Flu treatment

Treatment of influenza is carried out mainly at home.

Hospitalization is carried out according to clinical, epidemiological and social indications.

Clinical indications:

• severe and hypertoxic forms of influenza;
• complicated course of influenza (meningitis, encephalitis, pneumonia, etc.);
• neonatal period, regardless of the severity of the disease; hospitalization of infants is also advisable.

Epidemiological indications:

• the child’s stay in a closed institution or in an organized group (orphanage, children’s home, health camp, etc.).
• Social indications:
• the inability to organize treatment and adequate care in an outpatient setting due to social, technical or other reasons;
• the lack of possibility to organize “hospital care at home” if necessary;
• antisocial family;
• homeless and neglected children.

Patients with influenza must be hospitalized in a closed or semi-closed ward.

All patients with flu are shown:

• therapeutic and protective regimen (bed rest - during the period of fever and intoxication, followed by a transition to semi-bed rest, which is observed until recovery);
• a dairy-vegetable diet enriched with vitamins, drinking plenty of fluids in the form of hot tea, cranberry or lingonberry juice, alkaline mineral waters;
• anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs in an age-appropriate dose at a body temperature of 38 °C and above (if there are no indications for prescribing antipyretics at a lower temperature - a history of febrile seizures, epilepsy, etc.). The safest antipyretic for children is paracetamol (Children's Panadol, suspension or suppositories). Single dose - 15 mg / kg, daily - 60 mg / kg of the child's body weight;
• In case of “red fever” physical cooling methods are also used (rubbing with alcohol mixed with water);
• "pale fever" usually reflects infectious toxic shock and requires intensive therapy;
• In case of flu, the use of acetylsalicylic acid is strictly prohibited due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome with a very high mortality rate;
• mucolytic agents (acetylcysteine, carbocysteine) for thick and viscous sputum, also mucolytics with an expectorant effect - bromhexine, ambroxol;
• expectorants (lycorin, marshmallow extract, thermopsis extract, etc.) for coughing patients with poorly expelled sputum.

Local treatment of influenza

• for rhinitis, intranasal 0.9% sodium chloride solution, vasoconstrictor drops (oxymetazoline, xylometazoline); for prolonged rhinitis with severe nasal congestion, additionally topical antihistamines (desloratadine from 2 years of age), and for an allergic component - intranasal spray with a topical glucocorticosteroid;
• for pharyngitis, tonsillitis 2% solution of silver proteinate or collargol; for older children - bicarmint, chlorhexidine + tetracaine + ascorbic acid, etc.;
• for laryngitis, tracheitis, laryngotracheitis in children over 2 years old, steam inhalations (with infusion of chamomile, calendula, mint, sage, St. John's wort, 1-2% sodium bicarbonate solution) are used to improve drainage; for obstructive laryngitis/laryngotracheitis (croup syndrome), steam inhalation chambers are used in hospitals with bronchodilators (berodual, etc.), glucocorticosteroids, sodium bicarbonate;
• vitamins: ascorbic acid, B vitamins, multivitamins;
• Antihistamines are indicated for children with allergic diseases in the acute stage (atopic dermatitis, respiratory allergies, etc.). Clemastine, chloropyramine, loratadine, fexofenadine, etc. are used.

Etiotropic antiviral treatment of influenza

• Adamantane derivatives: for children from 1 to 7 years old - 0.2% rimantadine syrup 5 mg/(kg/day); for children over 7 years old - rimantadine 1.5 mg/(kg/day);
• Viral neuraminidase inhibitors: oseltamivir 2 mg/(kg/day) for children over 12 years of age;
• Specific anti-influenza immunoglobulin, normal human immunoglobulin are indicated for severe and hypertoxic forms of influenza;
• Interferons (interferon-alpha intranasally, interferon-alpha 2 rectally, interferon-alpha 2a - intramuscularly in severe forms) and endogenous interferon inducers (arbidol, anaferon for children, kagocel), etc. Against the background of therapy with the new domestic drug kagocel in children with influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections, the duration of symptoms of intoxication, fever, catarrhal phenomena in the nasopharynx and the main symptoms of stenosing laryngotracheitis (bronchitis) are reliably reduced. Kagocel promotes an increase in the production of a- and y-interferons by 1.5-2 times in sick children with their initially low levels. In no case of using this interferon inducer in clinical studies in children were any side effects or adverse events registered, including no exacerbation of allergopathology during treatment, while in the comparison group, respiratory infection caused exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Kagocel is well tolerated by children, reduces hospitalization periods and can be used in pediatric practice in children from 6 years of age, 1 tablet three times a day for the first two days, then 1 tablet 2 times a day for the next 2 days. Analysis of the clinical studies showed that Kagocel has a universal effect on the infectious process in viral respiratory infections, regardless of their etiology and clinical manifestations.

