How long does a flu usually last: How long does the flu last? Timeline and recovery

29.05.197021.07.2021 by alexxlab

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How long does the flu last? Timeline and recovery

Many sources discuss the common cold and flu as though they are interchangeable, but the flu is usually worse than the common cold. Although most people with the flu feel better after about a week, the illness can last longer if a person develops complications.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

How Long Does the Flu Last? and When You’ll Start to Feel Better

Early symptoms of the flu will come on abruptly and hang around for the first five days, or so, before you will start to feel better.
The flu typically lasts one to two weeks. If symptoms are getting worse after the first week, you should consider consulting a doctor, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition like asthma or diabetes.
This article was reviewed by Tania Elliott, MD, who specializes in infectious diseases related to allergies and immunology for internal medicine at NYU Langone Health.
Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Flu season in the US kicks off in October and lasts through May. While many healthy adults may be inconvenienced by the flu, everyone should know what to watch for — and when to head to the doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

How long flu symptoms should last

For a healthy adult, the typical flu will last between one to two weeks.

Following is a timeline of what symptoms you can expect and when, according to Julie Holland, a pediatrician with NorthShore University HealthSystem.

Day 1: Symptoms come on abruptly, within an hour or two. You may have a fever, muscle aches, chills, cough, runny nose, headache, or all of the above. Many people are so fatigued that they have trouble getting out of bed. Children may feel nauseated and have diarrhea or vomiting.
Days 2-4: Remain home from work or school as the fever, chills, and body aches continue. You should stay home for a full day after your fever is gone because you can still spread the virus for five to seven days after symptoms start, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Day 5: As your fever, chills, and body aches lift, you start feeling better. But you may still have flushed skin, watery eyes, and runny nose. Fatigue may continue for a few days to a week.
Day 10: Most of your symptoms are gone, but the cough, runny nose, and fatigue can hang around for as long as two weeks.

When you should see a doctor

“People should see a doctor if they’re having symptoms out of the ordinary,” Holland says. “Cough or stuffy nose are normal. It’s not normal to have difficulty breathing.”

Emergency warning signs differ for children and adults, according to the CDC. No matter how long children have been sick, warning signs include:

Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
Bluish lips or skin tone
Chest pain
Severe muscle pain and difficulty walking
Seizures
Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit

In adults, warning signs include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Extreme weakness
Dizziness
Confusion
Seizures

Who is most at risk with the flu

People at high risk for complications include adults over age 65, pregnant women, young children, and people with chronic diseases such as

diabetes
, cancer, or asthma. That’s because these people have compromised immune systems, either because of their age or health condition.

And while Holland estimates that only 10% of people who get the flu suffer complications, those complications can be life-threatening.

“Flu symptoms cause inflammation or fluid in your body,” Dr. Holland says. If the extra fluid and mucous doesn’t clear on its own in a few days, “that’s where the bacteria jump in and cause secondary problems.”

Bacteria — most commonly Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and group A Streptococcus — can get trapped in swollen or fluid-filled areas, such as the sinuses, ear canals, or lungs. There, they breed, causing secondary infections that, if left untreated, could spread to other areas such as the heart or blood.

Complications from the flu range from common and easily treated to life-threatening, according to the CDC. Potential complications include:

Easily treated flu complications:

Sinus infection
Ear infection
Croup (common in children)
Bronchiolitis (common in children)

Potentially life-threatening flu complications:

Pneumonia
Heart problems
Encephalitis
Meningitis
Sepsis
Multi-organ failure

The flu also runs the risk of making underlying medical issues worse. For people with

heart failure
, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma, early intervention is key.

Don’t hesitate to check in with a physician. Inform them if you suspect you have the flu and mention that you’re at higher risk for complications. They may run a blood test to verify that you have the flu and not something else. They may also prescribe antiviral medications within the first 48 hours of developing symptoms to help minimize the severity and duration of the illness.

How Long Does the Flu Last?

Catching the flu isn’t exactly difficult: When someone with the virus coughs or sneezes, tiny contaminated particles are thrown into the air you inhale—and potentially make their way right into your body.

What’s more, simply touching objects that have been exposed to influenza—say, a keyboard or doorknob—and then touching your face (particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth) can be your one-way ticket to a week or two of bedrest.

Then come the symptoms, such as a fever, stuffy or runny nose, achy muscles, constant coughing, pounding headaches, and generally feeling totally wiped out.

While most people will start to feel better eventually, hundreds of thousands also face complications due to the virus every year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, October 2018 through early May 2019, up to 61,200 people died due to flu complications—while up to 647 were hospitalized, preliminary estimates from last year’s season show.

When you have the flu, you definitely want it to go away as soon as possible. But the process doesn’t tend to be speedy, and you can be contagious before you even realize it. Here’s what you need to know going into the 2019-2020 flu season.

How long does the flu last?

You can be sick with the flu for one to four days before you begin to experience symptoms. Then it’ll hit you—hard.

“You will be feeling relatively fine, and—boom—you are suddenly exhausted, have muscle and joint aches, and need to lay down in bed,” explains Gregory Poland, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group. That’s one telltale sign you’re dealing with the flu rather than the common cold. Flu symptoms come on much more rapidly and feel more severe.

The earliest symptoms typically include a fever, chills, muscle and body aches, and fatigue. Then, you may notice other symptoms such as a sore throat and dry cough. The fever can last two to four days, while other symptoms can last for up to a week. “You may not feel totally up to speed for more than two weeks,” Dr. Poland says.

While you may be able to treat a flu at home with plenty of rest, fluids, and OTC pain relievers, see a doctor if your fever continues to rise, you don’t feel better within three to five days of first noticing your symptoms, you have shortness of breath, and/or you cough up green sputum.

But how long is the flu contagious for?

Before you even experience symptoms of the flu, you are contagious. You can pass the virus from about a day before the first symptoms up until about five to seven days after. Children with the flu may be contagious for longer than a week.

Since you can spread the flu virus for so long, it’s important to stay home if you are sick. “As soon as you are aware of any symptoms, you should not be in school or at work,” Dr. Poland says. “Return when you are no longer coughing and no longer have a fever.” Going back to your normal routine—including any exercise—too early can hamper your recovery. Practicing common-sense hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and sneezing or coughing into a tissue, will go a long way.

If you must leave the house while ill, consider buying a cheap face mask (like this one). This isn’t the kind that will filter out viruses, but it keeps awareness at the top of the mind, and when you wear it, you can’t put your finger in your nose or mouth,” Dr. Poland explains. “Plus, when you cough or sneeze accidentally, you’re constraining that.”

For those who aren’t sick and want to stay that way, getting your flu shot as early as you can is your best first-line defense against the influenza virus—not only for your own health, but also for those around you. And it’s important to get one every year, since the vaccine changes based on the strains researchers believe to be most prominent.

Other simple practices, like washing your hands and avoiding touching your face can help keep you healthy during cold and flu season. “The average American is putting their finger in their eyes, nose, or mouth every 15 to 30 seconds, so you want to avoid that,” Dr. Poland says.

Stay updated on the latest science-backed health, fitness, and nutrition news by signing up for the Prevention.com newsletter here. For added fun, follow us on Instagram.

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Influenza (Seasonal Flu) | Cigna

Topic Overview

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza (flu) is a viral infection. People often use the term “flu” to describe any kind of mild illness, such as a cold or a stomach virus, that has symptoms like the flu. But the real flu is different. Flu symptoms are usually worse than a cold and last longer. The flu usually does not cause vomiting or diarrhea in adults.

Most flu outbreaks happen in late fall and winter. Because symptoms may not start for a couple of days, you may pass the flu to someone before you know you have it.

What causes the flu?

The flu is usually caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are different strains of the flu virus every year.

What are the symptoms?

The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst for the first 3 or 4 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better.

It usually takes 1 to 4 days to get symptoms of the flu after you have been around someone who has the virus.

Most people get better without problems. But sometimes the flu can lead to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, a sinus infection, or bronchitis. Less often, the flu may cause a more serious problem, such as pneumonia.

Certain people are at higher risk of problems from the flu. They include young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with long-term illnesses or with impaired immune systems that make it hard to fight infection.

How is the flu diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. This usually gives the doctor enough information to find out if you have the flu, especially if many cases of a similar illness have occurred in the area and the local health department reports a flu outbreak.

In some cases, the doctor may do a blood test or take a sample of fluid from your nose or throat to find out what type of flu virus you have.

How is it treated?

Most people can treat flu symptoms at home. Home treatment includes resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking medicine to lower your fever. But some people need to go to the hospital for treatment. They may have severe symptoms or get pneumonia. Or the flu infection may make an existing health problem worse.

If you think you have the flu, your doctor may be able to give you medicine that can make the symptoms milder. It’s best to start taking it within 2 days of your first symptoms.

Can the flu be prevented?

You can help prevent the flu by getting the flu vaccine every year. It’s best to get the vaccine as soon as it’s available.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months old and older should get a flu vaccine. The vaccine is especially important for people who are at higher risk of problems from the flu, including:

Young children.
Adults ages 50 and older.
Adults and children who have long-term health problems or an impaired immune system.
Women who will be pregnant during the flu season.

The flu vaccine is also important for health care workers and anyone who lives or works with a person who is at higher risk of problems from the flu.

The vaccine usually prevents most cases of the flu. But even if you do get the flu after you’ve had the vaccine, your symptoms will be milder and you’ll have less chance of problems from the flu. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.

How long is someone infectious after a viral infection?

The length of time you’re infectious for after having a viral infection depends on the type of virus involved.

The infectious period often begins before you start to feel unwell or notice a rash.

Bronchitis

The length of time that bronchitis is infectious varies, depending on its cause.

In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu, and you’re likely to be infectious as long as you have cold or flu symptoms.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is infectious from 2 days before the spots appear to until they have crusted over, usually 5 days after they first appeared.

Common cold

The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be infectious for around 2 weeks.

Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you’re most likely to spread the virus.

Flu

Flu is usually most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further 3 to 7 days.

Children and people with lowered immune systems may be infectious for a few days longer.

Glandular fever

Glandular fever isn’t particularly contagious and can usually only be spread through direct contact with saliva, which is why it’s sometimes called “the kissing disease”.

There’s no reason not to continue to go to school or work if you feel well enough.

Measles

Symptoms of measles appear around 10 days after you become infected.

Measles is most infectious after the first symptoms appear and before the rash develops.

First symptoms of measles include:

a high temperature
red eyes
cold-like symptoms – such as a runny nose, watery eyes, swollen eyelids and sneezing

Around 2 to 4 days later, a red-brown spotty rash develops that normally fades after about a week.

Mumps

Mumps causes your salivary glands to swell. These glands are just below and in front of your ears.

Mumps is most infectious from a few days before your glands swell until a few days afterwards.

Rubella (german measles)

People with rubella should stay off school or work, and avoid contact with pregnant women where possible, for 6 days after the rash firsts develops.

Shingles

You can’t spread shingles to others. But people who haven’t had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you.

Shingles is infectious while the rash oozes fluid.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis itself isn’t contagious, but the viruses that cause it are. The length of time you’re infectious will depend on the virus.

Find out more about what causes tonsillitis

Further information

Page last reviewed: 13 November 2018
Next review due: 13 November 2021

Influenza in children | Caring for kids

Influenza (or “flu”) is a respiratory infection caused by influenza virus.

Influenza outbreaks happen every year, usually between November and April. Because influenza viruses change – often from year to year – people don’t stay immune for very long. That’s why people can catch the flu more than once. The term “seasonal flu” is used for the influenza viruses that spread every year.

From time to time, there is a major change in the influenza virus, and no one is immune. When this happens, many people of all ages around the world become sick with the flu within a few months. This is called a pandemic. Pandemics have occurred in 1889, 1918, 1957 and 1968, and 2009 (h2N1).

How does influenza spread?

Influenza viruses are found in the nose and throat. Children can catch influenza from siblings, parents, other family members, playmates or caregivers.

Germs usually spread in one of three ways:

Direct contact —such as kissing, touching or holding hands—with an infected person. If you have a virus, you will have germs in your nose, mouth, eyes or on your skin. By touching other people, you can pass on the virus.
Indirect contact means touching something—a toy, doorknob or a used tissue—that has been touched by an infected person and now has germs on it. Some germs, like the ones that cause colds and diarrhea, can stay on surfaces for many hours.
Some germs spread through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. Droplets from the cough or sneeze may reach another person’s nose or mouth.

How do I know if my child has influenza?

The flu strikes more quickly than a cold, and makes people feel worse. Children with colds usually have energy to play and keep up their daily routines. Children with influenza are usually in bed.

Typical influenza symptoms include:

sudden fever,
chills and shakes,
headache,
muscle aches,
extreme fatigue,
dry cough and sore throat and,
loss of appetite.

Children with the flu may have many of the same symptoms as adults, but there can be differences:

Newborns and babies may have a high fever that can’t be explained, and no other signs of sickness.
Young children usually have temperatures over 39. 5°C and may have febrile seizures (convulsions).
Upset stomach and pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are common in younger children. Earaches and red eyes are also common.
In some cases, muscle inflammation can lead to severe leg or back pain.

Can the flu cause any other complications?

Most healthy people recover from the flu without any serious problems. Fever and muscle aches usually last only 2 to 4 days, but cough and tiredness can continue for 1 to 2 weeks or more.

In young children, flu can cause croup (an infection of the throat and vocal cords causing hoarseness, barking cough, noisy breathing), pneumonia (lung infection) and bronchiolitis (infection of the tiny airways that lead to the lungs causing wheezing and difficulty breathing).

Influenza can weaken the immune system, leading to bacterial infections of the ear (otitis), lung (pneumonia) or sinuses (sinusitis).

Influenza is more severe in children under 2 years of age and in children with certain chronic conditions such as heart, lung or neurological problems.

In rare cases, influenza can affect the brain or heart.

When should I call my doctor?

Call your doctor or take your baby to an emergency department if your baby is under 3 months of age and:

is having trouble breathing,
is not eating or is vomiting, or
has a fever (rectal temperature of 38.5°C or higher).

Call your doctor or take your child to an emergency department if your child is:

breathing rapidly or seems to be working hard to breathe,
having chest pain, or is coughing up bloody sputum (phlegm or saliva),
coughing so bad that he is choking or vomiting,
drinking very little fluid and has not urinated (peed) at least every 6 hours when awake,
vomiting for more than 4 hours, or has severe diarrhea,
much more sleepy than usual, doesn’t want to feed or play, or is very fussy and cannot be comforted,
not feeling better after 5 days and still has a fever, or was feeling better and suddenly develops a new fever, or showing signs of the flu and has a serious chronic illness.

Take your child immediately to a hospital emergency department or call 911 if your child:

has severe trouble breathing or blue lips,
is limp or unable to move,
is hard to wake up or does not respond,
has a stiff neck,
seems confused, or
has a seizure (convulsion).

What can I do if my child has influenza?

