2019-11-19T13: 09: 24 + 03: 00

Flu symptoms in adults

Influenza is a severe viral infection that affects men, women and children of all ages and nationalities. Influenza is associated with high mortality rates, especially in young children and the elderly. Influenza epidemics occur every year, usually during the colder months of the year, and affect up to 15% of the world's population.

Influenza is an infectious disease that is characterized by various lesions of the respiratory tract and manifests itself in a variety of respiratory symptoms... Epidemics occur during the cold season and affect up to 15% of the world's population, often leading to death in patients at risk. However, despite this, the concept of influenza infection as a mild illness is still common. The difficulty in refuting this myth is partly due to the fact that many use the term "influenza" not only in relation to laboratory-confirmed illness, but also to refer to a wide range of other viral diseases - from the common cold (ARVI) to gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"). But in fact, this is a severe viral infection that affects Airways and requires timely treatment.

Influenza (French grippe), influenza is an acute highly contagious respiratory viral infection with an airborne transmission mechanism caused by influenza viruses type A, B and C (family Orthomyxoviridae, genus Influenzavirus).

This infection tends to spread epidemically and affects all age groups of the population in different geographic conditions. The disease is characterized by a short incubation period, a rapid cyclic course, the presence of intoxication and catarrhal syndromes with a predominant lesion of the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. V International classification diseases, injuries and causes of death nosological forms of influenza are included in the group "Diseases of the respiratory system".

Today, the continuous circulation of disease viruses and the emergence of new strains of animal origin pose a constant threat to the health of the population of all countries. It is believed that 5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children get sick every year. In this case, complications develop in 10-15% of patients, especially if they do not treat it. A severe course of influenza may be accompanied by lesions of the lower respiratory tract with signs of respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, vascular collapse, cerebral edema, hemorrhagic syndrome and secondary bacterial complications. Among hospitalized patients, more often in risk groups, this figure can reach 30%.

Annual mortality due to complications of influenza is 7.5-23 people per 100,000 population, with the majority of deaths occurring in people over 65 years of age. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 600,000 patients die annually from influenza infection. This indicator is the highest among risk groups. The world economy from this disease bears colossal damage. Roughly 50% of all sick leave cases are related to ARVI, including influenza.

How does influenza get infected?

The source of an infectious disease can be a sick person with clinically obvious and atypical (implicit) manifestations of the disease. The greatest infectivity is observed during the first 3 days from the onset of clinical manifestations. Isolation of the pathogen lasts for about 5-7 days with an uncomplicated form (faster formation of immunity and elimination of the virus) and up to three weeks with a severe and complicated form (slow formation of immunity, including due to a possible initial weakening of defense mechanisms - concomitant diseases, age ).

Airborne transmission mechanism (aerosol path), possible contact path(when using common utensils, kissing, dirty hands). The autumn-winter seasonality with an epidemic component, repeating at approximately the same interval, is quite characteristic. Sporadic ARVI incidence occurs at any time of the year.

Recent studies have shown that influenza viruses live on human hands for 5 minutes. If during this time a person touches some things, viruses pass to them and live there much longer. From 24 to 48 hours they are stored on metal and plastic, ten days - on glass. According to statistics, one person with the flu infects, on average, five people.

Complications of influenza

With prolonged progression of the disease, as well as with non-compliance with the doctor's prescriptions - for example, in case of violation of bed rest during the acute period of the disease, with premature interruption of antiviral treatment, it is possible to develop formidable, life-threatening complications from various organs and systems.

Influenza can lead to:

• otitis media,
• sinusitis,
• pharyngitis,
• laryngitis,
• tracheitis,
• neuralgia,
• sore throat,
• bronchitis,
• pneumonia,
• pulmonary edema
• meningitis,
• respiratory failure
• a number of others dangerous diseases cardiovascular, excretory and respiratory systems.

After the transferred pneumonia, residual effects often persist in the form of bronchiectasis, pneumosclerosis.

Pregnant women infected with the influenza virus or ARVI are also at high risk of complications and mortality. Mortality rates among pregnant women with severe influenza infection are different in different countries and in Russia they amount to 0.3%. Most deaths occur in pregnant women in the third trimester. Healthy expectant mothers in the third trimester have a risk of severe respiratory infection, comparable to the course of the disease in non-pregnant patients with chronic comorbidity.

The first signs of influenza in adults

With influenza, the incubation period is very short and ranges from infection to the very first manifestations on average 48 hours. The disease usually starts suddenly. The causative agents of the disease, viruses of types A and B, are distinguished by their aggressiveness and extremely high reproduction rate, therefore, within hours after infection, the virus leads to deep lesions of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, opening up opportunities for bacteria to penetrate it.

Almost always, after infection, catarrhal phenomena and signs of intoxication appear. In some cases, hemorrhagic disorders are noted - pathological conditions characterized by increased bleeding and manifested by an increase in the number of red blood cells in the urine, nosebleeds, blood in the sputum.

Intoxication is manifested by the following symptoms of influenza in adults:

• increased body temperature. With a mild degree of the disease, it usually does not exceed 38 o C; with an average - 39-40 o С; in the case of a severe course, the temperature can exceed 40 o С;
• headache in the eye area, especially when moving the eyeballs;
• chills, which is a protective reaction of the body aimed at maintaining heat and reducing its loss;
• pain in muscles, joints, lower back and legs;
• general malaise and weakness;
• loss of appetite;
• sometimes there may be nausea and vomiting.

At the very beginning of the disease, as a rule, there is neither a severe rhinitis with profuse colored discharge, nor a sore throat, nor a cough.

With influenza in adults, symptoms and treatment can vary significantly (depending on the type of virus, condition immune system the body of an infected person and many other factors), however, in general clinical manifestations diseases are similar. Some patients have atypical symptoms or an atypical clinical picture of the disease (for example, the absence of fever).

Mild flu

With a mild form of the disease, the symptoms of general intoxication are insignificant. Body temperature rarely reaches 38 o C and usually returns to normal after 2-3 days. There is no threat to the patient's life.

Moderate influenza

Flu is most common medium severity, in which there are pronounced symptoms of general intoxication, as well as signs of damage to the upper respiratory tract. The body temperature rises to 39-40 o C and remains at this level for several days, the nose is stuffy, and coughing may bother. With the timely initiation of therapy and the absence of complications, there is no threat to the patient's life.

Severe flu

Severe flu most often develops quickly enough, within a few hours. Intoxication syndrome leads to an increase in body temperature up to 40 o C and above. Patients are worried about severe headaches and joint pains, photophobia. Fever can persist for a week, and developing complications from the respiratory and cardiovascular systems can pose a threat to the patient's life.

Also, sometimes there is a hypertoxic (fulminant) form of influenza. It is distinguished by the most acute onset of the disease and rapid damage to the central nervous systems s, heart and lungs. In the absence of an ambulance medical care death is possible.

In most cases, the diagnosis is made based on the symptoms of the disease. Laboratory diagnostics- early and retrospective - carried out for confirmation clinical diagnosis, differentiation of influenza from acute respiratory viral infections of a different etiology and for epidemiological purposes.

Treatment for influenza in adults

If you have a flu infection, it is very important to stay in bed. Attempts to move the disease "on their feet" will only worsen the state of health and will contribute to the infection of others. In case of a flu infection, doctors recommend drinking a lot - the fever causes sweating, and, as a result, a large loss of moisture. Contrary to popular belief, very hot drinks are contraindicated - burns of the mucous membranes of the larynx make them vulnerable to bacterial infections. Drinks should be warm. Drinking coffee is undesirable - it increases the heartbeat and can worsen the condition. Maintain a comfortable temperature in the room, humidify the air and do not forget about regular ventilation.

As drug treatment flu is used:

• symptomatic drugs - antipyretic and antihistamines, drops from the common cold.
• etiotropic drugs - drugs that affect the causative agent of the disease. This group includes antiviral agents that fight the virus at different stages of its life cycle and prevent its spread.

The use of the drug VIFERON for influenza

One of the antiviral drugs that help restore the immune system and have a wide spectrum of antiviral activity is VIFERON. Recombinant interferon alpha-2b, which is part of this drug, interferes with the synthesis of viral DNA and blocks the multiplication of the virus, and also helps restore immunity. It is identical to human interferon alpha-2b, but is produced using modern technologies without the use of donated blood.

The drug, which is available in the form of suppositories, gel and ointment, was developed as a result of fundamental research in the field of immunology, which proved that in the presence of antioxidants (vitamins C, E), the antiviral effect of interferon is enhanced. The drug in the form of suppositories (suppositories) can be used during pregnancy (from the 14th week of gestation), as well as during breastfeeding, for the treatment of newborns, from the first days of a child's life, and the elderly.

The inclusion of VIFERON rectal suppositories in the complex therapy of influenza in adults contributes to:

• decrease in body temperature to normal 24 hours after the start of use in 48.6% of patients;
• decrease in body temperature to normal on the second day after the start of use in 82.9% of patients;
• reduction in the total duration of symptoms of intoxication (on average, 2 times);
• shortening the duration of the febrile period to 1.53 days (control group 3.55 days). 1

The antiviral drug VIFERON Gel can also be used for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza for pregnant women, lactating women, as well as newborn children, starting from the first days of life, and the elderly. When outside and topical application systemic absorption (the physiological process of absorption, that is, the penetration of medicinal substances into the blood and lymph) is low and the drug acts only in the lesion focus.

