Treatment of any infectious disease should start with the elimination of its cause - a virus, bacteria or other microorganism that develops at the expense of the system and threatens with unnecessary complications. If you can not or fail to overcome the cause - the so-called symptomatic treatment consisting in relieving symptomsdiseases causing pain and periodic or permanent health damage.
Viral infections of the respiratory tract usually self-cure
In flu, even if it is not blocked by the vaccine - a healthy, mature immune system itself should fight the infection after a few days (5-7 days). However, in the case of influenza, in the majority of patients, even those who did not develop post-influenza complications (bronchitis, lung, sinusitis, streptococcal angina, etc.) - a characteristic symptom may still persist for 2-3 weeks - the feeling of "breaking down" and strong weakness!
Why is the treatment of flu symptoms important?
Symptomatic treatment is first of all aimed at reducing severe headaches, lowering high fever and inhibiting inflammation of the slippery membranes - thus improving the patient's comfort. Remember, however, this is not just about improving the comfort of the patient - the more important is that a very high flu fever threatens dangerous health complications and even death. In addition, multi-day inflammation of the airways damages the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, which weakens the physiological protection against germs for some time. It is a threat to this relapse or the appearance of another infection.
The goals of symptomatic treatment of influenza and cold
- reduction of inflammation and edema of the nasal and throat mucosa
- reduction of pain
- adjusting the body's thermostat (lowering the fever in flu)
- facilitating the development of a cystic secretion
- inhibition of the development of bacteria residing in the throat
Drugs used to achieve the above goals?
- anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs
- antipyretic drugs
- medicines that reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa
- antitussives - for a dry and tiring cough
- antiseptics and bactericides (antibiotics), including herbal remedies
- medication to reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa - if a runny nose occurs
In addition, patients are advised to lie down in bed and abundant watering.
Cough in flu
Cough is a defensive reaction helpful in removing mucus-serous secretions and contained in it germs and solid particles from the respiratory tract. In the course of influenza - the initial dry cough turns into a sense of "corking" of the airways. Influenza viruses have already gotten well into the epithelium of the mucous membrane and intensively multiply in it - causing destructive inflammation. This causes swelling of the mucous membrane, redness and formation of secretion, which despite the sore throat we need to remove so that it does not interfere with breathing.
The principle of coughing flu treatment
The principle of flu treatment is not to inhibit cough reflexes by medicines. However, a cough that is dry and particularly troublesome (eg at night) - supports pharmacological treatment. Usually, these are funds issued from a doctor's prescription - occasional medicines, thinning mucus and bactericidal secretions. Some of them - such as herbal remedies and herb syrups are available without a prescription and can be used in self-treatment.
Medicinal syrups in flu and cold
A medicinal syrup used in influenza should have several medicinal properties. First of all, it should dilute dense mucus secretion and facilitate the immobilized cilia of epithelial mucosa, its elimination, along with germs and other impurities.Secondly, it should be treated with an inflamed ("dry" fever) nasal and throat mucosa - a layer of soothing inflammation gel. It is best that this coating syrup also has bactericidal properties.
Treatment of cold
Qatar in flu is rare. However, we should know that the result of self-treatment of the nasal mucous membrane - for example with drops or an over-the-counter spray is not only a beneficial reduction in nasal mucosal edema, which brings immediate relief. Many preparations reduce the blood supply at the same time, thus impairing the nutrition of the mucosa. For this reason, the use of drops for more than 10 days (optimal period of use 3-5 days) may cause secondary, difficult to treat mucosal edema. Also remember to use a concentration appropriate for your age.
Medicines anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic
In cold infections of the respiratory tract - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic drugs are used in the first place. These include: acetylsalicylic acid (so-called salicylates), paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. Salicylates and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs acting peripherally exert anti-pyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Such agents can be used by the majority of patients, including, for example, paracetamol and ibuprofen (in appropriate doses) - by children over 6 months of age.
Analgesics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs
