How do antiviral drugs work against the flu. What are the recommended precautions for flu patients. When should you seek medical care for flu symptoms. How long should you stay home when sick with the flu. What are the main symptoms of influenza.

Understanding Influenza: Causes and Symptoms

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. These viruses are primarily transmitted through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. However, they can also survive briefly on surfaces, making indirect transmission possible through contact with contaminated objects.

The flu typically manifests abruptly, with a range of symptoms that can vary in severity. Common flu symptoms include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose

While most people recover from the flu within a few days to two weeks, some individuals may experience more severe complications, potentially requiring hospitalization. In rare cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia and even death, particularly in high-risk groups.

Antiviral Medications: A Crucial Treatment Option

Antiviral drugs play a significant role in treating influenza, especially for those at higher risk of complications. These prescription medications differ from antibiotics and are specifically designed to combat flu viruses.

How do antiviral drugs work against the flu.

Antiviral medications work by inhibiting the replication of the influenza virus within the body. They can help in several ways:

• Reduce the severity of symptoms
• Shorten the duration of illness
• Prevent serious complications like pneumonia
• Potentially reduce the risk of death in severe cases

For optimal effectiveness, antiviral treatment should ideally begin within 48 hours of symptom onset. However, starting treatment later can still be beneficial, particularly for hospitalized patients or those at high risk of complications.

When to Seek Medical Care for Flu Symptoms

While many cases of flu can be managed at home, certain situations warrant medical attention. You should contact your healthcare provider if:

• You are at high risk for flu complications (e.g., young children, older adults, pregnant women, or those with chronic health conditions)
• Your symptoms are severe or worrying
• You have difficulty breathing
• You experience chest pain or pressure
• You have persistent vomiting
• Your fever or cough returns after initial improvement

Early intervention can be crucial in preventing more serious outcomes, especially for high-risk individuals.

Home Care and Precautions for Flu Patients

If you’ve been diagnosed with the flu, taking appropriate precautions can help speed your recovery and protect others from infection.

What are the recommended precautions for flu patients.

To minimize the spread of the flu virus and support your recovery:

1. Stay home and rest
2. Avoid close contact with others
3. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
4. Dispose of used tissues promptly
5. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
6. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap is unavailable
7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
8. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
9. Take over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms, as advised by your healthcare provider

How long should you stay home when sick with the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medications. This typically means remaining at home for several days to a week, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

The Importance of Flu Vaccination

Annual flu vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. Flu viruses continually evolve, necessitating updated vaccines each year to target the strains expected to circulate during the upcoming flu season.

Why is getting a flu vaccine particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, flu vaccination takes on added significance:

• It helps reduce the burden on healthcare systems already strained by COVID-19
• It minimizes the risk of simultaneous infection with flu and COVID-19
• It protects vulnerable populations who are at risk for severe outcomes from both illnesses

Importantly, flu vaccines can be safely administered alongside COVID-19 vaccines, making it convenient to stay protected against both viruses.

High-Risk Groups and Flu Complications

While anyone can contract the flu, certain groups are at higher risk for developing serious complications. These high-risk individuals should be particularly vigilant about flu prevention and prompt treatment.

Who is considered high-risk for flu complications.

High-risk groups include:

• Adults 65 years and older
• Children younger than 5 years, especially those under 2
• Pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• People with chronic medical conditions such as:
  • Asthma and other respiratory diseases
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney or liver disorders
  • Weakened immune systems
• People with extreme obesity (BMI of 40 or higher)

For these individuals, early antiviral treatment can be crucial in preventing severe outcomes and reducing the risk of hospitalization.

Differentiating Flu from Other Respiratory Illnesses

Given the similarity of symptoms between flu and other respiratory infections, including COVID-19, it’s important to understand how to differentiate between them.

How can you tell if you have the flu or another respiratory illness.

