a high-risk group for complications
• You’re experiencing severe symptoms

What are the signs of a flu emergency?

Seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you’re caring for experiences:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• In children: bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, or not waking up or interacting

Flu Prevention: Vaccines and Healthy Habits

Preventing the flu is always preferable to treating it. While no method is 100% effective, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your risk of contracting and spreading the influenza virus.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is one of the most important tools for preventing influenza. While its effectiveness can vary from year to year, getting vaccinated offers several benefits:

• Reduces the risk of flu illness by 40-60% among the overall population
• Can decrease the severity of symptoms if you do get sick
• Lowers the risk of flu-related hospitalizations and complications
• Helps protect vulnerable populations through community immunity

It’s important to note that even if you get the flu after being vaccinated, your symptoms are likely to be less severe and resolve more quickly than if you hadn’t received the vaccine.

What other measures can help prevent flu transmission?

In addition to vaccination, adopting healthy habits can significantly reduce your risk of contracting or spreading the flu:

1. Practice good hand hygiene by washing frequently with soap and water
2. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water aren’t available
3. Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, and eyes
4. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
5. Stay home when you’re sick to avoid infecting others
6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep
7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially during flu season

By combining vaccination with these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of flu infection and help protect those around you who may be more vulnerable to severe illness.

How long does the flu last? Timeline and recovery

Symptoms of the flu generally appear within a few days of infection. They usually peak between days 2 and 4, and most people feel better after 5–7 days. However, symptoms can last longer in some cases, and a cough may persist for several weeks.

The flu can leave a person unable to work, perform household duties, or tend to children for several days. Some people develop severe symptoms and may need hospital care.

In this article, we discuss how long the flu usually lasts, a timeline of the common symptoms, and when to see a doctor for treatment.

For people who do not develop serious flu complications, symptoms usually last 3–7 days. Some people find that their symptoms get better and then worse again or that they are worse at certain times of the day, such as in the morning.

Although fever and the most severe symptoms typically resolve within a week, some people have low energy for up to 2 weeks, and it is possible to experience a cough for up to 8 weeks.

The flu shot reduces the risk of getting the flu but does not eliminate it. However, people who still get the flu after receiving a shot tend to have less severe symptoms that last for a shorter period.

Antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), can also shorten the length of the flu and lower the risk of serious complications.

Infants and very young children, older adults, and people with respiratory diseases may have symptoms that last longer. These individuals are also more vulnerable to serious flu complications, such as pneumonia and breathing difficulties.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 200,000 people in the United States need to go to the hospital each year as a result of the flu.

Flu complications are unlikely to resolve on their own, and they can be a medical emergency. They may require a person to stay in the hospital. It can be weeks or even months before a person recovers from serious flu complications.

For more information and resources to help keep you and your loved ones healthy this flu season, visit our dedicated hub.

Was this helpful?

Unlike the cold and other viruses, which present gradually, flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly. Within a few hours, a person may transition from feeling fine to having a fever and other symptoms.

A high fever occurs more commonly with the flu than with a cold, and it often appears before other symptoms.

The most common symptoms of the flu include:

• high fever
• chills
• muscle aches
• a headache
• weakness and extreme exhaustion
• a dry cough
• a sore throat
• vomiting
• congestion

The symptoms tend to peak between days 2 and 4. By day 5, some people begin to feel better. A few feel well enough to return to work or school.

However, it is important to stay at home for 24 hours after a fever breaks. If the fever only goes away with anti-fever medication, remain at home.

By day 7, most people feel significantly better, although some are still sick. It is not unusual for the flu to last longer than a week, so slow healing is not necessarily a bad sign. However, if the symptoms continue to get worse after a week, it may be best to see a doctor.

The best and most effective treatment for the flu is an antiviral flu drug. Taking this drug within 2 days of getting sick may shorten the duration of the flu and help a person avoid complications.

Before taking any anti-flu medication, a person can weigh up the risks and benefits with a doctor. It is important to tell the doctor about any previous health problems or drug reactions because some people experience side effects when they take anti-flu drugs.

Antibiotics cannot treat the flu. The flu is a virus, and antibiotics only treat bacterial infections.

However, some people develop secondary infections because of the flu. Children are especially vulnerable to ear infections, but adults can get them too. If symptoms suddenly change or get worse, this could mean that there is a new infection, which could be viral or bacterial.

