What can kill the flu virus. Influenza symptoms and treatment. Taking medications

Even, it would seem, quite recently you enjoyed the summer, spent time near the reservoirs, drank refreshing ice drinks. And then, completely unexpectedly, autumn burst in with a train of all seasonal troubles. One of the companions of autumn is an acute respiratory viral infection. It is very easy to be in the risk zone, especially when it becomes epidemic.

What is SARS?

This infection includes different types pneumotropic viruses that have more than a dozen subtypes. ARVI is localized in the upper and lower respiratory tract. It is very easy to catch this infection by airborne droplets, especially in a large crowd of people. Therefore, if you have a personal car and the ability to limit your stay in the crowd during the SARS period, this is great.

The pneumotropic virus that enters the body settles in the nasopharynx and larynx on the mucous tissues. This is indicated by a sore throat, a runny nose and an unpleasant dry cough. Reproducing, the virus enters the vessels and thereby causes fever and weakness.

The invincible power of interferon in the fight against SARS

At this point, your body begins to resist, producing a substance such as interferon. This is a unique component to which there is no resistance of viruses. After all, he himself does not take part in the fight against SARS, but only activates certain body resources to protect against infection. Cells immediately begin to produce substances to fight the virus.

If there is not enough interferon in the body (this happens with weakened immunity), it is administered artificially. It exists in two forms: human (leukocyte) and synthetic (recombinant).

This substance is used in medicine in different doses and different ways. Intramuscularly or intravenously, it is administered as the strongest antiviral agent in case of a threat of a fatal outcome of the disease (HIV, tumors, papillomavirus, hepatitis). Nasal interferon is prescribed for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections. However, it should be used already at the first signs of the disease, then the effectiveness will be much higher, and the disease will be fleeting.

How to kill a virus?

There is one long-proven medical truth. The virus settles in the cell, and in order to kill it, you need to kill the cell, which can be extremely unsafe for the body. Therefore, all existing antiviral drugs only stop its progression. But the body itself must destroy the virus. That is why it is so important to maintain a good combat-ready immunity.

What to do if you get SARS?

First of all, you should consult a doctor so that he can establish a diagnosis and help prevent all possible complications.

It should be noted that complications most often appear when certain oversights are made. Following the above recommendations, you can significantly alleviate your condition and transfer the disease easily.

Plentiful drink. An organism affected by a virus quickly dehydrates. Shortness of breath appears and sweating increases. Therefore, you should drink liquid as often as possible. In this way, the appearance and accumulation of thick mucus, which entails many complications, can be prevented.

The stronger the sweating, the higher the temperature and the higher the dryness in the room, the more liquid should be drunk. Moreover, drinking will be best absorbed if it corresponds to the temperature of the room. As a liquid, you can use compotes from fresh fruits or dried fruits, mineral water, tea.

You can find out that dehydration is starting by rare urges out of need. Then the volume of drinks needs to be increased.

Nutrition. If the appetite is gone, do not be afraid that without food the body will weaken. On the contrary, both the stomach and the liver are cleared of food and focused on fighting infection. Be guided by your desire. If you don't want to eat, don't force yourself.

Room. It is not necessary to tightly close the windows, put on woolen socks and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Indeed, in such an atmosphere, viruses will feel at home and actively multiply. But there is no need to go to the other extreme either. Excessive cold will cool the skin while internal organs will be hot. This can cause painful spasms.

Experienced doctors recommend frequently ventilating the room, doing wet cleaning every day and maintaining the air temperature no more than 20 degrees. Humidity should be around 60%, and clothing on the body is warm, but not hot. You can provide the desired humidity with a special humidifier or cover the battery (in winter) with a wet towel.

Let's analyze infections of viral origin to understand what they are, how they develop in the bodies of infected people, what are the symptoms and how to treat them.

What is a viral infection

Viral infection is a disease caused by infectious microorganisms, viruses that enter the cells of a living organism and use its mechanisms to multiply.

To perform its vital functions, it needs to colonize the host organism and gain access to the biochemical mechanisms of replication. Therefore, viruses infect the cells of living organisms, capture them and colonize them. Once inside the cell, the virus inserts its genetic code into DNA or RNA, thereby forcing the host cell to reproduce the virus.

As a rule, as a result of such infection, the cell loses its natural functions and dies (apoptosis), but manages to replicate new viruses that infect other cells. Thus, a general infection of the whole organism develops.

There are categories viral infections, which, instead of killing the host cell, change its characteristics and functions. And it may happen that in this case the natural process of cell division will be disturbed and it will turn into a cancer cell.

In other cases, the virus after infecting the cell may go into a "sleeping" state. And only after some time, under the influence of some event that violates the achieved balance, the virus awakens. It begins to multiply again and a relapse of the disease develops.

How does the virus get infected

Infection occurs when the virus gets the opportunity to penetrate the body, overcoming its natural defensive barriers. Once in the body, it multiplies either at the site of penetration, or, with the help of blood and / or lymph, gets to the target organ.

Obviously, the way in which viruses are transmitted plays an important role.

The most common are:

• Admission by the fecal-oral route;
• Inhalation;
• Insect bites and therefore the dermal route;
• Through microscopic damage to the mucous membrane of the apparatus of the genital organs of men and women;
• Through direct contact with blood (use of used syringes or toilet items);
• Vertical transmission from mother to fetus through the placenta.

How does a viral infection develop?

Development of a viral infection depends on various parameters, in particular:

• From the characteristics of the virus. Those. the ease with which it passes from one host to another, how easily it can overcome the defenses of the new host, how successfully the organism resists it, and how much damage it can create.
• From the characteristics of the host's immune system. In the human body, in addition to natural physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes, gastric juice, etc.), there is an immune system. Its task is to organize internal defense and destroy potentially dangerous substances such as viruses.
• From the environmental conditions in which the host lives. There are certain factors that obviously contribute to the spread and development of infection. An example of this is natural and climatic conditions.