While a definitive diagnosis often requires testing, some characteristics can help distinguish the flu:

• Sudden onset of symptoms (compared to the gradual onset typical of colds)
• Higher fever (typically 101°F or higher)
• More severe body aches and fatigue
• Less prominent nasal symptoms compared to colds

However, given the potential overlap with COVID-19 symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and guidance, especially if you’re in a high-risk group or have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of flu or COVID-19.

The Role of Antiviral Drugs in Flu Management

Antiviral medications are a key component in the management of influenza, particularly for those at high risk of complications. Understanding their role and proper use is crucial for effective treatment.

What types of antiviral drugs are used to treat flu.

The most commonly prescribed antiviral drugs for flu include:

• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu): Available as a pill or liquid
• Zanamivir (Relenza): An inhaled powder
• Peramivir (Rapivab): Administered intravenously
• Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza): A single-dose oral medication

These medications work by interfering with the flu virus’s ability to replicate in your body. While they don’t provide instant relief, they can significantly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms when started early in the course of the illness.

How effective are antiviral drugs in treating flu.

The effectiveness of antiviral drugs depends on several factors:

• Timing of treatment initiation (ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset)
• The specific strain of influenza virus
• The patient’s overall health and immune status

When used appropriately, antiviral drugs can:

• Shorten the duration of flu symptoms by 1-2 days
• Reduce the risk of flu-related complications, such as pneumonia
• Decrease the likelihood of hospitalization, especially in high-risk patients

It’s important to note that antiviral drugs are not a substitute for annual flu vaccination, which remains the most effective way to prevent influenza.

Preventing the Spread of Flu in Healthcare Settings

Healthcare facilities play a crucial role in both treating flu patients and preventing the spread of the virus. Implementing robust infection control measures is essential to protect both patients and healthcare workers.

What measures do hospitals take to prevent flu transmission.

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities typically employ a multi-faceted approach to flu prevention:

1. Vaccination programs for staff and patients
2. Strict hand hygiene protocols
3. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and gowns
4. Isolation precautions for flu patients
5. Environmental cleaning and disinfection
6. Visitor restrictions during flu outbreaks
7. Education and training for staff on flu prevention and control

These measures help minimize the risk of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) influenza infections and protect vulnerable patients from exposure to the virus.

Long-Term Health Impacts of Influenza

While most people recover fully from the flu within a few weeks, severe cases can sometimes lead to long-term health consequences. Understanding these potential impacts is important for both patients and healthcare providers.

Can the flu have long-term health effects.

In some cases, particularly in severe or complicated flu infections, long-term health effects may occur:

• Increased risk of cardiovascular events: Studies have shown an elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes in the weeks following a flu infection.
• Persistent lung problems: Severe flu can lead to long-lasting lung damage, potentially exacerbating conditions like asthma or COPD.
• Neurological complications: In rare cases, flu can trigger neurological conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or exacerbate existing neurological disorders.
• Weakened immune system: A severe bout of flu may temporarily suppress the immune system, increasing susceptibility to other infections.

These potential long-term effects underscore the importance of flu prevention through vaccination and prompt treatment of severe cases with antiviral medications.

Advancements in Flu Treatment and Prevention

The field of influenza research is constantly evolving, with ongoing efforts to improve both treatment options and preventive strategies. Staying informed about these advancements can help individuals and healthcare providers make better decisions about flu management.

What are some recent advancements in flu treatment and prevention.

Several promising developments have emerged in recent years:

• Universal flu vaccines: Researchers are working on developing vaccines that could provide broader protection against multiple flu strains, potentially eliminating the need for annual vaccinations.
• New antiviral drugs: Novel antiviral medications with different mechanisms of action are in development, aiming to provide more effective treatment options, especially for drug-resistant flu strains.
• Improved diagnostic tools: Rapid, accurate diagnostic tests are being developed to quickly distinguish between flu and other respiratory infections, enabling faster treatment decisions.
• Gene-based therapies: Researchers are exploring gene-editing technologies to enhance the body’s natural defenses against flu viruses.
• AI-powered forecasting: Artificial intelligence is being used to improve flu outbreak predictions, allowing for better preparedness and resource allocation.

These advancements hold the promise of more effective flu prevention and treatment strategies in the future, potentially reducing the global burden of influenza.

As research continues and new developments emerge, it’s crucial for both healthcare providers and the general public to stay informed about the latest recommendations for flu prevention and treatment. By combining time-tested strategies like vaccination and good hygiene practices with emerging technologies and treatments, we can work towards minimizing the impact of influenza on individuals and communities.

Treatment: What You Need to Know

Antiviral Drugs

Most people with flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.

If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are at increased risk for complications, are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider. CDC recommends prompt early treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu who are at higher risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.

Antiviral drugs can help treat flu illness:

• Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. Flu antivirals are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, intravenous solution, or an inhaled powder) and are not available over the counter.
• Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They might also prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia, when treatment is started early.
• It’s very important that antiviral drugs be started early after symptoms begin to treat people who are very sick with flu (for example, people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications, either because of their age or because they have a higher risk medical condition. Other people also might be treated with antiviral drugs by their doctor. Most otherwise-healthy people who get flu, however, do not need to be treated with antiviral drugs.

Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatments when they are started within two days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a higher-risk health condition or is very sick from flu (for example, hospitalized patients). Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking these drugs.

If you get sick:

Take Antivirals Drugs, if a health care provider prescribes them

Take everyday precautions to protect others while sick

• While sick, stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.

Stay home until you are better

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
• See Other Important Information for People Who are Sick.
• In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, local governments or public health departments may recommend additional precautions be taken in your community. Follow those instructions.

Influenza (Flu) | University Hospitals

What is influenza (flu)?

Updated for the 2022-23 influenza
season

Influenza (flu) is an easily spread
respiratory tract infection. It’s caused by a virus. Millions of people get the flu
each
year. The flu usually starts abruptly, with fever, muscle aches, sore throat, and
a
cough.

The flu can make people of any age
sick. Most people are sick with the flu for only a few days. But some have a much
more
serious illness. They may need to go to the hospital. The flu can also lead to pneumonia
and death.

The flu viruses continually change.
Vaccines are developed and given each year to protect against the flu virus strains
expected to cause the illness that year.

Getting a flu vaccine during 2021-2022 is more important than ever
because of COVID-19 . Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same
time.
Flu vaccines are especially important for people who are at high risk from complications
of the flu.

What causes the flu?

The flu is caused by a virus.
Viruses are generally passed from person to person through the air when an infected
person sneezes or coughs.

But the virus can also live for a
short time on objects like doorknobs, pens, pencils, keyboards, phones, and cups or
eating utensils. So you can also get the flu by touching something that has been
recently handled by someone infected with the virus and then touching your own mouth,
nose, or eyes.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Each person may have different
symptoms. The flu is a respiratory disease. But it can affect your whole body. Symptoms
usually start suddenly. People usually become very sick with several, or all, of these
symptoms:

• Cough, often becoming severe
• Extreme exhaustion
• Fatigue for several weeks
• Headache
• High fever
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Severe aches and pains
• Sneezing at times
• Sometimes a sore throat
• Vomiting and diarrhea

Fever and body aches often last for
3 to 7 days. But cough and fatigue may last for 2 weeks or more.

The symptoms of the flu may look
like other health problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a
diagnosis.

How is the flu diagnosed?

The flu is diagnosed based on your
symptoms. Lab tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis, if needed.

How is the flu treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It
will also depend on how severe the condition is.