The following strategies can help speed up the healing process:

• Resting and staying in bed.
• Avoiding going to work, school, or anywhere else, as this can spread the flu.
• Drinking plenty of fluids. If fever or vomiting occurs, try drinking an electrolyte drink to prevent dehydration.
• Using over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Washing the hands frequently to avoid spreading the infection to other members of the household.

People should try to see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours after flu symptoms appear, as this is when antiviral treatments are most effective.

It is also important to see a doctor if symptoms do not improve after 7 days or new symptoms, such as ear pain, appear.

People should seek emergency medical treatment if:

• breathing becomes difficult or labored
• muscle pain is unbearable or severe enough to prevent walking
• a child develops a fever above 104°F
• when breathing, a child or infant makes loud sounds or pulls in the muscles around their ribs
• a person has seizures, loses consciousness, seems confused, or is unable to communicate effectively
• a baby under the age of 12 weeks develops a fever
• symptoms of chronic medical conditions get worse
• there is intense dizziness that does not go away after a few hours
• a person stops urinating or urinates very rarely
• symptoms get better but then return later and are worse

Most people who get the flu will have symptoms that last between 3 and 7 days. If they develop complications, they may be ill for longer.

Thousands of people die from the flu every year. Children, older adults, or people with compromised immune systems are much more vulnerable to flu complications. People should take the flu seriously by resting and avoiding public places until their symptoms disappear.

With rest and medical care, it is possible to recover even from serious complications. Anyone with severe flu symptoms should see a doctor. To reduce the risk of getting the flu again, a person can get the flu shot every year.

How long does the flu last? Timeline and recovery

Symptoms of the flu generally appear within a few days of infection. They usually peak between days 2 and 4, and most people feel better after 5–7 days. However, symptoms can last longer in some cases, and a cough may persist for several weeks.

The flu can leave a person unable to work, perform household duties, or tend to children for several days. Some people develop severe symptoms and may need hospital care.

In this article, we discuss how long the flu usually lasts, a timeline of the common symptoms, and when to see a doctor for treatment.

For people who do not develop serious flu complications, symptoms usually last 3–7 days. Some people find that their symptoms get better and then worse again or that they are worse at certain times of the day, such as in the morning.

Although fever and the most severe symptoms typically resolve within a week, some people have low energy for up to 2 weeks, and it is possible to experience a cough for up to 8 weeks.

The flu shot reduces the risk of getting the flu but does not eliminate it. However, people who still get the flu after receiving a shot tend to have less severe symptoms that last for a shorter period.

Antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), can also shorten the length of the flu and lower the risk of serious complications.

Infants and very young children, older adults, and people with respiratory diseases may have symptoms that last longer. These individuals are also more vulnerable to serious flu complications, such as pneumonia and breathing difficulties.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 200,000 people in the United States need to go to the hospital each year as a result of the flu.

Flu complications are unlikely to resolve on their own, and they can be a medical emergency. They may require a person to stay in the hospital. It can be weeks or even months before a person recovers from serious flu complications.

For more information and resources to help keep you and your loved ones healthy this flu season, visit our dedicated hub.

Was this helpful?

Unlike the cold and other viruses, which present gradually, flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly. Within a few hours, a person may transition from feeling fine to having a fever and other symptoms.

A high fever occurs more commonly with the flu than with a cold, and it often appears before other symptoms.

The most common symptoms of the flu include:

• high fever
• chills
• muscle aches
• a headache
• weakness and extreme exhaustion
• a dry cough
• a sore throat
• vomiting
• congestion

The symptoms tend to peak between days 2 and 4. By day 5, some people begin to feel better. A few feel well enough to return to work or school.

However, it is important to stay at home for 24 hours after a fever breaks. If the fever only goes away with anti-fever medication, remain at home.

By day 7, most people feel significantly better, although some are still sick. It is not unusual for the flu to last longer than a week, so slow healing is not necessarily a bad sign. However, if the symptoms continue to get worse after a week, it may be best to see a doctor.

The best and most effective treatment for the flu is an antiviral flu drug. Taking this drug within 2 days of getting sick may shorten the duration of the flu and help a person avoid complications.

Before taking any anti-flu medication, a person can weigh up the risks and benefits with a doctor. It is important to tell the doctor about any previous health problems or drug reactions because some people experience side effects when they take anti-flu drugs.

Antibiotics cannot treat the flu. The flu is a virus, and antibiotics only treat bacterial infections.