After infection, an immune system reaction develops, which can lead to three outcomes:

• White blood cells, in particular lymphocytes, identify the enemy, attack him and, if possible, destroy him along with the infected cells.
• The virus manages to overcome the body's defenses and the infection spreads.
• A state of equilibrium is reached between the virus and the body, which leads to chronic infection.

If the immune system manages to overcome the infection, then the lymphocytes retain the memory of the offender. Thus, if a pathogen tries to invade the body again in the future, then, based on previous experience, the immune system will quickly eliminate the threat.

It is important to note that the vaccine works on this principle. It includes inactivated viruses or parts of them, and therefore is not able to cause a real infection, but is useful for "learning" the immune system.

Most common viral infections

Each virus usually infects a specific type of cell, for example, cold viruses enter cells respiratory tract, rabies virus and encephalitis infect the cells of the central nervous system. Below you will find the most common viral infections.

Viral infections of the respiratory tract

They are, of course, the most common and affect the nose and nasopharynx, throat, upper and lower respiratory tract.

Viruses that most commonly affect the respiratory system:

• Rhinoviruses are responsible for the common cold, which affects the epithelium of the nose, throat and upper respiratory tract. It is transmitted through nasal secretions and enters the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes. Less commonly, a cold is spread through the air.
• Orthomyxovirus, in its various variants, is responsible for influenza. There are two types of influenza viruses: A and B, and each type has many different strains. The influenza virus strain is constantly mutating, each year bringing a new virus that is different from the previous one. Influenza attacks the upper and lower respiratory tract, lungs and is spread by airborne droplets through coughs and sneezes.
• Adenoviruses respond pharyngitis and sore throat.

Viral infections upper respiratory infections are most common in adults, while lower respiratory tract viral infections are more common in newborns and children, as well as laryngitis, which is common in newborns, tracheitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Viral skin infections

There are many diseases of viral origin that affect the skin, many of them affect mainly children, for example, measles, chicken pox, rubella, mumps, warts. In this area, it is of particular importance herpes viruses to which the varicella-zoster virus belongs.

Known 8 various types, numbered from 1 to 8. Particularly common are infections with type 2 herpes virus: Epstein-Barr virus, which causes monoculosis, and cytomegalovirus. Herpesvirus type 8 causes cancer in immunocompromised patients with AIDS.

Some of the viral infections described are very dangerous during pregnancy (rubella and cytomegalovirus) because they can, with a high degree of probability, cause fetal malformations and miscarriages.

All herpes viruses lead to the development of chronic infections. Viruses remain in the host organism in a latent form. But in some cases, they can “wake up” and cause relapses. A typical example is the herpes virus, which causes chickenpox. In a latent form, the virus hides in the nerve ganglia of the spine in close proximity to the spinal cord and sometimes awakens, causing inflammation of the nerve endings with severe pain, which is accompanied by the formation of a skin rash.

Viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract

infections gastrointestinal tract cause rotaviruses And hepatitis virus, noroviruses. Rotaviruses are transmitted through faeces and most often affect children and adolescents, manifesting characteristic gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Hepatitis viruses are transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food. Noroviruses are transmitted by the fecal-oral route, but can also enter the respiratory tract and cause influenza-like syndromes with lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, and therefore diarrhea and vomiting.

Viral genital infections

The viruses that affect the reproductive organs of men and women include herpes virus, human papillomavirus, human immunodeficiency virus.

Special mention deserves the infamous HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is reflected in a sharp decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system.

Viral infections and cancers

Some types of viruses, as already mentioned, do not kill the host cell, but only change its DNA. All this leads to the fact that in the future the replication process may be disrupted and a tumor may form.

The main types of viruses that can cause the development of cancer:

• papilloma virus. May lead to cervical cancer.
• HBV and HCV virus. May cause liver cancer.
• Herpes virus 8. Causes the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (skin cancer, very rare) in AIDS patients.
• Epstein-Barr virus(Infectious mononucleosis). May cause Burkitt's lymphoma.

How are viral infections treated?

Medicines used to fight viral infections are simply called antiviral drugs.

They work by blocking the replication process of the virus responsible for the infection. But, as the virus spreads throughout the cells of the body, the scope of these drugs is limited, since the structures in which they are effective are numerically limited.

In addition, they are highly toxic to body cells. All this leads to the fact that antiviral drugs are very difficult to use. The ability of viruses to adapt to the action of drugs further confuses the tangle.

The most commonly used are the following antiviral drugs:

• Acyclovir against herpes;
• Cidofovir against cytomegalovirus;
• Interferon alfa against hepatitis B and C
• Amantadine against influenza type A
• Zanamivir from influenza A and B.

Therefore the best treatment of viral infections what remains is prevention, which is based on the use of a vaccine. But even this weapon is difficult to use, given the rapidity of some viruses mutating. A typical example is the influenza virus, which mutates so rapidly that an entirely new strain breaks out every year, forcing a new type of vaccine to be introduced to deal with it.

It is absolutely useless to take antibiotics for diseases caused by viruses. Antibiotics act on bacteria. They should be used only in special cases and as prescribed by the doctor, if he believes that a secondary bacterial infection has joined the viral infection.

Almost 95% of infectious diseases are acute respiratory viral infections, one of which is influenza. Influenza epidemics appear almost every year, usually in autumn, winter, and more than 15% of the population is affected.