The goal of treatment for the flu
is to help prevent or decrease the severity of symptoms and any complications. Treatment
may include:

• Antiviral medicines. These
  prescription medicines can reduce how long you’ll have the flu. In some high risk
  people, they can also lower the risk of complications or shorten how long they last.
  These medicines generally have to be started within the first 2 days of the illness.
  But people at the highest risk for complications or those who already have them may
  be given the medicines even after the second day of being sick. These medicines do
  sometimes have side effects, such as nervousness, lightheadedness, or nausea. But
  they are often mild at most.
• Medicines. There are over-the-counter
  medicines for congestion and nasal discharge. You can also take medicine to relieve
  aches and fever. Don’t give aspirin to children or teens with fever. Aspirin may
  cause side effects, such as an upset stomach and intestinal bleeding. It can also
  cause Reye syndrome. This rare but very serious illness can affect all organs of the
  body. But it most often injures the brain and liver. The medicine of choice for
  children and teens is acetaminophen.
• Rest. Bed rest and plenty of fluids
  can help.

Talk with your healthcare provider
for more information.

What are possible complications of the flu?

The flu can cause ear and sinus
infections. Flu can make chronic conditions worse. For example, it can cause flares
in
people with asthma.

A serious complication of the flu
is pneumonia. Other possible serious complications include an inflammation of the
heart
(myocarditis), brain (encephalitis), or muscles (myositis or rhabdomyolysis). Flu
can
sometimes cause a life-threatening inflammation in the body called sepsis. Sepsis
is a
medical emergency.

Can the flu be prevented?

A new flu vaccine is made each fall
to protect against the flu viruses predicted to cause outbreaks during that flu season.
It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself. Everyone ages 6 months and older should
get a flu shot each year. It’s usually recommended for specific groups of people,
as
well as for anyone who doesn’t want to get the flu. For the 2022-2023 influenza season,
the vaccine is available in different forms. The most common way to get the vaccine
is
by flu shot. A nasal spray is also available for healthy, nonpregnant people between
ages 2 and 49. Because of the COVID-19, health experts strongly advise that you get
the
flu vaccine to protect you and others.

The flu shot is safe. The CDC and
the FDA closely watch vaccine safety. Hundreds of millions of flu vaccines have been
safely given across the country for decades.

The flu shot can’t give you the
flu. But some of the side effects can be like the illness. The most common side effects
from a flu shot are:

• Achiness
• Low-grade fever
• Soreness where the shot was given

If you have them at all, these side
effects are usually mild and last a short time.

The effectiveness of the vaccine
varies from one person to another. It can depend on factors such as age and overall
health.

The following may also be helpful
for preventing the flu:

• When possible, stay away from or limit
  contact with sick people.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap
  and water to reduce the risk of infection.
• Cover your nose and mouth when
  coughing or sneezing to limit spread of the virus.

The flu causes complications that
may develop into a more serious disease or become dangerous to some people. This
includes older adults and those with long-term (chronic) health problems. Always talk
with your healthcare provider to find out if you should get the flu shot.

Although the flu shot is safe, some
people should
not be vaccinated. These
include:

• People who have had a severe,
  life-threatening reaction in the past after getting the flu shot
• Babies age 6 months old or
  younger

Talk with your healthcare
provider before getting a flu shot if:

• You are sick with a fever. Talk with your provider first. You
  may be advised to wait till you recover to get the shot.
• Have had a severe paralyzing illness called Guillain-Barré
  syndrome (GBS) after getting a flu shot in the past. Some people with a history of
  GBS should not get a flu shot.

The flu vaccine is recommended even for people with egg allergies.
People with a history of severe egg allergies are advised to get their vaccine in
a
medical setting such as a hospital or outpatient medical clinic overseen by a healthcare
provider who can recognize and manage severe allergic reactions. For people age 18
or
older, an egg-free vaccine may be available, but it is generally not needed. Talk
with
your healthcare provider about which flu vaccine is right for you and where you should
get your vaccine.

September and October are generally
good times to be vaccinated. The CDC recommends getting the flu shot every year by
the
end of October. Flu season can start as early as October and most commonly peaks in
the
U.S. in January or February. But flu seasons are unpredictable. The flu shot takes
1 to
2 weeks to start working. Even if you can’t get your vaccine by the end of October,
experts still recommend getting it as long as the flu season is active.