The use of the drug VIFERON for the prevention of influenza

In order to protect yourself from ARVI and influenza infection, it is necessary to apply a strip of gel approximately 0.5 cm long on the nasal mucosa 2 times a day as a prophylaxis. The duration of the course is 2-4 weeks. For the treatment of ARVI, including influenza infection, including those complicated by a bacterial infection, the application of VIFERON gel must be repeated 3-5 times a day for 5 days.

VIFERON Ointment for the treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections is applied with a thin layer on the mucous membrane of the nasal passages 3 times a day. The amount of the drug is one pea with a diameter of 0.5 cm, the approximate course of treatment is 5 days.

Recovering from influenza in adults

After influenza infection, the majority of patients persist for a long time with increased weakness, lethargy, and sleep disturbances. All these are manifestations asthenic syndrome... As a rule, asthenia is expressed in increased exhaustion of mental and physical forces. The main symptoms in this case will be increased fatigue, fatigue and weakness.

After the illness, the patient often feels emotional instability, which is expressed in frequent mood swings and irritability. There is a feeling of anxiety, anxiety, internal tension. The ability for prolonged mental and physical stress is lost. Autonomic disturbances may also occur. Frequent headaches disturb, sweating increases, appetite worsens, there is a feeling of interruptions in the work of the heart, memory deteriorates, sleep is disturbed. Daytime sleepiness is possible.

With asthenic syndrome, it is necessary to take care of an organized work and rest regime, to minimize stress. It is necessary to adhere to the daily regimen, do not forget about moderate physical activity, try to visit more fresh air... The diet should be balanced, contain the required amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements with the obligatory inclusion of fresh vegetables and fruits in the menu. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can take vitamin and mineral complexes.

The cold season is the finest hour for a full-scale invasion of "monsters" of different stripes, the army of which we call the usual abbreviation - ARVI (acute respiratory viral infections). But among the two hundred known viruses there is a particularly aggressive one, which doctors distinguish from the rest of the "company" - this is the flu. Sometimes it is very difficult to distinguish one disease from another. But the difference is fundamental: what a cold forgives - does not forgive a flu!

Science to distinguish

For doctors, ARVI and influenza are absolutely different diseases, but for us, the inhabitants, - poor health and bed rest. So how do you tell the flu from other viruses?

1. Influenza always starts with lightning speed. As a rule, you can name the hour when the disease overtakes and decays. For ARVI, a gradual increase in symptoms (runny nose, sore throat) is typical.

2. The first symptoms of influenza are pain in the head, eyes, muscles, chills, profuse sweating, weakness, dizziness, body aches, a feeling of weakness and a very sharp rise in temperature (always above 39, sometimes even over 40). SARS starts with a stuffy nose and sore throat. The temperature is rarely higher than 38.5.

3. Sneezing is an eternal symptom of ARVI, it never accompanies an illness with influenza.

But with a cough, the situation is different. With a cold, a cough appears at the very beginning of the disease. It is jerky, dry and not very strong. With the flu, the cough makes itself felt only on the second, or even the third day (with it, a runny nose and sore throat usually come). Influenza cough, strong and exhausting, often accompanies chest pain arising from the fact that the influenza virus "settled" in the mucous membrane of the trachea.

4. With flu, intoxication is strongly expressed, that is, poisoning of the body with harmful substances that appear due to the decay of viruses and protective cells.

5. Classic influenza is much more severe than acute respiratory viral infections, and often leads to severe complications in the form of pneumonia and lesions of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. By the way, numerous deaths are caused not by the flu itself, but by its complications.

6. With a cold, after a week's rest, a person can lead a normal life. But after the flu, the recovery period can drag on for a whole month: the head is spinning, the pressure jumps, you don't feel like eating, your eyes close. This is "asthenic syndrome" - in other words, a breakdown. Extend your bed rest. Efficient work will still not work, but the "second wave" of the disease may rise.

Trapped in delusion

There are several common misconceptions about the flu.

First: the flu is not as bad as it is portrayed.

According to the World Health Organization, ARVI (including influenza) is the most common ailment on the planet (90% of all cases infectious diseases). A rare disease can boast of such a wide range of complications as influenza: rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis media, encephalitis, meningitis - this is not a complete list of them. SARS gradually undermine the cardiovascular system, reducing the average life expectancy of a person by several years.

Second, the flu can be carried "on your feet."

Familiar scenario: Overcoming weakness and muscle pain, we swallow a set of drugs on duty and courageously go to work. And the first hours of the disease are the most unpredictable. After a couple of hours, the temperature can rise to forty. Don't you think about yourself? Have mercy on those around you, including pregnant women, heart patients and asthmatics, to whom the flu is especially merciless. So the best way out is to voluntarily put yourself under house arrest.

Third: if the flu is treated, it will go away in a week, if left untreated, it will take 7 days.

I must say that this statement has become a catch phrase among the people, although initially it referred to a cold, more prosaic and harmless. With the flu, you need to be more careful and meet it fully armed. If you choose the right therapy, the disease proceeds much easier: weakness is felt less, and complications in the form of pneumonia and bronchitis develop less frequently.

How about prevention?

A logical question may arise: "Why not vaccinate everyone and say goodbye to the flu once and for all ?!" In response, experts say: this is impossible, the virus mutates too often. Every new flu epidemic is caused by a new type of virus, which means that getting the flu vaccine one year may not protect you enough the next.

Moreover, if two types of influenza virus enter the human body at once, their genomes "mix", and a completely new, hitherto unknown virus is obtained, the protection against which also does not exist. This, by the way, is the hypothesis of the appearance of bird flu on the planet.

We begin to be treated

It is necessary to start taking antiviral drugs already when the first patient appears in the family or in the team. This will give you a chance not to get sick yourself. Gargle with disinfectant solutions, do not ignore immunity-enhancing agents. Well, if the disease overcomes, add drugs that weaken specific symptoms. Just stay away from antibiotics! Influenza viruses are insensitive to antibiotics. Moreover, antibiotics kill the beneficial microbes that protect the body. If the onset of the flu is "treated" with antibiotics, you can at least earn dysbiosis.

Another warning is not to lower the degree! The increased temperature is a defense reaction of the body, which repels the attack of the infection. It is necessary to bring down the temperature when it exceeds 39 degrees.

At elevated temperatures, thermal procedures are prohibited - mustard plasters, heating pads. But there is no need to be afraid of hot water. At the first sign of illness, take a hot shower. Wash your entire body with a washcloth and soap, warming up thoroughly, as the flu is "afraid" of hot water. It is especially important to warm up your face, neck and chest.

In the early days of getting the flu, you will need the following things: warmth, light mild food, vitamins C and B. One of the dangers that awaits us at elevated temperatures is dehydration. Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids. Remember to keep your drinks warm and acidic (the acidic environment will prevent bacteria from multiplying, which are just waiting to attack the body weakened by the influenza virus). Kefir and other fermented milk products contain beneficial bacteria that are responsible for immunity and the body's resistance to various infections.

Grandma's raspberry ...

Our grandmothers still believe that the best remedy for influenza is tea with raspberry jam. It is pointless to deny. Let's add a few more to this wise advice. folk recipes and tell you how to properly apply "grandmother's remedies".

Prepare a multivitamin extract of rose hips, which has bactericidal, disinfecting properties, acts as a diaphoretic and diuretic, and increases resistance to infections.

Pour 5 tablespoons of chopped rose hips with a liter of boiling water. Wrap the dishes (or pour them into a thermos) and leave for 6-8 hours, then strain the infusion. Take 1 glass (half a glass for children) 2-3 times a day, preferably with honey, jam or sugar.

During a flu epidemic, to prevent infection, you can chew calamus root (0.5 grams 3-4 times a day).

In a room with a flu patient, it is useful to burn small pieces of pine or spruce resin several times a day, which gives a great persistent resinous smell, disinfecting the air in the room.

Also at home, you can apply 3 drops of fir, eucalyptus or sage oil to the fan blades and turn on the device for three minutes. You will get a good inhalation. 3-5 drops of the same oils can be dripped into a hot frying pan - the effect will be the same.

With a strong dry cough, a decoction of raisins is useful (1/2 - 1/3 cup 3-4 times a day). To do this, cook 100 g of raisins over low heat for 10 minutes, then cool and squeeze.

The most effective folk remedy for influenza is black currant in all forms. A decoction of chopped currant twigs is prepared as follows: brew a full handful with 4 glasses of water. Boil for 5 minutes and then steam for 4 hours. Drink 2 glasses with sugar at night in bed warm. The next day, repeat - and no longer get sick.

Influenza is one of the acute viral diseases, which belongs to the category of ARVI (acute respiratory viral infections), but does not equate them all. According to disappointing statistics, every year a huge number of patients die from influenza viruses around the world. This is due not only to the multitude of strains of the disease, but also to the huge number of complications to which the disease can lead the patient. That is why awareness of the symptoms of this disease and the ability to distinguish it from other viral diseases helps to start rehabilitation measures in a timely manner and minimize the complexity of the flu course in each specific case.