Keep your child as comfortable as possible. Offer plenty of fluids and small, nutritious meals.
If he has fever, dress him in lightweight clothing and keep the room temperature around 20°C.
To ease pain, aches or a fever with a temperature greater than 38.5°C, use acetaminophen. Ibuprofen may be used for children over 6 months old. Unless your doctor says otherwise, give the dose recommended on the package every 4 hours until the child’s temperature comes down. Don’t give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA [eg, Aspirin])—or any medicine containing it—to children and teenagers with colds because it can lead to brain and liver damage (Reye syndrome).
Don’t give over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines (which don’t need a doctor’s prescription) to children younger than 6 years old unless your doctor prescribes them.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving OTC drugs to children or to anyone taking other medicines or with a chronic illness. Read label instructions carefully. Do not give more than is recommended.
Coughing helps clear mucus from the chest. Many OTC cough and cold products contain drugs to ease coughing. Usually they include dextromethorphan (also called DM) and/or diphenhydramine. Most studies of these drugs have been done in adults. The few that have been done in children show no benefit.
Gargling with warm water will ease a sore throat. For children 3 years or older who can safely suck on hard candy without choking can use sugarless hard candy or lozenges containing honey, herbs or pectin. Throat lozenges containing medications that numb the throat (dyclonine, benzocaine, hexylresorcinol, menthol and phenol) should not be used by young children because they can make it hard for them to swallow.

Antiviral medications

If your child has lung or heart disease, an illness that affects the immune system or some other chronic condition that requires regular medical attention and you think your child may have influenza, call your doctor right away. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug.

Amantadine (Symmetrel), oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are antiviral medications that can fight influenza. These drugs may also be prescribed for healthy people with severe influenza. They should be taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms to be most effective.

How can I prevent the spread of influenza?

Influenza can be prevented through immunization. Children over 6 months old should get a flu shot each year. The vaccine is especially important for children who are at high risk of complications from the flu (children under 5 years old and children with chronic conditions).
If there are children younger than 5 years old or someone with a serious chronic condition in your home, everyone living in the house should get a flu shot. This is especially important if there are children under 6 months old in the home, since babies this age can’t get the flu shot themselves and could become infected if a family member gets the flu.
Hand washing is the most important way to reduce the spread of viruses:
- Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or wiping your nose.
- Wash your hands after being in contact with someone who has a respiratory infection.
- Wash your own hands and your child’s hands after wiping your child’s nose.
- When water and soap are not available, use pre-moistened hand wipes or alcohol-based hand rinses. Keep hand rinses out of your child’s reach because they may be harmful if swallowed.
Keep babies under 3 months old away from people with colds, if possible.
Teach your children to cover their nose and mouth with tissues when they sneeze or cough, or to cough into their upper sleeve or elbow.
Avoid sharing toys that young children place in their mouths until the toys have been cleaned.
Avoid sharing cups, utensils or towels until they have been washed.
If your child attends daycare, tell the caregiver about any symptoms and ask if your child should stay home that day.
Make sure your child receives all of the recommended vaccines. They will help prevent some of the complications, such as bacterial infections of the ears or lungs.

More information from the CPS

Reviewed by the following CPS committees

Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee

Last updated: August 2015

90,000 Influenza

Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate throughout the world.

Pathogen

There are 4 types of seasonal influenza viruses – types A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal
epidemic disease.

Influenza A viruses are subdivided into subtypes according to
combinations of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA),
proteins on the surface of the virus. Viruses are currently circulating among humans
influenza subtypes A (h2N1) and A (h4N2).A (h2N1) is also denoted as A (h2N1) pdm09 as it caused
pandemic in 2009 and subsequently replaced by the seasonal influenza A (h2N1) virus circulating until 2009
of the year. Only influenza type A viruses are known to cause pandemics.

Influenza B viruses are not subdivided but can be subdivided
on the line. Currently circulating influenza B viruses belong to
lines B / Yamagata and B / Victoria.

Influenza C virus is detected less frequently and usually leads to mild
infections. Therefore, it does not pose a problem to the public.
health care.

Group D viruses , mainly infect large
cattle. They do not reportedly infect people or cause them
diseases.

Signs and symptoms

Seasonal flu is characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise, sore throat, and runny nose. The cough can be severe and last 2 weeks or more.For most people, the temperature will return to normal and symptoms resolve within a week without any medical attention. But influenza can cause serious illness and death, especially in high-risk people (see below).

The disease can be mild or severe and even fatal. Hospitalizations and deaths occur mainly in high-risk groups. Annual influenza epidemics are estimated to cause 3–5 million cases of severe illness and 290,000–650,000 respiratory deaths.

In industrialized countries, most influenza-related deaths occur among people aged 65 and over (1). Epidemics can lead to high rates of absence from work / school and lost productivity. During peak periods of illness, clinics and hospitals can be overcrowded.

The impact of seasonal influenza epidemics in developing countries is not well known, but research has shown that 99% of deaths of children under 5 years of age with influenza-related lower respiratory tract infections occur in developing countries (2).

Epidemiology

People get the flu at any age, but there are populations at increased risk of .

Pregnant women, children under 59 months of age, the elderly, people with chronic health problems (such as chronic heart, lung and kidney diseases, metabolic disorders, neurological development disorders, diseases liver and blood) and people with weakened immune systems (as a result of HIV / AIDS, chemotherapy or steroid treatment, as well as in connection with malignant neoplasms).
Health care workers are at high risk of contracting influenza virus through contact with patients and can facilitate further transmission of infection, especially to people at risk.

Transmission of seasonal influenza occurs easily and quickly, especially in crowded areas, including schools and boarding schools. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, small droplets containing the virus (infectious droplets) are released into the air and can spread up to one meter and infect nearby people who inhale them.The infection can also be spread through hands that are contaminated with influenza viruses. To prevent transmission of infection when coughing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and wash your hands regularly.

In temperate areas seasonal epidemics of occur mainly during the winter season, while in tropical areas influenza viruses circulate year round, resulting in less regular epidemics. Seasonal epidemics and disease burden

The period from infection to disease development, known as incubation period, lasts about 2 days but can range from 1 to 4 days.

Diagnostics

In most cases, human influenza is clinically diagnosed. However, during periods of low activity of influenza viruses and in the absence of epidemics, infection with other respiratory viruses, such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus and adenovirus, can also proceed as an influenza-like illness, making it difficult to clinically differentiate influenza from other pathogens.

A definitive diagnosis requires the collection of appropriate respiratory specimens and a laboratory diagnostic test.The first critical step for laboratory detection of influenza viral infections is the proper collection, storage and transport of respiratory specimens. Typically, laboratory confirmation of influenza viruses in throat, nasal and nasopharyngeal secretions or tracheal aspirates or washes is done by direct antigen detection, virus isolation, or detection of influenza-specific RNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). There are a number of laboratory method guidelines published and updated by WHO (3).

In clinics, rapid diagnostic tests are used to detect influenza, but compared to RT-PCR methods, they have a low sensitivity, and the reliability of their results largely depends on the conditions in which they are used.

Treatment

Patients not in high-risk groups should receive symptomatic treatment. If they have symptoms, they are encouraged to stay at home to minimize the risk of infection to others in the community.Treatment is aimed at relieving flu symptoms such as high fever. Patients should monitor their condition and seek medical help if it worsens. If patients are known to be at high risk of serious illness or complications (see above), they should receive antiviral drugs as soon as possible in addition to symptomatic treatment.

Patients with severe or progressive clinical illness associated with suspected or confirmed viral infection of influenza (for example, with clinical syndromes of pneumonia, sepsis, or exacerbation of concomitant chronic diseases) should receive antiviral drugs as soon as possible.

