Is it possible to cure the flu at home?

Ginger for colds and flu

The flu can manifest itself at a time when it is not possible to seek medical help. And inaction will only allow the virus to develop, so we suggest using tips for treating the flu at home.

Inhalations.

The disease primarily affects the respiratory tract. To reduce the impact of the virus on the mucous membranes, it is recommended to carry out inhalations using medicinal herbs and essential oils.

The most effective will be inhalations based on calendula, lavender, chamomile, sage, and St. John's wort. Essential oils that work well include menthol and eucalyptus oils. It is recommended to use a nebulizer - a special device for breathing, but not everyone has one. Therefore, at home, it is enough to fill a large container with boiling water, dissolve herbs or a couple of drops of oils in it, then cover and breathe.

The worst manifestation of the flu is rhinitis - it makes breathing through the nose difficult. You can get rid of a runny nose using a solution of salt and soda - just mix them a pinch in warm water. Using a simple syringe without a needle, inject the solution into one nostril, pinching the other. After this, you need to blow your nose and work on the second nasal passage.

One of the ways to ease the course of the disease is to drink plenty of fluids. The patient is recommended to drink warm drinks enriched with vitamin C in a volume of at least 2 liters per day. This will cleanse the body of toxins formed during the incubation of the virus.

To create a decoction based on blackcurrant branches, it is recommended to rinse them thoroughly, cut them into small pieces and add the required amount of water. Let it brew for 10 minutes, then boil for 5 hours straight. You should drink the hot decoction at night.

Another way is a tincture of eucalyptus leaves. Finely chopped leaves should be poured with 200 g of vodka or alcohol, then allowed to brew for a week in a dark place. The infusion should be filtered and taken when sick, 20 drops per 50 ml of water.

Herbal decoction;

An effective remedy would be a decoction of the following herbs: mint, sage, pine buds, elecampane roots, St. John's wort, plantain, licorice and calendula. 100 g of the collection should be poured with 500 ml of water, boiled for half an hour and left in a thermos for 6 hours. Then take 50 ml three times a day after meals.

If you get the flu, you want to get rid of it as soon as possible. For this case, there are home remedies and traditional medicine recipes.

According to doctors, it is impossible to cure influenza viral infection in one day. However, supporters of traditional medicine have a different point of view. To do this, you must perform the following steps: dissolve 1 teaspoon of coarse table salt in 1.5 liters of boiled water, squeeze out lemon juice and add 1 gram of ascorbic acid. Stir the resulting mixture thoroughly and drink in small sips for 2 hours. By morning you will be able to overcome all flu symptoms.

Healing warmth

There is a stereotype that you can cope with the flu at home with the help of thermal foot baths. But traditional medicine says that it is much better to warm up your hands, not your feet. To do this, you will need a basin filled with warm water (about 38 degrees Celsius). We lower our hands into it up to the elbows and gradually add boiling water so that the water reaches 42 degrees. The duration of the procedure is approximately 10 minutes. When finished, you need to put on warm mittens and go to bed without taking them off.

English recipe

The British use beer and egg yolks to fight the flu at home. You need to proceed as follows: 4 egg yolks are ground with sugar until foam appears. Then add 500 ml of warm beer, the zest of ½ lemon, a little cinnamon and 3 cloves to the resulting slurry. Place the mixture on low heat and cook for about 6 minutes, without bringing to a boil. Should be taken 3 times a day, 1 glass. This method will help you recover in a couple of days.

Onion and garlic

The wonderful properties of these products in the fight against influenza have long been known. They are not only eaten raw, but also prepared as decoctions based on onions and garlic. However, they are able to kill viruses not only when used internally, but also when used externally. To do this, chop onions or garlic into a plate and deeply inhale their vapors. The pungent odor will penetrate the nasopharynx, relieve a runny nose and kill harmful bacteria.

Rose hip decoction

To fight the flu you will need dry rose hips. They can be purchased at a pharmacy, or bought at the market from grandmothers. Add 5 tablespoons of berries to 1 liter of cold water and place the mixture on the fire. Bring to a boil. After 10 minutes, remove the broth and wrap it in a warm towel. Leave it overnight.

After the time has passed, strain the infusion and take one glass 3 times a day for a week, gradually reducing the dose. If the liquid seems too sour, add honey, sugar or jam. To protect your teeth from the harmful effects of acid, after each dose you should gargle and rinse your mouth with warm water.

Several times a year we experience symptoms of flu and so-called colds. In medicine there is no such term “cold”; doctors refer to this concept as ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection).

Influenza differs from ARVI in the abrupt onset of symptoms. With the flu, a high temperature rises very sharply, a headache and body aches occur, and only after some time a cough, sore throat, and runny nose develop. With an acute respiratory viral infection, or as the common people say a cold, the temperature may rise after a few days, but symptoms such as a runny nose, frequent sneezing, and sore throat appear immediately.

Sometimes a cold or flu takes us by surprise, and it happens that we have neither the strength nor the opportunity to see a doctor. Then proven folk remedies for colds and flu will come to the rescue. The symptoms of flu and colds are very similar, despite the difference in the time of their onset, so some folk remedies and general recommendations for eliminating them will be universal.

