Updated: 12/27/2018 12:38:04

Expert: Boris Kaganovich

*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Antiviral – large group drugs. It includes prescription drugs with significant side effects that are used to treat hepatitis or HIV infection, and homeopathic “medicines” that are advertised as effective in treating the flu, but in fact are nothing more than placebos. Therefore, in order not to lead anyone into the temptation to treat serious illnesses With the help of advice from the Internet, let’s make a reservation right away: the rating will focus on antiviral agents. intended for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections (that is, colds) and influenza.

Disclaimer number two – our review will not contain homeopathic remedies. The rating of the best drugs is not the place for pseudo-scientific discussions, so let us simply recall that the Russian Academy of Sciences has recognized homeopathy as pseudoscience, and the World Health Organization warns against the use of homeopathy for infectious diseases, which include colds.

Some of effective medicines are sold in pharmacies with a doctor's prescription and should be taken under his supervision. When talking about such products, we will mention that they are prescription drugs.

How to distinguish a cold from the flu

A common seasonal ARVI is, as they say, an everyday matter: doctors believe that a healthy child with normal immunity can suffer up to 6 colds a year, and an adult - up to 4. While the flu is a serious disease, fraught with complications, the most dangerous of which is viral pneumonia and respiratory failure. And if in case of ARVI you can wait 2-3 days to visit a doctor, although colleagues and fellow travelers on public transport are unlikely to thank you for this, then if you suspect the flu you need to see a specialist as soon as possible.

We present to your attention a table that allows you to guess what you are dealing with this time.

Sign	Flu	ARVI
Onset of the disease	Sharp, sudden, it is often possible to name the time of illness with accuracy. up to an hour	The condition worsens gradually, the disease begins with general malaise.
Temperature	Usually much higher than 38	Typically 37.1 – 37.9
Runny nose	Absent in the first days	Typically appears at the very beginning of the disease
Cough	From the very first days, dry, painful, accompanied severe pain behind the sternum	Depends on the specific virus, but usually appears on days 2–3
Aching bones, muscle pain	Usually yes, caused by severe intoxication	Usually no
Photophobia, lacrimation, pain when movingeyeballs
Seasonality	Winter, usually against the backdrop of an already declared flu epidemic	All year round - you can catch a cold under the air conditioning, “overshop” and so on

Note! Any antiviral medications are only effective if you start taking them within the first 48 hours of the onset of cold symptoms.

Whenever possible, we tried to indicate the name of the active substance (the international name of the drug), and only after it the trade (brand) names, so that our readers could choose between analogues based on their own economic capabilities.

Rating of the best antiviral agents

The best antiviral drugs for children

As for antiviral drugs for children, the situation is paradoxical: they get sick much more often than adults, and there are practically no effective drugs for children under two years of age (we repeat, we are not talking about homeopathy). This is partly due to the fact that such small children need a special form of release: they can choke with the tablet, and the spray can provoke laryngospasm (croup). In any case, if a child under two years old gets a cold or flu, do not self-medicate, consult a doctor!

Trade names: Arbidol, Arpeflu, Orvitol, Afludol

Arbidol has a rather controversial reputation - at the dawn of its appearance, there was insufficient evidence of effectiveness, and rumors about the administrative resource used for promotion did not contribute to a positive attitude from specialists. But in recent years, the number of studies conducted has been growing, and doctors not only in the post-Soviet space, but also experts from other countries (China, USA) are interested in the drug. The collected statistics confirm the effectiveness of umifenovir against influenza viruses, causative agents of seasonal colds and enteroviruses (“intestinal flu”, manifested by a runny nose and fever in combination with diarrhea and abdominal pain).

The drug blocks a special molecule in the virus shell called hemagglutinin. It is this molecule that “drags” the virus through membranes into the cells of the body. The virus itself, unlike bacteria, is not capable of reproducing; to do this, it needs to enter a living cell and insert its genes so that the cell begins to produce viral particles. Until this happens, there is no infection.

According to research, umifenovir helps reduce the duration of the disease by 1.7 - 2.65 days, and reduces the likelihood of complications by 4 times.

You can take umifenovir starting from the age of two; for children of this age, the antiviral drug Arbidol in powder for preparing a suspension. For other ages, tablets of 50 mg, capsules with a dosage of 100 mg and 200 mg are provided. You need to take the product 4 times a day:

1. from 2 to 6 years – 50 mg (or 10 ml of suspension);
2. from 6 to 12 years – 100 mg;
3. over 12 years old and adults – 200 mg.

Here is a table that can tell you what dosage to choose for treating a child or adult:

Release form, dosage	Children 2 – 6 years old	Children 6 – 12 years old	Over 12 years old and adults
Arbidol powder for suspension preparation			You can take it, but it will be too expensive compared to other dosages
Arbidol tablets 50 mg (from 3 years)		(two tablets per dose)	You can take it, but it will be too expensive compared to other dosages
Arbidol capsules 100 mg			(two tablets per dose)
Arbidol Maximum 200 mg.

The antiviral drug is contraindicated during pregnancy and in cases of reliably known intolerance.

Adverse effects include possible allergic reactions.

Advantages

• wide spectrum of antiviral action,
• minimum contraindications,
• No side effects.

Flaws

• cannot be used in children under two years of age.

This product contains human interferon, which has both direct antiviral properties and the ability to stimulate the immune system. An antiviral drug is dispensed with a doctor's prescription.