The main difficulty in identifying the influenza virus each time is its possible mutation from one type to another. The annually emerging strains do not allow human immunity, developed as a result of previous infection with this virus, to protect against the recurrence of the disease.

Seasonal epidemics often affect large numbers of children, the elderly and the frail. For pregnant women, the flu is very dangerous because it can cause irreparable harm to the fetus. Newborn children have innate maternal immunity to the virus, but if the mother does not have it, then the virus poses a high danger to such children. After an illness, a stable immunity is formed to the virus, however, the variability of influenza leads to a regular transfer of the disease when faced with the source of the disease.

According to statistics, even the economic performance of a number of countries may suffer due to seasonal exacerbations the epidemiological situation for influenza, which, due to its high contagiousness, is capable of instantly affecting entire groups. About 15% of the entire population of the planet can get sick with various strains of the disease in a year, and 0.3% of them eventually die.

It is important to understand that influenza belongs to ARVI - the most extensive group of infections, however, it is not an identification of such a diagnosis. There are quite a few acute respiratory viral infections, influenza is one of them, but far from the only one. This must be clearly known in order to correctly choose the tactics of treating the disease. Also, flu, SARS and acute respiratory infections should not be confused - acute respiratory diseases, the group of which includes not only infections of a viral nature, but also many bacterial infections. It should be established in the mass consciousness that influenza is one of the diseases of the ARVI group, and all ARVIs belong to the category of acute respiratory infections, which, in addition to them, also include bacterial infections. The diagnosis should always be a specific disease, and not the above groups of diseases. A feature of influenza is that after many other diseases of the ARVI group, a person feels great a week after the first manifestations, which cannot be said about the asthenic state after the flu, in which symptoms such as cough, weakness, sweating and fatigue can persist for several weeks. This is due to a decrease in the body's immunological reactivity, which in turn can lead to an exacerbation of chronic diseases or the occurrence of secondary bacterial complications. For a very long time, a person feels the signs of asthenia - post-influenza weakness, due to the fact that the virus changes the composition of a person's blood, lowering the number of leukocytes in it. Therefore, one should not rush to immediately after an illness to join the usual working pace, but devote enough time to restore the body.

Typology of viruses

The most dangerous for humanity are 3 types of influenza viruses:

• type A, which is most common in both humans and some animals, mutates and causes seasonal epidemics or pandemics;
• type B, characteristic of the incidence of only human individuals, is more common in children and usually does not form epidemiological situations;
• type C, characteristic only of people, little studied due to the weakness of the severity of symptoms and the absence of severe consequences, rarely found.

Each of the above types of virus can manifest itself in several strains, therefore, for a deeper understanding, it is necessary to take a closer look at the most common types of influenza.

Spanish flu

During the First World War, the "Spanish Flu" claimed the lives of more than 100 million people around the planet. According to statistics, about 4-5% of the then population of the planet died from it at that time. The Spanish flu at the beginning of the 20th century was spread throughout Europe, Asia and America, and it got its name only due to the fact that there was no censorship in Spain, and it was possible to write openly in newspapers about the outbreak of the epidemic. In this country, about a thousand sick people died from the epidemic every day.

The complexity of this type of flu was that the disease did not affect children or weakened old people, but quite healthy and strong people aged 20-40 years, while developing very quickly. In 2009, doctors started talking about this strain again, but under a different name - in modern world the H1N1 strain became known as "swine flu". It is no longer the source of the most severe pandemics, but rather an ordinary seasonal flu. Modern medicine is able to effectively fight bacterial infections that join the virus by using antibacterial agents... The strain itself, due to the presence of immunity formed in previously ill people, spreads and manifests itself every time weaker, which makes today the formidable "Spanish flu" a common viral infection in the cold season.

Swine flu

The modern H1N1 influenza virus is called swine flu and is highly infectious in humans. The danger lies in the fact that with this type of virus, processes develop in the body that promote the reproduction of opportunistic bacteria, which often leads to bacterial complications that must be treated promptly in order to avoid death.

In 1930, swine flu was discovered and studied by Richard Shoup. For the next 50 years, doctors observed an outbreak of this infection in Mexico, the United States and Canada among pigs. In this case, people were infected in extremely rare cases with very close contact with sick animals, and did not look like the swine flu that is familiar to people today.

Swine flu became truly dangerous for humans in 2009 as a result of the mutation of two of its strains - human and animal. Such mutations occur very often, but the resulting type of flu for humans does not always become dangerous. The new H1N1 strain has become dangerous for both pigs and humans (more than 200 thousand people worldwide have become victims of the pandemic).

Incubation period swine flu lasts from 1 to 4 days, this is the time from the moment the virus enters the body until the first symptoms of the disease appear. The high contact activity of the virus persists for 7 days, however, in the next 7 days, every sixth carrier of the infection also remains infectious, even if the visible manifestations of influenza have passed, and the treatment gave a visible effect.

This contagiousness of swine flu and, as a result, its ability to create pandemics, is explained by two ways of transmission of this disease:

• airborne or aerogenic pathway means the spread of the disease along with the smallest particles of saliva or mucus when coughing and sneezing at a distance of up to 3 meters;
• The contact-household route implies that a sick person can become infected through dishes, household items, in a non-aggressive environment, in which swine flu is able to survive outside the human body for several hours.

Absolutely all categories of people have susceptibility to swine flu, but it is most dangerous for children under the age of 5, people over 65, pregnant women at any time, in a state of immunodeficiency, as well as in the presence of chronic diseases in the respiratory tract, cardio -vascular system, endocrine area (for example, with diabetes mellitus), liver or kidneys.

• change the rheological properties of blood, increasing the possibility of thrombus formation;
• complicated by viral pneumonia leading to pulmonary tissue edema;
• complicated by nephritis, with manifestation renal failure, myocarditis.

The speed of development of swine flu in the body, especially weakened by any of the above problems, leads to the fact that complications arise with lightning speed and are difficult to respond to therapeutic measures.

Experts attribute the Hong Kong flu to the most dangerous types of influenza type A virus, which was previously considered dangerous only for birds. After a mutation in 1968, the Hong Kong flu became dangerous to humans when its outbreak was first recorded in Hong Kong and killed more than half a million people worldwide.

The last mutations of the Hong Kong flu were observed in 2014, and already in 2017, doctors came to the conclusion that this virus became the most widespread in the world, since in 75% of cases of influenza on the planet, doctors identified this particular strain.

First of all, children who, due to their age, do not have a sufficiently developed immune system and have not encountered this virus, fall into the risk zone for the incidence of the Hong Kong flu. However, even those adults who fell ill with this virus in the late 60s are not safe, because due to mutations, almost no one has immunity to the Hong Kong flu. Getting into the human body through the nasopharynx, the virus spreads from the upper to the lower respiratory tract, which demonstrates the whole picture of complications possible with it - bronchopulmonary pathologies of a different nature.

Yamagata flu

The Yamagata flu was known throughout Europe until 1988, when its epidemics raged every year. Then this type B flu was conventionally divided by specialists into two lines - Victorian and Yamagatskaya. Victorian virus in the open of Eastern Europe after 2000 they were sick often, but the Yamagata flu line began to threaten only in the last year. The World Health Organization was not ready for the emergence of such a strain and did not include antibodies to it in vaccines that are proposed to be used to prevent influenza. In subsequent seasons, experts promise to take a more balanced approach to the inclusion of various types of antigens in vaccines so that the Yamagata flu does not cause a widespread epidemic.

The H5N1 influenza virus strain is an acute illness of birds that can affect the respiratory and digestive systems, leading to frequent deaths. Avian influenza is especially dangerous for the reasons that such strains have high rates of virulence, that is, the ability to be transmitted from individual to individual, and variability, that is, mutations.

For the first time, the H5N1 flu was spoken about in 1878, at that time it was classified as chicken typhus and chicken plague. After scientists determined the viral nature of this disease and attributed it to influenza, the disease began to be called avian flu, and then avian flu. Today, the bird flu virus is understood as Influenza virus A from the Orthomyxoviridae family with a characteristic set of antigens. There are 16 variations of avian influenza hemagglutinin (this is the letter H in the abbreviation H5N1), and there are 9 neuraminidases (letter N), which leads to 144 variations of modern avian influenza. Modern medicine has so far encountered only 86 variations, among which the strains with H5 and H7 are the most difficult for birds.

In the external environment, bird flu is quite unstable, even at low concentrations disinfectants it dies, but it survives perfectly in a cold environment. In the wild, the virus persists in the organisms of migratory birds, which are resistant to it, and from them it also spreads to poultry, which instantly becomes ill and most often dies.

According to the forecast of the World Health Organization, the most anticipated and epidemiologically dangerous for mankind may be such a combination of avian influenza as H5N1, which is a highly virulent strain that enters the human body through direct contact with an infected bird. Avian influenza first infected people in Hong Kong in 1997, with more than 60% of those affected.

