How long does the flu typically last. What are the common symptoms and their progression. When should you seek medical attention for flu symptoms. How can you speed up recovery from the flu.

The Typical Duration of Flu Symptoms

The flu, or influenza, is a common viral infection that can leave individuals feeling under the weather for several days. But how long does the flu actually last? While the duration can vary from person to person, there’s a general timeline that most cases follow.

On average, flu symptoms persist for 3-7 days. However, it’s not uncommon for some effects to linger for up to two weeks. The most severe symptoms typically peak between days 2 and 4, with many people starting to feel better around day 5. It’s important to note that a cough may persist for several weeks, even after other symptoms have subsided.

Factors that can influence the duration of flu symptoms include:

• Age (children and older adults may experience longer-lasting symptoms)
• Overall health and immune system strength
• Vaccination status
• Timely use of antiviral medications

The Flu Symptom Timeline: Day-by-Day Breakdown

Understanding the typical progression of flu symptoms can help you better manage your recovery and know when to seek medical attention. Here’s a general timeline of what to expect:

Days 1-2: Sudden Onset

Unlike the common cold, which often develops gradually, flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly. Within hours, you may transition from feeling fine to experiencing:

• High fever (often appearing before other symptoms)
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Extreme fatigue

Days 2-4: Peak Symptoms

During this period, symptoms typically reach their height. You may experience:

• Persistent high fever
• Severe body aches
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Possible vomiting (more common in children)

Days 5-7: Gradual Improvement

For many, this marks the beginning of recovery. You might notice:

• Fever breaking
• Reduced muscle pain
• Increased energy levels
• Improved appetite

However, it’s crucial to stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Beyond Day 7: Lingering Effects

While most people feel significantly better by this point, some symptoms may persist:

• Dry cough (can last up to 8 weeks)
• Fatigue
• Reduced stamina

Factors Affecting Flu Duration and Severity

Several factors can influence how long the flu lasts and how severe symptoms become:

Age and Health Status

Certain groups are more vulnerable to prolonged and severe flu symptoms:

• Infants and young children
• Adults over 65
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic health conditions (e.g., asthma, heart disease, diabetes)
• Individuals with weakened immune systems

Vaccination Status

While the flu shot doesn’t guarantee immunity, it can significantly impact symptom duration and severity. Vaccinated individuals who still contract the flu often experience:

• Milder symptoms
• Shorter illness duration
• Reduced risk of complications

Antiviral Medication Use

Timely use of antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), can:

• Shorten the duration of flu symptoms
• Reduce the risk of serious complications
• Decrease the severity of symptoms

These medications are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Recognizing and Managing Flu Complications

While most people recover from the flu without incident, complications can occur. 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.

Common flu complications include:

• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Sinus infections
• Ear infections (especially in children)
• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
• Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

It’s crucial to monitor for signs of complications, which may include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent chest pain or pressure
• Confusion or sudden dizziness
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Effective Strategies for Flu Recovery and Symptom Management

While there’s no cure for the flu, several strategies can help alleviate symptoms and promote faster recovery:

Rest and Hydration

Adequate rest allows your body to focus its energy on fighting the virus. Stay in bed and avoid strenuous activities. Proper hydration is crucial for recovery, so drink plenty of fluids, including:

• Water
• Clear broths
• Herbal teas
• Electrolyte drinks (especially if experiencing vomiting or diarrhea)

Over-the-Counter Medications

Various OTC medications can help manage flu symptoms:

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain relief
• Decongestants for nasal congestion
• Cough suppressants for persistent cough

Always follow dosage instructions and consult a healthcare provider if you have any underlying health conditions.

Humidification

Using a humidifier can help:

• Ease congestion
• Soothe a sore throat
• Reduce coughing

Nutrition

While your appetite may be reduced, try to eat nutrient-rich foods to support your immune system:

• Fruits and vegetables high in vitamins C and E
• Lean proteins
• Whole grains
• Yogurt or other probiotic-rich foods

When to Seek Medical Attention for Flu Symptoms

While most cases of the flu can be managed at home, certain situations warrant medical attention:

Timing of Antiviral Treatment

For optimal effectiveness, antiviral medications should be started within 48 hours of symptom onset. If you’re at high risk for complications or experiencing severe symptoms, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Persistent or Worsening Symptoms

Seek medical care if:

• Symptoms don’t improve after 7 days
• Fever persists beyond 3-4 days
• Symptoms improve but then worsen again

Signs of Complications

Immediate medical attention is necessary if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Severe muscle pain or weakness
• Neurological symptoms (confusion, seizures)
• Signs of dehydration (decreased urination, dizziness)

High-Risk Individuals

Certain groups should seek medical attention promptly upon developing flu symptoms:

• Adults 65 years and older
• Children under 5, especially those under 2
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic medical conditions
• Individuals with compromised immune systems

Preventing the Spread of Flu: Best Practices

Preventing the spread of flu is crucial for community health. Here are some effective strategies:

Vaccination

Annual flu vaccines are the most effective way to prevent influenza. They can:

• Reduce your risk of contracting the flu
• Decrease the severity of symptoms if you do get sick
• Help protect vulnerable populations through herd immunity

Hygiene Practices

Proper hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of flu:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water aren’t available
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (preferably with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands)
• Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, and eyes

Social Distancing

If you’re sick with the flu:

• Stay home from work, school, and public places
• Avoid close contact with others, especially vulnerable individuals
• Wait at least 24 hours after your fever breaks before returning to normal activities

Environmental Cleaning

Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as:

• Doorknobs
• Light switches
• Keyboards
• Phones
• Remote controls

By understanding the typical duration and progression of flu symptoms, recognizing when to seek medical attention, and implementing effective recovery and prevention strategies, you can better manage your health during flu season. Remember, while the flu can be a challenging experience, most people recover fully within a week or two with proper care and rest.

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.