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Treating flu with antibiotics

With the flu, as with other acute respiratory viral infections, there is no need to prescribe antibiotics; they are only advisable if there is a suspicion of a bacterial nature of the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract.

It should be clearly understood that treating the flu with antibiotics does not have a positive effect, since antibacterial drugs are intended to treat infectious diseases caused by bacteria, and the flu develops under the influence of viruses. Moreover, treating the flu with antibiotics can harm your body, since their uncontrolled and inappropriate use increases the risk of developing infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Remember, bacteria and viruses have completely different natures, and treating the flu with antibiotics is absolutely useless. Antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor only for complications caused by the flu virus, since such complications can be caused by bacteria that have penetrated the body weakened by the disease. Antibacterial drugs are prescribed for such complications of the flu as pneumonia, bacterial bronchitis, inflammation of the pharynx or respiratory tract, conjunctivitis, etc.

Antibiotics for flu are prescribed according to strict indications:

• Bacterial complications (acute obstructive purulent-necrotic laryngotracheitis/laryngitis - regardless of the degree of croup, croup syndrome grades II-IV, pneumonia, otitis, sinusitis, streptococcal or other bacterial tonsillitis/pharyngitis, lymphadenitis, especially with fluctuation, bronchitis with purulent sputum, pneumonia, etc.);
• Suspected bacterial infection in a patient with influenza (when it is difficult to exclude the development of bacterial infections - severe toxicosis, severe sore throat, plaque on the tonsils, ear pain, dyspnea without signs of bronchial obstruction, asymmetry of wheezing during auscultation of the lungs, leukocytosis in the blood more than 12-15x10 ⁹ /n). Early administration of antibiotics is necessary if bacterial complications are suspected in children under 3 years of age. However, if the suspicion of a bacterial infection is not confirmed during subsequent observation and examination, the antibiotic should be discontinued;
• Severe and complicated forms of influenza;
• Chronic foci of bacterial infection and especially their exacerbation (recurrent otitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic pyelonephritis, etc.);
• Clinical signs of immunodeficiency.

Treating flu at home

Treatment of flu at home must be comprehensive. First of all, it should be understood that a patient with flu needs bed rest, since any physical activity significantly increases the risk of complications. To effectively fight the infection, the body needs plenty of warm fluids. This helps prevent intoxication, improves the removal of phlegm and helps restore the water balance in the body. It is not recommended to bring down the temperature below 38.5 degrees, since it creates a barrier to the reproduction of infectious agents. You can reduce the fever at home with raspberries - for two tablespoons of raspberries, add two tablespoons of coltsfoot and a tablespoon of oregano, pour boiling water, leave for half an hour and strain. Take a quarter of a glass of the resulting decoction four times a day. You can also reduce the temperature with vinegar compresses on the calves of the legs. Warm milk with non-carbonated mineral water is effective for coughing. To relieve nasal breathing with a runny nose and nasal congestion, use vasoconstrictor drops and sprays (eucazolin, rinazolin), as well as oil-based drops (pinosol). Herbal decoctions and furacilin solution can be used to rinse the nose. You can reduce the inflammatory process in the throat with the help of gargles, using for these purposes an alcohol solution of chlorophyllipt, furacilin, a decoction of chamomile and sage, a soda-salt solution. At the very beginning of the disease, it is recommended to take antiviral drugs such as arbidol, anaferon, amizon, etc. Onion juice diluted with natural honey can alleviate the condition. You need to take this mixture every half hour, one teaspoon at a time. Lemon has a powerful antioxidant effect - it reduces intoxication of the body and has a destructive effect on the virus.

Medicines for the treatment of influenza

Medicines for the treatment of influenza are prescribed depending on the accompanying symptoms. Antihistamines are indicated for a runny nose, frequent sneezing, watery eyes. Decongestants are used for head constriction, discomfort in the nose and ears. Painkillers and antipyretics for influenza help relieve pain in various locations and reduce body temperature. Interferon preparations, interferon inducers, immunomodulatory, mucolytic, antitussive, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs are also prescribed for influenza.

Antiviral drugs have the ability to destroy viruses and are represented by etiotropic agents. The use of etiotropic drugs alone during a flu epidemic is not enough. Immunomodulatory drugs restore the function of the body's defenses. The main indication for the use of this group of drugs is an infectious and inflammatory process that is difficult to treat. The following are drugs for the treatment of influenza:

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Adapromin

The drug is taken orally after meals. At the first signs of the disease, 0.2 g is prescribed once a day for four days.

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Deityforin

Taken orally before meals. On the first day of illness - 0.1 g three times, on the second and third days - 0.1 g twice a day, on the fourth day - 0.1 g once. On the first day of illness, the daily dose can be taken in one go.

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Remantadine

The drug is most effective at the very beginning of the disease. On the first day, take two tablets (100 mg) three times a day. You can drink the daily dose at one time (six tablets) or in two doses (three tablets twice a day). On the second and third days of the disease - two tablets (100 mg) twice. On the fourth and fifth days - two tablets (100 mg) once a day. The course of treatment is five days.

Ingavirin

Take one capsule daily.

Immunostat

The drug is taken 200 mg four times a day. The interval between doses should be six hours. The average duration of treatment is three to five days.

Arbidol

0.2 g (2 tablets) four times a day before meals. The drug is taken for three days.

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Anaferon

One tablet under the tongue three to six times a day, depending on the severity of the disease. After improvement, a single dose of the drug is recommended for eight to ten days.

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Amizon

The maximum single dose is 1 g, daily dose is 2 g. The drug is taken 0.25–0.5 g (one or two tablets) two to four times a day. The course of treatment is five to seven days.

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Amiksin

Take 125 or 250 mg (one or two tablets) per day after meals for two days, then one tablet with a two-day break. All doses of the drugs are indicated for an adult.

Treatment of flu during pregnancy

Treatment of flu during pregnancy has its own nuances, since many anti-flu medications are contraindicated for pregnant women. Among them are aspirin, various antitussives, antiviral and vasoconstrictor drugs. Therefore, treatment of flu during pregnancy should be combined with drinking plenty of warm liquids that help remove toxins - tea with honey and lemon, milk, rosehip or raspberry decoction. To reduce the temperature, you can take a paracetamol tablet. When coughing, you can drink breast infusions and expectorants approved for use during pregnancy (Doctor Mom, Gedelix). To reduce inflammation of the nasal mucosa, you can use oil-based drops "Pinosol". Aquamaris, Humer, and Marimer are used to rinse the nose. Vitamin and mineral complexes are a must in complex therapy.

Effective treatment for flu

Anti-flu therapy, started within the first thirty-six hours from the onset of symptoms, can significantly shorten the duration of the disease and reduce the risk of complications. Effective treatment of influenza consists of a combination of chemotherapy drugs with non-specific drugs or is achieved by using only interferons and their inducers and immunomodulatory agents that have antiviral activity. Effective treatment of influenza must be comprehensive. If you are sick, drink plenty of warm liquids (tea, milk, cranberry juice, herbal infusions). If you have a cough and runny nose, use disposable paper napkins, and then be sure to wash your hands with soap. Ventilate the room more often. Take antiviral drugs and stay in bed.