Viferon can be used from birth, for the treatment of colds and flu - one suppository every 12 hours.

For children from birth to 7 years old, Viferon is used in a dosage of 150,000 IU. For children over 7 years of age and adults, suppositories of 500,000 IU are recommended.

The antiviral drug can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Among the undesirable effects, allergic reactions are possible. Contraindicated in cases of known intolerance.

Advantages

• can be used from birth,
• minimum side effects.

Flaws

• since when using suppositories there is no talk about the direct antiviral effect of interferon (after all, the flu affects the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, not the rectum), the effectiveness of the drug will depend on the reaction of the immune system, which is individual in each case.

Kagocel does not have a direct antiviral effect, but promotes the production of interferons, which, in turn, stimulate the immune response. It can be used to treat influenza and other acute viral respiratory tract infections in children from the age of three.

The product is available in 12 mg tablets.

Duration of treatment is 4 days, application diagram depends on age and day of illness:

1. children from 3 to 6 years: in the first 2 days, a tablet twice a day, the next 2 days - once a day, a full course of 6 tablets;
2. children from 6 years of age: in the first 2 days, a tablet three times a day, the next 2 days - twice a day, a full course of 10 tablets,
3. adults: in the first 2 days, 2 tablets three times a day, the next 2 days - one tablet three times a day. A total of 18 tablets per course of treatment.

Possible adverse events include allergic reactions.

The antiviral drug is contraindicated in children under 3 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.

Advantages

• minimal range of side effects.

Flaws

• complex application scheme,
• there is no direct antiviral effect, effectiveness depends on the state of the immune system.

The best antivirals for adults

We have included in this section antiviral drugs that can be used not only in adults, but also in school-age children. Such children can already be given the same dosage forms(tablets, capsules) as for adults, only the dosage of the medicine differs.

Tiloron

Trade names: Amiksin, Lavomax.

This is another interferon inducer - a substance that does not act directly on viruses, but stimulates the immune response. However, it is prescribed specifically as an antiviral.

Available in tablets of 60 mg for children and 125 mg for adults (over 18 years of age).

Note! Lavomax is available only in 125 mg tablets and is approved for use from 18 years of age.

The antiviral drug is taken once a day, on days 1, 2 and 4 of treatment.

Side effects include dyspepsia (abdominal pain, nausea, stool disturbances), and transient chills. Allergic reactions are possible.

Tiloron is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Advantages

• taken 1 time per day.

Flaws

• no direct antiviral effect.

The antiviral agent acts in several directions: on the one hand, it stimulates the production of special proteins in infected cells that inhibit the reproduction of the virus. On the other hand, it increases the sensitivity of virus-affected cells to the effects of interferons. The product has a weak anti-inflammatory effect.

According to research results, it helps reduce the duration of the disease by an average of 1 day.

Available in capsules of 60 mg for children over 7 years of age and 90 mg for adults. Take 1 capsule per day for 5 – 7 days.

Undesirable effects include allergic reactions.

The use of the drug during pregnancy and lactation is not directly prohibited in the instructions, but it is noted that the safety of its use during these periods has not been studied. Obviously, experimenting on yourself in such a state is not a very smart idea.

The best flu remedies

This section of our rating includes drugs that WHO recommends for the treatment of influenza. At the same time, they are ineffective against acute respiratory viral infections and therefore it is pointless to use them for ordinary seasonal colds. Both drugs are prescription drugs, meaning they must be prescribed by a doctor. Their use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not formally prohibited, but since no one has conducted safety studies in humans for obvious reasons, all possible risks remain at the discretion of the doctor who prescribed the drug and the patient herself.

Trade names: Relenza.

The drug blocks a special substance on the virus shell – neuraminidase. This is an enzyme that destroys receptors for the virus on the cells of the host body, allowing the virus to penetrate the cell membranes. By blocking neuraminidase, oseltamivir inhibits not only the spread, but also the reproduction of the virus, because no virus is able to reproduce on its own.

Zanamivir helps reduce the duration of the disease by an average of 1.5 days and reduces the likelihood of complications by about a third. In addition, it reduces viral shedding in environment, that is, relatives of the patient taking zanamivir have less opportunity to become infected.

Available in inhalation form: the bottle contains 5 rotadisks with the drug, which must be inserted into a special device - a disk haller, which comes complete with the drug. One rotadisk is enough for 4 inhalations.

The antiviral drug Zanamivir can be used to treat children from 5 years of age. The method of administration and dosage are the same for all ages: 2 inhalations 2 times a day for 5 days. That is, one package is designed just for a course of treatment.

The drug should not be taken by people with a known intolerance to zanamivir. The product should be used with caution by people prone to bronchospasm (children who have already suffered from croup, adults and children with bronchial asthma).

Do not try to put the drug into the nebulizer contrary to the instructions - the lactose contained in the composition may damage the device.

Advantages

• Available in the form of inhalations: practically not absorbed into the blood and does not affect internal organs,
• ease of use.

Flaws

• may provoke bronchospasm in people with an individual predisposition.

Oseltamivir

Trade names: Tamiflu, Nomides, Oseltamivir phosphate

The mechanism of action is the same as that of the previous drug. Helps reduce the duration of illness by an average of 2 days. It can be used to treat influenza in both adults and children over 1 year of age.

