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.

– City Clinical Emergency Hospital No. 2

Influenza virus is easily transmitted from person to person and causes respiratory diseases of varying severity. The severity of the disease depends on a number of factors, including the general condition of the body and age.

Predisposed to the disease: the elderly, young children, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases (asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease), and those with a weakened immune system.

RULE 1: WASH YOUR HANDS

Wash your hands frequently with soap. Hand hygiene is an important measure to prevent the spread of influenza. Washing with soap removes and destroys germs. If you cannot wash your hands with soap and water, use alcohol-based or disinfectant wipes.

Clean and disinfect surfaces using household detergents. Cleaning and regular disinfection of surfaces (tables, doorknobs, chairs, etc.) removes and destroys the virus.

RULE 2: OBSERVE DISTANCE AND ETIQUETTE

The virus is easily transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person by airborne droplets (when sneezing, coughing), so it is necessary to keep a distance of at least 1 meter from sick people.

Avoid travel and crowded places.

When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues, which should be discarded after use.

Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands. Influenza virus spreads in these ways.

Do not spit in public places.

Wear a mask or other available protective equipment to reduce the risk of illness.

By avoiding unnecessary visits to crowded places, we reduce the risk of disease.

RULE 3: LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

A healthy lifestyle increases the body’s resistance to infection. Follow a healthy regimen, including proper sleep, consumption of foods rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, physical activity.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FLU?

The most common symptoms of influenza:

• High body temperature (97%),

• Cough (94%),

• H rushter (59%),

• Sore (50%),

• headache (47%),

• rapid breathing (41%),

• muscle pain (35%),

• conjunctivitis (9%).

With seasonal flu, complications usually occur on the 5th-7th day and later; with influenza, complications can develop already on the 2nd-3rd day of illness.

Primary viral pneumonia is the leading complication. Viral pneumonia worsens rapidly, and many patients develop respiratory failure within 24 hours, requiring immediate respiratory support with mechanical ventilation.

Promptly started treatment helps to alleviate the severity of the disease.

WHAT TO DO

IF I HAVE FLU?

Stay at home and seek immediate medical attention.

Follow your doctor’s orders, stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids.

Avoid crowded places. Wear a hygienic mask to reduce the risk of spreading infection.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Wash your hands with soap as often as possible.

WHAT TO DO

IF SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY IS ILL WITH FLU?

Give the sick person a separate room in the house. If this is not possible, keep a distance of at least 1 meter from the patient.

Minimize contact between sick people and loved ones, especially children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.

Ventilate the room frequently.

Maintain cleanliness by washing and disinfecting surfaces as often as possible with household detergents.

Wash your hands often with soap and water.

When caring for a sick person, cover your mouth and nose with a mask or other protective equipment (shawl, scarf, etc.).

Only one family member should care for the sick person.

HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE THE FLU FROM THE COLD

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARVI), commonly referred to as the common word “cold”, are caused by a huge number of viruses and account for approximately three-quarters of all infectious diseases on the planet.

HOW IS SARS TRANSMITTED?

They are transmitted mainly by droplets, that is, through the air along with the sputum of a sick person when he sneezes or coughs.

An influenza epidemic occurs in our country every year. We learn to resist the disease on the experience of last season. Viruses cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, throat, trachea and bronchi.

ARVI IS NOT THE FLU

The common cold is often confused with the flu, mistaking one for the other. It should be remembered that ARVI – is a more harmless disease , which usually passes quickly, is easily cured and rarely gives complications.

Influenza virus disease is more severe and can lead to complications such as pneumonia.

Call your doctor immediately if you or your family have these symptoms:

– a sharp increase in temperature up to 39-40 degrees,

– severe muscle pain (“body aches”),

– dry and painful cough in the absence of a runny nose,

– severe weakness.

IF YOU DO SARS?

Slight fever, sore throat and runny nose? These are typical symptoms of SARS. This disease is treated quite simply.

Unfortunately, it is customary to either “walk over” a cold on one’s feet, or to kill it with a set of cough tablets, antibiotics and cold drops taken at the same time. Without calling a doctor.

IMPORTANT ! Antibiotics do not treat SARS or influenza! They are used only under the direction of a doctor if the disease causes complications.

Take your time with your medicines. It is dangerous to prescribe drugs for yourself . Cough, runny nose and sore throat are phenomena of a completely different order. Even cough remedies can be of two types: stopping the cough reflex (with a dry cough) and facilitating the removal of sputum (with a wet cough).

Nose drops are no easier to choose from. Almost all drugs on the market include vasoconstrictors, which allow you to remove the swelling of the mucous membrane and save a person from a “clogged” nose.

These drugs are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, and older people because the vasoconstrictor components may cause increased blood pressure and increased heart rate.

That is why even with a “banal” runny nose, medicines should be selected by a doctor . He can professionally evaluate individual indications and contraindications.

The World Health Organization recommends that temperatures below 38.5 degrees should not be knocked down .

This temperature is a protective reaction of the body to the invasion of infection. After all, bacteria and viruses reproduce equally poorly both in the cold and at elevated temperatures.

In addition, a high temperature is a sign that the infection in the body is still there and needs to be fought.

WHO SHOULD BRING THE TEMPERATURE OFF?

It is necessary to bring down the temperature:

– for children and adults with heart disease (angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, heart defects),

– chronic bronchitis, obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma,

– people with diseases of the central nervous system, such as epilepsy.

IMPORTANT! Temperature is always a reason to see a doctor.

HELP YOURSELF

– Don’t be a hero. At the first sign of SARS, refuse to go to work and stay at home. Lie down more, try not to read or watch TV. Postpone work decisions over the phone. Allow yourself to get sick, and allow the immune system not to be distracted by tasks other than healing.