Avian influenza is now widespread in Asian countries in the southeast. The percentage of those with the flu and those with the bird flu is very different in the direction of the prevalence of ordinary flu, but scientists do not exclude the fact that the virus can mutate and begin to be transmitted to humans not only from sick birds, but also from infected people.

In this case, the epidemic will be very difficult to prevent.

Chinese virus

The H7N9 bird flu is currently only common in China, but American scientists do not exclude the occurrence of an epidemic of this strain everywhere outside this country. Such conclusions were made on the basis that experiments carried out on ferrets on the spread of H7N9 influenza among them showed that this virus will be actively transmitted among the human population. Due to the strongest mutations of the Chinese flu, the disease is quite pathogenic, showing significant resistance to traditional anti-influenza therapy. Experiments carried out on samples of the virus taken from the body of a deceased Chinese man, it became clear that only a small part of them responded to treatment with antiviral drugs. The problem is that today it is difficult to determine the intensity of the spread of the Chinese flu in the rest of the world. Modern research indicates a weak pattern of transmission of such viruses from person to person, but mutational processes can significantly enhance this pattern.

Flu Michigan

Michigan flu is now considered a new type of H1N1 swine flu. Previously, a similar strain has already been encountered among the population of the planet, however, large-scale surges in the incidence have not reached, but scientists believe that they are possible in the very near future.

V last years experts have included fragments of the protein of this virus strain in influenza vaccines and strongly recommend that the population annually on the eve of a difficult epidemiologically unstable season to do such vaccinations in order to prevent a pandemic. In addition to complications that are not always easy to treat and pass without a trace, numerous cases of a new strain of influenza lead to the continuation of the mutational processes of the virus and its further degeneration and spread, even among those who have already been ill.

Ways of infection with the disease

Influenza viruses can demonstrate excellent resistance to adverse environmental conditions, and at low temperatures they can persist for up to several months. However, in room conditions, the virus can also survive for a short time - it can easily endure a couple of hours outside a human (or other living) organism. Flu is sensitive to boiling, high temperatures, dryness, chemicals, ultraviolet light, ozone.

A diseased human body acts as a carrier-reservoir for influenza. At the end of the incubation period and until the seventh day of illness, the concentration of influenza in the exhaled air and saliva of the patient is extremely high, then it drops sharply, however, even after that, the patient can be contagious for another week.

The danger is the erased atypical forms of the disease, when the patient's symptoms are mild, and the concentration of the virus in the body is quite high - such a patient can infect much more intensely than in the usual course of the disease, since the patient will not realize that he is seriously ill. The plus is that the flu virus never becomes chronic.

The most common route of infection is airborne droplets. In the process of breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing, the patient throws into the air a huge number of viral cells, which in the open air can be perfectly preserved for several minutes and reach another human body at a distance of up to 3 meters. Sometimes the flu is transmitted through household items - dishes, towels and other items that were first used by the sick person, and then they fell into the hands of a healthy person. As soon as the virus enters the mucosal area, it actively begins to divide and multiply throughout the body until the immune system develops antibodies to this type of virus.

The incubation period of influenza depends on several factors, such as the strain, the number of viral particles entering the body, the resistance of the patient's immunity, and others, and varies from 1 to 4 days. In this case, an infected person is not just a carrier of the infection received, but also an active distributor of it. It is especially difficult if the incubation period is delayed, since in the first 48 hours after infection, the sick person most actively spreads the pathogen among others.

Clinic of the disease and its symptoms

The flu is very diverse, which depends on many factors. In mild cases, many of the symptoms resemble those of the common cold. The typical adult flu is characterized by a sudden, acute onset.

Among the main most common symptoms of the disease, experts call:

• increased body temperature;
• the onset of a cough;
• severe headaches;
• muscle pain;
• sore throat;
• eye tension and soreness;
• the occurrence of rhinitis;
• severe weakness;
• malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Among all the above symptoms, only high fever is constant, the rest of the symptoms may not occur in every case of the disease. At the same time, the body temperature of a sick person grows very quickly, literally in a matter of hours it can overcome the mark of 39 degrees, sometimes reaching 40. Such temperature jumps are an expression of intoxication processes and the reaction of the immune response of the human body. Also, a characteristic symptom of influenza is a decrease in temperature under the influence of antipyretic drugs only for a while, after which the temperature values ​​again sharply increase.

Such a picture usually lasts from 2 to 4 days with influenza, then the temperature becomes subfebrile.

The main infection of the virus is the mucous membrane of the trachea, with the formation of viral tracheitis, so coughing is a common symptom of this disease. Characteristic feature influenza cough is its obsession and dryness, due to which the patient cannot fall asleep. Cough does not occur immediately, at first it is not productive.

Muscle, headaches and body aches indicate active intoxication in the body, which occurs before all manifestations of the disease. Sore eyes and photophobia can also occur with the flu. Various catarrhal manifestations of inflammation of the mucous membrane in the upper respiratory tract can be expressed in a runny nose, sore throat, or may be completely absent. As a rule, if such phenomena occur 2-3 days after the onset of the disease, this indicates a secondary bacterial infection. V childhood similar phenomena are much more common.

Sometimes the flu can accompany and uncharacteristic symptoms for it - an upset of the gastrointestinal tract, for example. High temperature can lead to sweating, increased heart rate, skin hyperemia, and increased blood pressure.

In the active phase, which lasts 3-5 days, all the symptoms of the disease are very pronounced. After this, the symptoms begin to noticeably weaken, the catarrhal symptoms disappear completely, leaving behind only a pronounced weakness, which may not leave the patient for up to 14 days. The temperature after 10 days should completely normalize on its own. If, on the 3-5th day, new symptoms are added to the clinical picture, this indicates the occurrence of complications and the addition of a bacterial infection, which must be treated with antibacterial drugs.

Forms and stages of the course of the disease

The disease begins with the incubation period. For influenza type A, it is usually 24-48 hours, and for type B, up to 4 days. The first thing that a sick person feels is a sharp rise in body temperature to 39-40 degrees. At the same time, chills and weakness come abruptly, there are pains in the joints and muscles, headaches. At the end of the first day (and occasionally on the second), the temperature rises to critically maximum values. By this time, other symptoms of the disease are actively manifested, which in each case may be different. More pronounced in adults, as a rule, are the following clinical symptoms - dizziness, malaise, nausea, loss of appetite, interruptions in sleep. In children, catarrhal symptoms are more active - rhinitis, unproductive cough, soreness in the throat and sinuses. Sometimes patients of different ages may experience loss of consciousness, nosebleeds, and meningeal symptoms. With mild and moderate forms of the disease, such symptoms actively disturb patients for up to 3-5 days, and then gradually disappear. With more severe forms influenza, this symptomatology remains pronounced after 5 days of illness, in addition, new symptoms can be added to it, which often indicate the occurrence of bacterial complications. One of the most common specific influenza manifestations is segmental pulmonary edema, which manifests itself in moderate to severe forms of the disease. In the most difficult cases, it transforms into hemorrhagic pneumonia.

The flu is very acute. The feverish five-day stage severely depletes the body. When it ends, the body temperature drops sharply, first to subfebrile, and then to normal levels. After 7 days of illness, about 70% of patients stop emitting a high concentration of the virus into the environment and become potentially safe for others, however, in 30% of people, infectiousness can persist for up to 2 weeks.

If, after stabilizing the temperature in a natural way without the use of antipyretic drugs, the temperature begins to rise again, this is evidence of complications that must be paid attention to and seek medical help.

2-3 weeks after the flu, the patient may still feel fatigue and muscle weakness, which is an example of asthenic syndrome after a severe infection.

It is permissible to treat mild and moderate forms of influenza at home on your own, but more severe cases should be entrusted to specialists in the clinic, especially if the patient has a history of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases... In this case, there is a high risk of severe complications, which are, for the most part, the cause of frequent deaths from influenza.

Influenza is a very undesirable infection for a pregnant woman at every gestation period, since it is a frequent cause of miscarriages and is fraught with intrauterine infection of the fetus. If a nursing mother falls ill with a similar virus, then the issue of weaning the child from the breast should be resolved based on how quickly the mother developed the disease and whether the child had time to be in contact with her during the incubation period. Since it is often impossible to find out, experts do not advise weaning the baby, since it is most likely already infected and only with breast milk will he be able to get the antibodies he needs for recovery. If it is possible to assume that the baby has not been in contact with a sick mother, weaning him from the breast can be a method of protecting him from a serious infection.

Consequences of the disease

As already noted, a large percentage of deaths from influenza are associated not with the infection itself, but with its subsequent complications. Complications from the cardiovascular or nervous systems, kidneys or lungs are far from uncommon in this case.

The most dangerous complications of influenza, which are very common, are:

• pneumonia of a viral nature, which is very difficult to treat even in stationary medical conditions;
• myocarditis and pericarditis, that is, inflammatory processes in the heart muscle and bursa;
• and encephalitis;
• hepatic and renal failure;
• loss or infection of the fetus during pregnancy at any time.

In addition to the above, there are other complications that can occur when the bacterial flora is layered on the viral one in parallel with general symptoms influenza in the first acute stages of the disease, which complicates the process of identifying complications and leads to the severity of their course. Experts refer to such complications as purulent and catarrhal otitis media, sinusitis, laryngotracheobronchitis, focal pneumonia.