The CDC recommends that travelers
have the flu vaccine at least 2 weeks before planned travel to allow time to
develop immunity. Talk with your healthcare provider for more information.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

For most people, the flu can be
treated at home without treatment from your healthcare provider. But if you have other
health problems that make you more susceptible to complications from the flu, tell
your
healthcare provider when you suspect you have the flu. If your symptoms get worse
or you
have new symptoms, let your provider know.

Key points about the flu

• The flu is an easily spread viral
  respiratory tract infection.
• The flu is caused by viruses that are
  generally passed from person to person through the air.
• The flu is treated with bed rest,
  plenty of fluids, and medicines to treat discomfort and fever.
• Antiviral medicines taken within the
  first 2 days of illness can reduce the length and severity of the disease. They may
  also reduce the risk of complications in those at high risk.
• Getting the flu vaccine every year is
  the best prevention. Flu vaccines are more important than ever because of
  COVID-19.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from
a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and
  what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down
  questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask
  questions and remember what your healthcare provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a
  new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new
  instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment
  is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated
  in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is
  recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take
  the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment,
  write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your
  healthcare provider if you have questions.

Influenza: treatment and prevention | “Clinical TB dispensary”

What is influenza and what is its danger?

Influenza – is an infectious disease that can affect anyone. The causative agent of influenza is a virus that from infected people enters the nasopharynx of others.

Most people get the flu for only a few days, but some get more severe, possibly severe, even fatal. Influenza exacerbates existing chronic diseases, in addition, the flu has an extensive list of possible complications:

• pulmonary complications (pneumonia, bronchitis). Pneumonia is the cause of most influenza deaths.
• complications from the upper respiratory tract and ENT organs (otitis media, sinusitis, rhinitis, tracheitis).
• complications from the cardiovascular system (myocarditis, pericarditis).
• complications from the nervous system (meningitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, neuralgia, polyradiculoneuritis).

To avoid possible complications, it is important to prevent influenza in time and treat the disease properly.

Influenza usually starts suddenly. The causative agents of influenza, viruses of types A and B, are characterized by aggressiveness and an exceptionally high reproduction rate, therefore, within a few hours after infection, the virus leads to deep lesions of the respiratory mucosa, opening up opportunities for bacteria to penetrate into it. Influenza symptoms include fever, temperature of 37.5–39 °C, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fatigue, cough, runny or stuffy nose, pain and sore throat. Influenza can be confused with other diseases, so a doctor must make a clear diagnosis, he also prescribes treatment tactics.

What should I do if I have the flu?

The patient himself, at the first symptoms, should stay at home, so as not only not to infect others, but also to start treatment in time, for which it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor. To prevent further spread of the infection, the sick person must be isolated from healthy people, it is advisable to allocate a separate room.

Important!

Parents! In no case do not send sick children to kindergarten, school, cultural events. With influenza, it is extremely important to observe bed rest, since the disease increases the load on the cardiovascular, immune and other body systems.

Self-medication for influenza is unacceptable, and it is the doctor who must diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment, appropriate to the condition and age of the patient.

For proper treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the attending physician and take medicines in a timely manner. In addition, it is recommended to drink plenty of water – it can be hot tea, cranberry or lingonberry juice, alkaline mineral water. You need to drink more often and as much as possible.

At 38-39°С call the local doctor at home or the ambulance team.

When coughing and sneezing, the patient should cover their mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue.

The room where the patient is located should be regularly ventilated and wet cleaned as often as possible, preferably using disinfectants that act on viruses.

Contact with a sick person should be limited, and when caring for him, use a medical mask or gauze bandage.

How can you protect yourself from the flu?

According to the position of the World Health Organization, the most effective remedy against influenza is vaccination, because it is the vaccine that provides protection against those types of influenza virus that are the most relevant in this epidemiological season and are part of it.

The introduction of a vaccine into the body cannot cause disease, but by producing protective antibodies it stimulates the immune system to fight infection. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine is incomparably higher than all non-specific medicines that can be taken during the winter months, such as immunomodulators, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, traditional medicine, and so on.

Vaccination is recommended for all population groups, but is especially indicated for children from 6 months old, people suffering from chronic diseases, pregnant women, and people at occupational risk groups – medical workers, teachers, students, workers in the service and transport sectors.

Vaccination should be carried out 2-3 weeks before the onset of an increase in the incidence, vaccination can only be done in a medical institution by specially trained medical personnel, and a doctor’s examination is mandatory before vaccination.

There are few contraindications to influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination should not be done in acute febrile conditions, during an exacerbation of chronic diseases, with an increased sensitivity of the body to egg white (if it is part of the vaccine).

Having been vaccinated against influenza, you protect your body from the attack of the most dangerous viruses – influenza viruses, but there are still more than 200 types of viruses that are less dangerous for humans, but can also cause ARVI. Therefore, during the period of the epidemic rise in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, it is recommended to take non-specific preventive measures.

Flu Prevention Rules:

• Get your flu shot before flu season starts.
• Reduce your time in crowded places and public transport.
• Wear a mask in crowded places.
• Avoid close contact with people who show signs of illness, such as sneezing or coughing.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly, especially after street and public transport.
• Flush the nasal cavity, especially after the street and public transport
• Ventilate the room you are in regularly.
• Regularly wet clean the room you are in.
• Humidify the air in the room you are in.
• Eat as many foods containing vitamin C as possible (cranberries, lingonberries, lemon, etc.).
• Eat as many meals as possible with garlic and onions.
• Use immune-boosting medications as recommended by your doctor.
• In case of occurrence of flu in the family or work team, start taking antiviral drugs for prophylactic purposes (as agreed with the doctor, taking into account contraindications and according to the instructions for using the drug).
• Lead a healthy lifestyle, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

which remedies are useful and which are useless in treatment

01/14/2020
Experts: Nikolay Briko, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine, First Moscow State Medical University. I. M. Sechenova, Chief Epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, RAMS.

Vladimir Nikiforov, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, Russian National Research Medical University. N. I. Pirogova, chief infectious disease specialist of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, professor, MD

When your head hurts, your muscles aches, your temperature is above 38°C, and Moscow is pouring down a mournful rain outside the window, the best solution to the problem is to stay at home and call a doctor. But honestly, who has followed this rule at least once in their life? Few, I’m afraid. But everyone else, confident that the ailment is caused by seasonal viruses, begins to swallow pills to stop the disease. What disease? SARS or influenza? This is a fundamental difference, since not only treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, but also the consequences that may occur if the wrong drug is taken.

Women are also at risk

Influenza and colds in the autumn city are constant and inevitable phenomena, like the change of seasons. Everyone knows that old people and children are at risk, but now scientists have also added women to them. It turns out that women suffer from viral diseases and the flu much harder than men. Weak sex after all! In a medical study, US scientists asked patients to rate the severity of symptoms, such as cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, runny nose, and muscle weakness and pain. For a week after the onset of illness, participants kept a diary and noted their condition. After it turned out that at the first appointment with a doctor, women more often complained of fatigue and muscle pain, loss of appetite, headache and earache. Further differences emerged after the third day: women continued to report more severe symptoms throughout the illness period, while men felt much better. This fact only once again confirms that viral diseases, and especially the flu, must be treated correctly. And women especially! Self-medication is not only ineffective, but also dangerous with severe complications such as myocarditis, meningitis and pneumonia.