Neuraminidase inhibitors (eg oseltamivir) should be prescribed as soon as possible (ideally within 48 hours after symptom onset) to obtain maximum therapeutic benefit. For patients at a later stage of the disease, medication should also be considered.
Treatment is recommended for at least 5 days, but can be extended until satisfactory clinical results are obtained.
The use of corticosteroids should only be considered for other indications (such as asthma and other specific health conditions), as it is associated with longer elimination of viruses from the body and weakening of the immune system, which leads to bacterial or fungal superinfection.
All currently circulating influenza viruses are resistant to antiviral drugs of the adamantane class (such as amantadine and rimantadine), therefore these drugs are not recommended for use as monotherapy.

WHO GISRS monitors antiviral resistance among circulating influenza viruses in order to provide timely guidance on the use of antiviral drugs for clinical management and potential chemoprophylaxis.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent the disease is vaccination . Safe and effective vaccines have been available and used for over 60 years. After some time after vaccination, immunity weakens, therefore, annual vaccination is recommended to protect against influenza. Injectable inactivated influenza vaccines are the most widely used in the world.

In healthy adults, influenza vaccine provides protection even if circulating viruses do not match the vaccine viruses exactly.However, for older people, influenza vaccination may be less effective in preventing illness, but reduces the severity and reduces the likelihood of complications and death. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of complications and for people living with or caring for people at high risk.

WHO recommends annual vaccination for the following populations:

pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy

90,045 children aged 6 months to 5 years

Seniors (over 65)

90,045 people with chronic health problems

healthcare workers.

The effectiveness of an influenza vaccine depends on how well the circulating viruses match the viruses in the vaccine. Due to the ever-changing nature of influenza viruses, the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) – a system of National Influenza Centers and WHO Collaborating Centers around the world – continuously monitors influenza viruses circulating in humans and updates them twice a year. composition of influenza vaccines.

Over the years, WHO has been updating its recommendations for the composition of a vaccine (trivalent) targeting the 3 most prevalent circulating virus types (two influenza A subtypes and one influenza B subtype). Beginning in the 2013-2014 northern hemisphere influenza season, a fourth component is recommended to support the development of a quadrivalent vaccine. Quadrivalent vaccines include a second type B influenza virus in addition to the viruses in the trivalent vaccine and are expected to provide broader protection against Type B influenza virus infections.Many inactivated and recombinant influenza vaccines are available in injectable form. The live attenuated influenza vaccine is available as a nasal spray.

Pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis with antiviral drugs is possible, but its effectiveness depends on a number of factors, such as individual characteristics, type of exposure and the risk associated with exposure.

In addition to vaccination and antiviral treatment, public health measures include personal protective measures such as:

Regular washing and proper drying of hands;
Good Respiratory Hygiene – Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with napkins and then dispose of them appropriately;
Timely self-isolation of people who feel unhealthy, with a high fever and other flu symptoms;
prevention of close contact with sick people;
prevention of touching eyes, nose and mouth.

WHO Activities

WHO, through the WHO GISRS system and in collaboration with other partners, monitors influenza activity on a global scale, makes recommendations on the composition of a seasonal influenza vaccine twice a year for the northern and southern hemispheres, and helps countries with tropical and subtropical climates in the selection of vaccine preparations ( for the northern and southern hemispheres) and decisions on the timing of vaccination campaigns and supports Member States in the development of prevention and control strategies.

WHO is working to strengthen national, regional and global capacity to respond to influenza (including diagnosis, antiviral susceptibility monitoring, disease surveillance and outbreak response), expand vaccination coverage in high-risk populations, and prepare to the next flu pandemic.

(1) Estimates of US influenza-associated deaths made using four different methods.
Thompson WW, Weintraub E, Dhankhar P, Cheng OY, Brammer L, Meltzer MI, et al. Influenza Other Respi Viruses. 2009; 3: 37-49

(2) Global burden of respiratory infections due to seasonal influenza in young children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Nair H, Abdullah Brooks W, Katz M et al. Lancet 2011; 378: 1917–3

(3) WHO recommended surveillance standards, Second edition.

HOW TO DEFEAT ARD AND FLU

With the onset of autumn, people are frightened not by a cold snap, but by epidemics

About how to quickly and safely cope with the disease, told the head.Department of General Practitioners Safronova Nadezhda Aleksandrovna.

– Fever, general malaise, discomfort in the throat

How to understand if it is ARVI or flu?

ARVI is an acute respiratory disease. The causative agents of acute respiratory infections can be a wide variety of viruses, including the influenza virus. During the absence of epidemics, the influenza virus among the causative agents of acute respiratory infections takes up only about 5%, and the disease itself at this time may not be so pronounced.Another thing is the period of epidemics, then the danger of influenza increases significantly! Risk groups are at particular risk in terms of the development of complications – children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with chronic respiratory diseases, with a weakened immune system ..

SARS usually “unfolds” gradually. The disease begins with chills, runny nose, sore throat, porridge. At the first stage of the disease, only one of the symptoms may appear, and the rest will make themselves felt in the next two to three days.The body temperature with ARVI rises to 38 degrees and lasts about 2-4 days. After its decrease, the disease begins to recede and, as a rule, after a week the person returns to normal life .. If the symptoms persist, then we are dealing with complications.

Influenza viruses can knock a person out of action literally in a matter of hours. Even in the morning you felt good, and by noon the temperature is 39 degrees and above. Chills. Weakness, aches in the whole body, headaches. At the same time, it is not easy to bring down the temperature and it lasts up to five days.Other flu symptoms are sore throat, persistent dry cough, congestion in the chest. If a person has encountered the influenza virus, then even after the end of its acute stage, he may feel weakness. Indisposition for 2-3 weeks .. With the flu, you always need to call a doctor at home, not go anywhere, this is fraught with complications, and creates an unfavorable epidemiological environment.

Can a vaccine protect against influenza?

It is possible and necessary. It is done once a year, at the beginning of each cold season.October is the most suitable month for this. So hurry up to protect yourself and your entire family from influenza

Will taking antiviral drugs help to cope with the disease?

It has recently become fashionable among the population to take antiviral drugs, for example, “Arbidol”, “Relenza” or “Tamiflu”, etc. For some reason, people believe that they help from everything at once – and treat the flu and all other acute respiratory infections, and increase immunity. In fact, these drugs are characterized by their spectrum of action and are intended to treat the influenza virus.Moreover, gradually some strains of the influenza virus show resistance to the antiviral substances contained in these preparations. It should be noted that when using such drugs, it is imperative to consult a doctor. Anyone who independently prescribes treatment for himself can once again harm his body.

Do I need to take antibiotics to quickly defeat the disease?

Taking antibiotics from the first day of illness, self-medication, you only cause great harm to your body! Antibiotics are prescribed only by doctors and only in case of complications – they do not treat mild forms of diseases! Otherwise, at best, you will earn dysbiosis, and at worst, you will seriously undermine your health.

Do the symptoms of the disease need to be treated?

Antipyretic drugs incl. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually not prescribed to a patient at temperatures below 38 degrees. The high temperature of the material is a protective factor, and it must be reduced reasonably. These drugs are prescribed in cases where there is a severe intolerable headache, convulsive syndrome. In addition, some patients cannot tolerate even a slight increase in temperature (persons suffering from heart and vascular diseases, pregnant women, etc.).

In some patients, after or at the time of acute respiratory infections, there is a tendency to develop inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or allergic rhinitis. Therefore, in such people, it is necessary to treat a runny nose, respectively, with decongestants and antiallergic drugs. Many combined “cold” symptomatic drugs are sold in pharmacies. They contain the substances necessary for treatment in balanced doses, which reduces the risk of overdose. You just need to remember that their use should also be according to indications and in accordance with the recommended daily dosages.There are cases of uncontrolled use of these drugs. In addition, sometimes patients do not look at what is contained in combined drugs, and duplicate the use of drugs – for example, together with these drugs, they additionally use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is also unacceptable.

In general, it is recommended that before buying any combination drugs, be sure to familiarize yourself with their composition, instructions, and if you are not sure, consult a doctor who will prescribe a suitable drug for you based on the complete picture of the disease

Should I be involved in the prevention and support of the immune system?

For the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, hardening procedures, taking multivitamins, rational nutrition with the use of vegetables and fruits are advisable.containing ascorbic acid. For the prevention of influenza, the best prevention is a timely vaccination.

NOTE

Now every Tula can make his suggestions and express his opinion on the provision of medical services on the website of the medical institution and the website of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

Experts call this survey a form of public control over the quality of medical services. On the official websites of Tula clinics, you can now find two forms of questionnaires – for assessing the quality of services provided by polyclinics and hospitals.Questionnaires are anonymous and uniform for all medical institutions not only in the Tula region, but throughout the Russian Federation

Patients can assess the professionalism, friendliness of the medical staff, service conditions, availability of medical services, make their wishes and suggestions.

The results of the questionnaire will help improve the quality of medical care .. And today every patient can influence this indicator with his own voice.

Hospital website.D.Ya. Vanykina www.bsmp-tula.ru

The website of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation- https://www.rosminzdrav.ru

90,000 Influenza 2020: symptoms, treatment, how it is transmitted and how to distinguish from a cold

According to the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, as of early January 2020, more than 53 thousand people were hospitalized with a diagnosis of influenza, 79% of whom are children.

Since the beginning of the epidemiological season, more than 170 thousand people of different ages have fallen ill with acute respiratory viral infections in Ukraine.

Two deaths from complications of influenza were also recorded. In the first case, the man fell ill on December 20, 2019, and died on December 31, 2019. The diagnosis was confirmed by laboratory: the cause of the disease was type A influenza virus.

The second death from influenza was reported on January 3, 2020. It is known that the deceased woman belonged to the risk group and had concomitant diseases, and was not vaccinated against influenza. The diagnosis was also confirmed by laboratory – influenza virus type A (H1) pdm09.

The Ministry of Health reminds that the best prevention of influenza is annual vaccination, which reduces the risk of illness or the development of its serious complications, including death.

Since the beginning of October 2019, 227 417 citizens have been vaccinated against influenza.

As of mid-December 2019, in most regions of Ukraine, the activity of influenza and SARS did not exceed the epidemic threshold. And in some regions (Vinnytsia and Zaporozhye), a low epidemiological activity of these diseases was recorded.

In the last epidemiological season (October 1, 2018 – May 19, 2019), about 5.4 million Ukrainians were ill with influenza and ARVI. 64 deaths were registered. Most of the cases are children under 17 years of age. At the same time, one in five applied already with a critical deterioration in health.

More than 161.5 thousand people were vaccinated, but none of the 64 who died were vaccinated against influenza. Laboratory studies have established the dominance of influenza A viruses.

Flu symptoms:

intoxication throughout the entire period of the disease, manifested by aches, chills, pain in the head and muscles;
lacrimation, photophobia, redness and discomfort in the eyes;
shortness of breath, feeling of shortness of breath.

Symptoms of acute influenza in adults:

90 044

Difficulty breathing

pain and discomfort in the chest or abdomen;

dizziness;

confusion;

recurrent vomiting;

Relief of symptoms followed by return with fever and violent cough.

In children, the acute form of influenza is accompanied by several other symptoms:

respiratory failure;
cyanosis of the skin;
decrease in the volume of consumed liquid;
drowsiness, lethargy;
reduction of symptoms of the disease, followed by a rise in temperature and increased cough;
fever;

90,045 skin rash.

The difference between flu and colds:

sudden and rapid onset of the disease;
in the initial period of the disease, there are no symptoms typical for a cold, such as a runny nose or sore throat;
pain in the head, aching joints and muscles;
sore throat appears 3-4 days after the onset of the disease, cough;
the appearance of a cold only 2-3 days from the onset of the disease;
an increase in body temperature to 38 degrees and above (with a cold, the temperature usually does not exceed 37.5 degrees).

Modes of transmission of influenza virus

The source and carrier of the virus is an infected person, who is most dangerous to others in the first days of the illness. A person begins to be contagious a few days before the onset of the first symptoms and before their end. Basically, this period takes about two weeks. The route of transmission is airborne. You can get infected by communicating, shaking hands, talking, sneezing. It is also possible to use a contact-household transmission route through household items, etc.d.

Doctors strongly recommend at the first symptoms to contact a family doctor or therapist and not self-medicate.

We also recommend paying attention to the symptoms of coronavirus and sources of obtaining reliable information on this problem, for example, medbot Marta .

What to do if you get sick?

90,000 ARVI – causes, symptoms and treatment

Each of us has come across a diagnosis of ARVI more than once in our lives.This abbreviation stands for Acute Respiratory Viral Infection. In the people, the disease is simply called a cold.

ARVI unites a number of inflammatory diseases, which are characterized by the following symptoms:

the causative agent is a virus;
airborne infection route;
primary lesion of the respiratory system;
rapid development and acute course of the disease, which itself lasts for a relatively short time.

Do you have symptoms of SARS?

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease.
Do not delay the consultation – call by phone

+7 (495) 775-73-60

What you need to know about the disease:

SARS provoke parainfluenza viruses, rhinoviruses, reoviruses, adenoviruses and many others, more than 200 species in total.
All of them are easily transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as by skin contact.Relatively little time passes from the moment of infection to the development of the disease, about 2 days.
When breathing and sneezing, patients release pathogens into the air, which enter the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract of healthy people, settle there and begin to produce toxins. They spread throughout the body and cause general intoxication, manifested in the form of headaches, fever, aching joints and muscles. Respiratory symptoms also occur: runny nose, cough, sore throat.
In the acute period of the development of the disease, a person feels overwhelmed, unable to work fully.

Risk factors

Most often, children get sick with ARVI, since their immune system is still being formed. The disease can be quite difficult, complications often arise.Adults, as a rule, get sick less often, sometimes they do not even have a fever. But if ARVI was diagnosed several times per season, you need to sound the alarm. You should consult a doctor and undergo additional examinations.

Many do not take this viral disease seriously, carry it on their feet, continue to go to work even when the temperature rises. However, you should not neglect a viral infection. First, a sick person infects others. Secondly, ARVI on the legs is fraught with serious complications, such as otitis media, sinusitis, myocarditis, pneumonia, meningitis, that is, a bacterial infection develops on the basis of a viral infection.Treatment of these diseases is long and expensive, hospitalization is often indicated. ARVI is especially dangerous for people who have chronic diseases, weakened immunity, work hard and are malnourished.

Complications

How many days does ARVI last? Usually, the acute period of a viral disease passes after 3-4 days, the symptoms gradually disappear, the sore throat disappears, and the runny nose decreases.But if, after 7 days from the onset of the disease, the symptomatology continues to remain pronounced, the appearance of a complication is possible. The virus actively multiplies in the respiratory tract, inhibiting the ciliated epithelium, which acts as a kind of filter of the lungs. Therefore, during this period, other viruses and bacteria can freely enter the lungs and other organs. Often, complications go away without any symptoms, but they are doubly insidious, since they greatly reduce immunity.

After ARVI, doctors can state the development of many serious diseases.