Priority, mandatory actions at the first manifestations of flu or cold

• Be sure to observe bed rest. You cannot carry a viral infection on your feet, especially if it is the flu. This is fraught with serious complications. The sick body must be at rest to fight the virus. And if this rule is not followed, then treatment will take a lot of effort and time.
• Drink plenty of warm fluids. This is necessary in order to eliminate the intoxication of the body by the virus and replenish fluid loss due to increased sweating. Rosehip decoction, compotes, teas, and fruit drinks are best suited. Warm drinking will also help thin the mucus and facilitate its removal, i.e. to make it easier to clear your throat.
• Only lower the temperature above 38.5 degrees, as high temperature prevents the virus from multiplying.

These are the first recommendations that need to be followed at the first manifestations of colds, but to eliminate the symptoms there are many proven and effective folk recipes.

• Raspberries are known for their antipyretic properties. Brew a tablespoon of dry raspberries into 200 ml. boiling water, drink hot 2 times a day. Pour boiling water over dried raspberry flowers and drink as tea. Boil the stems for 30 minutes until the broth acquires a rich raspberry color, drink warm.
• Wipe the skin with a towel soaked in a weak solution of vinegar. After such a massage, the blood vessels dilate and the temperature decreases. If the temperature rises again, repeat the procedure.

General strengthening and restorative agents:

• Take 1.5 liters of boiled water, stir 1 teaspoon of coarse salt, add the juice of 1 lemon, 1 gram of ascorbic acid, and drink this entire drink within two hours before bed. The recipe promises relief from all symptoms by morning.
• Eating foods and drinking drinks high in vitamin C, which is harmful to the virus. A greater amount of this vitamin is contained in currants, so it can be brewed and drunk as tea, boiled in compote, or eaten fresh. Cabbage also contains a lot of this vitamin, so you can make a salad from it with the addition of grated carrots and sunflower oil.
• Grate the garlic, mix with the same amount of honey, i.e. 1:1, take 1 tablespoon before bed.
• Take a little sugar and 4 egg yolks, grind to form foam. Pour in 0.5 -1 liters of heated beer and mix gently. Add a pinch of cinnamon, grated peel of half a lemon, and 3 or 4 cloves to the resulting liquid. Then put the resulting liquid on the stove and cook for 5-7 minutes, avoiding boiling. Drink 1 glass 4 times a day. Usually, recovery occurs the next day of treatment.
• Inhale the vapors of onions and garlic, to do this, grate them or cut them in half. Breathe alternately, first through your nose and then through your mouth. The vapors kill viruses in the respiratory tract.
• Tea with linden blossom. Brew linden flowers, add apple peel, and drink several cups at a time while hot.

• Drink hot milk mixed with alkaline mineral water, such as Borjomi.
• Mix one tablespoon of warmed honey with ¼ spoon of cinnamon. Take 3-5 times a day. The recipe helps to get rid of even chronic coughs and clear the nasal passages.
• Inhalations with infusions of calendula and chamomile herbs, as well as with soda and potatoes.
• Frequently drinking tea with raspberry jam soothes coughs and has an anti-inflammatory effect
• Brewed sage for a wet cough has an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect. To expectorate sputum, brew 5 grams of sage leaves in 200 ml. boiling water, let it brew, drink 2 tablespoons every 4 hours. For bronchitis, pour a glass of milk into a saucepan, add a tablespoon of dry sage leaves, bring to a boil, remove from heat and let cool. Strain the cooled broth, bring to a boil again, and drink hot before bed. The use of sage for breastfeeding mothers is contraindicated, as it can stop lactation.

• Rinse your nose with salt water, which perfectly thins mucus, disinfects, and facilitates easy removal from the nasal passages when blowing your nose. In 200 ml. boiled water, add 1.5 or 2 teaspoons of sea salt, completely dissolve, rinse your nose with the solution every 3-4 times a day. Close one nostril with your finger, pour the solution into the second so that it comes out through the mouth, and do the same with the second nostril. You can put saline solution in your nose and blow your nose. The method should be used with caution in people predisposed to otitis media.
• Soaring legs. To do this, pour hot water into a basin so that it completely covers your shins, almost to your knees, then put on socks, after adding mustard there, and go to bed.
• Instill Kalanchoe or aloe juice into your nose, 4-5 drops in each nasal passage 5 times a day.
• Instillation of red beet juice into the nose, 3-4 drops in each nostril 4 times a day.
• Cut a clove of garlic lengthwise, insert the resulting slices into each nostril, you should feel a burning sensation, it’s good if you manage to rest while doing this, the procedure will help you quickly get rid of your runny nose.
• Mix a teaspoon of honey with three teaspoons of beet juice, instill 5-6 drops into each nasal passage 4-5 times a day.

Inhalations

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine recipes are often used in the fight against flu and colds. It should be noted that many of them are quite effective. But one should not assume that home remedies will have less antiviral effect than special medications. Although many doctors believe that the virus of this disease is very active and aggressive, therefore folk remedies are not always able to cope with it. For this reason, it is only recommended to supplement with them the main drug therapy prescribed by the doctor.

