Influenza Treatment for Adults: Learning to Identify and Manage Symptoms

Лечение гриппа у взрослых – учимся определять и устранять симптомы

With the first signs of a cold snap, we are attacked by influenza and respiratory viral infections. These diseases are similar in their symptoms, but differ significantly in their consequences. Improper treatment of influenza in adults and children can lead to complications — pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis, myocarditis and other serious problems. It is important to learn to distinguish between the symptoms of diseases, to prevent them in a timely manner and properly treat them, if prevention still fails.

Why is it so important to distinguish between flu and SARS
Flu and colds — find 7 main differences
3 deadly flu myths
Prevention: separating truth from fiction
Symptomatic treatment of influenza in adults and children

Why is it so important to distinguish between flu and SARS

Influenza — it is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It affects the respiratory tract and flows with a sharp increase in body temperature up to 39 degrees. The patient does not feel well, suffers from pain in the eyes, joints and muscles. He is chilly or feverish.

Approximately the same goes for an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), which is commonly called a cold. However, the temperature rises gradually and not so much — up to 38-38.5 degrees. All this is accompanied by a runny nose, cough, malaise, weakness.

Both diseases are extremely contagious, transmitted by airborne droplets, but the common cold is less dangerous because it rarely causes serious complications. But the flu can cause many problems in the future, so you should pay more attention to protection measures, adhere to quarantine in case of illness.

Flu and colds — find 7 main differences

There are several signs that are easy to distinguish diseases:

Speed of onset of symptoms. Influenza starts instantly, while with a cold, symptoms appear gradually — first a runny nose, then a sore throat, etc.
Temperature. With the flu, it rises suddenly. Immediately, there is pain in the eyes and muscles, weakness, dizziness. The thermometer shows 39-40 degrees. When you have a cold, a runny nose, sore throat first appear, and only then the temperature rises (up to 38, maximum up to 38.5 degrees).
Sneezing. With a cold, it is inevitable, and with the flu, the patient does not sneeze.
Cough. With ARVI, it starts immediately the same, and with flu, on 2-3rd day.
Intoxication. Signs of influenza poisoning are so pronounced that it is often confused with an intestinal infection.
Severity of disease. Influenza is very difficult, often with complications that can seriously undermine health and even kill a person.
Peculiarities of recovery. After a cold, a person quickly returns to normal life. But after the flu, it is difficult: weakness, dizziness, apathy persist for a long time. The period of complete recovery may take a a couple of weeks, and and a month.

This is important! If you have had the flu and cannot find the strength to live an active life, give yourself time. No matter how you try you will not be able to work effectively. Violating your body, you will only achieve a re-disease.

3 deadly flu myths

Influenza — it's common, so it's not scary. Nothing like that. There have been cases in history when a virus mowed down half of Europe. It common and deadly. In addition to quickly diagnosed complications, flu has "long-lasting" complications. consequences: it undermines the cardiovascular system, which shortens life.
It is enough to treat the symptoms and you can go to work.Of course, it is worth treating, but going out into the street and let getting involved in active life is not. If you managed to bring down the temperature, this does not mean that there is no illness. Adhere to the quarantine regime, don endanger neither yourself nor the others.
«If treated — the flu will go away in a week if not treated — for 7 days». Remember, folk wisdom is far from being always wise. You need to be treated to prevent complications and get back on feet faster.

Prevention: separating truth from fiction

Vaccination is recommended as the main preventive measure. It is effective if you are attacked by the exact type of virus from which you were vaccinated. In other cases, this is a useless event. Vaccination is not a panacea.

As for advice during the period of epidemics, eat more onions, garlic, drink tea with raspberries, this is not superfluous, but and the effectiveness of such measures has not been proven. In any case, a healthy lifestyle supports the immune system and helps to overcome diseases more easily.

Don't give up healthy foods, eat well and balanced, but don spend money on pharmacy immunity stimulants. Their effectiveness is a big question, and the cost is often exorbitant.

Several measures will protect you from infection:

Self-isolation. The fewer people the better. Avoid crowds during epidemic periods.
Hygiene. Wash your hands often, wipe with antibacterial wipes.
Mask. Wear this when you get sick so you don't infect your household.
Walking and airing the room.Fresh air — killer for many viruses.
Moisturizes the mucous membranes of the nose. Dissolve 1 tsp. l. ordinary table salt in 1 l of boiled water. This p
constantly moisten the nasal mucosa with the solution (for example, drip from a pipette) and rinse your mouth.

Лечение гриппа у взрослых: учимся определять и устранять симптомы

Symptomatic treatment of influenza in adults and children

Treatment of influenza in adults is symptomatic, as the only drug that actually destroys the influenza virus is Tamiflu (oseltamivir). It's hard to buy, and and it makes no sense to spend money on a medicine with a lot of side effects. Tamiflu is prescribed by a doctor and only when the disease is severe and threatens with complications.

To make it easier to endure the flu or a cold, follow these tips:

Gargle with any disinfectant solution (saline will do, you can buy a ready-made remedy at a pharmacy).
If necessary, take painkillers and antipyretics, but don't get carried away: bring down the temperature if it is above 39 degrees, and only paracetamol or ibuprofen. Aspirin is not recommended.
Refuse the temptation to drink antibiotics: they are useless in the fight flu but can provoke dysbacteriosis.
Warm up in warm baths and under hot showers, rub with washcloths and towels.
Drink warm, acidified beverages to detoxify and prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria that can attack a body weakened by a virus.
Do not ignore pharmacy oral rehydration solutions: gastrolith, normohydron, rehydron and the like. It is important to prevent dehydration.
Don't force yourself to eat if you don't feel like it. If ready to snack, choose foods high in vitamin C and group B.

During the period of illness, it is important to monitor personal hygiene, cleanliness in the room and air humidity. Wash floors frequently and wipe dust.

The main thing about prevention and treatment of flu colds

Distinguish diseases clearly and remember that "forgive" a cold, then it is unacceptable for the flu. Follow these guidelines:

don't shrug off disturbing symptoms and carry illness on legs;
eat healthy foods, but don't get carried away with all sorts of immune stimulants;
during epidemics, avoid crowds;
wear a mask if you're sick so you don't infect your loved ones;
walk more often and ventilate the room;
when warming up and drink warm, acidified drinks;
gargle and moisten mucous membranes;
only bring down the temperature in case of emergency.