Various complications in young children are long and difficult. If bacterial pneumonia joins the virus, the patient's condition often becomes critical, and his health deteriorates significantly. All this, as a rule, occurs during the acute stage, leading to an increase in intoxication syndrome, a strong increase in body temperature, increased shortness of breath and deepening cough.

The most difficult neurological complications of influenza include meningoencephalitis, meningitis, neuralgia, neuritis and other pathologies, which, if untimely therapy, very often lead to death.

Diagnosis of the disease

If doctors diagnose influenza during the period of epidemiological activity of the virus, then the diagnosis is most often carried out on the basis of already existing data on the epidemic and the clinical picture. If a specialist has doubts about whether a patient is sick with influenza or acute respiratory infections, the doctor examines the order of occurrence of intoxication and catarrhal symptoms in the context differential diagnosis... With the primacy of catarrhal, in most cases, the patient suffers from acute respiratory infections, and with intoxication primary manifestations - the flu. The symptoms of tracheobronchitis, hemorrhagic syndrome and the initial stages of pneumonia also speak of the flu.

If the diagnosis of "flu" must be made in a season when there is no epidemic of this virus, experts resort exclusively to laboratory research methods:

• immunoluminescent technique for detecting influenza antigens in smears of the nasopharyngeal mucosa (carried out in the first 2 days after the onset of the disease);
• retrospective of the reaction of complement binding and the reaction of inhibition of hemagglutination in the patient's serum (carried out in the active stage of influenza and 3-4 weeks after its onset);
• RIF diagnostics for the detection of antigens;
• PCR diagnostics for the detection of RNA viruses in the patient's biological fluid (urinalysis);
• auxiliary virological diagnostics.

It is imperative to distinguish the onset of influenza from the onset of other influenza-like serious illnesses, in which manifestations on early stages match. For example, the flu needs to be differentiated in relation to the occurrence infectious mononucleosis, typhus, leptospirosis. If a patient has influenza, but the initial signs of pneumonia are detected, he should be referred for a consultation and for an X-ray of the lungs.

Treatment of the disease

Influenza, unlike other acute respiratory viral infections, must be treated with antiviral and symptomatic drugs. Also, folk remedies may be suitable for symptomatic treatment. It is only important to soberly assess at what stage a particular disease is and whether it is complicated by a bacterial infection, for the treatment of which antibacterial drugs are used.

Uncomplicated forms of influenza are treated on an outpatient basis. The main criterion for a speedy recovery and the absence of the development of pathologies will be the patient's strict bed rest. At the same time, the diet should be easily digestible, with an increase in the amount of fluid consumed due to severe dehydration of the body with an increase in temperature.

Effective antiviral agents help block the multiplication of virus cells in the human body at the very first symptoms of influenza, and also enhance the production of an immune response, which facilitates the course of the disease. In addition, antiviral agents are perfectly compatible with antibiotics, symptomatic agents for reducing influenza manifestations, they prevent and prevent the occurrence of severe complications. Antiviral and anti-influenza drugs include two groups of drugs: neuraminidase inhibitors (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) and adamantanes (Amantadine and Rimantadine). In addition to antivirals, immunomodulatory agents can also be used, for example, the drug Dibazol, which also promotes the rapid development of an immune response to the virus in the body.

In parallel with antiviral drugs, it is imperative to take antipyretic drugs that reduce the risk of seizures and shock. The best drug in this case, there will be paracetamol or funds combined composition based on it.

If the patient suffers from a dry paroxysmal cough with the flu, then symptomatic remedies can be recommended to reduce coughing - Omnitus, Codelac-neo.

When coughing with viscous, difficult to separate sputum, mucolytic drugs are indicated - Lazolvan, Acetylcysteine.

A sore throat can be overcome with menthol lozenges and lozenges based on. Dryness in the nasopharynx can be eliminated with intranasal herbal drops with oils or moisturized with sprays with sea ​​water... Often, when treating influenza, it is recommended to use antihistamines, which reduce the manifestations of various reactions in the body to the virus. It is also very important to maintain the immune system during the period of illness by taking complex vitamin preparations that enhance the protective functions of the body. All medications are taken in average therapeutic dosages according to the patient's age, which can only be adjusted by a doctor, depending on the patient's condition.

Prevention of morbidity

Prophylactic anti-influenza procedures are reduced to several basic steps. First, if the environment already contains infected person, then it is required to isolate him for at least a week from the rest of the team. Such patients need to be monitored by doctors at home, so that there is no need to visit medical facilities and spread the infection there. If it is necessary to move around the city, patients must use gauze masks in order to exclude infection of others. Also, masks must be used at home so as not to infect other members of the same family.

If there is a risk of an influenza epidemic due to a large number of morbidity within one group, they resort to such a concept as quarantine, that is, the separation of healthy people for a period of up to 2 weeks until the situation with the incidence stabilizes.

Specific preventive measures for the prevention of influenza include vaccination, which is usually carried out at least a month before the expected start of the epidemic, so that the body has time to develop antibodies. The protective antibody titer is considered fully formed after 14 days from the date of vaccination. It is especially important to get vaccinated for people under 14 and over 65, patients with chronic cardiovascular pathologies, pulmonary diseases, metabolic syndrome, doctors who, by the nature of their work, must actively communicate with the sick. It is also important to get vaccinated in a timely manner when planning a pregnancy, since the flu can have a very negative effect on the process of bearing a child and childbirth.

Non-specific drugs for the prevention of influenza include the use of various pharmacological agents such as multivitamins and immunomodulators, but such drugs are not drugs with proven effectiveness in precisely preventing morbidity. Such drugs are more likely to help you get through the flu easily and without complications, since they will strengthen the immune system and help it fight viruses more actively. Folk remedies for prevention can have a similar, but even lighter effect. Drinking echinacea tinctures is good for the immune system, but they are unlikely to help avoid the body's reaction to the flu virus encountered.

If a person gets sick with the flu, the main rule of his behavior should be a hard bed rest and restriction of any physical activity and contacts. A weakened body is not able to resist other bacteria, cold air and other everyday “difficulties” that people normally do not even pay attention to. Therefore, without adherence to bed rest, you can easily get complications even while at home. At the same time, limiting communication is necessary both for the people around the patient in order to prevent the spread of the disease, and for the patient himself in order to prevent other bacteria from entering the weakened body.

Also, a protective regime should be provided for the sick in terms of light and harsh sounds, since intoxication can lead to lacrimation, photophobia and other irritating factors.

Regarding the easily digestible food, which was mentioned above, it should be added that in medical circles it is called for the flu. Any diet must be complemented by a plentiful fractional drink of honey or herbal tea, linden blossom broths or juices and other drinks.

There is a stereotype among the people that at the onset of the flu, it is necessary to drink in a timely manner in order to "kill" the disease in oneself. Medical science categorically disagrees with this and assures that drinking alcohol with the flu is not only unhealthy, but also harmful. With frequent and abundant use of alcohol, intoxication may occur, which a weakened body may not endure at all. Drinking alcohol can cause uncharacteristic complications that will have to be treated in parallel with the underlying disease.

Due to the fact that influenza has a viral basis, numerous toxic substances are actively removed to the surface of the human body during the course of the disease. A large number of toxins enhances intoxication processes, therefore, all human excretory systems work in this case in an enhanced mode. The skin, for example, flushes out toxins through perspiration. Accumulating on the surface of the skin, toxins mixed with sebum clog the pores and worsen the patient's condition. Therefore, bathing during the flu period is very necessary to accelerate the elimination of toxins and the fastest onset of recovery. Exchange processes at bath procedures ah accelerate, muscle tone is activated, well-being improves. However, it is necessary to wash in such a way that at the end of the bath procedures, hypothermia of the body does not occur, and if the body temperature is too high, it will be enough just to regularly wipe off with a damp towel instead of taking a shower.

If a woman gets sick with the flu while she is breastfeeding, this is not a reason to stop breastfeeding if she has been in contact with the baby during incubation. The opinions of specialists are divided, many doctors believe that breastfeeding should not be stopped under any circumstances, since the baby will instantly receive antibodies to infection from breast milk, which will help him not to get sick or to recover sooner. In any case, in each specific case, it would be better to get the advice of a specialist who will help you choose the right model of behavior when breastfeeding, but it is important to understand that it is not at all necessary to stop it.

Influenza, like any viral disease, is acute until the immune system begins to produce antibodies to this virus in sufficient quantities. That's why better prevention any disease will strengthen the immune system with vitamins, sports and a healthy lifestyle.

Patients and those who are doing everything possible so as not to get sick, doctors recommend to know what the stages of the flu are. This will help you cope with the disease faster and avoid serious consequences, since each of the stages presupposes the presence of certain symptoms and the need to get rid of them.

You need to know that the flu goes through several stages.

Influenza is an infectious disease that causes epidemics and even pandemics every year. As a result, huge damage is inflicted on human health - in fact, as well as on the economy.

Of course, it is wrong to call every cold, accompanied by a runny nose, fever and cough, a flu. Similar symptoms can be caused by other pathogens.