Immunity after the flu does not last long, and the presence of various forms of the virus leads to the fact that during the year a person can suffer this infection several times. Every year, more than 2 million people die due to complications from the flu. Let's find out everything about this disease in this article.

Etiology of influenza

Influenza is caused by a group of viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. There are three large genera - A, B and C, which are divided into serotypes H and N, depending on which proteins are found on the surface of the virus, hemagglutinin or neuraminidase. There are 25 such subtypes in total, but 5 of them are found in humans, and one virus can contain both types of proteins of different subtypes.

Influenza viruses change very quickly, each year new species are discovered with modified properties. Sometimes pathogenic subtypes appear so that the epidemics they cause are described in history books. One of these subtypes is the Spanish flu, which often killed a person within a day and claimed the lives of 20 million people at the beginning of the last century.

Influenza A viruses are the most epidemiologically dangerous, they cause epidemics every year. Type B virus can also cause severe influenza, but it does not have such a strong distribution, usually outbreaks occur against the background of type A or shortly before it. Both groups contain proteins H and N, therefore, when classifying them, not only the group is indicated, but also the subtype, as well as the place of discovery, year and serial number. Influenza C virus does not contain the H type protein and is usually mild.

How does the flu happen?

Infection usually occurs by airborne droplets, although household contact is not excluded. The virus enters the body through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. It is believed that you can get the flu even at a distance of 2-3 meters from the patient, so personal protective equipment is of particular importance during epidemics.

On human skin, the influenza virus quickly dies - after 4-6 minutes, but on household items, the ability to survive increases, for example, on metal, plastic. If a person touches a surface contaminated with the flu virus and then touches their face, and studies show that people touch their face more than 300 times a day, this dramatically increases the likelihood of infection.

How long someone with the flu is contagious depends on the type and severity of the illness, but it usually takes 5 to 6 days to become infected. Moreover, infection can occur with an erased form of influenza. Infection is facilitated by a decrease in the humidity of the air in the room. Fresh air prevents the virus from entering the respiratory tract, but low temperatures, about 0 ° C, against the background of hypothermia of the mucosa and dry air, the risk of contracting the flu increases.

For the spread of infection, it is important at what temperature the influenza virus dies. Different strains respond to temperature changes in different ways, but heating above 70°C destroys the virus within 5 minutes, and boiling almost instantly. The virus can survive on household items for up to 7 days. High humidity also contributes to its death.

Clinical picture and severity of the disease

From the moment of infection to the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease, it can take from three hours to three days, usually the incubation period lasts 1-2 days. The disease begins acutely, the first signs of influenza are a sharp rise in temperature and symptoms of intoxication. The patient may complain of general weakness, headache, muscle pain. Often there is a runny nose, cough, this condition lasts 3-4 days, then if there are no complications, the symptoms gradually decrease.

There are 3 degrees of severity of the disease.

With uncomplicated influenza, the symptoms gradually decrease from 3-4 days of illness, by the 7-10th day the patient recovers, but general weakness, fatigue can disturb him for 2 weeks.

flu symptoms

The first symptoms of influenza are subjective: weakness, fatigue, body aches. Then there is a sharp increase in temperature and symptoms of intoxication of the body appear. Patient complaints can be divided into several groups:

• symptoms of intoxication;
• catarrhal phenomena and lesions of the upper respiratory tract;
• abdominal syndrome.

Intoxication is expressed by headache, muscle pain, general weakness, temperature. How long the flu temperature lasts often depends on the serotype and the general immunity of the body. Its increase is accompanied by chills and increased sweating. High temperatures over 39 ° C are dangerous, as they can lead to seizures and swelling of the brain. In patients with high temperature against the background of intoxication, delirium and hallucinations may occur.

The temperature continues for 2-4 days, then it decreases, and the patient gradually recovers. If the temperature lasts longer, or occurs again on the 5-6th day, this indicates the addition of an infection and the development of complications. In such cases, you need to urgently consult a doctor.

In young children, a high temperature is more dangerous, not only because of the possibility of convulsions and swelling of the brain, the child at a temperature very quickly loses fluid due to sweat. And when abdominal symptoms join (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain), fluid loss becomes even greater, dehydration occurs. Therefore, the treatment of severe influenza in children is usually accompanied by the introduction of infusion solutions.

When treating influenza at home, special attention should be paid to the drinking regimen. It is necessary to drink as many juices, tea as possible, and if symptoms of dehydration appear, this is dry skin and mucous membranes, this is especially noticeable on the tongue - consult a doctor immediately.

Objective symptoms of influenza in humans are often not expressed, except for temperature, you can notice pallor of the skin, redness of the throat, hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the eyes. There are types of infections that occur without a runny nose, but even with a “dry” flu, dryness and sore throat are often noted. The cough is dry at first, then it can become wet, in people with chronic lung diseases (bronchitis), the virus causes an exacerbation of the process.

Treatment

Treatment of influenza in adults and children follows the same principles, but the likelihood of complications in children and the elderly is much higher. This is due to reduced immunity. In the elderly, it decreases against the background of aging of the body, a decrease in reparative processes. IN childhood immunity is still developing, which often leads to various diseases.

Antivirals

Treatment for infection should begin as early as possible. This also applies to antiviral drugs for influenza, which are almost useless to take on the third day of illness. Therefore, at the first symptoms, and even better before they appear, when there was contact with a flu patient, you need to take an antiviral drug, for example, amantadine ("Midantan"), "Rimantadine", "Tamiflu"; interferon preparations ("Interferon", "Aflubin"). This allows you to prevent the disease, or reduce the duration of the disease by 1-3 days.

Taking antiviral drugs for influenza will help not only shorten the duration of the illness, but also prevent the development of complications, so they should be used in people with reduced immunity. In the treatment of complications, antiviral drugs are also used.

Mode

In the treatment of the disease, it is important to observe bed drinking regimen. Bed rest is necessary even with mild flu, since complications often arise precisely against the background of non-compliance with bed rest. In patients with moderate influenza, bed rest greatly facilitates the patient's condition. It is desirable to create a comfortable environment, subdued light, silence, as bright light and noise often irritate influenza patients.

Bed rest is also needed in order to limit the communication of the patient, and reduce the risk of infection to others. Carers should use personal protective equipment (mask) for the purpose of prevention.

To reduce the risk of infection, it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning of the room, ventilate it, since high humidity and fresh air cause the death of the virus. Items for personal use, dishes, linen, toys in children should be treated with disinfectant solutions or detergents.

Symptomatic therapy

Medicines for the treatment of influenza can be divided into several groups:

Symptomatic treatment consists in the fact that each type of drug is taken for certain symptoms.

Features of the disease during pregnancy and lactation

The influenza virus can affect the course of pregnancy, especially when a woman becomes infected with it in the first trimester. The likelihood of pathologies in the fetus increases, and since immunity decreases during pregnancy, complications occur more often.

Therefore, pregnant women should try not to get infected:

Even if a pregnant woman does not leave the house, the virus can be brought by those close to her.

If infection has occurred, then it is imperative to observe bed rest, drink more juices containing vitamins. The lack of vitamins can be filled with drugs. It is advisable for pregnant women to take antiviral drugs.

Treatment of influenza during pregnancy should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, and drugs should be used, including medicinal herbs, folk methods.

Influenza is dangerous not only during pregnancy, but also during breastfeeding. In this case, it is important to observe the rules of hygiene. It is not necessary at this time to wean the baby from the breast. Feeding may be continued provided that no drugs are used that can penetrate the breast milk and mother will try to prevent infection of the baby during feeding. You need to use a mask, wash your hands and chest thoroughly before feeding.

Influenza treatment for breastfeeding should be carried out with preparations that include natural substances. Now drops against the common cold are produced, which contain only natural ingredients, herbal teas against cough. Treatment during feeding should be prescribed only by a doctor.

Complications

Influenza can lead to complications from other organs and systems of the body, and they can develop immediately or as a result of the addition of a bacterial infection. So, a severe form of the disease can be complicated:

The cause of these complications is the entry of the virus into the bloodstream and its spread throughout the body. If a patient has symptoms such as convulsions, rash, hemodynamic disturbances (fall blood pressure, violation of the frequency of heart contractions), loss of consciousness - you should urgently call an ambulance.

Late complications are:

• otitis media, sinusitis (frontal sinusitis, sinusitis);
• bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy;
• meningitis, encephalitis;
• endocarditis, myocarditis.

Usually, late complications of influenza are associated with the addition of a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotic treatment.

Prevention

The features of this infectious disease, its rapid spread, complications during the course, became the reason for the development of an influenza vaccine. Children are now being vaccinated against many viral infections, and the development of a flu vaccine should not have been difficult for the pharmaceutical industry.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to develop a universal vaccine, since influenza is represented by different groups, serotypes of viruses. Currently, a vaccine containing group A virus antigens is used for influenza vaccination. Its timely introduction can prevent infection, but since the B and C viruses are often detected during the period of the A virus epidemic, it is impossible to completely exclude influenza.

Another problem is the short duration of the vaccine. Immunity against influenza is short-lived, often protecting against infection for only 6-8 months. Therefore, it is better to vaccinate in the fall, so that antibodies against it circulate in the blood throughout the cold, winter period.

Prevention of influenza in children and the elderly is free of charge, as they are at risk, and influenza can cause complications leading to death in them. Vaccination is contraindicated in case of allergy to chicken protein, or if there has been an allergic reaction to a previous vaccination.

There are many influenza vaccines of foreign and domestic manufacturers on the Russian pharmaceutical market:

In addition to vaccination for prevention, antiviral drugs are used. What antiviral agent is better to choose for the prevention of influenza? - the most commonly used products, including natural substances. Their use does not cause adverse side effects in immunocompromised people. These include Arbidol, Immunal, Kagocel, Cycloferon and others. The development and research of drugs against this infection continues.

Non-specific prophylaxis of influenza includes:

• the use of immunostimulating drugs for the prevention of influenza ("Anaferon", "Immunal");
• during an epidemic, means of protection against influenza;
• Improving immunity and maintaining hygiene rules.

Antiviral drugs are used daily, according to the instructions ("Arbidol", "Amiksin", "Cycloferon").

The best remedy from the flu is an increase in the overall immunity of the body. Immunity increases hardening, the use of vitamins of group C. We must not forget about personal hygiene and products traditional medicine to prevent infection. So, during a flu epidemic, it is recommended:

Summing up, we recall that the flu is an infectious, contagious disease that can lead to various complications. The likelihood of infection increases in autumn and winter. Influenza most often affects children and the elderly, who are at risk. Timely vaccination helps to prevent the disease, against the most likely serotypes that cause an epidemic.

Influenza is an acute viral disease that affects the lower and upper respiratory tract, accompanied by obvious intoxication and can cause serious complications, and in the elderly and children, death.

Influenza, according to the method of infection and according to the main manifestations, is similar to SARS, but these are not identical diseases. With the flu, much significant intoxication occurs, often the flu is characterized by a severe course and the appearance of all kinds of complications.

The causative agents of influenza are viruses of types A, B and C. All these groups of viruses belong to the so-called paramicroviruses, but differ greatly in structure, for this reason, immunity developed against one type of virus does not affect another type of virus. In addition, viruses of the same type (to a greater extent this applies to type A) can mutate and change their structure in a short time. The result of this may be that new forms of influenza viruses appear every year that are unknown to our immune system. For this reason, most people get the flu every year.

flu infection

A sick person acts as a source of infection. The virus is shed in sputum, saliva during coughing and sneezing. Viruses can appear on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or upper respiratory tract directly from the air, through close contact with an infected person; they can also settle on various kinds of surfaces and then move to the hands.

After that, the virus is on the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract (pharynx, nose, trachea or larynx), enters the cells where it actively reproduces. In order to hit almost completely the entire mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, the influenza virus takes only a few hours. The mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is a favorite place for the virus; it is not capable of infecting other organs. For this reason, it is incorrect to use the term "intestinal flu" - the intestinal mucosa cannot be exposed to influenza. In most cases, what is mistaken for intestinal flu is viral gastroenteritis, which is accompanied by intoxication, fever and diarrhea.

On the this moment there is no clear information about what protective mechanisms stop the reproduction of the virus and speed up recovery. As a rule, after 2-5 days the virus stops getting into environment and a sick person does not pose a danger to others.

The course and symptoms of influenza

In autumn and winter, the number of people with influenza increases significantly. An influenza pandemic is usually triggered by type A virus, which is the cause of the development of the most severe form of the disease. Epidemics of a local nature can cause type b virus. In rare cases, it is found type C virus, it provokes mild flu. Incubation period influenza is very short-lived and ranges from several hours to three days. Viruses of all types have a significant affinity for the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, on which they initially settle and begin to multiply.

The development of flu symptoms is rapid: the first symptoms are a sore throat, sneezing, then a pronounced fever develops (the temperature rises to 40 degrees), malaise, severe pain in the head and muscles. The next day, a ringing dry cough is added to the persistent fever, which is accompanied by pain behind the sternum. Over time, a dry cough gradually becomes wet. If the trachea and larynx are affected, the cough may be barking, occurring against the background of shortness of breath and a hoarse voice.

The flu is not characterized by conjunctivitis or a severe runny nose.

The main symptoms of influenza, if the disease is not complicated, begin to subside after 5-6 days from the onset of the disease.

Influenza complications can spread both to the respiratory tract and to various other organs.

Usually the flu with complications occurs in the elderly and children. On the respiratory system influenza can cause complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia (in rare cases, hemorrhagic pneumonia appears, which causes the virus to multiply in the tissues of the lungs). In childhood, against the background of the flu, meningitis or viral encephalitis can form.

Who is more likely to get the flu?

those with chronic diseases of cardio-vascular system: especially with congenital and acquired heart disease (mainly mitral stenosis),
those who suffer from chronic forms of lung disease, including bronchial asthma),
those who suffer from diabetes,
those who have chronic forms of diseases of the blood and kidneys,
women during pregnancy,
elderly people (over 65 years old), since most of them have chronic diseases to one degree or another,
children under two years old
those who suffer from immunodeficiency.

Flu Prevention

The most important thing is to prevent the virus from getting on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. To achieve this, you need to limit contact with infected people. In addition, it must be remembered that viruses can linger for some time on personal hygiene items of a sick person and on all kinds of surfaces in the room where the patient is located. Therefore, be sure to wash your hands after contact with objects on which they can remain. Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth with dirty hands.

It is important to take into account that soap cannot kill the flu virus. When washing hands with soap, microorganisms are mechanically removed from hands, this measure is quite enough. If we talk about all kinds of disinfectant hand lotions, there is no comprehensive evidence that the substances they contain have a detrimental effect on viruses. Therefore, the use of such lotions as a measure for the prevention of colds does not seem justified.

In addition, the risk of contracting SARS directly depends on the quality of the body's resistance to infections, that is, on immunity. To maintain immunity in order, you need:
1. Provide full proper nutrition: proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins should be present in the food consumed in sufficiently large quantities. In autumn and winter, when the amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet is reduced, you can additionally take vitamin complexes.
2. Perform regularly physical exercise better outdoors. Walking fast is also helpful.
3. Be sure to adhere to the rest regimen. Good sleep and adequate rest are very important conditions for maintaining normal immunity.
4. Avoid stress.
5. Give up smoking. Smoking is a powerful factor that undermines the immune system. It negatively affects the overall resistance to infections and the local protective barrier - in the mucous membrane of the bronchi, trachea, nose.

Influenza vaccination

Flu vaccines are updated every year. Vaccination is done with vaccines that are designed against viruses that were circulating the previous winter. In this way the effectiveness of the vaccine directly depends on how similar the current year's viruses are to last year's viruses. But there is evidence that with each subsequent vaccination, their effectiveness increases. This is explained by the fact that the production of protective antiviral backs (antibodies) in already vaccinated people takes less time.

What are the vaccines?

There are currently three types of vaccines:
Whole virion. Vaccines of this type are whole live or inactivated influenza virus. Currently, whole-virion vaccines are almost never used, because they have a number of side effects, they often provoke the disease.

Split vaccines. These vaccines are split, containing only part of the virus. At the same time, side effects from them are much less. It is recommended to use them for vaccination of adults.

Subunit Vaccines. They are highly purified vaccines. They have almost no side effects. They can be used to vaccinate children.

Vaccination is best done earlier than the epidemic has developed - in September-December. During the epidemic, it is also possible to vaccinate, but it must be borne in mind that the formation of immunity occurs within 7-15 days, at which time it is optimal to carry out additional prophylaxis with the help of antiviral drugs (for example, rimantadine).

Vaccine safety

We have already said that, for safety reasons, it is recommended to use subunit vaccines, as the most purified ones.
Adverse reactions:
General reactions: malaise, fever, muscle soreness. Observed in rare cases, disappear in 1-2 days.
Local reactions: redness, disappears in 1-2 days.

Allergy to components of the vaccine is possible. It is important to remember that the vaccine is contraindicated for people who cannot tolerate chicken protein, since the viruses for it are grown using this protein and it contains traces of it. If an allergy to influenza vaccines is manifested, further vaccination is prohibited.

Viral complications of the flu

Primary viral pneumonia- a rare, but very dangerous influenza complication. It is associated with the advancement of the virus from the upper respiratory tract along the bronchial tree, as a result of which the lungs are affected. The beginning of the disease is the flu, then it steadily progresses. At the same time, pronounced intoxication is noted, shortness of breath is present, in some cases with the appearance of respiratory failure. There is a cough, in some cases with an admixture of blood. Predisposed to viral pneumonia are people with heart disease, especially with mitral stenosis.

Infectious-toxic shock- the highest degree of intoxication, in which the functioning of vital organs, such as the kidneys and the median vascular system, is disrupted (a noticeable increase in heart rate and a dangerous decrease in blood pressure are noted). The first sign of infectious-toxic shock.

Myocarditis and pericarditis- such complications of influenza were observed during the Spanish flu pandemic. In modern reality, cases of this disease are very rare.

Bacterial complications of influenza

Natural resistance to other infections decreases during the flu. The body throws all its forces into the fight against the virus, for this reason, to clinical picture often associated with bacterial infections. Especially if there are some chronic bacterial diseases, since after the flu they usually get worse.

1. bacterial pneumonia. As a rule, after 2-3 days of the acute course of the disease, after the condition improves, the temperature rises again. There is a cough with green or yellow sputum. The main thing is not to miss the onset of such a complication and to start treatment with well-chosen antibiotics in a timely manner.
2. Perhaps the most common complication of the flu is bacterial inflammation of the sinuses and ear: sinusitis, otitis media, frontal sinusitis.

3. Inflammation of the kidney tubules accompanied by a decrease in kidney function (glomerulonephritis).

4. Inflammatory process in the membranes and / or tissues of the brain(meningitis, encephalitis). Occurs in most cases in patients at risk, usually in those who suffer from immunodeficiency.

5. Septic conditions- such conditions in which bacteria enter the bloodstream and begin to multiply there. Very serious conditions, in many cases leading to death.

Flu treatment

Influenza treatment is mainly symptomatic. Importance has a decrease in temperature. As an antipyretic for children, it is recommended to use drugs based on paracetamol. If children's flu is treated with drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), a severe complication may occur - toxic encephalopathy, manifested by epileptic seizures and coma (the so-called Reine's syndrome). Nowadays, antiviral drugs (remantadine, oseltamivir, amantadine) are increasingly being used to treat influenza, which can stop the reproduction of the virus in the first two days of illness.

Calm, ideally, bed rest for five days is recommended. During the acute period, no matter how much you want it, it is not recommended to watch TV, read, sit at the computer. This further exhausts the already exhausted body, contributes to a longer course of the disease and threatens with the appearance of complications.

A day you need to drink two liters of warm drink. It is optimal if it is saturated with natural vitamin C (for example, fruit drink, rosehip infusion, tea with lemon). By consuming a lot of liquid every day, the patient thus disinfects, that is, it helps to release toxins from the body that are formed during the vital activity of viruses.

Nonspecific drug therapy

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: ibuprofen, paracetamol, diclofenac. These drugs have an anti-inflammatory effect, lower the temperature, reduce pain. It is allowed to take such drugs as part of medicinal powders, such as Teraflu, Coldrex, etc. It is important to bear in mind that it is not necessary to bring down the temperature below 38 degrees, since it is at this temperature that the body's defense mechanisms against infection are activated. This rule does not apply to patients prone to convulsions, and young children.

2. Antihistamines are medicines used to treat allergies. They have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, as a result, there is a decrease in signs of inflammation, such as swelling of the mucous membranes, nasal congestion. The first generation of such drugs (suprastin, diphenhydramine, tavegil) has side effect in the form of a feeling of drowsiness. The second generation of drugs (claritin (loratadine), semprex, fenistil, zyrtec) does not have such a side effect.

3. Nasal drops. Help reduce swelling and relieve nasal congestion vasoconstrictor drops. But this is not the safest drug, as it seems at first glance. On the one hand, with SARS, you need to use drops to reduce swelling and help the outflow of fluid from the sinuses. This is necessary to prevent the occurrence of sinusitis. But if you use vasoconstrictor drops too often and for a long time, it can be dangerous, because it threatens with the development of chronic rhinitis. Uncontrolled medication leads to a significant thickening of the nasal mucosa, and this, in turn, leads to dependence on the drops, which can then cause permanent nasal congestion. This complication is treated surgically. So the mode of using drops must be carefully followed: no more than 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days, but no longer.

4. Sore throat treatment. The most effective and at the same time unloved by many means is gargling with disinfectant solutions. It is allowed to use infusions of chamomile, sage and ready-made solutions, such as furatsilin. You need to rinse often - every two hours. In addition, disinfectant sprays can be used: bioparox, hexoral, etc.

5. Cough preparations. Cough treatment is carried out in order to reduce the viscosity of sputum, thin it and facilitate the process of coughing. The drinking regimen plays an important role in this: warm drinking contributes to liquefaction of sputum. If expectoration is difficult, you can drink expectorant drugs: mukaltin, ACC, broncholithin, etc. It is contraindicated to take drugs that suppress the cough reflex without first consulting a doctor, as this is unsafe.