However, some people develop secondary infections because of the flu. Children are especially vulnerable to ear infections, but adults can get them too. If symptoms suddenly change or get worse, this could mean that there is a new infection, which could be viral or bacterial.

The following strategies can help speed up the healing process:

• Resting and staying in bed.
• Avoiding going to work, school, or anywhere else, as this can spread the flu.
• Drinking plenty of fluids. If fever or vomiting occurs, try drinking an electrolyte drink to prevent dehydration.
• Using over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Washing the hands frequently to avoid spreading the infection to other members of the household.

People should try to see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours after flu symptoms appear, as this is when antiviral treatments are most effective.

It is also important to see a doctor if symptoms do not improve after 7 days or new symptoms, such as ear pain, appear.

People should seek emergency medical treatment if:

• breathing becomes difficult or labored
• muscle pain is unbearable or severe enough to prevent walking
• a child develops a fever above 104°F
• when breathing, a child or infant makes loud sounds or pulls in the muscles around their ribs
• a person has seizures, loses consciousness, seems confused, or is unable to communicate effectively
• a baby under the age of 12 weeks develops a fever
• symptoms of chronic medical conditions get worse
• there is intense dizziness that does not go away after a few hours
• a person stops urinating or urinates very rarely
• symptoms get better but then return later and are worse

Most people who get the flu will have symptoms that last between 3 and 7 days. If they develop complications, they may be ill for longer.

Thousands of people die from the flu every year. Children, older adults, or people with compromised immune systems are much more vulnerable to flu complications. People should take the flu seriously by resting and avoiding public places until their symptoms disappear.

With rest and medical care, it is possible to recover even from serious complications. Anyone with severe flu symptoms should see a doctor. To reduce the risk of getting the flu again, a person can get the flu shot every year.

signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Influenza is a severe viral infection that affects men, women and children of all ages and nationalities. Influenza epidemics happen every year, usually during the cold season. In terms of the number of cases in the world, influenza and SARS rank first, the share in the structure of infectious diseases reaches 95%.

Influenza and SARS, gradually undermining health, reduce the average life expectancy of a person by several years. In severe cases of influenza, irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system, respiratory organs, and central nervous system often occurs, provoking heart and vascular diseases, pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, and meningoencephalitis.

Influenza collects the greatest victims among the elderly population groups suffering from chronic diseases.

The influenza virus is very easily transmitted:

• The most common route of transmission is airborne.
• It is also possible and household transmission, for example, through household items.

When coughing, sneezing, talking, particles of saliva, mucus, sputum with pathogenic microflora, including influenza viruses, are ejected from the nasopharynx of a patient or a virus carrier. An infected zone is formed around the patient with a maximum concentration of aerosol particles. The range of their scattering usually does not exceed 2 – 3 m.

What is SARS? How is it different from the flu?

The term “acute respiratory disease” (ARI) or “acute respiratory viral infection” (ARVI) covers a large number of diseases that are largely similar to each other. Their main similarity lies in the way of transmission (they enter the body along with inhaled air through the mouth and nasopharynx) and in a set of symptoms:

• The patient has a fever, sore throat, cough, chills, muscle pain and headache for several days.
• The most common symptom of respiratory illness is a runny nose; it is caused by a number of related viruses known as rhinoviruses.

With recovery, all these symptoms disappear and do not leave behind any traces.

In general, the causative agents of acute respiratory infections are transmitted from person to person through coughing or sneezing of the patient. Any person in close (approximately 1 meter) contact with another person with symptoms of SARS is at risk of exposure to potentially infectious inhaled droplets. Viruses can enter the body (in the eyes, nose or mouth) through the hands when in contact with an infected surface.

Personal hygiene can help prevent the spread of pathogens that cause respiratory infections.

Differences between COVID-19, colds and flu

As you know, the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets. She is characterized by the presence of clinical symptoms of SARS (you can find a detailed educational program from Sevdzdrav at the link – https://sevdz.ru/mednavigator/profilaktika/koronavirus/).

Important! COVID-19 is sometimes asymptomatic, but this does not make the carrier of the virus any less contagious. Especially in such cases, people with chronic diseases suffer.

Visual infographics from Rospotrebnadzor:

Basic recommendations for the prevention of influenza and SARS for the population

It is especially important to observe preventive measures now – during the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection.

The self-isolation regime has been canceled, but the pandemic has not disappeared anywhere! We all need to think about our health and the health of those around us.

• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell, show fever (temperature) and cough.
• Avoid crowded places or reduce time spent in crowded places.
• Avoid touching your mouth and nose.
• Observe hand hygiene – wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially when touching the mouth, nose.
• Increase the flow of fresh air into living quarters, open windows as often as possible.
• Use a mask when in contact with a sick person.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep, eating “healthy” foods, and being physically active.

Preventive immunization of the population (vaccination) is the best prevention of influenza. In turn, the main danger of refusing to vaccinate is the possibility of getting the flu when in contact with a sick person. In addition, a person who has not been vaccinated is potentially dangerous to others, as he is a likely carrier of an infectious disease.

In detail: why vaccination is needed and where to get a flu shot in Sevastopol.

Recommendations for people with symptoms of SARS

• If you feel unwell, stay at home and follow the recommendations of the doctor, if possible, keep a distance (1 meter) from healthy people.
• Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a handkerchief or other suitable material. Dispose of this material immediately after use or wash it. Wash your hands immediately after contact with secretions from the respiratory tract!
• Wear a mask if you are in the common area of ​​the house near other people.
• Tell your family and friends about the illness.

Important! Medical masks

Recommendations for the use of protective medical masks:

• The wearing of medical masks is mandatory for persons who have close contact with a sick patient.
• Carefully put on the mask so that it covers the mouth and nose, and tie it tightly so that there are as few gaps between the face and the mask as possible.
• Avoid touching the mask when using it.
• After touching a used mask, for example when removing it, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Replace the used mask with a new, clean, dry mask as soon as the used mask becomes damp (wet).
• Masks intended for single use should not be reused.
• Throw away disposable masks after each use and dispose of them immediately after removal.

Home Care Guidelines

• Isolate the patient from others by at least 1 meter from others.
• Cover your mouth and nose when caring for the sick using masks.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after each contact with a sick person. Allocate separate towels for each family member.
• Other than the caregivers, the sick person should not be visited by other visitors.
• If possible, have only one adult in the home care for the sick.
• Avoid being cared for by a pregnant woman.
• Constantly ventilate the room in which the patient is located.
• Keep the room clean with detergents.

Advice for Parents of Sick Children

• Seek medical attention if your child is sick.
• Leave a sick child at home unless he needs medical attention.
• Give your child plenty of fluids (juice, water).
• Create a comfortable environment for your child, peace is extremely important.
• If your child has a fever, sore throat and body aches, you can give him antipyretics prescribed by the doctor according to the patient’s age.
• Keep tissues and tissue basket within reach of the patient.
• Teach the children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Parents should also follow this procedure, which will serve as a good example for children.
• Teach children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or hand. Parents should also follow this procedure, which will serve as a good example for children.
• Teach the children not to come closer than one and a half to two meters from the sick.
• Sick children should stay at home (not attend preschools and schools) and keep their distance from other people until their condition improves.
• Refrain from frequent visits to crowded places.
• If your child has been in contact with someone who has the flu, ask your doctor if you need to take antiviral medicines to prevent the flu.

Acute respiratory viral infections and influenza – GBUZ “DLRC Krasnodar” MH KK

Acute respiratory viral infections and influenza

Acute respiratory (respiratory) viral infections (ARVI) – a group of diseases caused by viruses with similar transmission routes (mainly airborne, that is, through the air with particles of saliva) and clinical manifestations (cough, fever, sore throat, etc. .).

Influenza belongs to the ARBI group, but it is especially distinguished due to the pronounced tendency of this infection to spread with the development of epidemics. In addition, influenza is accompanied by more pronounced clinical
manifestations and with it a higher risk of complications. There is a subspecies of the H5N1 influenza virus that is transmitted from sick birds (ducks, chickens) to humans.

This type of flu is called “avian flu”.

SARS are the most common diseases, they account for 90% of all infections. In Russia, from 27 to 40 million people fall ill with ARVI every year.

ARVI viruses are excreted from the patient’s body with drops of saliva and sputum when breathing, talking, crying, coughing, sneezing. Viruses enter the body of a healthy person by inhaling infected particles or by sharing household items (dishes, towels). The highest probability of infection is in close contact and high crowding: in transport, in barracks, hospitals, educational institutions, nursing homes, etc. Susceptibility to respiratory infections is very high, but can be reduced with preventive measures (see below).