Remedies prepared according to traditional medicine recipes are used to restore the patient’s immunity, supplying his weakened body with useful substances, thereby speeding up the healing process.

You can use one of the following recipes:

1. Beat the yolks of a chicken egg (4 pcs.) until foam appears, adding a little sugar. Then heat 500 ml of beer, add to the resulting mixture, sprinkle cinnamon on the tip of a knife, cloves (3 pcs.), mix and put on medium heat. After 5-10 minutes (without bringing to a boil), remove from heat and cool. Use 250 ml of the medicinal product at a time. Repeat three times a day.
2. To combat nasal congestion that accompanies the flu, you can use the following remedy: mix a small spoon of honey and a small amount of beet juice. Apply the resulting liquid to your nose up to five times a day.
3. Wash one medium onion without removing the skin. Pour enough water to cover the onion. Pour 50 grams of granulated sugar and place on low heat. After half an hour, remove from the stove, let cool, and strain. Drink a tablespoon of the decoction five times a day, half an hour before meals.

In addition, inhalation is recommended. To do this, use potato peels, eucalyptus essential oil or sage.

Intense sweating will help speed up the healing process. Honey, lemon and other citrus fruits, garlic and onions, currant and raspberry jam, and chicken broth will help provoke it.

how to recover from the flu

Forms of influenza

Depending on the severity of the flu, it is divided into the following forms:

• light;
• average;
• heavy;
• hypertoxic;
• lightning fast.

The disease progresses at a rapid rate; today there are several main forms. They are classified according to the intensity of the symptoms they exhibit:

• light;
• average;
• heavy;
• toxic;
• lightning fast.

Treatment of mild and moderate forms of influenza can be carried out at home; in other cases, hospitalization and medical observation are strictly recommended. Especially for those people who have chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs.

Types of virus

Today, there are a huge number of types of this disease, which creates certain difficulties in its treatment, especially at home.

IMPORTANT! Due to the diversity of influenza strains, you should immediately seek help from specialists, because the doctor will be able to prescribe adequate treatment, which can be safely followed at home.

Currently, there are three main groups of this virus, namely:

1. Group A. This category contains viruses that can infect not only people, but animals and birds. Viruses of this group are characterized by the fact that they have an enormous reproduction rate. This, in turn, contributes to the rapid growth of the epidemic. For example, in a month and a half, the disease can overcome half the population in a particular area. It is practically impossible for a person to become infected from an animal; the situation is similar in reverse.
2. Group B. Viruses that are weaker and slower to spread are included in this category. When an illness of this group appears in a certain region, the epidemic affects about 1⁄4 of the population. Mostly, influenza of this group affects weakened categories of people, i.e. children and the elderly, as well as people with chronic and somatic diseases.
3. Group C. This group includes viruses that very rarely infect people. Cases of the disease are isolated.

Causes and types of influenza

The disease develops after the influenza virus of the same name enters the body. Depending on what virus caused the development of influenza, it is customary to distinguish between the following types of this disease:

• caused by group A viruses. Such viruses are prone to mutation and contribute to the development of complications. The course of the disease is extremely severe;
• caused by viruses of group B. Just like viruses of group A, they mutate. The disease is relatively mild. Complications occur in rare cases;
• caused by viruses of group C. The mutation process is practically absent, the course is quite mild. Children are most often affected by the disease.

The disease progresses in the body after infection with the influenza virus of the same name. Since there are several varieties of it, it is customary to distinguish separate types of the disease:

• group A: most often, the form of influenza is severe, since the virus is prone to mutation. Complications develop;
• group B: the disease occurs in a mild or moderate form, there are practically no complications. However, the virus can mutate;
• group C: a mild form of influenza, which most often affects children, does not cause complications if treated in a timely manner.

The virus develops inside cells, its type is determined by the antigens produced by the body.

Influenza epidemics are caused by type A because they are transmitted both from person to person and from animals to humans. Some types of group B viruses also cause epidemics. Type C is safe in this regard, since it affects only the most weakened organisms and does not cause serious consequences.

Features of influenza viruses

A characteristic feature of the virus is its ability to constantly mutate. That is why the disease is one of the most common among both people and animals. Every year, new varieties of the virus—the so-called strains—appear. Having suffered from one or another disease, the human body acquires immunity to it, since it already knows how to defend itself.

Another feature is that the virus is not stable in the environment, but persists for a long time. In other words, you don't have to be around an infected person to get sick.

How does flu infection occur?

Perhaps the most common method of infection is airborne. In the process of talking, coughing or sneezing, microscopic particles of the patient's saliva are released into the environment. They contain millions of influenza viruses. Hovering in the air, they can get onto the surface of the mucous membranes of a healthy person. Thus, infection occurs.

If you observe the picture through a microscope, for example, after a patient sneezes, you can see how a “cloud” consisting of bacterial dust, large-droplet and small-droplet particles of saliva spreads around. Large droplet particles are not so scary, because they can provoke infection of a healthy person if he is in close proximity to a sick person.

And bacterial dust and small droplets scatter several meters from the source of infection. Just a light blow is enough for them to move hundreds of meters away, since their settling speed is too low. They can hover in space for several hours. By settling on pieces of furniture, floors, and walls, these small particles can remain viable for a long time. Therefore, if you are treating the flu at home, make sure that the risk of infecting loved ones is minimized.

Influenza viruses can survive:

• in the air – 9-12 hours;
• on the surface of the skin – no more than 15 minutes;
• on the surface of the paper - about 12 hours;
• on glass surfaces – 10 days;
• on fabric surfaces – about 10 hours;
• on the surface of plastic and metal – 2 days;
• in bronchial secretions, in which the influenza virus is already present - 10-15 days.

Based on the above, we can conclude that the Influenza virus is least likely to survive on the surface of the skin. So if you have the flu and sneeze, cover yourself with your hand if you don't have a paper or tissue to hand. This will slightly reduce the radius of spread of viruses in the environment.

In addition, you can become infected with the flu not only through direct contact with an infected person, but also by sharing kitchen utensils and hygiene items with him. Also, the flu is most likely to affect the body of a healthy person if he touches, for example, a computer keyboard, telephone or doorknob that the sick person has come into contact with.

All this suggests that it is advisable to isolate a sick person in a separate room, which should be well ventilated several times a day.

A common method of infection is airborne. A person releases microscopic particles into the environment when talking, coughing, or even just breathing. It is in these particles that viruses lie, which remain in the air for a long time. Infection occurs if a healthy person breathes the same air as an infected person - particles fall on the mucous membranes, and the influenza virus infects the body.

Microscopic particles are so small that to see the entire process, you need to observe through a microscope. After a sneeze or cough, a lot of bacterial dust and small droplets spread around a sick person. They scatter several meters around; a gust of wind is enough for them to fly even further, because their settling is slowed down.

Viability of influenza viruses:

• in the air - from 9 to 12 hours;
• on the surface of the skin - no more than 10-15 minutes;
• on paper - up to 12 hours;
• on glass - 10 days;
• on clothes or furniture upholstery - up to 10 hours;
• on plastic and metal - 2 days;
• in bronchial secretions (in other words, spit) - two weeks.

The incubation period also depends on various factors: the number of particles that entered the body, the immunity of the new carrier, the type of virus, etc. On average, incubation takes from a couple of hours to 5 days. An infected person spreads the flu within the first two days after symptoms appear.

You can reduce the spread of the flu by covering your sneeze with your hand or a tissue, then washing your hands thoroughly and throwing away the used paper. You can become infected through contact with objects touched by a sick person. That is why the sick person should be isolated from the outside world so that he can recover without risk to others.

Medicinal properties of viburnum

Viburnum contains large amounts of natural vitamin C, the need for which increases during colds and flu. Viburnum is most effective against colds even during the very first symptoms - general malaise and headache. Viburnum berries have a strong antispasmodic effect; they help relieve headaches and relieve coughs.

Viburnum is included in many folk recipes and combines well with other natural preparations. For colds and flu, use tea and decoction of viburnum berries. Fresh, frozen or dried berries are suitable for this. Brew like regular tea: just pour boiling water over 1 teaspoon of viburnum and let the tea brew for several hours.

Preparations based on viburnum can be used during pregnancy, but due to the pronounced relaxing effect, with reduced uterine tone and shortly before childbirth, it is better to choose other folk remedies.

Prevention

Everyone knows that specific prevention of influenza can only be achieved by vaccination. Nonspecific preventive methods include hardening, balanced nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle.

Prevention of influenza with folk remedies can also be carried out with laundry soap. All you need is foam. Your nose may tingle, but your protection against the flu is reliable.

The most popular folk preventative against influenza is garlic. During the cold season and during the epidemic, you should eat 2-3 cloves of garlic daily.

Traditional medicine for the prevention of influenza also recommends:

1. Inhalations with essential oil (fir, eucalyptus) or potatoes.
2. Foot baths with mustard added.
3. Drinks with viburnum, rose hips, tea with ginger, cranberry or lingonberry juice.
4. Daily use 2 tbsp. natural honey.

Prevention using folk remedies is not a one-time procedure; it requires daily protective measures. Only in this case can you count on its effect.

It is more reliable to carry out traditional treatment of influenza and use folk remedies for colds under the supervision of a doctor. By self-medicating, you may not recognize the development of complications in a timely manner, which is not always easy to cope with.

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Mechanism of development of influenza

The influenza virus can enter the body of a healthy person through the mucous membranes of the pharynx, trachea, nose or larynx. When the virus enters the body, it actively reproduces. The incubation period can last from several hours to 2 days. There are cases when this period was about 5 days.

Actively multiplying, the virus is able to infect the tissues of all mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract in a short time. It would be useful to know that the virus is not able to infect the mucous membranes of other internal organs, for example, the intestinal or stomach mucosa.

After a maximum of 5 days, the reproduction of the virus in the body stops. What exactly causes the stop is still not clear to doctors. But from that moment on, the sick person ceases to pose a danger to others. Properly organized treatment for influenza at home can give positive results - the patient begins to gradually recover.

Infection occurs at the cellular level as influenza viruses are absorbed into human mucous membranes. The virus invades cells through surface proteins - H (hemagglutinin) and N (neuraminisad). Protein H is responsible for attaching infected particles to the surface, and N is responsible for destroying the protective shell, after which the virus is absorbed inside.

Subsequent development occurs rapidly: one viral particle gives rise to more than a thousand new ones. The mechanism of development of the virus in the epithelium of the respiratory tract is characterized by a sore and runny nose - they flake off as the virus multiplies. Deprived of its natural membrane, the mucous membrane becomes vulnerable to other bacteria, which also begin to develop. This causes suppuration in the trachea and bronchi, followed by the release of sputum.

New viruses are drawn into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. One of the serious consequences of damage to blood vessels is the formation of microthrombi. The vessels in the respiratory organs and the brain change the most, which causes hemorrhage in the tissue and increased intracranial pressure.

Treating flu at home

In order for the patient to gain strength and recover quickly, it is imperative to adhere to bed rest. This measure is also a prevention of illness for others, because in this way the patient comes into contact with fewer people at home.

During treatment at home, the patient should adhere to certain principles, namely:

• maintain bed rest;
• do not violate the treatment regimen prescribed by the attending physician;
• periodically ventilate the room at home where the patient is staying (at least twice a day);
• maintain an optimal level of air humidity at home;
• eat light foods (chicken broth is a great option);
• do not forget about plenty of warm drinks.

At home, the patient should be provided with frequent consumption of herbal teas, warm milk with honey, and dried fruit compote. This will have a positive effect on the patient, because it will help remove toxins from the body. Also, when eating at home, you should give preference to vegetables and fruits, as well as light dishes, because this will relieve the body of unnecessary stress.

It is strictly forbidden for a patient to consume the following at home during treatment:

1. Cocoa, coffee or strong tea.
2. Candies, cakes, sweet pastries.
3. Fried, fatty and spicy foods.
4. Alcoholic drinks.

Also, the patient should rest more often (which is not so difficult to organize at home), because sleep helps strengthen the body and speed up recovery.

How does the flu progress?

Any form of influenza virus exhibits certain pathological conditions that differ in characteristic features:

1. Intoxication is characterized by high fever - the body’s natural reaction to the introduction of the virus. The temperature rises to 38-40 degrees, headaches appear in the forehead. Increased intracranial pressure is manifested by pain in the orbits. The sick person is cold, has chills and feels nauseous. In rare cases, it is accompanied by vomiting. Characterized by muscle weakness and joint pain, especially in the lower back and legs. The man refuses to eat.
2. Catarrhal symptoms indicate a worsening of the disease. In addition to refusing food, pain appears when swallowing water, lacrimation increases, accompanied by burning of the mucous membranes of the eyes. The voice disappears and becomes hoarse, and rhinitis develops—a severe runny nose. A dry cough appears, accompanied by pain in the lungs.
3. The hemorrhagic component of the disease is manifested by hemorrhages on the skin. Hyperemia appears on the face - the skin turns red, but the skin of the rest of the body is pale and cool to the touch. In rare cases, there is nosebleeds, hemorrhages in the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth - small vessels burst due to increased pressure. The vessels of the sclera dilate.

The manifestation of intoxication continues for an average of three days. All subsequent symptoms indicate emerging complications.

With any form of influenza, the patient, to one degree or another, experiences catarrhal symptoms and signs of intoxication. And in rare cases, the presence of a hemorrhagic component can be noted. These pathological conditions have their own characteristic signs.

6. Weakness

7. Pain in joints (especially in the lumbar region, lower extremities) and muscles

8. Loss of appetite

4. Rhinitis

5. Cough (mostly dry)

5. Dilated scleral vessels

It is also worth noting that manifestations of intoxication are observed within 4-5 days. If they continue to be present longer, it means that bacterial complications have developed.

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

There are several ways to treat influenza:

• Medication;
• Homeopathic;
• Traditional 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 prescribed by the doctor;
• Antiviral treatment

Treatment of influenza at the first sign, without fever

The first signs of influenza are:

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

If signs of the flu appear, you should:

• Maintain bed rest;
• Drink plenty of liquids;
• Avoid junk food;
• Quit smoking, alcohol;
• Consult your doctor.

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

If you get the flu, you need to be careful about your treatment. Since the flu is fraught with various complications . Therefore, if signs such as cough or temperature appear, you should contact a therapist who will prescribe the necessary treatment.

The cough exhausts the patient 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. With proper treatment, it progresses to the next stage. At this stage, coughing produces phlegm. To treat cough, tablets and syrups are prescribed.

A high temperature is a sign of the functioning of the immune system. 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 should not ask your friends how to treat the flu in adults and self-medicate. In case of any complications, you should contact a specialist. The course of treatment must be prescribed by a doctor.

You should urgently seek the help of a specialist if the following signs appear:

• Convulsions;
• Hallucinations, disturbance of the patient’s consciousness;
• Temperature above 40C;
• Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing;
• Pain in the back of the head that is not relieved by medications;
• Skin rash.

Drug treatment of influenza

Drug treatment of influenza should be carried out in a complex manner. It includes:

• Causal therapy destroys the influenza virus.
• Pathogenetic therapy stops the progression of the disease.
• Symptomatic therapy.

Who is at risk?

There is no guarantee that the human body will be able to produce antibodies to the influenza virus because it is constantly evolving. Therefore, all of humanity can be considered at risk. The following are most susceptible to developing the disease:

• people with immunodeficiency;
• young children due to a weak immune system;
• elderly people.

The average adult is less likely to become infected because their immune system is already mature.

There are also factors that predict severe development of the disease: pregnancy, chronic diseases, diabetes of both types and a tendency to allergies.

Those most susceptible to developing influenza are:

• people suffering from various immunodeficiencies (acquired or congenital);
• children under 2 years of age (not fully formed immune system);
• people whose immunity is weakened;
• elderly people.

Factors predisposing to severe influenza

1. Pregnancy and lactation period.
2. Chronic diseases of the hematopoietic organs, lungs, heart, blood vessels and kidneys.
3. Diabetes.
4. Tendency to allergic manifestations.

About the disease

Influenza is caused by an RNA virus that enters the human body through the upper respiratory tract. It is necessary to distinguish between such concepts as “flu” and “cold”, since there are many colds, but influenza is the most dangerous of them.

Hypothermia during influenza is only a background factor that contributes to infection, but not the etiological basis.

The disease occurs differently in each patient, so there are several forms and degrees of severity:

1. Easy. State of health is relatively satisfactory, symptoms of intoxication, cough, runny nose are moderate, body temperature is subfebrile, does not exceed 38 °C.
2. Average. Body temperature values ​​are within 38.5–39.5 °C. Patients are worried about headache, pain in muscles and joints, weakness, dry cough turning into wet, runny nose, sore throat.
3. Heavy. A severe headache, vomiting appears, disturbances of consciousness, convulsions, bleeding, and pinpoint hemorrhages are possible. Fever is constant at 40–40.5 °C.
4. Hypertoxic. There are no catarrhal symptoms or they are mild; fever reaches high levels. Characteristic is the rapid development of respiratory failure and hemorrhagic syndrome.

Considering the symptoms described above, we can conclude that in case of mild to moderate severity of the disease, treatment of influenza at home is acceptable, but in the case of a severe and hypertoxic form, immediate hospitalization is required. Young children, elderly people, pregnant women, as well as patients with chronic diseases are included in the risk group - the possibility of outpatient treatment should only be considered by a doctor.

General flu symptoms

Symptoms of influenza, regardless of its form, include:

• convulsions;
• high temperature that lasts for at least three days;
• hemorrhagic skin rashes;
• shortness of breath;
• headaches that cannot be relieved even by taking strong analgesics.

Influenza is dangerous because it is not immediately recognized, since its symptoms are very varied. The main signs of acute respiratory disease are:

• heat;
• cough;
• headache;
• muscle pain;
• painful sensations in the throat and eyes;
• runny nose;
• gastrointestinal disorders.

In other words, all the symptoms of primary intoxication. The main one is high temperature, all other signs appear depending on the person’s susceptibility to the disease.

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 common diseases are colds, flu and ARVI. At the first signs, it is necessary to take antiviral drugs.

Cycloferon

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

Cycloferon is used at the onset of a cold. The medicine prevents the proliferation of viruses and leads to a speedy recovery. For severe influenza, an adult takes 6 tablets in the first days of illness.

Every other day, three tablets again. It is prescribed to children 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 it in the first hours or days of the disease.

Arbidol

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

The drug is available in different forms. It is also prescribed to adult children over 2 years of age. An allergic reaction when taking Arbidol occurs very rarely.

Kagocel

Kagocel is a drug with a pronounced antimicrobial and 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 lasts for another 2-3 days after the last dose. Contraindication for use is individual intolerance to the drug. It is prescribed starting from the age of three.

Recent indications have proven that Kogacel reduces the risk of complications and accelerates and facilitates the recovery process from influenza and acute respiratory diseases.

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

Possible complications of influenza

All complications can be divided into two main groups - bacterial and viral. If everything is clear with viral complications, because the etiology of influenza is viral, then patients may have questions about bacterial complications. The fact is that, against the backdrop of the colossal expenditure of all reserves to fight the main viral infection, the body’s immunity may not have enough strength to suppress pathogenic bacteria.

Thus, bacteria are attached to viruses. This is most likely to happen if the patient has chronic bacterial diseases, which, as a rule, worsen after the flu. Patients are often interested in how to treat the flu at home if its complications develop.

Bacterial complications can manifest as:

• septic condition. Characterized by the penetration of bacteria into the blood with subsequent reproduction. This condition is extremely serious and often leads to death;
• encephalitis, meningitis. When a patient experiences foci of inflammation in the tissues and/or mucous membrane of the brain. Most often, this complication occurs in people with immunodeficiency;
• glomerulonephritis. An acute inflammatory process occurring in the tissues of the renal tubules, which leads to impaired renal function;
• frontal sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis. Such conditions are perhaps the most common complications of influenza. Characterized by the presence of a bacterial infection in the hearing organs and nasal sinuses;
• bacterial pneumonia. It usually manifests itself after a couple of days after the onset of relief. First, a cough appears with the release of green or yellow sputum, then the body temperature rises. It is extremely important not to miss the onset of bronchial pneumonia and start treatment in a timely manner so as not to aggravate the problem even further.

Viral complications can manifest as:

• pericarditis and myocarditis (rare);
• infectious-toxic shock. It is characterized by an extreme degree of poisoning of the body, which entails disruptions in the functioning of vital organs. Some of the first manifestations are a drop in blood pressure, tachycardia, and renal dysfunction;
• primary viral pneumonia. It is considered a fairly rare but serious complication of influenza. Viruses, through the tissues of the bronchial “tree”, enter the lungs from the upper respiratory tract. The onset of primary viral pneumonia is similar to influenza, in contrast to which it progresses greatly. An extreme degree of intoxication is noted - cough with the discharge of a small amount of sputum (sometimes with the presence of blood), shortness of breath with the subsequent development of respiratory failure. A predisposing factor to the development of such a complication of influenza is the presence of heart defects, especially mitral stenosis.

Flu is an insidious disease that can cause various complications. Quite often, the influenza virus provokes bronchitis, as well as pneumonia, including its atypical form, which is difficult to treat with antibiotics. In addition, sinusitis, otitis media, meningitis and other infectious diseases can also trigger the flu.

Complications with timely treatment appear relatively rarely. They are mainly caused by progression of the primary symptoms. TO

Possible complications:

1. Influenza viral pneumonia.
2. Bacterial pneumonia.
3. Sinusitis.
4. Otitis.
5. Pyelonephritis.
6. Encephalitis.
7. Meningitis.
8. Inflammation of the biliary system.

Pneumonia most often develops. Complications of influenza with this disease often lead to death, as the patient’s condition rapidly deteriorates.

Possible complications

Progression of flu symptoms is observed only when measures have not been taken to eliminate them. Most often it is influenza pneumonia that develops. At risk are both people suffering from heart disease and completely healthy people. In medical practice, there are cases when the visual disappearance of flu symptoms after a few days was marked by a sharp deterioration in the condition. It is then that viral pneumonia develops, accompanied by cough and sputum with the release of pus. The cause of the complication is microbes that have settled in the throat. Their activation is precisely a response to a decrease in the body’s protective properties. At this stage, you definitely can’t do without antibiotics. If a complication in the form of pneumonia occurs, most often it occurs in viral and bacterial forms simultaneously. The symptoms of the disease do not go away, the infection progresses, and there is no improvement in well-being. People with cardiovascular problems and lung diseases are at risk.

Diagnosis of influenza

It is very important to differentiate influenza from other diseases with similar symptoms. The doctor makes a diagnosis based on:

• clinical picture;
• epidemic data;
• laboratory tests (swabs from the oropharynx and nasopharynx with isolation of the virus strain).

Differentiating influenza is extremely important, because regardless of the form of the disease, treatment must be started immediately. The diagnosis is made based on the clinical picture, laboratory tests and epidemiological data.

Flu prevention

The best way to prevent the flu is to maintain personal hygiene. Washing your hands after going outside, using only your own things and regular wet cleaning will reduce the risk of illness. In addition, it is recommended to be vaccinated against existing influenza strains.

Flu is a dangerous disease, so the best solution is to seek medical help.

It is impossible to prevent the flu with 100% probability, but you can significantly reduce the risk of such a disease by following basic preventive measures. They provide:

• General strengthening of the body through physical activity and hardening.
• The use of vitamin complexes during periods before epidemics.
• Limiting contact with sick people, including in the workplace.
• Timely treatment of upper respiratory tract diseases that increase the risk of influenza.
• Visiting public places wearing a gauze bandage during a flu epidemic, as well as using oxolinic ointment to treat the nasal mucosa (this measure helps to avoid infection).

This vaccination allows you to reduce the risk of developing the disease by more than 70%, and also ensures a milder course of the disease in case of infection. This procedure is especially important for pregnant women, lactating women, the elderly, and children. It is advisable to vaccinate in October before the next flu outbreak.

1. Vaccination. Annual vaccination will help minimize the risk of contracting influenza viruses. It is best carried out in the autumn period of the year, before the onset of the first cold weather. To do this, you can consult a doctor or any vaccination center. There are three types of vaccine:

• subunit. It is the most purified and does not cause any side effects. Can be used for vaccination of children;
• split vaccine. This vaccine contains only a portion of the viruses. It can cause some side effects. Recommended for use by adults;
• whole virion. Represents whole influenza viruses - inactivated or live. Today, the use of this type of influenza vaccine has practically ceased. The fact is that the whole virion vaccine has a number of side effects and can cause the development of the disease.

It is also worth noting that children under 6 months of age and people who are allergic to chicken protein are not subject to vaccination.

2. Maintain personal hygiene. This is especially true for washing hands after visiting public places with large crowds of people, as well as after contact with people infected with influenza viruses.

3. Regular wet cleaning and ventilation of living quarters in which the patient was located.

4. Use of personal hygiene items and utensils.

5. Increased immunity. This includes regular exercise, a properly balanced diet, and getting rid of bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse). You should also avoid stress and give your body the opportunity to get quality rest at night.

In order not to wonder how to cure the flu at home, avoiding the development of any complications, it is recommended to follow the preventive measures described above. If the influenza virus does affect the body, you should immediately consult a doctor. And only after consultation with him can you resort to independent treatment of the disease. Be healthy!

Scheme of drug effects

For proper treatment of influenza, it is important to quickly decide on a therapeutic intervention regimen. The main goal of any treatment is to quickly destroy the infectious agent and strengthen the body’s defenses, and the second most important goal is to alleviate existing symptoms. The first two goals can be easily achieved by using antiviral drugs in therapy. Symptomatic treatment must be carried out in accordance with the recommendations of specialists in each specific case, using both medicines and folk remedies.

There are a lot of antiviral drugs in modern pharmacies, but not all of them have proven effectiveness against the influenza virus. The most effective in this case are the so-called neuraminidase inhibitors, a protein that is decisive for determining the type of influenza pathogen. Among such drugs, it is worth highlighting Tamiflu and Relenza, which are sold in domestic pharmacies only by prescription. They must be taken within the first 48 hours after signs of illness appear for high effectiveness. The drug Tamiflu is very effective against bird flu, however, it has a wide range of contraindications, many of which fit into the description of symptoms similar to influenza. Remantadine is an antiviral drug that works effectively in the fight against type A influenza and prevents its complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. In tablets for adults and in the form of syrup for children, Remantadine can also be used as a prophylaxis for influenza in the winter. Experts call Ingavirin another highly effective drug against influenza A and B viruses. The complex immunomodulatory and antiviral effects of the drug have one important drawback - it cannot be used for children under the age of 18 years. Otherwise, the drug copes well with its functions and effectively defeats the flu of many strains. Also, in the first 24 hours from the onset of the disease, you can use Kagocel, an immunostimulant and antiviral drug that helps both at the onset of the disease and in emergency cases after contact with sick people. Contraindications to Kagocel include various allergic reactions, pregnancy and children under 3 years of age.

When using antiviral drugs, you should understand that at the moment there are no universal remedies that are ready to defeat all types of viruses, which means that self-administration of such medications may be ineffective, since only after laboratory tests can it be determined what type of virus a person is infected with.

All unpleasant influenza symptoms should be eliminated by using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and drugs based on them (Coldrex, Nurofen, Antigrippin), vasoconstrictor nasal sprays and drops, tablets that eliminate sore throat. If a dry paroxysmal cough occurs, the use of centrally acting antitussive drugs (Omnitus, Sinekod) is required. All of the above medications can be single-component or complex, which immediately contain agents that help both reduce fever and eliminate the symptoms of aches, sore throat and relieve nasal congestion. However, each multicomponent drug can be easily replaced with several monocomponent ones if for some reason it is undesirable to use a complex drug.

Special attention should be paid to interferon drugs that have pronounced immunomodulatory properties. Such products are highly effective in preventing influenza or ARVI; they can often be used without age restrictions; many of them are not prohibited for use by pregnant and lactating women. Among the drugs of this group are Viferon and Cycloferon.

Alpha interferon as part of a drug with proven effectiveness against influenza Viferon quickly copes with viral infections. The medicine is available in the form of rectal suppositories (suppositories), is quickly absorbed, does not cause side effects, and can be used by both adults and children from birth.

The immunomodulator Cycloferon has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, which means it belongs to the class of complex drugs. It initiates the process of stimulating the synthesis of interferon in the human body, which is important not only for influenza, but also in cases of hepatitis, chlamydia, and infection of the urinary system. There are many forms of the drug; it is available both in tablets and in the form of ointments and injection solutions. Cycloferon should not be used before the age of four, during pregnancy or lactation.

It is important to remember that the drinking regime during flu should be enhanced. At the same time, all medicines in drinking form will have a more active effect and are easier to absorb not only by children, but also in the body of an adult.

Inhalations for influenza are used only in cases of bacterial complications in the form of bronchitis or bronchiolitis, when there is a need to administer the drug through a vapor state during inhalation. Inhalations can be done in various ways, using a variety of drugs and devices for this.

However, for inhalation to be effective, some rules must be followed:

• on the eve of inhalation, expectorants should not be used;
• Inhalations can be carried out no earlier than an hour and a half after eating, and after them it is not recommended to eat for another 30 minutes;
• inhalations are carried out only while sitting;
• to avoid damage to the mucous membrane of the throat, inhalation cannot last more than 15 minutes;
• medications for inhalation must be approved or prescribed by a doctor;
• the solution for inhalation in a vapor state should not affect the mucous membrane of the eye;
• The duration of the inhalation course must be within the range of 5 to 15 procedures.

It is important to know that inhalations at high temperatures during the flu are strictly prohibited, starting from the 2nd day of illness. On the first day of raising the temperature, inhalations can be done.