6. Do not use antibiotics! In relation to viruses, these drugs are absolutely powerless, they are used only in case of bacterial complications. For this reason, you should not drink antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. These drugs are not safe for the body. In addition, uncontrolled use of antibiotics can form forms of bacteria resistant to them.

H1N1 (sometimes called "swine flu") is a new virus sickening in people. It was first discovered in the USA. H1N1 is transmitted like any other seasonal disease. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that a pandemic was coming.

The virus was called "swine flu" because laboratory tests showed that many of the genes of this virus were similar to the virus that occurs in pigs. North America. But further research has found that the 2009 H1N1 strain is very different from that normally found in North American pigs. It has two genes from a virus common in European swine populations, as well as bird and seasonal flu genes. Scientists call it the "quadruple reassortant."

The H1N1 virus is highly contagious. Although the activity of the disease decreased markedly by the end of October 2009, cases of infection among humans continued to be recorded.

In fact, the new virus is the prevailing strain during a surge in seasonal incidence. The US experienced its first wave of H1N1 flu in the spring of 2009 and a second wave in the fall, when cases peaked in late October.

Influenza virus activity has occurred in waves during past pandemics and it is possible that the US may experience another wave in the winter of 2016 or later. In the past, when new strains of influenza emerged causing epidemics, the new virus continued to spread rapidly for some time.

Experts believe that the new disease will continue to spread among people like a regular virus. Interestingly, the H1N1 influenza virus has been selected as an ingredient for a vaccine in the next Southern Hemisphere season.

Can you get the flu more than once?

Infected with any pathogen, including the H1N1 influenza virus, a person should develop immunity, so relapses are unlikely. (However, people with weakened immune systems may not acquire immunity after infection. Therefore, the likelihood of infection with the same influenza virus increases).

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in humans?

Common symptoms of "swine flu" in humans are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, general weakness. Some people experience vomiting and diarrhea. People who are infected with the flu can have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

How dangerous is the H1N1 virus?

H1N1 flu can be mild or severe. Although the majority of cases recovered without medical treatment, there were cases of hospitalization with a fatal outcome.

The fact is that even in the case of seasonal flu, some people are in the “high risk” group. This includes pensioners aged 65 years, children under 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic diseases.

More than 70% of adults hospitalized with H1N1 flu have had one or more previous illnesses. One study showed that 57% of children hospitalized as a result of infection had diseases that placed them at risk.

Who is more likely to have complications?

Most people with influenza (seasonal or swine), have a mild form of the disease, do not need medical care and antiviral medicines. Full recovery usually occurs within 2 weeks.

Some are prone to complications that lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis and inflammation of the middle ear are some of the complications associated with the disease. The flu can make it worse chronic diseases. For example, people with asthma have an increased frequency of attacks, and people with chronic heart failure may experience a worsening of the disease. Below is a list of groups prone to developing complications:

People at high risk:

• Children under 5
• Adults aged 65
• Pregnant women

People with chronic diseases:

• Neurological and neurodevelopmental diseases
• Chronic lung diseases
• Cardiovascular diseases
• blood disease
• Diseases of the endocrine system
• kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Metabolic disorders
• Weakened immune system
• People under the age of 19 who take aspirin

In addition, some studies have shown that overweight people with a body mass index ≥30, especially those who are obese, belong to an increased risk group because they have one of the above diseases that arose against obesity.

Difference between seasonal and swine flu

Influenza seasons vary in time, duration, and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness. Every year in the US, about 36,000 people die from complications, and more than 200,000 are hospitalized for flu-related causes. Of the people hospitalized, 20,000 are children under 5 years of age.

More than 90% of deaths and about 60% of hospitalizations occur among people over 65 years of age.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case counts, hospitalizations and deaths show that people under 65 get more severe swine flu than people 65 years of age.

Approximately 90% of hospitalizations and 88% of reported deaths between April and 12 December 2009 were found to occur in people under 65 years of age. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that all people 6 months of age and older, including people over 65, get vaccinated.

How long can an infected person transmit the virus to others?

People infected with the seasonal or swine flu virus spread the virus and can infect others the day before they feel the first signs of the disease and up to 5-7 days after. For some, this period may be longer, especially in children with weakened immune systems.

Treatment and prevention of influenza

How to protect yourself from the disease?

There is a vaccine for the seasonal virus and the H1N1 (sometimes called "swine") virus. As long as it the best way protection. There are also a number of preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of the respiratory pathogen.

How to protect yourself and loved ones

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash immediately after use.
Wash your hands frequently with soap. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. The pathogen is transmitted in this way.
Try not to have close contact with people who are sick.
If you have the flu, stay at home for at least one day after the fever subsides, unless you need medical attention.

What can you do to avoid becoming a victim of the virus?

Follow health advice regarding school closures, avoidance.
Be prepared that if you get sick, you will need to stay at home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, antiseptics, hand sanitizer containing alcohol, paper napkins and relieve you of the need to be around people.

Please note that healthy working people who have a family member who is sick can go to work as usual. To do this, you should monitor your health every day and take precautions: closing your mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap is not available, use an antiseptic. In case of illness, you should inform your boss and stay at home. Working people who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should seek the advice of their healthcare provider because they may need antiviral medications.

How to wash your hands to avoid infection?

Frequent hand washing will help protect against the pathogen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands with soap and warm water within 15–20 seconds. When soap is not available, disposable wet wipes containing alcohol or gel-based disinfectants can be used. You can buy them at any supermarket or pharmacy. Using the gel, rub it in until completely dry. The gel does not need water, the alcohol contained in it kills microbes.

What to do if the temperature rises?

Most fever is the main symptom of the flu. A fever is defined as a temperature in the mouth above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). Signs of fever: chills, burning cheeks, feeling hot and sweating.

Antipyretic medicines usually contain acetaminophen, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen (such as Motrin). Both groups of drugs can bring down the temperature and relieve pain. Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children and adolescents (under the age of 18) who have the flu; it can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome.

To prevent the spread of the flu, if you have a fever, stay at home for at least 1 day after your temperature has returned to normal. But if you're taking antipyretic drugs, you can't tell if he's actually asleep. So when you're feeling better, increase the interval between taking your fever-reducing medications and keep checking your temperature to make sure the temperature doesn't come back.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

Children:

• Rapid or labored breathing
• Blueish skin tone
• Lack of desire to drink liquid
• Lack of desire to wake up or interact with other people
• Irritability and unwillingness to be on hand
• Temporary improvement in flu symptoms with their later return
• Fever with rash

Adults:

• Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• sudden dizziness
• Disorientation
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Are there cures for the flu?

There are medications a doctor may prescribe for seasonal and swine flu: antivirals. These medicines can quickly improve well-being and save you from complications. It is important to start antiviral treatment as early as possible medicines, people forming a risk group. But most healthy people who have the flu do not need treatment with antiviral drugs.

Swine flu parties

"Swine flu parties" are gatherings where people come into close contact with those who are sick. The purpose of the parties is to catch the virus from people who have had a mild illness in the hope of developing immunity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against going to "swine flu parties." While many have been mildly ill in the current outbreak, some have become severe and have even died. There is no way to predict with certainty the consequences for individuals or for those who have been intentionally infected. Influenza vaccination is The best way protect yourself and loved ones.

Studies have found that the influenza virus can live on surrounding surfaces and infect a person within 2-8 hours of being exposed to them.

What kills the flu virus?

Influenza virus can be destroyed by high temperature (167-212°F). In addition, some antimicrobial agents, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, disinfectants (soaps), iodine-containing antiseptics, and alcohol, are effective against all influenza viruses, including swine, if used in the correct concentration.

What surfaces are the source of contamination?

The causative agent of the disease can be spread when the patient touches something that is infected and then touches the eyes, nose or mouth. Droplets of saliva from an infected person coughing or sneezing are airborne. For example, a pathogen can be transmitted by touching respiratory droplets on surfaces such as a table and then touching the eyes, mouth, or nose without first washing the hands.

How to clean up to prevent the spread of the virus?

To prevent the spread of the flu virus, it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, bathroom surfaces, kitchen tables, and children's toys) clean by wiping them down with household disinfectants, according to package instructions.

Linen, cutlery and dishes belonging to the patient do not have to be washed and washed separately, they cannot be used without thorough washing. Linens (such as sheets and towels) should be washed with laundry soap and tumble dried at hot water. It is necessary to avoid taking this laundry in an armful before washing, so as not to get infected. After contact with dirty linen, you should immediately wash your hands with soap or an antiseptic containing alcohol. Cutlery should be washed either in the dishwasher or by hand with soap.

Why is it impossible to get infected?

Is it possible to get infected by cooking or eating pork?

The H1N1 virus is not transmitted through food. You don't get the flu by eating pork or pork products. Eating properly cooked pork is safe.

Is water a source of contamination?

Tap water that goes through traditional disinfection processes is not dangerous. Modern standards for drinking water treatment provide a high degree of protection against viruses. Studies on the susceptibility of the H1N1 virus to traditional drinking water treatment processes have not yet been made.

However, recent research has shown that the level of free chlorine used in drinking water treatment is sufficient to block the activity of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. It is possible that other influenza viruses, such as the 2009 H1N1 virus, can also be inactivated by chlorination. To date, no cases of influenza have been recorded among people who have been in contact with drinking water.

Can the virus spread through pool water?

There has not been a single documented case of water-related influenza. Recreational water treated to the disinfection level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduces the risk of infection to zero.

Studies on the susceptibility of the H1N1 influenza virus to chlorine and other disinfectants, used in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains and other recreational facilities has not yet been produced. Meanwhile, one study found that the level of free chlorine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1-3 parts per million [ppm or mg/L] for swimming pools and 2-5 ppm for spas ) sufficient to block the activity of the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

Can the virus spread outside of water?
Yes, water recreation areas are no different from other crowded places. The H1N1 flu is thought to spread like the seasonal flu. The influenza virus is transmitted through coughing and sneezing. Sometimes people get infected by touching something that has the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Swine flu and pets

What animals can become infected with the virus?

In addition to humans, pigs, and turkeys, a small number of domestic ferrets (which are highly susceptible to influenza A viruses), cats, and dogs have contracted the virus. In addition, cases of infection among cheetahs have been reported in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works closely with national and international human and animal health organizations to continually review animal swine flu reports and provide the public with the information it receives.

How do pets get infected?

The information obtained suggests that infected ferrets and domestic cats became infected through close contact with sick people.

Is it possible to get infected from a pet?
The data obtained suggest that the transmission of the virus occurred from the patient to his animal. There is no evidence that animals infect humans.

Is there a vaccine for pets?

There is currently no licensed and approved H1N1 vaccine for pets. (There is a canine influenza vaccine that protects against the H3N8 canine influenza virus, but it will not protect an animal from the H1N1 virus. The H3N8 vaccine cannot be used on species other than dogs.)

How serious is the disease in pets?

Domestic ferrets that have been naturally infected with influenza have had the same severity of illness as ferrets exposed to seasonal influenza virus and H1N1 influenza virus in the laboratory.

Clinical symptoms included: sneezing, lethargy and weight loss. Among the reported cases, most of the animals recovered completely during symptomatic therapy, although a few animals died.