In essence, only a doctor, after taking an anamnesis and some laboratory research, can accurately diagnose the presence of influenza infection.

Types of viruses

Before talking about the stages of the disease, it is worth noting that the flu is caused by several types of orthomyxoviruses.

The most dangerous type is considered to be type A, which is capable of infecting not only humans, but also animals.

The development of infection begins with the entry of the virus into the body, which is most often possible if the immune system is weakened.

The influenza virus, by the way, is prone to mutations, as a result of which it is not possible to guarantee one hundred percent protection. Moreover, it is not easy even to predict the approximate type of disease due to which an epidemic will begin in the new year.

Getting into the external environment, this virion turns out to be quite unstable - it can be destroyed by both high temperature and the effect of disinfecting solutions. The sun's rays for the influenza virus also turn out to be destructive (under their direct influence, it does not succeed even for a couple of seconds).

However, low temperatures for him are very suitable conditions and, accordingly, for a long time he manages to maintain virulence.

Most favorable places for infectious spread - where many people congregate. Both sexes are equally susceptible to this disease. As for the age categories, children and the elderly are most affected.

Most often, epidemics begin when the cold season sets in. In the summer months, outbreaks of the disease are rare.

If we talk about our country, more than 27 million people in Russia suffer from influenza every year. Moreover, five million of them face severe forms of the disease and serious complications.

The absence of her treatment, as well as an untimely started therapeutic course, contribute to the development of complications and dangerous consequences.

Infection methods

The main method of infection is aerosol. Most often it is called airborne. However, one should not think that this is the only option for infection.

It is the symptomatology that contributes to the spread of the infection: that is, an infected person coughs and sneezes, scattering phlegm around him, literally teeming with viral agents. Other, still healthy people breathe in viral cells and become infected as well.

Somewhat less often, infection occurs by contact. As soon as pathogenic microorganisms settle on hands or household items after coughing or sneezing, they get the opportunity to be in the hands of a healthy person, and from there they already get onto the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

The main route of infection with influenza is airborne

The mouth and nose act as the main entrance gates. The virus can also enter the human body through the eyes. The accumulation of viral agents occurs on the respiratory mucous membranes, after which it multiplies and gradually destroys epithelial cells.

In response, human immunity begins to produce interleukins, immunoglobulins and neutrophils to fight pathogens.

The penetration of the virus from one cell to another occurs due to the destruction of the cell walls. When it is in the blood, the viremia phase begins.

Influenza, as a result, leads to a violation of the circulatory microcirculation, due to which the most various important systems of the human body cease to perform their functions, and the lung tissue is affected. Complications of all this can be more than dangerous - the formation of blood clots, impaired hemostasis, perivascular edema, and so on.

When can you start worrying?

The course of ARVI is different: mild, moderate, and severe.

The clinical picture of the disease suggests the presence of catarrhal and intoxication syndrome.

The most serious complications are in the case of influenza A. If you do not start treatment on time and, moreover, if you do not treat a complicated form, you can bring the case to death. So this ailment must be taken seriously.

You should be alarmed when the following symptoms appear:

• increased temperature indicators (over 38.5 degrees);
• feeling chills;
• muscle pain, also called myalgia;
• discomfort in the joints, which are called arthralgia;
• malaise and weakness;
• redness of the cheeks;
• headache (especially where the frontal part is);
• a cough that is dry at first, and then becomes wet (mucous sputum is released);
• pain in the chest;
• lacrimation and eye pain;
• sore throat and soreness;
• hoarse voice;
• runny nose and stuffy nose;
• feeling of nausea.

Moreover, one should not diagnose oneself and, moreover, prescribe treatment. The error can be costly to health afterwards. Be sure to contact a medical professional and follow his recommendations.

Stages of the disease

So, the stages of any ARVI (and, in particular, influenza) can be as follows:

• The first- infection. When the virus enters the respiratory tract and invades the epithelial layers of their mucous membranes.
• The second- incubation period. The actions of the virus, aimed at multiplying and spreading, in the human body before the onset of the initial symptoms. Usually this time lasts about two days, and sometimes several hours are enough. It is impossible not to say about a certain pattern, when the incubation period is shorter, the more viruses are in the body. Much also depends on a person's immunity.
• Third- this stage is called prodnormal, when the very first symptoms of the disease appear. So far, these signs are not too pronounced: the patient has to suffer a little from malaise, joint pain, increased dryness of the mucous membranes, fever.
• Fourth- the height of the disease. The temperature already exceeds subfebrile values, a severe runny nose appears, conjunctivitis is possible, coughing intensifies, stool is upset, a person suffers from a severe migraine. There can be serious complications.
• Fifth- recovery. How quickly this stage will come and how long it will last depends on whether there were complications, how timely the treatment was started and how it was carried out, as well as on the characteristics of the patient's immune system. It often happens that a person considers himself sufficiently recovered, stops taking medicine, does not observe any preventive measures and a secondary infection occurs (or as it is also called - a relapse of the disease).

The sooner you start treatment for an acute respiratory viral infection, the easier it will be to cope with it and you will be able to avoid complications.

The recovery stage also lasts several days.

Complications of influenza

Possible complications of influenza infection can be divided into two groups. The first one is presented:

• pulmonary edema and viral pneumonia;
• meningitis;
• infectious toxic shock.

In another group, there are such complications:

• pneumonia of a bacterial nature;
• otitis media and sinusitis;
• sepsis;
• glomerulonephritis;
• meningitis (purulent form).

So the course of a disease such as ARVI can be very difficult if the therapeutic course is not started in a timely manner.

Nonspecific signs

When it comes to influenza, it usually develops quickly - sometimes almost instantly (within a few hours).

Telling the course of ARVI by day, it should be noted that from the very first day, symptoms of severe intoxication occur. The patient is especially tormented by a dry and harsh cough.

It all starts with non-specific signs, as a result of which people can confuse the flu with other colds:

• Temperature indicators quickly rise to 38.5 degrees and above, while holding on for several days. It is far from always possible to get rid of a fever even with the help of antipyretics. With a common cold, the temperature rarely rises above 38.5 degrees and passes quickly.
• In addition to having a headache, pain is felt in the muscles, aching joints, and chills are felt. Sweating is increased, eyes begin to hurt (it hurts to look at the light). Redness appears on the back of the throat. The so-called "paving stone symptom" is possible, when the follicles on the back of the pharynx hypertrophy.
• Lymph nodes usually do not enlarge with flu, while with colds they do enlarge.
• The cough is dry at first and only then becomes moist.
• Intoxication occurs in the body, as a result of which nausea and even vomiting is quite possible, the patient suffers from diarrhea.

With the flu, the cough is dry at first, and then phlegm appears.

The duration of the acute phase is from a week to 10 days. But for three weeks you can suffer from residual effects. Colds go away much faster (often without any residual effects).

Influenza Virus Identification

For a correct diagnosis, the doctor collects an anamnesis, listens carefully to the patient's complaints.

In particular, he clarifies whether the patient has come into contact with an already infected person, whether he has come from somewhere where the flu epidemic is raging.

The physician then examines the patient. For example, it can reveal in an infected person reddened and enlarged follicles on the posterior pharynx, shiny mucous eyes, the presence of an unhealthy blush on the cheeks.

If an inflammatory process has begun in the lungs, the doctor will hear vesicular breathing, which is characterized by rigidity, dry wheezing. When phlegm has already appeared, the wheezing will become moist.

Certain indicators can be found by the results of a blood test, although such a study cannot be called absolutely informative. A doctor can suspect influenza by white blood cells, a reduced lymphocyte count, and how quickly or slowly red blood cells are deposited.

Here's how the flu virus is accurately identified:

• To determine the viral serotype, a swab is taken from the nasopharyngeal mucosa. For the examination, the PCR technique is used, a unique RNA is isolated.
• Conducting serological tests to isolate the virus.
• Virological method for determining influenza serotype - sputum culture.
• An instrumental diagnostic technique is used when it is required to identify complications. X-rays of the lungs, for example, can help determine if there is pneumonia.

Influenza, like colds, is usually treated at home. Nevertheless, it is still recommended to see a doctor. In the case of a severe form, the therapeutic course is carried out in a hospital setting. Sometimes, without timely hospitalization, the likelihood of the most dangerous complications and death increases.

All this suggests how important it is to treat the treatment of influenza infection with the utmost seriousness and responsibility. This is a disease that cannot be carried on legs (bed rest is required!) And it is desirable to treat it at the very beginning, that is, even in the early stages.

For flu, bed rest is required

At the same time, it will not be possible to determine the presence of influenza on your own. The symptomatology of many diseases turns out to be very similar: for example, inflammation of the lymph nodes is possible, both with flu and with any other ARVI.

(10 estimates, average: 3,60 out of 5)

According to statistics, many adults, in the event of colds, flu and other acute respiratory viral infections, simply do not know the fundamental rules of their treatment. The advice of doctors will help you quickly cure these diseases in children and adults.

In order for the treatment to take effect, it is necessary to correctly diagnose the disease. Therefore, people are often interested in how to distinguish influenza from SARS. This is due to the similar symptoms of these diseases.