Withstand up to 38.5°C

Influenza, unlike other acute respiratory viral infections, is a serious and dangerous phenomenon. According to the World Health Organization, from 3 to 5 million people in the world fall ill with influenza every year, 250,000–500,000 cases of the disease end in death. Such statistics should make us at least give up self-treatment. However, the plethora of television ads promising one or two pills to protect against the flu are dampening the guard. Now, at the first symptoms of the disease, many have made it a rule to drink antiviral drugs. But since there are several varieties of the virus, not all agents with a similar effect can affect a particular virus. In addition, most drugs should be started on the first day, when the first signs of the disease have just begun to appear, when the etiology of the disease is not yet clear. Immunomodulators that are fashionable today and even antipyretics that are familiar to us are no less dangerous if they are drunk without a doctor’s prescription. “Symptomatic treatment for influenza is not particularly applicable. Antipyretics are given to the patient only when the temperature rises to 39°C and above, says Vladimir Nikiforov. – What is a fever? This is the body’s response to infection. Doctors even have such a concept that can jar you, but it is correct – “the norm of pathology.” So, the flu is a pathology, and the temperature norm with it is 38.2–38.5 ° C. With this temperature, if you please, get sick. Then the body most actively resists infections, the immune system works in cruising mode, that is, it produces the most complete immune response. If the temperature goes off scale – 39° C and above, then you can take an antipyretic, but in a moderate dosage so that there is no sharp drop in temperature to 36.6 ° C. It must be understood that antipyretics are by no means safe, they have a lot of side effects. The same paracetamol, which everyone loves so much in our country, in large doses can cause leukopenia, even death.

Immunomodulators: pros and cons

Over the past five years, the use of these drugs has more than doubled. Some of them are really effective, but provided that they are taken for clear medical reasons, and not just in case. Children should be especially careful when taking immunostimulants, even if the child is often sick. Children’s colds and flu are a normal phenomenon, this is how children’s immunity is formed and strengthened. As for adults, immunologists are categorically against whipping up immunity during the rampage of viruses. The main indications for immunomodulators are: bone marrow transplantation, sepsis, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, chronic and inflammatory diseases that are difficult to respond to traditional therapy. Medical assistance to the immune system may also be needed for frequently ill people if ARVI occurs more than eight times a year and passes with a prolonged complicated course. Doctors can also prescribe drugs of this group to people with oncological diagnosis or complex urological infections. It is better for everyone else to refrain from taking these funds. “Our immune system works perfectly fine without any stimulants. If it were not so, we would die from secondary infections. But since we are healthy in the off-season, it means that the immune system works and performs its protective function. On this occasion, there is a good Eastern proverb: do not fix what works so well. In relation to immunostimulants, it is relevant. For example, let’s take the drug Tiloron, which is so beloved by many, which is taken at the first symptoms of influenza in order to stop the disease. Historically, the Americans developed it during the Vietnam War in case the communists used biological weapons, but after tests that gave a negative effect (the drug strongly stimulates the immune system, and then there is a terrifying failure), they abandoned it. And in our country it is used without a doctor’s prescription, since it is sold without prescriptions in a pharmacy. It can’t lead to anything good.” That is why epidemiologists are against immunomodulators. Nikolai Briko once again warns our readers that it is strictly forbidden to use immunomodulators on their own, without a doctor’s prescription. “In our pharmacies, these drugs are widely available, but not all of them have proven efficacy and are safe. Only a doctor decides for health reasons which drugs to prescribe and when, ”warns the chief epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health.

And now antibiotics!

Antibiotics are another bad practice in self-treatment of the flu. Now many drink them along with antiviral drugs to prevent complications that often occur after an illness. “But for viral infections, influenza and SARS, they are ineffective, and they are prescribed only if bacterial microflora is attached to the underlying disease,” warns Nikolai Briko. – And again, they first study the resistance of the microorganism when choosing an antibiotic. Vladimir Nikiforov is also categorically against taking antibiotics: “There should not be any preventive antibiotics – this is a serious therapeutic drug, and with a lot of side effects. The use of antibiotics is justified only if there is a secondary infection, the same pneumonia. In all other cases, such prophylaxis only helps to develop resistant strains.”

Well, if you do get sick, you should drink as much liquid as possible, this will reduce intoxication and speed up recovery. The recommendation applies to both influenza and SARS. If you feel nauseous, drink in small portions, but more often. Only if after four to five days it does not get better, which may indicate a bacterial complication, antibiotics are justified. But drinking them from the first days of illness is a big mistake!