The most common diagnosis is bronchitis, an inflammatory process in the bronchi. It is accompanied by a deep cough, shortness of breath, and increased sweating. At the same time, the temperature does not always rise, and the cough, at first dry, tearful, eventually turns into wet. In extreme cases, purulent bronchitis develops.
Sinusitis – inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Suspicion of it arises when the patient complains of aching headache, persistent nasal congestion, impaired nasal breathing, discharge.The temperature is kept at 37 °. If left untreated, the infection can spread further, which is especially dangerous for children. In adults, an acute condition can become chronic.
One of the most dangerous complications is pneumonia, inflammation of the lung tissue. Its symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) are similar to bronchitis, but the temperature lasts longer, there is a general breakdown. To confirm the suspicion of pneumonia, an X-ray examination is prescribed. Treatment takes a very long time, strong antibiotics are used, hospitalization is indicated.
Myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). Often occurs even after acute respiratory viral infection, proceeding in a mild form. Manifested by general weakness, shortness of breath, heart rhythm disturbances. Without proper treatment, it threatens chronic heart disease.
When an infection from the nose moves to the side of the ear, otitis media, an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear and the tympanic membrane, may appear. In the acute period, severe pain occurs, the temperature rises. Without proper treatment, hearing deteriorates, and if the auditory nerve is damaged, it can disappear completely.
A dangerous complication of ARVI is pyelonephritis – an inflammatory process in the kidneys, the characteristic signs of which are pain in the lumbar region. However, in adults, the disease can go away without symptoms. Diagnose it by the analysis of urine, showing an increased content of leukocytes.
Meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord, can be a deadly complication.

Preparing for a visit / visit to a doctor

If ARVI develops in children, parents call a doctor at home or go to the clinic.But most adults ignore the common cold. At best, they are treated at home, at worst – on the advice of friends or TV advertisements, they take medications and continue to go to work. As a result, through the fault of self-prescribed drugs, chronic pathologies, complications, allergies, and intestinal disorders arise.

SARS is not as safe as it seems because of its consequences. Doctors strongly recommend fighting it under the supervision of specialists and not self-medicating.

Colds are especially insidious in relation to the elderly and people with chronic diseases.SARS is caused by different viruses, in each case manifesting themselves differently. Only a doctor is capable of making an accurate diagnosis and choosing the correct treatment regimen. A person can call a therapist at home if he himself cannot come to an appointment due to the following symptoms:

temperature 38 ° and above;

90,045 cumulative signs of SARS and influenza during epidemics;

90,045 severe pain in the spine and joints;

high or low blood pressure, dizziness;
severe nausea and vomiting, diarrhea.

If the temperature is below 38 °, but the patient cannot come to the hospital for the reasons listed above, he also has the right to call a doctor at home with ARVI.

During an examination at home or in a polyclinic, the doctor asks the patient about the symptoms, how long the temperature is, measures the pressure, palpates the abdomen and peripheral lymph nodes, examines the skin, mucous membranes, taps and listens to the chest, heart, and measures the respiratory rate.

Diagnostics of ARVI

Doctors diagnose ARVI based on the patient’s complaints and visual examination. Additionally, urine and blood tests are prescribed. Hospitalization is usually not required. If a person follows the recommendations of a doctor, the infection recedes rather quickly at home.Since the incidence of ARVI is most often epidemic in nature, doctors do not try to identify a specific pathogen.

At the diagnostic stage, it is important not to confuse ARVI with influenza, since the symptoms are very similar.

Usually ARVI develops gradually.
Initially, there is general weakness, a feeling of weakness, a runny nose, sore throat, hoarseness appear almost immediately, headache and fever may occur.
Influenza, unlike ARVI, always begins very acutely, with intense headache, high fever, sore eyes, severe aches in the joints and muscles.
Often a person cannot get out of bed due to weakness and dizziness.
Only a few days later, when the pain disappears and the temperature decreases, a runny nose or cough (catarrhal manifestations) appears.

In any case, if you have the above symptoms, you cannot engage in self-diagnosis.You need to see a doctor.

How to treat ARVI

For ARVI, bed rest is recommended. Drink plenty of fluids. If the temperature rises above 38.5 °, it is necessary to take antipyretic drugs. The rest of the medications must be prescribed by a doctor.

With ARVI, antibiotics are not prescribed. They do not work against viruses, but only overload the liver. The use of such drugs is advisable if a bacterial develops against the background of a viral infection.

The main recommendation of doctors for ARVI is to drink a lot to prevent dehydration. The mucous membranes perform an important function – they take the first blow, trapping viruses. If the mucous membrane is too dry, it cannot do its job, and viruses enter the body again and again.Mucus in the nose, phlegm in the bronchi – this is also a protective reaction of the body. For the formation of these substances, moisture is also required, if it is not enough, you should not even count on a quick recovery. Moisture is also lost as the temperature rises. For colds, it is advised to drink at least two liters of liquid per day: warm herbal teas, fruit drinks, compotes. You can not drink alcohol, coffee and soda, because they have the opposite effect – they remove liquid.
It is important to control the humidity in the room.In apartments with centralized heating, this indicator sometimes drops to 15–20%, which leads to drying out of the mucous membrane. For the same purpose, it is recommended to rinse the nose with isotonic (0.9%) saline, as well as gargle the throat, since salt has the property of retaining moisture.
If the general condition is poor, the head and throat are very sore, with ARVI, you can take inexpensive drugs based on ibuprofen or paracetamol, which also have the property of lowering the temperature.
It is recommended to ventilate the room more often, because viruses actively multiply in a dry and warm environment.It is better to stay at home for a few days, to allow the body to direct all its forces to fight the virus. A cold on the legs will stretch the time of the illness, and this threatens with complications.
Pregnant women should be especially careful about their health. At the first symptoms of ARVI, you should consult a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate. After all, some drugs, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, are dangerous for the baby.

Doctors warn about the dangers of taking even the most effective antiviral drugs for ARVI without the recommendation of a therapist.This does not always give the desired result, and side effects are quite possible.

How to cure ARVI with home remedies

There are many folk remedies for dealing with colds, many of them are very effective. However, today they do not always work independently, since viruses mutate and adapt very quickly.

Doctors support grandma’s advice to drink tea with raspberries, milk with honey and butter. Drinking warm drinks for colds is highly desirable. Ginger effectively fights viruses. Tea with ginger, honey and lemon is an excellent warming agent in the cold season. It strengthens the immune system, has diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Myths and dangerous misconceptions in the treatment of ARVI

The temperature in the range of 37–38.5 ° does not need to be brought down.It testifies that a natural defense mechanism has turned on, the immune system has begun to work.
Inhalation is recommended, but today it is better to use not a pot of boiled potatoes for this, but safe modern inhalers bought at a pharmacy.
There is no point in using cans and mustard plasters, since no one has been able to prove their effectiveness. For warming up (in the absence of elevated temperature!), It is better to use pharmacy ointments and dry heat.
Do not bury undiluted onion and garlic juice in the nose, this will burn the nasopharynx. Although these plants themselves are very useful because they contain phytoncides.
There is an opinion that after an illness, immunity to colds is developed, however, ARVI is a group of respiratory diseases, the causative agents of which are different viruses and their strains. Having been ill once, you can soon get sick again if the infection has occurred with another virus. In addition, these agents change very quickly, so the immune system has no time to adapt.However, proper nutrition, rich in vitamins and minerals, adequate physical activity, walks in the fresh air and a positive attitude can strengthen the immune system and resist viral infection.