The flu always starts instantly. In most cases, a person indicates the exact time when he became worse. And with ARVI, the deterioration occurs slowly and lasts for 1-2 days.

The onset of the flu is characterized by pain in the head, in the forehead, and in the eyes. Appears in body aches. The temperature reaches 39-40C. ARVI begins with nasal congestion, itching in the throat and painful to swallow, does not ache in the body. With ARVI, the temperature does not exceed 38.5C.

The main difference in the initial period is redness of the eyes and lacrimation. It is this symptom that indicates the flu. And sneezing is typical for ARVI.

Distinguish influenza from SARS by the nature of the cough. With ARVI, the patient begins to cough from the very onset of the disease. However, it is dry and jerky. A cough with flu occurs only on days 2 to 3. With a cough, there is soreness in the throat and a runny nose. The cough is debilitating and causes pain in the sternum.

With the flu, a person feels worse in comparison with ARVI, up to the loss of working capacity. Improper treatment of influenza can lead to serious complications, even death.

ARVI does not entail complications and disappears in 7-10 days. The body is not weakened after the disease. The flu is different in this, since during the recovery period a person may feel dizzy, lack appetite, and be irritable.

How to properly treat influenza in adults: methods, treatment regimen

There are several ways to treat the flu:

• Medicinal;
• Homeopathic;
• Folk methods.

Treatment regimen:

• Making a diagnosis, clarifying the severity of the disease, this will indicate how to treat influenza in an adult;
• The main treatment, which is prescribed by the doctor;
• Antiviral treatment

Flu treatment at the first sign, no fever

The first signs of influenza are:

• Frequent sneezing.
• Nasal congestion without mucus discharge.
• Dry cough.
• Sore throat.

When signs of flu appear, you should:

• Observe bed rest;
• Drink lots of fluids;
• Refuse junk food;
• Give up smoking, alcohol;
• Consult a doctor.

Treatment of influenza with fever, cough and complications, signs in an adult

When you get the flu, you need to carefully consider your treatment. Since the flu is fraught with various complications. Therefore, when signs such as coughing appear, the temperature should be consulted by a therapist who will prescribe the necessary treatment.

The cough is debilitating and causes chest pain. A dry cough is more troublesome at night. It does not stop for a long time and does not give rest to a person. At correct treatment he goes on to the next stage. At this stage, phlegm is released when coughing. For the treatment of cough, tablets, syrups are prescribed.

A high temperature is a sign that the immune system is working. But at a temperature, convulsions, vomiting may appear, and individual intolerance is also possible. In these cases, taking antipyretics is recommended even with a slight increase in temperature.

You cannot ask friends how to treat influenza in adults and self-medicate. For any complications, you should contact a specialist. The course of treatment must be prescribed by a doctor.

It is necessary to urgently seek the help of a specialist when the following symptoms appear:

• Seizures;
• Hallucinations, impaired consciousness of the patient;
• Temperature above 40C;
• Shortness of breath, shortness of breath;
• Pain in the back of the head, not relieved by medication;
• Skin rash.

Medication for influenza

Medical treatment of influenza should be carried out in combination. It includes:

• Etiotropic therapy destroys the influenza virus.
• Pathogenetic therapy stops the development of the disease.
• Symptomatic therapy.

How to treat, inexpensive but effective drugs, names of pills, a list

Effective medicines for flu and colds are divided into three groups:

• Antivirals: Tamiflu, Oseltamivir, Amiksin and Ribavirin.
• Immunomodulators: Cycloferon, Kagocel and Anaferon.
• Medicines that eliminate the symptoms of the disease: ColdactFlu Plus, Coldrex, Rinza and Fervex.

What antibiotics for influenza to take for adults

The viral illness lasts for 3-5 days. If the patient's condition does not improve, then doctors prescribe antibiotics.

Ceftriaxone

Ceftriaxone is considered one of the most powerful antibiotics. It is not worth using it at the beginning of the disease, since this medicine is of an antibacterial spectrum, not an antiviral one. The reason for the appointment can only be a very dangerous complication.

Doctors prescribe Ceftriaxin for the following complications from the flu:

• pneumonia;
• lung abscess;
• purulent tonsillitis;
• sepsis;
• bacterial diseases of the genitourinary system;
• meningitis.

Cefazolin

Cefazolin is the most effective and powerful antibiotic. Specialists prescribe it when other antibiotics have not had a therapeutic effect. It has a small range of side effects and they occur in rare cases.

Most often, patients complain about severe pain when injected with Cefazolin and compaction of the injection site. However, it is worth being patient for the sake of a speedy recovery.

Azithromycin

Azitrimycin belongs to the group of broad-profile drugs. It is characterized by an antibacterial therapeutic effect. Azithromycin suppresses pathogenic bacteria and quickly improves the patient's condition. This drug has a cumulative property.

With each next dose, Azithromycin enhances its effect and retains the therapeutic effect for several days after the last dose. This medicine is effective for complications of influenza. A big plus is its good tolerance, and also rarely has side effects.

He is appointed:

• at high temperature that lasts more than one day;
• with an increase in the cervical lymph nodes;
• photophobia and lacrimation;
• with purulent otitis media.

Flemoxin

Flemoxin is prescribed in such cases:

• High fever that lasts for 3 days;
• Vomiting, weakness and headaches appeared;
• Weakened body;
• According to the testimony of analyzes.

The medication is taken according to the doctor's prescription. The specialist calculates the individual dosage.

Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs for influenza and ARVI

How to treat influenza in adults is of interest to people in the autumn-winter season. At this time, the most frequent illnesses are colds, flu and SARS. At the first sign, you need to take antiviral drugs.

Cycloferon

Cycloferon is a drug with a bright immunomodulatory and antiviral effect.

Cycloferon is used at the beginning of a cold. The medicine prevents the multiplication of viruses and leads to a speedy recovery. In severe flu, an adult takes 6 tablets in the first days of the illness.

Three pills every other day. Children are assigned from the age of four. There are contraindications for patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Before use, you should consult your doctor.

Lavomax

One of the most popular immunomodulatory drugs in the treatment of influenza and ARVI is Lavomax.

It is prescribed to people who suffer from ARVI more than 5 times a year or pneumonia more than 3 times. For prevention, experts prescribe Lavomax in November or December. To alleviate the form of the disease, the doctor prescribes in the first hours or days of the disease.

Arbidol

Arbidol is an antiviral agent that is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of influenza and other colds.

The drug is available in various forms. It is also prescribed for adult children from 2 years old. An allergic reaction when taking Arbidol occurs very rarely.

Kagocel

Kagocel is a drug with a pronounced antimicrobial antiviral effect. Kagocel is easily tolerated by patients and causes almost no adverse reactions. It is used both for the prevention of colds and for their treatment.

The immunomodulatory effect of this drug persists for another 2-3 days after the last dose. Contraindication to use is an individual intolerance to the drug. It is prescribed starting from the age of three.

Recent indications have shown that Kogatsel reduces the risk of complications and speeds up and facilitates the recovery process from influenza and acute respiratory diseases.

The dosage and dosage regimen is prescribed individually for each patient by the attending physician.

Antipyretic drugs for temperature

A serious reason for the use of antipyretic drugs is a temperature of 38.5 ° C. There are several forms of antipyretic drugs.

The most familiar to all is the pill. They relieve the temperature rise for a long period of time.

Syrups are most often prescribed for children. They have a pleasant taste, smell and color. Dose syrups with a measuring spoon. Syrups are quickly absorbed and enter the bloodstream, this helps the fastest healing effect.

Candles are safe and effective. Convenient for prescribing to children under one year old. In the presence of vomiting, suppositories are irreplaceable. The candles pass gastrointestinal tract without harming him. Their action is long-lasting and effective.

At high temperatures, the number one antipyretic agent is Paracetamol.

In addition, it is also an analgesic. In addition to the antipyretic effect, it relieves pain. Paracetamol is produced:

• in capsules;
• tablets;
• suppositories;
• syrups for children;
• powder for making a drink.

The dose of the medicine directly depends on the weight and number of years of the patient. During the day, you can take no more than 3-4 g. One dose should not exceed 1 g of paracetamol. The temperature begins to subside after 30-45 minutes.

The most efficient and quick way in the fight against temperature - this is the reception of rectal suppositories. The use of alcohol is prohibited during treatment.

On the basis of paracetamol, the preparations Panadol and Efferalgan have been developed. Efferalgan is effervescent tablets... They dissolve in warm water and quickly affect the temperature.

Various powders are very popular, which are diluted in warm water for use. This is Vicks, Coldrex, Teraflu. Contains paracetamol, vitamin C and various flavoring additives... After using warm medications, the symptoms of the disease are relieved after 20 minutes.

They block pain and lower the temperature of the funds in which nimesulide is included. It is best taken for severe headaches or muscle pain. During the day, you can use this drug in a dose not exceeding 200 mg. Nimesul and Affida Fort are made in the form of a powder for making a drink.

After paracetamol comes aspirin. For adults, 1 g of aspirin is allowed per day. Acetylsalicylic acid has a quick effect on symptoms and a large list of contraindications.