SARS are dangerous with complications, which, however, do not occur often. A typical complication of any SARS is pneumonia. Influenza, in addition, can be complicated by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, middle ear (especially in children), respiratory distress syndrome (pulmonary edema), meningitis. Influenza is most dangerous for young children, the elderly, as well as for patients with HIV infection, diabetes mellitus and people with weakened immunity due to radiation or chemotherapy.

The disease begins with an increase in body temperature up to 38-40 ° C, which persists for 2-7 days. It should be remembered that a repeated increase in body temperature (that is, after its initial decrease) is not typical for 0PBI and may indicate either the development of complications or the presence of another disease. Another common symptom is a cough, usually dry. It is important to remember that a dry cough can persist after SARS for 1-2 weeks, which should not cause concern, provided that all other symptoms have disappeared and the patient’s health has returned to normal. Dry cough is gradually replaced by a cough with sputum. If the sputum becomes green, this does not necessarily indicate the development of complications: this color of sputum can be given by an admixture of discharge from the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nose or bronchi. Among other symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and flu, the most common are headache, muscle pain, sore throat, weakness, and poor appetite. A runny nose for influenza is not typical, but it is possible with other SARS.

Particular attention should be paid to symptoms that may indicate either the development of complications, or the presence of not SARS, but another disease that manifests similar symptoms.

Preservation of elevated body temperature (more than 37.5 ° C) for more than 7 days, as well as its repeated increase.

• Increased headache.

• Vomiting.

• Drowsiness or confusion.

• Stiff neck (inability to bend the head so that the chin touches the chest).

• Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing).

• Chest pain.

• Bloody sputum.

• Any rash.

• Intolerance to bright light.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your
doctor immediately!

Most often, the diagnosis is based on the identification of the symptoms discussed above. To identify complications of acute respiratory viral infections, a general blood and urine test, an x-ray of the chest or paranasal sinuses, and sometimes a bacteriological analysis of sputum may be required.

It is necessary to observe the home regimen (should not go to work, this is fraught with complications). Drinking should be plentiful to prevent dehydration in conditions of high body temperature.

Antipyretic drugs should be taken if the body temperature is above 38. 5 °C, or if it is not well tolerated. In other cases, there is no need for them, since a moderately elevated body temperature contributes to the formation of a good immune response. Of the antipyretic drugs, paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid is most justified (the latter – only if the patient is over 16 years old, in no case should it be prescribed for young children with influenza!).

To relieve the symptoms of SARS, there are many medicines containing several components. As a rule, these are combinations of antipyretics, relieving nasal congestion, antitussives, antiallergics, and vitamins. Always read the instructions carefully: the composition of the drug may contain a component that is either intolerable to you or already taken in a sufficient dose (for example, paracetamol).

Many patients take all sorts of herbal infusions or other herbal remedies to relieve coughs. These agents may contribute to subjective improvement, but they do not reduce the duration of the disease. Let’s take multivitamins, but the consumption of ascorbic acid should not be excessive (no more than 50-100 mg 2-3 times a day for children and 50-100 mg 3-5 times a day for adults).

The following medicines are used to influence ARVI pathogens:

– Antiviral drugs that stop viruses from multiplying, such as rimantadine (it is only effective for influenza).

– Interferons (the main factor of antiviral protection in the body) and stimulants for the formation of interferons.

– Anti-influenza immunoglobulin (the drug is obtained from the blood of healthy people who have had the flu; thus, it contains ready-made antibodies). Immunoglobulin is administered to weakened people, as well as to patients with severe forms of influenza.

– Antibiotics are not used for the treatment of uncomplicated forms of SARS and influenza, since they do not affect viruses. The most important influenza prevention measure is vaccination, which is carried out much earlier than the expected epidemic, usually in October-November. The duration of the protective effect of the vaccine is one year, so it must be repeated annually. Vaccination is most indicated for the following population groups (however, in any case, you should consult with your doctor before conducting it).

– Elderly people (over 65).

– Patients with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases (especially with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

– Children of preschool and school age.

– Immunocompromised patients (with diabetes mellitus, HIV infection, spleen removed or receiving glucocorticoids and cytostatics).

– Patients with chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease.

– Patients with frequent acute respiratory viral infections.

– Persons with a high probability of infection (military contingents, medical personnel, workers in the field of consumer services, transport, educational institutions).

There are practically no contraindications to modern generation vaccines obtained by genetic engineering.