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Treatment of influenza in adults

Treatment of influenza in adults is carried out at home with strict adherence to bed rest. Hospitalization is indicated for hyperthermia, convulsions, clouding of consciousness, severe arterial hypotension, cardiac disorders, and the development of complications. Symptomatic therapy at home consists of regularly drinking large amounts of warm drinks, taking antiviral, antihistamine, and antipyretic drugs. If the temperature has dropped, you can do herbal inhalations with chamomile, calendula, and sage. At the very beginning of the disease, rimantadine is used, the nasal passages are washed with furacilin and lubricated with oxalic ointment. Antibacterial drugs and sulfonamides are indicated only in case of bacterial complications, as well as to prevent the development of chronic purulent-inflammatory diseases.

Treatment of influenza virus

Treatment of the influenza virus involves specific therapy depending on the type of virus. Influenza virus type A is capable of creating an epidemiological situation of moderate and severe severity, for example, swine and chicken flu. Influenza virus type B usually does not cause epidemics and has local outbreaks of the disease. Influenza virus type C has not yet been sufficiently studied. Its symptoms are usually mild or absent altogether, this type of virus can be combined with type A virus. Treatment of the influenza virus should primarily be aimed at destroying viral cells. Influenza virus A, for example, is sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. The main types of influenza virus are A and B. Type A is more common, M2 inhibitors are used to combat it. Neuraminidase inhibitors are effective against viruses of group A and B. Antiviral drugs used to treat influenza are able to suppress viral enzymes and stimulate the formation of interferon. The first group of drugs directly suppresses the virus itself, the second reduces the susceptibility of cells to viral agents. Treatment of the influenza virus should begin at the first symptoms of the disease.

Flu treatment regimen

The treatment regimen for influenza includes a sequential implementation of procedures to relieve current symptoms of the disease and neutralize viral cells.

1. To directly neutralize the virus, antiviral drugs are taken (arbidol, amixin, rimantadine, groprinosin).
2. A high temperature (above 38.5 degrees), which is accompanied by severe chills, headaches and muscle pain, can be brought down with the help of antipyretic drugs (aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen).
3. Primary symptoms of the disease may also include dry cough and sore throat. In such cases, expectorant tablets and syrups (Bronchial, Doctor Mom, Herbion, Lazolvan) are indicated - three to four times a day, antiseptic lozenges and lozenges (Septefril, Faringosept, Dekatilen, Septolete, Strepsils) - from three to six times a day.
4. To eliminate nasal congestion, vasoconstrictors are used locally - naphthyzin, rinazolin, tizin, evkazolin - one injection into each nasal passage three times a day. In case of abundant mucus discharge from the nasal passages, nasal rinsing with saline solution is indicated, as well as such drugs as saline, humer, marimer, chistinos.
5. As part of complex therapy, take immune-boosting agents (tincture of purple echinacea, immunal, vitamin-mineral complexes). Immunal is taken according to the following scheme: twenty drops three times a day, washed down with a small amount of liquid. The initial dose at one time can be forty drops, then for two days take twenty drops every hour or two, after which they switch to the recommended average dosage.
6. Also recommended are periodic gargling with herbal decoctions, soda-salt solutions, regular drinking of plenty of warm drinks, rest and bed rest.
7. Any physical activity, antibacterial drugs, and heat treatments are contraindicated if the body temperature is high.

Treatment of flu during lactation

Treatment of flu during lactation, as well as during pregnancy, should be carried out with special care. In severe cases of the disease, you cannot do without taking medications, but, of course, not all medications are allowed during breastfeeding. As prescribed by a doctor, you can take antiviral drugs based on interferon. To reduce the temperature, you can take paracetamol. When you have flu, you must drink warm tea with honey, raspberries, lemon or milk. You can gargle with an aqueous solution of soda and salt, or chamomile infusion. You should regularly ventilate the room to clear the air of viruses that have accumulated in it. With flu, rest and bed rest are also necessary. In severe cases, drug treatment of flu during lactation is an indication for interrupting the feeding process.