For children from one to 8 years old, it is better to use a suspension to prepare a solution. It should be used twice a day, and the amount will depend on the child’s weight:

1. < 15 кг – 30 мг,
2. > 15 - 23 kg – 45 mg,
3. > 23 - 40 kg – 60 mg.

To measure required amount, the kit for preparing the suspension includes a syringe with marks corresponding to 30, 45 and 60 mg of the active substance.

Children over 8 years old, if they weigh more than 40 kg, can be given 75 mg capsules, otherwise it is better to use a suspension.

Possible side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness,

The drug is contraindicated in renal failure and individual intolerance to the active substance.

The product is sold by prescription.

Advantages

• proven effective against the influenza virus,
• can be used in children from one year of age.

Flaws

• high price.

All antiviral agents mentioned in the rating can be used both for treatment and for the prevention of colds. We deliberately did not indicate the recommended dosages in such cases, as this would turn an already voluminous review into an endless one. You can find out all the necessary information by referring to the instructions for use. medicines.

What to do for colds and flu: first aid without drugs

1. Before running to the pharmacy, put the patient to bed. Take away the gadgets, computer and TV: let him sleep at least for the first few days. You can listen to music.
2. If possible, give the sick person separate room. Open the windows: a constant flow of cool air will reduce the concentration of the virus in the room. Of course, the patient and everyone else present in the room must be dressed appropriately for the temperature, which ideally should not be higher than 16 - 18 degrees.
3. If you have a humidifier in your home, turn it on. If not, hang the batteries with wet terry towels and change them as they dry. In winter, the air is too dry, and this has a bad effect on the protective functions of the mucous membranes. Immunoglobulins, interferons and other substances that our body secretes to fight viruses only work in a humid environment. Actually, this is why the mucous membranes are covered with mucus, and when they dry out, it is not possible to effectively fight the disease.
4. Place at least two liters of any drink next to the patient (except alcohol, of course) so that he can drink at any time he wants. Drinking plenty of fluids helps remove toxins from the body. This can help relieve headaches and muscle pain.
5. If the patient has cold hands and feet, put socks on him (or mittens) and cover him with a blanket. If he is hot, do not try to wrap him up on purpose; on the contrary, let him undress to a comfortable level. Wipe it with cool water (just water, no vodka or vinegar). This will help bring down the temperature faster.
6. Western doctors recommend bringing down the temperature not only by wiping with cool water, but also by placing the patient briefly (up to 10 minutes) in a cool bath. Our compatriots consider this to be an overly radical method.
7. If the patient suffers from a dry cough, do not force him to breathe over potatoes, this not only risks burns, but also helps the infection spread through the respiratory tract. Put boiling water in the bathroom, closing the doors, wait 5-15 minutes until the room is filled with steam, and let the patient into it (not into the boiling water, but into the room!). But it’s easier to give a nebulizer with plain water or alkaline (bicarbonate) mineral water, from which the bubbles have previously been released.
8. If the patient is a child and he categorically refuses to eat, do not force him. He'll make up for it when he recovers. For now, let him drink milk (not hot and without soda), yoghurts, juices.
9. If the patient does not feel better within 2–3 days, and you still haven’t contacted a doctor, do it immediately!

Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

The news is bad: on average people get sick with ARVI Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence about a week, and before this time you will not completely recover. There are no medicines that can defeat a cold; all hope lies only in your body.

The good news: all this time, for now the immune system will identify, catch and destroy the infection, without necessarily suffering. Exist effective ways smooth out symptoms. To the point where you actually feel like a cucumber already on the second day of your illness. Of course, despite feeling good, you will still be sick inside. Nose good mood and it’s easier to fight the sore.

What is ARVI and how does it differ from influenza?

Both ARVI and influenza are respiratory viral diseases, so their symptoms are almost the same. But ARVI is a relatively harmless disease. But influenza is more contagious, tenacious and fraught with serious, sometimes fatal complications such as bronchitis, meningitis, encephalitis... Therefore, the approach to treating influenza should be more thorough.

The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed Cold Versus Flu- a simple checklist that allows you not to make mistakes. Analyze your condition using the following parameters.

1. Onset of the disease

With ARVI, you get worse gradually. First, a runny nose may appear, then a slight sore throat, and a little later a slight fever...

The flu knocks you out instantly. Just 10 minutes ago everything was fine, and now the temperature jumps up, and you suddenly feel sick.

2. Temperature

With ARVI it is relatively low - 37–38 °C. When you have the flu, you have a serious fever: the temperature immediately reaches 38.5 ° C and higher.

3. Runny nose

With ARVI, it begins immediately. And often even before you realize that you are getting sick.

3. Rinse your nose with saline solution

The goal is the same: to keep the mucous membrane moisturized. Salt helps retain moisture, and the effect of such washing lasts longer.

Saline nasal sprays are worth taking with you if you have to go out. public places, where the concentration of the virus in the air may be increased. Use them at least once every hour and a half.

4. Ventilate the room

Viruses thrive in dry, warm, still air: they actively multiply, gain strength... Don’t give them this chance. In cool and moving air, viral particles become less comfortable, and the concentration of infection decreases sharply. Therefore, regular through ventilation is a sure way to make it easier for the body to fight ARVI and speed up recovery.

5. Take a walk in the fresh air

Naturally, if your health allows. The goal is the same: to be in moving cool air and not ingest new viruses.

6. Ease pain and discomfort

Painkillers will not affect the speed of recovery, but will help improve the condition.