Prevention

During epidemics, doctors recommend that children and people with weakened immune systems limit visits to public places.In schools, quarantine is quite reasonable for this.
Adults who are forced to go to work, to the shops to shop, or to use public transport are advised to wash their hands more often with soap and to use a disinfectant spray.
It will also not hurt to rinse the nose with an isotonic solution of sea salt or ordinary table salt.
Prepare for the cold season in advance. Doctors recommend adhering to the principles of a healthy diet, eating enough vegetables and fruits, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and sleeping for at least 8 hours.
A very effective means of preventing ARVI is hardening. It helps to increase the adaptive properties of the body. In hardened people, there is a faster reaction of blood vessels to cold, higher heat production and a range of temperature activity. Their blood circulation improves, metabolism is normalized.
It is important to maintain optimal air humidity in the home at all times, and not only during illness. In city apartments during the heating season, doctors recommend using humidifiers to increase it to at least 60%, especially in the children’s room.

Since ARVI is caused by different viruses, a universal vaccine for the common cold does not yet exist. But against certain types of pathogens, effective drugs are developed annually. In the fall, it is recommended to get vaccinated against influenza, doctors always predict quite accurately which type of virus will prevail during the epidemic season. However, it should be noted: vaccination does not guarantee that you will not get sick at all, nevertheless, the disease will be much easier.

90,000 Flu? Coronavirus? ARVI? Symptoms, complications, prevention.- City polyclinic 69, Moscow

What are coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that predominantly infect animals, but in some cases can be transmitted to humans. Usually, diseases caused by coronaviruses are mild without causing severe symptoms. However, there are also severe forms such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).

What are the symptoms of the disease caused by the new coronavirus?

Feeling tired

Difficulty breathing

High temperature

Cough and / or sore throat

Symptoms are very similar to many respiratory diseases, often mimic the common cold, and may resemble the flu.

If you have similar symptoms, consider the following:

Have you visited high-risk areas (China and surrounding regions) in the last two weeks?

Have you been in contact with someone who has visited high-risk areas (China and surrounding regions) in the past two weeks?

If the answer to these questions is yes, the symptoms should be treated as carefully as possible.

How is the coronavirus transmitted?

Like other respiratory viruses, coronavirus spreads through droplets that form when an infected person coughs or sneezes.It can also spread when someone touches any contaminated surface, such as a doorknob. People become infected when they touch their mouth, nose or eyes with dirty hands.

Initially, the outbreak originated from animals, presumably the source was the seafood market in Wuhan, where there was an active trade not only in fish, but also in animals such as marmots, snakes and bats.

How to protect yourself from coronavirus infection?

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your hands and surfaces clean.

Keep your hands clean and wash frequently with soap and water or use a disinfectant.

Also try not to touch your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands (usually such touches are unconsciously performed by us on average 15 times per hour).

Carry hand sanitizer with you so you can clean your hands in any environment.

Always wash your hands before eating.

Be especially careful when in crowded areas, airports and other public transportation systems.Minimize touching surfaces and objects in such places as much as possible, and do not touch your face.

Carry disposable wipes and always cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and be sure to dispose of them after use.

Do not eat food (nuts, chips, cookies and other snacks) from common containers or utensils if other people have immersed their fingers in them.

Avoid greeting handshakes and kisses on the cheek until the epidemiological situation stabilizes.

At work, regularly clean the surfaces and devices you touch (computer keyboards, general office equipment panels, smartphone screens, remotes, door handles and handrails).

How to wear a medical mask correctly?

Gently cover nose and mouth with mask and secure to reduce the gap between face and mask.
Do not touch the mask during use. After touching a used mask, for example to remove it, wash your hands.
After the mask becomes wet or dirty, put on a new, clean and dry mask.
Do not reuse disposable masks. They should be thrown away after each use and disposed of immediately after removal.

What can you do at home?

Tell your children about coronavirus prevention.

Explain to the children how germs are spread and why good hand and face hygiene is important.

Make sure everyone in the family has their own towel, remind not to share toothbrushes and other personal hygiene items.

Ventilate the room frequently.

Can the new coronavirus be cured?

Yes, of course. However, there is no specific antiviral drug for the new coronavirus – just like there is no specific treatment for most other respiratory viruses that cause colds.

Viral pneumonia, the main and most dangerous complication of coronavirus infection, cannot be treated with antibiotics. If pneumonia develops, treatment is aimed at maintaining lung function.

Who is at risk?

People of all ages are at risk of contracting the virus. The Wuhan Health Commission said in a statement that the 60 most recent cases are between 15 and 88 years old.

However, as in the case of most other viral respiratory diseases, children and people over 65 years of age, people with weakened immune systems are at risk of severe disease.

Is there a vaccine for the new coronavirus?

Currently, there is no such vaccine, however, in a number of countries, including in Russia, research organizations of Rospotrebnadzor have already begun developing it.

What is the difference between coronavirus and influenza virus?

Coronavirus and influenza virus may have similar symptoms, but they are genetically completely different.

Influenza viruses multiply very quickly – symptoms appear two to three days after infection, and the coronavirus takes up to 14 days to do this.

How to determine if you have a coronavirus?

Timely diagnosis is one of the most important measures in the event of a threat of the emergence and spread of a new coronavirus in Russia.Scientific organizations of Rospotrebnadzor, less than 7 days after the information on the structure of the genes of the new coronavirus appeared, developed two variants of diagnostic kits for determining the presence of the virus in the human body. The kits are based on a molecular genetic research method, the so-called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The use of this method gives test systems significant advantages. The first is high sensitivity – using the developed test systems, it is possible to detect single copies of viruses.Second, there is no need to take blood to diagnose the disease; it is enough to take a sample from the nasopharynx with a cotton swab. Third, the result of the analysis can be obtained in 2-4 hours. Rospotrebnadzor diagnostic laboratories throughout Russia have the necessary equipment and specialists to use the developed diagnostic tools.

Coronavirus 2019 nCoV – the mask will help!

In the current situation with regard to an increase in the potential risk of importation and spread of the new coronavirus 2019 – nCoV on the territory of the Russian Federation, we remind you of the advisability of using a disposable medical mask as an effective measure to prevent infection and spread of infection.

Coronavirus 2019 – nCoV is transmitted from person to person through close contact, through microdroplets of respiratory secretions that form when infected people talk, sneeze or cough.

Also, infection can occur as a result of direct or indirect contact of a healthy person with the respiratory secretions of an infected person.

The use of a disposable medical mask prevents droplets of respiratory secretions, which may contain viruses, from entering the body of a healthy person through the nose and mouth.

Wear a mask when caring for a family member with symptoms of a viral respiratory illness.

If you are sick or have symptoms of a viral respiratory illness, wear a mask before approaching other people.

If you have symptoms of a viral respiratory illness and need to see a doctor, wear a mask well in advance to protect those around you in the waiting area.

Wear a mask when in crowded places.

Use the mask once; reuse of the mask is not allowed. Change the mask every 2-3 hours or more often.

If the mask is wet, it should be replaced with a new one.

After using the mask, discard it and wash your hands.

Disposable medical mask, when used correctly, is a reliable and effective method of reducing the risk of contracting coronavirus and preventing the spread of influenza.

90,000 Why colds don’t need to be treated – Wonderzine

Is it necessary to treat a cold

It is known that a cold goes away in a week if it is treated, and in seven days if it is not.A week is an average indicator, and ARVI usually lasts from a couple of days to one and a half weeks, and there really is no specific (aimed at destroying the virus) treatment. But this does not mean that you cannot alleviate your condition and reduce the severity of symptoms. The basics of treating a cold are resting, drinking fluids, rinsing the nose with saline, or “sea water” sold in pharmacies (they are the same thing). Breathing relieves humid and cool air, so it is worth ventilating the room more often.Steam inhalation is good for moisturizing mucous membranes, but shouldn’t be torture like sitting over a pot of hot potatoes; just breathe over the humidifier or in the shower. A humidifier can save the nasal and throat mucous membrane from drying out and increased susceptibility to viruses, and at the same time improve the condition of hair and skin. While studies have not shown the beneficial effects of hot inhalation and sauna use for colds, cool, moist air is known to relieve nasal congestion and coughs.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are effective at high temperatures. It is believed that at temperatures up to 38.5 degrees, antipyretics can be omitted. In the end, a rise in temperature is a sign of activation of the immune system, the body’s defense system. In children, the temperature can quickly rise even to 39-40 degrees, but if you can reduce it with paracetamol, then you don’t have to worry; In the early days of a cold, the fever may be persistent, and then paracetamol and ibuprofen are prescribed every four hours, alternating between them.Very often, to reduce the heat, it is enough to undress and take a warm shower, and then allow the body to air dry. Due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, NSAIDs also relieve symptoms such as headaches and muscle aches.

It is important to fight dehydration, because when the temperature rises, the body loses fluid. Doctors recommend drinking more water and clear liquids such as tea, broth, and apple juice. Temperature – at your discretion; cold drinks and ice cream do not complicate the course of a cold and even often help to eliminate a sore throat.But if warm tea with raspberries is the only thing that you can force yourself to consume during ARVI, drink it to your health (especially since raspberries contain salicylates, derivatives of aspirin). The main thing is to avoid dehydration.

With a stuffy nose, you can use vasoconstrictor drugs based on oxymetazoline or xylometazoline (like “Otrivin” or “Nazivin”), but they should be treated with caution. On the packaging of most of these drugs, you can now find a recommendation not to use them more than twice a day and longer than three days, and for children under six years old in Europe, vasoconstrictor drops and sprays are not allowed at all.Remember to rinse your nose with saline. Antihistamines (antiallergic) drugs also help relieve mucosal edema, which often causes nasal congestion. Many complex anti-cold remedies (like Fervex in Russia and DayQuil in America) contain NSAIDs, an antihistamine, and an expectorant component. These over-the-counter drugs are also safe during pregnancy, provided they are taken in a short course.

90,000 Instruction for the population, prevention of influenza and ARVI

December 27, 2019

Instruction for the population, prevention of influenza and ARVI

What is flu?

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

Influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, gradually undermining health, reduce the average life expectancy of a person by several years. In a severe course of influenza, irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system, respiratory organs, central nervous system often occurs, provoking diseases of the heart and blood vessels, pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, meningoencephalitis.Common complications after influenza are rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media, exacerbation of chronic diseases, bacterial superinfection. A bacterial infection (pneumococcal, hemophilic, staphylococcal) is often introduced into an organism weakened by influenza. The greatest victims of influenza are among the elderly population groups suffering from chronic diseases. Death with influenza can result from intoxication, cerebral hemorrhage, pulmonary complications (pneumonia), heart or cardiopulmonary failure.

What is ARVI? What is the difference from the flu?

The term “acute respiratory disease” (ARI) or “acute respiratory viral infection” (ARVI) covers a large number of diseases, in many ways similar to each other. Their main similarity is that they are all caused by viruses that enter the body along with the inhaled air through the mouth and nasopharynx, and also that they are all characterized by the same set of symptoms.The patient has a high body temperature, sore throat, cough 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. Upon recovery, all these symptoms disappear and do not leave any traces behind.

The flu virus is very easily transmitted. The most common route of transmission is airborne droplets. The household transmission route is also possible, for example, through household items.When coughing, sneezing, talking from the nasopharynx of a patient or a virus carrier, particles of saliva, mucus, sputum with pathogenic microflora, including influenza viruses, are thrown out. An infected area with a maximum concentration of aerosol particles is formed around the patient. Their dispersion range usually does not exceed 2 – 3 m.

Flu symptoms.

The flu usually starts acutely. The incubation (latent) period usually lasts 2 – 5 days.Then the period of acute clinical manifestations begins. The severity of the disease depends on the general state of health, age, on whether the patient has been in contact with this type of virus before. Depending on this, the patient may develop one of four forms of influenza: mild, moderate, severe, hypertoxic.

Prevention of influenza and ARVI is divided into nonspecific and specific.

Methods of non-specific prophylaxis:

1.Personal hygiene.

In other words, many diseases are associated with unwashed hands. The source, as before, is a sick person. Handshakes should be avoided during this period. After touching door handles, toilet handles, handrails in public places, treat hands with an antiseptic or wash them thoroughly. Do not touch your nose, eyes, mouth with dirty, unwashed hands.

2. Rinse the nose.

Even if you don’t know how to do it, it’s time to learn.Now many doctors advise moisturizing or rinsing the nose during epidemics. This can be done using a saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per liter of water) or special salt sprays, of which there are many in pharmacies.

3. Put on the masks .

Moreover, it is just worth putting it on a sick person in order to prevent large particles of saliva from entering the space when coughing and sneezing, but it does not hold small particles.

4.Thorough cleaning of premises 9000 8. The virus loves warm and dusty rooms, so it is worthwhile to devote time to wet cleaning and airing.

5. Avoid crowds . During this period, it is better to refrain from going to theaters, circuses, cafes and other places where infected people may be and where the chance of catching the virus is high.

6. Other methods , which include a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, exercise, walking and much more.

The World Health Organization considers vaccination to be the only socially and economically viable measure to control influenza. Vaccination reduces morbidity by 90%, and hospitalization by 60%.

The main method of specific prophylaxis against influenza is active immunization – vaccination, when a particle of an infectious agent is injected into the body. The viruses (parts of it) contained in the vaccine stimulate the body to produce antibodies (they begin to be produced on average after two weeks), which prevent viruses from multiplying and infecting the body.

Vaccinations are best done in the fall as flu epidemics tend to occur between November and March.

Be healthy!

How long does a flu usually last: How long does the flu last? Timeline and recovery

How long does the flu last? Timeline and recovery

How long does the flu last? Timeline and recovery

How Long Does the Flu Last? and When You’ll Start to Feel Better

Easily treated flu complications:

Potentially life-threatening flu complications:

How Long Does the Flu Last?

Influenza (Seasonal Flu) | Cigna

Topic Overview

What is influenza (flu)?

What causes the flu?

What are the symptoms?

How is the flu diagnosed?

How is it treated?

Can the flu be prevented?

How long is someone infectious after a viral infection?

Bronchitis

Chickenpox

Common cold

Flu

Glandular fever

Measles

Mumps

Rubella (german measles)

Shingles

Tonsillitis

Further information

Influenza in children | Caring for kids

How does influenza spread?

How do I know if my child has influenza?

Can the flu cause any other complications?

When should I call my doctor?

Take your child immediately to a hospital emergency department or call 911 if your child:

What can I do if my child has influenza?

Antiviral medications

How can I prevent the spread of influenza?

More information from the CPS

Reviewed by the following CPS committees

Pathogen

Signs and symptoms

Epidemiology

Diagnostics

Treatment

Prevention

WHO Activities

HOW TO DEFEAT ARD AND FLU

Risk factors

Complications

Preparing for a visit / visit to a doctor

Diagnostics of ARVI

How to treat ARVI

How to cure ARVI with home remedies

Myths and dangerous misconceptions in the treatment of ARVI

Prevention

Is it necessary to treat a cold

Instruction for the population, prevention of influenza and ARVI

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