Modern treatment of influenza

Modern treatment of influenza includes a range of different procedures to destroy viruses and eliminate the symptoms of the disease. When the patient has influenza, bed rest, plenty of fluids, gargling and treatment of the nasal passages to wash out the infection are mandatory. Modern treatment of influenza also involves prescribing a dairy-vegetable diet, foods rich in vitamin C. In recent years, treatment of influenza has been combined with the use of immunomodulators that help the body cope with the disease faster. Natural immunostimulants include rose hips, eleutherococcus root extract, Chinese magnolia vine, purple echinacea, etc. However, it should be remembered that their uncontrolled use can, on the contrary, worsen the functioning of the immune system. Remantadine, a drug with high antiviral activity, has proven itself well against influenza. At the very beginning of the disease, three to five drops of human leukocyte or recombinant interferon can be instilled into each nasal passage with a break of one to two hours for two to three days. The nasal passages can also be lubricated with oxalinic ointment. In case of nasal congestion, vasoconstrictor drops and sprays are used. The temperature is brought down only if it exceeds thirty-eight and a half degrees, as it promotes the production of endogenous interferon (the body fights infection). In case of flu, it is recommended to take vitamins and minerals, as well as immunomodulatory drugs. Detoxification therapy is carried out using such drugs as polyglucin, rheopolyglucin, five percent glucose solution, hemodez, askorutin.

Fast cure for flu

Rapid treatment of flu depends on a combination of various factors that affect the course of the disease. First, it should be clearly understood that bed rest is mandatory for flu. This is one of the necessary conditions for successful and rapid treatment of the disease. If you take antiviral drugs and at the same time engage in physical activity, then, of course, you should not expect a quick effect, this can only worsen the situation. So, the first rule is proper rest and bed rest. The second mandatory condition is the active consumption of warm liquid in any form - it can be green or black tea with honey, lemon, milk, fruit drink, raspberry compote. Liquid helps remove toxins from the body and, as a result, rapid treatment of flu. Do not forget to regularly ventilate the room and use disposable handkerchiefs when coughing and sneezing to avoid the proliferation of viruses. Antiviral drugs are indicated for the elimination of viruses - arbidol, anaferon, amixin, remantidine, etc. To eliminate current symptoms of the disease, use antiseptic tablets and sprays (anginal, chlorophyllipt, orasept, septefril, lisobact, faringosept, etc.), expectorants (mucaltin, ambroxol, gerbion) and vasoconstrictors (galazolin, tizin, rinazolin, evkazolin).

Treatment of flu with folk remedies

Rose hips have proven themselves to be a good folk remedy for treating flu. Dry rose hips should be crushed and poured with cold water (1 l), then boiled for ten minutes. The resulting decoction should be infused in a warm place for eight to ten hours, then strained. The finished medicine should be taken one glass five to six times a day, honey can be added.

A similar remedy can be prepared by mixing rose hips with honey and adding currants or raspberries. Take half a glass three times a day before meals. Viburnum has a good effect in treatment. The fruits of this plant are mixed with coltsfoot and poured with boiling water, then strained and taken one glass at night in a warm form. Another folk remedy against flu is onion. Grate a medium-sized onion, then spread it on gauze folded in several layers. Put the resulting mixture on the sides of the nose for ten to fifteen minutes. Repeat the procedure three to four times a day. Before the procedure, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with vegetable oil or cosmetic face cream. You can rinse the nasal passages with a saline solution. Also, for a runny nose, you can drip a drop of vegetable oil mixed with garlic into the nasal passages. Chop the garlic, add a spoonful of vegetable oil, leave for twelve hours, then filter. When the temperature is high, mix the rose hips with rowan berries, pour hot water over them, leave for four hours and strain. Take half a glass of the resulting infusion three times a day. Also, to reduce the fever, you can dilute 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a liter of slightly warm boiled water, moisten a towel with the vinegar solution and rub your shins, arms, and armpits. When the temperature drops, you can pour dry mustard powder into your socks and wear them overnight, wrapping your feet warmly. At normal body temperature, you can do inhalations with sage, eucalyptus, and chamomile. You can also boil unpeeled potatoes, drain the water, mash them, add two or three drops of fir oil and breathe in the steam for five to seven minutes, after covering yourself with a towel. Inhalations are contraindicated for people with cardiovascular diseases.