Ibuprofen is a well-known fever-fighting agent. In addition to antipyretic action, drugs with ibuprofen have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Principles of treating colds, acute respiratory viral infections at home: WHO clinical guidelines

First of all, the patient should consult a doctor who will conduct an examination and establish a diagnosis. If the disease is mild, then the patient is treated at home.

Then the patient must provide a calm environment, the diet must be observed, the diet must contain vegetables, fruits, and indigestible foods must be removed from the patient's menu.

To prevent dehydration of the body, the patient must constantly consume warm drinks.

The temperature is knocked down when it exceeds 38-38.5C, with medications prescribed by the doctor.

When coughing, prescribe potions and expectorants, inhalations based on herbal decoctions.

Take a multivitamin. The patient must comply with bed rest. Taking immunomodulatory drugs will help to avoid complications with the flu.

Specialists prescribe antiviral drugs for severe illness.

Methods of treating ARVI with folk remedies, without drugs (tablets): the best remedy

As a rule, it is possible to treat influenza in adults by resorting to alternative methods.... With the huge availability of drugs, folk methods are not inferior to their positions in the treatment of colds, ARVI. At the onset of the disease or the absence of complications, treatment with alternative methods is effective along with drugs for treatment.

Rosehip is one of effective means in the fight against influenza, SARS and colds. Dried berries must be mashed. 5 tablespoons of the gruel obtained from the berries are poured into 1000 ml cold water... The resulting mixture is put on low heat and boiled, stirring for 8-10 minutes.

Then the warm solution is placed in a warm place and wrapped. Within 10 hours, it must be infused. You can add honey, jam or syrup for flavor. Care should be taken when using honey, as it is an allergenic substance. The broth should be taken for 7 days, after each intake, rinse your mouth with clean, cold, boiled water.

Favorite folk remedies in the treatment of colds is garlic. There are many ways and recipes traditional medicine using garlic. The most effective is a combination of honey and garlic.

Chop the garlic through a garlic press or press. Mix it in equal proportions with honey. The product is ready. Take it 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day. Be sure to drink plenty of water.

A delicious medicine that children will really like will be ginger and honey lollipops. The method of their preparation is not complicated. Add a teaspoon to a glass of honey ground ginger and lemon juice. This mixture should be placed in a bowl with a thick bottom and cooked for an hour and a half over low heat.

Then the hot mixture can be distinguished by the silicone molds, which are prudently greased with vegetable oil. After they freeze, you can treat the sick with them.

Features of the treatment of flu and colds during pregnancy and breastfeeding

How to treat influenza in adults is a question that mothers-to-be often ask. After all, it is very difficult to avoid the disease within 9 months. Influenza can cause serious complications and can cause more premature birth but also a miscarriage. For this reason, it is impossible to be treated at home; a woman must definitely seek help from a doctor.

When treating influenza in pregnant women, not all drugs are approved for use. Due to the harmful effects on the fetus. Of the antipyretics, Paracetamol is prescribed for pregnant women. It can also be taken for headaches. Reception of antipyretics should be carried out no more than 1 time in 5 hours.

Gargle with a solution of Furacilin. A ready-made solution is sold in pharmacies. But it must be diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Such a solution can be prepared independently: crush Furacilin tablets and dilute with 800 ml of water.

For the treatment of cough, expectorant mixtures based on herbal ingredients are used. The composition of such mixtures should include marshmallow root and thermopsis. It is necessary to take this mixture 4 times a day, 1 spoon. It will not harm either mother or child. Get overly carried away medicinal preparations no need.

In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, interferon can be used. The rest of the antiviral drugs are prohibited during pregnancy. Antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor only in cases of complications of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections.

During breastfeeding, a lot is prohibited for mom. During this period, she follows a special diet, goes out a little, wears special clothes. If a mother happens to get sick, then she needs to choose a treatment that will not harm the baby.

While treating the flu or cold, you do not need to give up breastfeeding. Scientists have proven that along with milk, the baby receives antibodies that are produced by the mother's body.

This is a kind of vaccination that will strengthen his immunity. If the child's body is weakened, then the disease will suffer to a milder degree. Refusal to breastfeed is justified in the case of the use of drugs that can harm the baby.

Prohibitions during treatment for a nursing mother:

• Taking illegal drugs. The instructions for use always indicate contraindications.
• Taking medications that are poorly understood.
• Do not heal yourself.
• Aspirin, drugs with bromhexine.

If the mother has to take illegal drugs, then the child is transferred to complementary foods until the mother recovers. At that time, you need to constantly pump to maintain lactation and then return to breastfeeding again.

In case of complications, the woman is prescribed antibiotics that are compatible with breastfeeding.

For the treatment of cough, expectorant syrup (for example, "Gedelix") or herbal preparations (for example, "Breast") are used.

For a runny nose, use saline or special sprays. It must be remembered that the use of vasoconstrictor drops is allowed for one week, once or twice a day.

Antipyretic agents can be used only if the temperature exceeds 38 - 38.5C. You can use Paracetamol or Nurafen for a child over 1 month old.

A solution of furacilin, Miramistin gargle.

In addition to drug treatment, expectant and lactating mothers need to follow certain rules that will help them recover faster. Here are the basic rules:

• Get enough sleep;
• Drink a lot of drinks (water, berry fruit drinks);
• Ventilate the room every 2 hours;
• Eat properly.

For treatment, you can use folk methods... But first you need to consult your doctor about the ingredients used.

Prevention of influenza and ARVI in adults: effective methods

There are many different methods for the prevention of influenza and ARVI. It is most effective to use them in combination.

The following activities will be the most accessible and effective:

• Air and water hardening of the body;
• Influenza vaccination;
• Proper nutrition;
• Systematic intake of vitamins;
• Compliance with hygiene;
• Taking antiviral medications;
• When communicating with patients, wear a gauze bandage;
• During an epidemic, rinse your mouth with saline solutions (soda and salt), potassium permanganate, decoctions of medicinal herbs;
• Every time before going outside, put oxolinic ointment in the nose;
• Massotherapy.

Flu vaccine: where do they do it, side effects, is it worth getting vaccinated for an adult

Doctors began to talk about influenza vaccination as an effective means of preventing this disease a long time ago. A flu shot may not always prevent infection, but it can relieve symptoms and avoid complications anyway.

The drug is administered intramuscularly. For adults, the injection is given in the shoulder and in young children in the thigh. The inoculation is not done in the buttock, since it is very difficult to reach the muscles in this place and it is possible to inject the drug into the subcutaneous tissue, which will not have the desired effect.

• Possible side effects:
• pain at the injection site;
• slight increase in temperature;
• fatigue;
• muscle weakness and pain;
• headache;
• itching at the injection site;
• redness or induration at the injection site.

Should you or shouldn't you get the flu shot for adults? This question is asked by many people.

And everyone makes their own choice, taking into account the pros and cons of vaccination.

Pros of vaccination:

• immunity to one or more types of influenza;
• if infection occurs, then the disease will be mild and will not entail complications;
• free vaccination at the clinic;
• strengthens the body's defense system;
• no age restrictions for adults.

Cons of vaccination:

• the virus mutates and the vaccine may be ineffective;
• the possibility of an allergic reaction;
• the presence of low-quality vaccines;
• examination before vaccination for allergic reactions and no signs of a cold.

Taking into account the pros and cons of influenza vaccination, everyone decides whether or not to get vaccinated.

Flu preventive pills

Algirem is antiviral drug, which was developed on the basis of remantadine according to the original method. The drug also has an anti-toxic effect, due to which side effects are rarely observed. Algirem can be used by both adults and children.

The tablets are shown to be used for prophylaxis and at the first symptoms of the disease. This will ease the course of the disease. Research has shown that Algirem protects the body and helps prevent disease.

Anaferon is considered the best prophylactic agent for children and adults. In addition to the preventive effect, this drug has and medicinal property... Anaferon eases the patient's condition, reduces the possibility of complications. You can take pills only after it has been prescribed by a doctor, since there are many contraindications.

Arbidol is one of the most powerful antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs. Also, this medicine is prescribed for pneumonia, bronchitis caused as a result of complications after the flu. Arbidol suppresses the virus that has entered the body and prevents it from developing.

Immunal is created from plant components that stimulate the human immune system. Does not cause any side effects.

Another herbal medicine is Fitogor. It contains components of sage, calendula, mint and lemon balm. It helps to improve metabolism and strengthen immunity.

Reaferon is used to prevent influenza. It promotes the production of its own interferon in the body, which helps to strengthen its protective functions. This drug belongs to the group of potent drugs, so its use is possible only after a doctor's prescription.

Remantadine suppresses the influenza virus. During illness, it lowers the temperature and cures headaches. Remantadine is able to protect the body from viruses of type A and B. It is most effectively taken together with No-shpa. It is allowed to take only from 7 years old and in the dosage prescribed by the doctor. It has been noticed that the drug has a side effect on the liver.

To know how to properly treat the flu, first of all, you need to consult with medical specialist... Only the correct implementation of all the doctor's recommendations and comprehensive treatment will lead to a quick recovery of both an adult and a child.

Video clips: how and how to treat influenza and SARS

Video tips. How to treat influenza in adults and children:

How to treat flu at home: