Treatment of the disease depends on the cause that causes it and on specific disease symptoms. Acute cold and flu infection have many common features. Both diseases are caused by viruses; in both infections, the symptoms are similar, and the differences are difficult to recognize for a layman. Common acute symptoms of flu and cold are: malaise, drowsiness, sore throat, rhinitis, runny nose, cough and sometimes fever (low-grade fever), sometimes headache.
Similar symptoms of a viral infection - we treat the same!
We treat similar symptoms of viral infections almost identically, with the same anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, important differences must be taken into account in the treatment of influenza. First of all, the need to treat a severe headache, which usually does not occur in a cold! Secondly, there is a different intensity of basic symptoms, which requires a slightly different selection of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs available without a prescription.
Flu or a cold?
Treatment for colds
As the cause of the viral infection - such treatment
The causal treatment of influenza and cold is quite different. Respiratory tract infections are most often caused by rhinoviruses, causing normal rhinitis and pharyngitis - i.e. common cold. The infection with parainfluenza virus, adenovirus or influenza virus is much more serious, because it causes inflammation spreading downwards - to the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs or causing inflammation in the nasopharynx, which can cause sinusitis and ear infections. The most dangerous viruses are the influenza A and B tupoi, because they most definitely lead to dangerous - much more dangerous than the flu itself - complications.
Heal yourself - or with the help of a doctor?
A good answer to this question depends on the individual ability to recognize (and distinguish!) Influenza virus infection from a cold infection. Certainty that we have identified a common cold brings about self-healing with the help of a pharmacy pharmacist. In the case of symptoms of acute influenza, and in particular symptoms of its complications should be consulted with a doctor.
We distinguish three methods of treating viral infections:
- Treatment of the causes of the disease (so-called causative), which involves the use of drugs that infect viruses that are currently only possible against influenza viruses.
- Treatment of symptoms of the disease (so-called symptomatic), which relies on the relief of symptoms of inflammation, pain, fever and other symptoms of flu and cold.
- Prophylaxis through vaccination, which is currently the most effective method of combating influenza!
Vaccination is, however, not possible against colds and colds due to their unique ability to mutate.
Influenza vaccination
Causal treatment of influenza - antiviral drugs
Causal treatment, i.e. destruction of viruses that cause influenza with drugs, has been possible for a long time with the use of amantadine and rimantadine drugs. These types of drugs can be called old-generation medicines. Recently, new-generation drugs that are more effective and safe to use have been introduced in the fight against influenza viruses - the so-called neuramidase inhibitors. These are medicines with chemical names - zanamivir and oseltamivir - which destroy influenza A and B viruses.
Treatment of influenza symptoms
It is recommended to give so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Drugs of this type counteract the most severe symptom of viral infection. It is also important to use drugs that reduce swelling of the inflamed mucous membrane of the nose and throat and fight dry cough and facilitate the development of the so-called phlegm.Already at the onset of the first symptoms of the disease, many experts recommend the use of high doses of vitamin C, which can be considered as a stimulus strengthening the local resistance of the nose and throat - sealing and regeneration of mucous epithelium, sealing capillaries, etc.
Bacterial complication of a viral infection
In adverse external conditions (the need to stay outdoors during rain, in cold weather, etc.) or because of a weakened immune system (diseases, age, malnutrition, etc.) - upper respiratory tract viral inflammation may go into a bacterial infection or other systemic complications and organ. Bacterial complication is characterized by relapse of high fever and purulent secretion. This is because thickening mucus, if it is in the airways, becomes a medium in which the bacteria multiply. Usually, these are bacteria that are always present in the airways: pneumococcus, hemophilic rods (former name - Haemophilus influenzae), Moraxella catarrhalis, +
Complications of flu and colds
oprac.red. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
Literature:
1. Inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and throat in children - prof. dr hab. med Grażyna Niedzielska from the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Medical Academy in Lublin; Medycyna Rodzinna 8 (4/1999)
2. Throat inflammation in children - Dr n. Med. Teresa Oleniacz; Department of Audiology, Phoniatrics and Laryngology IP-CZD; Warsaw; Health Service No. 3-4 2001
3. The role of purulent streptococci in pharyngitis and tonsillitis, Danuta Dzierżanowska, Lek_Sandoz-2004 website
4. Apothecary counseling - Treatment of colds - Doc. dr hab. Jadwiga Leszczyńska - Gazeta Farmaceutyczna 2000.
5. Cold and its treatment - Prof. dr hab. Andrzej Danysz, MD Adam Kwiecienski; New drugs, 1996
6. Natural treatment of colds - Prof. dr hab. Andrzej Danysz; My health; 1998
7. Encyclopedia of Medicines of Practical Medicine - online
8. Pharmindex
9. How to avoid winter infection. Dr n. Med. Janusz Ciok - publication of lapharma.info