Time for vaccination

WHO assures: only vaccination protects against influenza and its complications. All other methods of prevention (the use of drugs and non-drugs, including traditional medicine recipes) are less effective. October is the best time to get vaccinated. By the way, our experts – both Academician Briko and Professor Nikiforov – annually vaccinate against the flu. “To be honest with you, I am a supporter of vaccination and every year I get vaccinated against the flu,” says Vladimir Nikiforov. – But I am categorically against the tendency to get vaccinated on the run near the subway. Vaccination is a serious medical event. You need to know the history of the person being vaccinated and possible contraindications in order to prevent complications, so it’s still better to get a flu shot in the clinic.” You also need to know that not everyone is vaccinated. “An allergic reaction to egg white, a strong reaction to a previous vaccine administration, immunodeficiency states, an acute infection – these conditions are contraindications for vaccination,” Nikolay Briko warns. – Here, the main preventive measures are personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle, namely the optimal mode of work and rest; balanced and high-quality nutrition; physical education and sports, hardening; compliance with the rules of personal hygiene; the ability to manage your emotions; abstinence from alcohol, smoking, drugs. It is also important to remember an important thing: do not rely on vaccination as a panacea for influenza, it will not protect 100% from the disease, but it will greatly facilitate its course. So if the flu shot has no contraindications in your case, still do not risk your health in vain. An injection is much safer than swallowing over-the-counter pills, and more reliable than eating kilos of citrus fruits.

Do not buy extra

Having excluded immunomodulators and antibiotics from the home first-aid kit, we replenish it with antiviral agents. To date, this is the most powerful weapon against SARS and influenza.

Antiviral drugs, which are widely available in all pharmacies, are conditionally divided by experts into two groups. These are the means that act on the virus itself and those that activate the body’s immune defenses. Since doctors consider any effect on the immune system undesirable and even harmful, we will fight viruses. But first you need to confirm what kind of ARVI or flu virus it is, since the treatment will be different. By the way, in most countries, doctors make a diagnosis of influenza based on clinical symptoms; in our country, it is forbidden to do this. And in order to confirm the guesses of doctors, and they usually immediately determine the type of virus, it is necessary to perform laboratory diagnostics – PCR analysis. It is advisable to take it on the first, maximum second day of the disease, when the pathogen is contained in the largest amount.

Influenza

When choosing a drug, it is necessary to take into account the effect of the drug, its safety and proven efficacy. Specifically, only two drugs are used against influenza in our country – Oseltamivir and Zanamivir. The first suppresses the action of influenza A and B viruses, reduces the release of viral particles from the body. The second also works against viruses A and B, acts in the extracellular space, reducing the reproduction of the virus of its own kind, and prevents the release of viral particles from the respiratory tract. Both drugs have a powerful preventive effect against influenza, they protect against the spread of viruses in space and infecting others with them.

Important! It is necessary to take drugs against the influenza virus strictly after confirming the diagnosis. If you do not have the flu, but an adenovirus disease, then you will waste your money and you will not be saved from the disease.

SARS

Symptomatic drugs for the treatment of viral infections do not affect the virus itself and do not affect the immune system. But they eliminate the symptoms of the disease: facilitate breathing, relieve swelling from the nasal mucosa; lower body temperature, reduce (if any) dry cough. In addition to symptomatic agents, there are combination drugs. They help support the body in the fight against disease. These drugs include Teraflu, Fervex and the Russian drug AnviMax. “AnviMax” won the trust of consumers due to its dual action. The success of sales and its high demand among consumers is due to a number of distinctive characteristics. It can not only help to cope with the symptoms of SARS (headache, muscle pain, nasal congestion, sore throat), but also contains an antiviral component (rimantadine), which prevents the virus from multiplying. Available in the form of a powder for the preparation of a drink, capsules and effervescent tablets.

Important! Experts confidently say that it is possible for the virus to become addictive to direct-acting antiviral drugs. True, the virus gradually gets used to them, over several years. Therefore, preventive antiviral agents are recommended to be changed.

Source: KIZ.RU

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