If your throat hurts, gargling with salt water will help reduce the discomfort. Dissolve about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass warm water and rinse. You can also try pharmaceutical sprays or lozenges against a sore throat.

If we are talking about a general malaise - simultaneous discomfort in the nose and throat, headache - take a medicine based on ibuprofen or paracetamol. But do not overuse this: these drugs also reduce the temperature.

And temperature during ARVI is a good thing, because it helps the body fight the virus more effectively.

If the nasal passages are congested, vasoconstrictor nasal drops will help - they relieve swelling and allow you to breathe freely again. Use the medicine strictly in accordance with the instructions so as not to transform your runny nose and congestion into chronic ones.

7. Rest

Lying in bed or on the sofa is the best way to help the body defeat ARVI as quickly as possible. While you are resting, your body does not have to spend energy on anything other than fighting infection.

Yes, in modern world many “can’t afford to get sick.” But judge for yourself what is better: to spend a day or two at home and return to work healthy and energetic, or to survive a cold on your feet, stretching it out for up to three weeks and at the same time infecting at least a dozen others?

What treatment for ARVI will not help, but will only harm

Sometimes people think that they are being treated, but in fact they are only undermining the body’s defenses. As a result, the disease lasts longer. This is what you absolutely cannot do during ARVI.

1. Taking antibiotics

They are antibiotics because they act on living (bio-) organisms - bacteria. But not for viruses.

By prescribing antibiotics for ARVI, a person loads the liver, which could cleanse the blood of the virus. Because of this, the period of goodbye to the infection may increase, that is, you will suffer from ARVI longer.

In some cases, a viral infection can cause bacterial complications, and then taking antibiotics is justified and necessary. But! Only a therapist can prescribe the drug. And only after tests that confirm the presence of a bacterial infection.

2. Taking antiviral drugs

There are no drugs whose effectiveness against ARVI has been proven. Taking these drugs, at a minimum, will not bring results, and at maximum, their side effects can cause a blow to your health.

3. Young children taking over-the-counter cold medications

Such drugs have a number of side effects, sometimes quite serious. While an adult body may tolerate them without consequences, young children are more vulnerable. Therefore, before buying cough syrup or anything else “anti-cold” for your baby, be sure to consult with your pediatrician.

What treatment for ARVI is questionable, but may work?

These products are quite popular. But scientists are still not sure about them. Although some advantages have already been found.

Vitamin C

Taking it does not help prevent the disease. But in some cases it speeds up recovery. To do this, it is important to take vitamin C before the onset of a cold: it will then reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Therefore, vitamins are recommended for those who have an increased risk of developing ARVI due to constant contact with other people - for example, teachers, preschoolers and schoolchildren attending overcrowded classes, public transport conductors, and so on.

Echinacea

Here, too, the results are ambiguous. Some studies don't show Cold remedies: What works, what doesn’t, what can’t hurt There is no benefit from taking this herbal remedy.

But others demonstrate that echinacea-based drugs can reduce the duration and severity of unpleasant symptoms of ARVI.

In order to achieve maximum effect, doctors recommend starting to take echinacea at the first signs of illness and continue for 7-10 days.

Zinc

Some studies suggest that zinc tablets or syrups may reduce 5 Tips: Natural Products for the Flu and Colds: What Does the Science Say? duration of the cold by one day and reduce the severity of symptoms.

In any case, you should not prescribe these supplements yourself - be sure to consult with. Especially if you have any chronic diseases or are taking other medications: these conditions may increase side effects.

According to statistics from medical institutions, viral infections prevail over bacterial diseases. This is explained by the fact that in modern society hygiene skills are quite developed, which prevent the development of bacterial infections. However, this does not really stop viral pathology.

The thing is that viruses are tiny biological objects ranging in size from hundredths to tenths of a micrometer. They are easily fixed to particles of dust and moisture and can be easily transported by air. A similar transmission mechanism has determined the widespread prevalence of viral diseases of the respiratory system - colds, parainfluenza, influenza and acute respiratory viral infections.

The second predisposing factor for the development of the infectious process is visiting crowded places. A bus, a trolleybus or a government agency, a shopping and entertainment center or a cinema - everywhere there is a high probability that you will encounter a sick person or a virus carrier who does not even have any symptoms of the disease yet and, accordingly, has not started treatment.

It is noteworthy that during quiet breathing the air speed is 2.4 m/s, when sneezing – up to 120 m/s, and when coughing – up to 170 m/s. In this case, the liquid particles on which the virus is fixed can fly 3-5 meters. Essentially, this is the “radius of destruction” of a sick person or virus carrier. That is why you can easily become infected with a viral infection, especially if the body is weakened, overloaded physically or emotionally.

Viral respiratory tract infections are quite similar in their symptoms. Runny nose, soreness and pain when swallowing, severe wet or dry cough, fever and chills, weakness and general malaise. Almost every person has experienced such symptoms at least once in their life. All these signs indirectly indicate diseases of a viral nature. However, each pathology has some features.

Comparative characteristics of the symptoms of colds, flu and ARVI

Sign	Cold	ARVI (ARI)	Flu
What does the term mean?	This term is used in everyday life to mean infectious diseases respiratory system of mild severity, such as herpes, laryngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis. The provoking factor is hypothermia. The term “cold” is not used in professional medicine.	A collective name for infectious diseases of the respiratory system that are caused by parainfluenza viruses, rhinoviruses, rotaviruses (synonym for “intestinal flu”), adenoviruses, reoviruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses and others (about 300 species in total)	An acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by influenza A, B or C viruses. It often has a severe course with the occurrence of epidemiological outbreaks. Viruses infect people and animals, and also have the ability to mutate, resulting in dangerous strains
How does the disease begin?	Slow and sluggish onset. Often the condition worsens within 5-7 days	Gradual deterioration of health over 2-3 days	Rapid and rapid development of the disease. The first symptoms may appear as early as 1 day after infection
By how many degrees does your body temperature increase?	May occur at temperatures from 36.6 to 37.5 ºС (subfebrile)	Typically ranges from 37.6 to 38.9ºC (febrile)	Rises to 39 ºС or more
How severe are the symptoms that determine the severity of the disease?	Weakly expressed. A person is able to endure the disease “on his feet” (however, this is not advisable)	Moderately expressed. Patients are able to stay in the apartment and take care of themselves independently	Flu symptoms are always pronounced. Patients usually lie in bed. Often, for self-care, they need the help of an outsider (for example, to prepare food or help change clothes)
Do you have nasal congestion and runny nose?	Appears at the very beginning of the disease	Appears a few days after the onset of the disease	Usually appears 2-3 days after the onset of the disease
Is there sneezing?	Yes	Yes	Rarely
Condition of the throat (back of the throat)	Turns red after 48-72 hours after body hypothermia	Turns red when coughing	Crimson and cyanotic. At the same time, there is a strong cough and cutting pain in the chest
Is there dryness and a feeling of “sand” in the eyes?	No	Happens rarely	In most cases there is
Headache severity	Weak or completely absent	Usually headache appears along with complications such as pneumonia	Very strong
Severity of intoxication symptoms	Weak	Moderate	Strong
Do you have problems sleeping?	No	Rarely, only when high body temperature appears	Often

Despite the large number of distinctive signs, it is often difficult even for a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. After all, it is not always possible to determine the time of infection and clearly assess the severity of existing symptoms.
In addition to this, medical workers have the right to diagnose “influenza” only during an epidemic, marked by a message from Rospotrebnadzor. At other times, it is not recommended to make such a diagnosis, to put it mildly. Therefore, most often we see the entry “ARVI” or “ARI” in the medical record. However, it is not particularly important what diagnosis is ultimately made. Any viral infection must be treated.

Modern medicine has three types of influenza viruses - A, B and C. All of them are subject to mutations (but at different rates) and cause diseases of varying severity and epidemiological prevalence. After an infection, a fairly strong immunity is formed against a specific type of influenza virus. However, constant mutations literally nullify the entire work of the immune system, which leads to almost annual flu epidemics around the world.

Brief characteristics of influenza viruses

Virus type	Mutation frequency	What epidemiological consequences can the virus cause?
		Epidemics	Pandemics
A	1 time every 2-3 years	+	+
IN	1 time every 4-6 years	+	-
WITH	Relatively stable and does not mutate	-	-

Influenza C virus usually infects children who have mild illness and develop lifelong immunity. Therefore, no special drugs have ever been developed specifically against influenza C. All medications for influenza are aimed at combating viruses type A and B.
You should always remember that if the disease develops quickly and your health rapidly deteriorates, we recommend that you be under medical supervision in order to avoid serious complications. In other cases, you can treat influenza and acute respiratory viral infections at home with the help of effective medications that are available at any pharmacy. All medications for colds and flu can be divided into several groups.

Effective antiviral drugs for adults

The disease certainly affects the patient's quality of life. He cannot work normally, communicate with family and friends, and constant malaise and soreness in the body do not give him peace. Effective antiviral drugs, the list of which is quite wide, are successfully used to treat influenza and ARVI.

1. Flu medications with proven clinical effectiveness. Such drugs have proven their therapeutic effect in large-scale clinical trials on volunteers.
   1A) M2 channel blockers –rimantadine (Orvirem, Remantadine, Algirem) And amantadine. Medicines act only on the type A virus. These drugs prevent the influenza virus from entering cells, i.e. prevent human infection and reproduction of the virus. Amantadine (PC-Merz, Midantan) additionally has a pronounced dopaminergic effect, so it is indicated only for patients with Parkinson's disease.
   1B) Viral neuroaminidase inhibitors –Oseltamivir (Tamiflu, Nomides, Influcein) And zanamivir (Relenza).These medications act directly on influenza viruses type A and B. They block the viral enzyme that destroys cell walls. As a result, viruses can neither enter the cell nor exit it (if infection has already occurred). The sensitivity of the virus to the inactivating enzyme of the respiratory tract, which provides the body's natural antiviral defense, also increases. As a result, the immune system easily destroys the few viral particles and recovery occurs.
   
2. A medicine for influenza and ARVI without clinically proven effectiveness. These drugs are successfully used to treat viral respiratory infections, but their effect has not been fully studied in volunteers in clinical trials. These are drugs Ingavirin, Arbidol, Isoprinosin, Groprinosin, Normomed.
3. Remedies for influenza and ARVI, stimulating one's own antiviral immunity by increasing the concentration of interferons in the blood: Grippferon, Viferon, human recombinant Interferon, Ingaron, Kipferon, Tsitovir-3, Amiksin, Cycloferon, Polyoxidonium, Lavomax.

All these drugs will help you cope with the virus and restore your health. We recommend using medications Tamiflu, Nomides, Influcein and Relenza only if “flu” is suspected because these drugs are expensive. ARVI can be treated with any other antiviral agent from the list above.

By the way, application oxolinic ointment does not in any way prevent infection with influenza or ARVI. She slightly reduces the ability to attach viruses only at the site of application. In addition, the rest of the respiratory tract can also be an “entry gate” for a viral infection.

Effective antiviral drugs for children

Illness in children is a huge stress for the whole family. After all, no one wants a child to experience discomfort, weakness and malaise. To treat influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in children, you can use:

• Tamiflu 30 mg capsules – allowed from birth;
• Nomides capsules and tablets – used from 3 years;
• Orvirem syrup and Algirem syrup - prescribed to children from 1 year;
• Rimantadine in tablets and Amiksin– not recommended for children under 7 years of age;
• Ingavirin 60 mg capsules – not recommended for children under 13 years of age for the treatment of influenza and ARVI, and for children under 18 years of age for the prevention of influenza and ARVI;
• Arbidol capsules – used from 2 years;
• pills Isoprinosin and Groprinosin, as well as syrup and tablets Normomed– do not use in children under 3 years of age and/or with a body weight of less than 15 kg;
• Grippferon spray and drops, as well as Human recombinant interferon and candles Kipferon – allowed from birth;
• Viferon suppositories - used from 1 year of age;
• Ingaron nasal drops– used from 7 years old, injections- from birth;
• Tsitovir-3 tablets- allowed from 7 years old, syrup Tsitovir-3 used from 1 year;
• Cycloferon tablets - used from 4 years;
• Polycosidonium suppositories – allowed from 6 months, Polyoxidonium tablets prescribed from 3 years of age;
• Lavomax Use only from 18 years of age.

Now pick up effective treatment flu and ARVI will be much easier for children!

Medicines to eliminate symptoms of influenza and ARVI

These remedies will help you cope with the disease more easily and speed up the recovery process:

1. Drugs from the NSAID group (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Ibuklin, Nurofen, Tsefekon. Eliminate inflammation, normalize body temperature, eliminate aches and have an analgesic effect.
2. Medicines for sore throat - Lizobakt, Tantum Verde, Strepsils, OKI, Faringosept, Septolete Total and other lozenges, lozenges and throat sprays. You can also use herbal collections based on Chamomile, Sage or Eucalyptus.
3. Nasal drops and sprays that relieve congestion and restore normal nasal breathing - Otrivin, Tizin, Sanorin, Afrin, Nazivin, Ximelin and others.
4. Mucolytics or expectorants - improve the discharge of sputum and promote its removal from the respiratory tract. For these purposes they use ACC, Lazolvan, Ambrobene, Ascoril, Erespal, Licorice syrup and other similar drugs.
5. Cough medicines – Codelac, Herbion, Omnitus and etc.
6. Antiherpetic agents, e.g. Acyclovir ointment or tablets. All immunostimulating drugs are also active against the herpes virus.
7. Vitamins C, and E, as well as B 10, B 12 and B 15. They have a complex therapeutic effect: stimulate the immune system, increase the production of interferons, normalize metabolic processes, and have an antioxidant effect. The most convenient to use are various multi-vitamin complexes. Particular attention should be paid to ascorbic acid (vitamin C). This is a very simple but extremely effective remedy for the treatment of infectious diseases. During illness, up to 4000 mg is allowed in the first 4 days of illness. Then the dosage is gradually reduced to 1000 mg/day. This vitamin improves the course of the disease and significantly shortens the duration of the disease.

Effective cold and flu powders

Such drugs are designed specifically for the complex treatment of colds and flu. They include several components. Usually these are paracetamol, vitamin C, pheniramine to relieve a runny nose, rimantadine and loratadine. Such drugs include Anvimax, Vicks, Fervex, Coldrex, Theraflu, Antigrippin maximum, Maxicold and others.

Antibiotics for influenza

They have no effect on viruses at all, so not used for the treatment of influenza and ARVI! Their use is advisable only for the treatment of bacterial infections or bacterial complications of influenza and ARVI.

Your own throat will help you determine which microorganism (virus or bacteria) caused the disease. After assessing the points described below, a conclusion can be drawn about the etiology or cause of the disease. If it is a virus, then an antiviral agent is needed, if it is a bacteria, then an antibiotic.

Provide effective treatment for colds, flu and acute respiratory viral infections using proven and safe means. At correct selection Viral diseases last no more than 7-10 days.

Every person gets a cold at least once a year. Any disease can cause people significant discomfort and knock them out of their usual rhythm of life. Children and adults most often get sick in the winter, when the immune system is most weakened. Acute respiratory tract infections develop as a result of a virus entering the body.

The difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections is that the cause of acute respiratory viral infections can only be a virus, while acute respiratory infections can be a viral and bacterial infection.

With any diagnosis, it is important to provide the patient with timely assistance. Drugs for the treatment of ARVI in adults are selected individually depending on the symptoms.

Symptoms of the disease

Most colds, regardless of the cause, have similar symptoms.

Characteristic signs of ARVI are:

• increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels (37-38 ° C);
• cough;
• runny nose;
• headache;
• a sore throat.

In many cases, the main symptoms can be supplemented by pronounced signs of intoxication: nausea, accompanied by bouts of vomiting, and stool disturbances.

The symptoms of influenza have some differences from the symptoms that appear with other respiratory infections. However, they do not always occur. At normal functioning immune system or infection with a weak type (strain) of the virus, the manifestations of influenza and ARVI will be identical.

The main symptom for most diseases caused by influenza infection is heat within 3-5 days.

An increase in temperature above low-grade levels for more than 5 days indicates the development of complications and the addition of a secondary infection.

ARVI is characterized by sudden onset, a sharp increase in body temperature, chills, and weakness. A runny nose, dry cough, sore throat and body aches usually appear on the second day after the onset of the disease. Starting from the fourth or fifth day, the temperature subsides, but the symptoms become more pronounced.

Influenza is characterized by mild muscle pain and aching joints, which can occur both at an early stage of the disease and somewhat later, after a significant increase in temperature. Compared to ARVI, respiratory symptoms with influenza are less pronounced. For example, when coughing, a runny nose, accompanied by swelling of the nose and sneezing, may be completely absent. The flu is accompanied by pain when moving the eyeballs, dry mouth, and fever. The skin on the patient's face acquires a reddish tint, the lips become bright and dry.

The course of severe forms of influenza is often complemented by the appearance of spider veins on the body, various types bleeding, the occurrence of delusional states, impaired consciousness. Sometimes the pathology is complicated by diseases such as bronchitis, otitis media, pulmonary inflammation, etc.

Causes of the disease

Any virus, including influenza, is transmitted by airborne droplets. So absolutely healthy man may contract an infection after contact with a sick person. You can become infected with ARVI or influenza through shaking hands, kissing, or touching objects. common use etc. The influenza virus shows resistance, persisting for a long time in external environment. The source of infection can be not only humans, but also animals and birds.

The most common causes of ARVI are:

• parainfluenza viruses;
• influenza A, B and C types;
• rhinovirus;
• adenovirus;
• reovirus.

Colds most often affect older people, especially if their immune system is weakened.

Incubation period

The incubation period begins after the virus enters the blood.

Its duration varies from 2 to 5 days depending on the type of infectious pathogen.

At the onset of the disease, the virus multiplies in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and larynx and is accompanied by pain in the eyes, sore throat, runny nose and dry cough.

During the incubation period, there is usually no increase in temperature. Sometimes the gastrointestinal mucosa is involved in the pathological process.

First signs

The first signs of a cold caused by a virus are malaise and weakness.

Symptoms are usually accompanied by:

• pain, soreness and dry throat;
• increased body temperature;
• pain in the eyes;
• runny nose;
• sneezing.

At the onset of the disease, there may be an increase in regional lymph nodes, inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa, accompanied by a change in the timbre of the voice, lacrimation, runny nose and cough.

With flu and colds, most patients experience disturbed sleep. In some of them, chronic herpes worsens, which is manifested by the appearance of characteristic rashes on the lips, which are blisters with a liquid composition inside.

After the virus enters the blood, the general symptoms are supplemented by signs of intoxication of the body: chills, muscle pain, headache, and aching joints.

Activation of the immune response promotes the production of antibodies to the virus. This leads to the purification of blood and lymph and the disappearance of symptoms of intoxication. The beginning of recovery in an uncomplicated form of ARVI is indicated by a wet cough with sputum discharge and the disappearance of signs of inflammation during a runny nose.

Risk factors

People with reduced immunity are most often exposed to any colds, which include primarily the elderly, children, and pregnant women. The cause of a cold, unlike the flu, is its own microorganisms, the activation of which occurs during the development of the pathological process. In a weakened state, in order to catch a cold, severe hypothermia of the body is enough.

Decline protective functions increases the likelihood of patients contracting influenza infection. According to statistics, the flu epidemic occurs in the winter season (most often in February).

Drugs by spectrum of action

Treatment of colds requires an integrated approach. Medicines for ARVI in adults are selected depending on the severity of the disease and the age category of the patients, and are aimed primarily at alleviating symptoms.

Antipyretics

With the help of antipyretic drugs, you can quickly bring down a high temperature, which will significantly alleviate the condition of patients with the flu.

To reduce the temperature use:

1. Paracetamol- an inexpensive and effective remedy for relieving fever, which has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Fervex– a drug whose main active ingredient is paracetamol. Has a similar spectrum of action.
3. Panadol- antipyretic agent O paracetamol again. It has no side effects, is quite effective and is relatively inexpensive.
4. Ibuprofen– anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent. Contraindications to its use are stomach ulcers, liver and kidney pathologies.
5. Nurofen- an analogue of Ibuprofen.
6. Acetylsalicylic acid. The medicine reduces fever well and has an analgesic effect. Contraindications to its use are pregnancy, age under 12 years, poor blood clotting.

Aspirin is included in many fever-reducing medications.

Antiviral

For any cold, doctors often prescribe antiviral drugs. Before using medications, it is important to make sure that the cause of the disease is actually a viral and not a bacterial infection. Otherwise, the treatment will be ineffective.

The most popular antiviral drugs for the treatment of ARVI in adults are:

1. Viferon– a relatively inexpensive drug for the treatment of influenza and ARVI based on interferon. Contains alpha 2b substance, vitamin E and ascorbic acid. Available in the form of suppositories and ointments. Shows effectiveness in the treatment of respiratory diseases, viral hepatitis and herpes. It has practically no contraindications; depending on the dosage, it can be prescribed to children from 3 months.
2. Grippferon– immunomodulator based on leukocyte interferon. Effective for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by a viral infection. Designed to replenish the deficiency of natural interferon.
3. Hyperon– a medicinal product produced in the form of suppositories containing immunoglobulins and human interferon. Shows activity against ARVI, influenza, infectious hepatitis and some types of bacterial infections.
4. Cycloferon– an immunostimulating drug whose active ingredient is meglumine acridone acetate. Available in tablet form, it has minimal side effects. The medicine is prescribed to children from 4 years of age.
5. Remantadine– antiviral drug direct action, which is effective against influenza A and tick-borne viruses ts ephalita. The medicine is available in syrup and tablet form. The course of treatment using Remantadine is 5 days. In some cases it may be extended to 14 days.
6. Tamiflu– a direct-acting etiotropic drug with proven effectiveness, showing activity against pathogens of influenza A and B types, and having the ability to reduce inflammation.
7. Arbidol– a popular drug domestic production, the main component of which is umifenovir. Arbidol stimulates the human immune system and is prescribed for the treatment of respiratory and influenza infections.

Antiviral drugs are selected by the doctor individually.

From the throat

You can reduce inflammation and relieve irritation from a sore throat with the help of modern medications.

The most popular medications are:

1. Strepsils– lozenges with a pronounced antiseptic and analgesic effect. To achieve a therapeutic effect, one tablet should be dissolved every four hours. This approach will eliminate a sore throat in four days. The drug can be used for treatment by adults and children starting from the age of five.
2. Grammidin– antiseptic absorbable tablets. It is suggested to use two pieces of medicine 3-4 times a day for a weekly course of treatment.
3. Faringosept- a medicine that has a powerful healing effect. Available in the form of lozenges. They are recommended to be used for three days after meals, but no more than 5 pieces per day.
4. Inhalipt- aerosol for topical use based on sulfanilamide and sodium sulfathiazole with the addition of oils. It has an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic effect. Irrigation of the oral cavity is carried out 3-4 times a day. Allowed for use by children from 3 years of age.
5. Miramistin - antiseptic is used to irrigate the oral cavity. Has no contraindications.
6. Tantum Verde- an anti-inflammatory drug with an analgesic effect in the form of tablets or spray is used after meals 3 times a day for no more than a week.

You can eliminate inflammation in the throat during colds and flu using decoctions prepared based on medicinal herbs.

For a runny nose

Nasal congestion during a cold brings patients significant discomfort. It can be removed using nasal drops, solutions and ointments.

The most popular of them:

1. Nazivin– vasoconstrictor drops based on oxymetazoline, which can quickly eliminate swelling and nasal congestion for a long time. Depending on the dosage, it can be prescribed to children from birth. The drug should not be used for more than a week, as it is addictive.
2. Sanorin– nasal drops containing eucalyptus oil and vasoconstrictor components. They have a weak therapeutic effect.
3. Pinosol- a medicine for the common cold based on oils, the action of which is aimed at fighting the virus, and not at eliminating congestion. Can be used by pregnant women.
4. Vibrocil– medicinal nasal drops with antibacterial activity, antihistamine, vasoconstrictor and decongestant effects.
5. Nasonex- decongestant nasal spray with a pronounced antihistamine effect.
6. Isofra- the spray provides antimicrobial effect with a prolonged runny nose and promotes final recovery.
7. Derinat– antiviral drops that do not contain interferon. They have a regenerating effect, antifungal and antibacterial activity.

You can get rid of a runny nose much faster if you rinse your sinuses with a solution based on natural sea ​​salt(Aquamaris, Aqualor, Marimer and others).

Against cough

At an advanced stage of the disease, patients are prescribed drugs that have an antitussive effect and promote sputum discharge.

The most popular among them are:

• Ambrobene;
• Stoptussin;
• Lazolvan;
• Ambrohexal;
• Gerbion;
• Bromhexine;
• Bronchipret;
• Bronholitin.

The selection of cough remedies is carried out individually, depending on the age category of the patient.

Vitamins

When treating colds and flu, patients are prescribed vitamins that help strengthen the body's defenses. Activation of the immune system promotes the production of antibodies, the action of which is aimed at fighting the viral infection.

The main vitamins necessary for the treatment of ARVI and influenza:

1. Vitamin C, which is a natural antioxidant that activates the immune system. Ascorbic acid promotes the destruction of viruses and is necessary for the differentiation of immune cells.
2. B vitamins (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12) support immune activity and antibody synthesis.
3. Vitamin A provides strengthening of mucous membranes.
4. E, K, N influence the passage of biochemical reactions that enhance the body’s protective functions.

The body must also receive microelements to ensure normal work immune system.

Therefore, when selecting vitamin-mineral complexes, it is recommended to pay attention to their composition.

Patients should eat more vegetables, fruits and herbs containing vitamin C. These are tomatoes, green onions, dill, parsley, all types of citrus fruits and apples.

Complex etiotropic drug Amiksin

Complex etiotropic drug Amiksin - the best remedy against colds, with the help of which the body ensures the production of its own interferons. It is an immunomodulator with antiviral activity, thanks to which it is possible to enhance the immune response to viruses.

Amiksin does not contain foreign interferons and is active against influenza, adenovirus, herpesvirus and rhinovirus infections. The medicine has an effective immunomodulatory and antiviral effect, suppresses the translation of viral proteins, and prevents the spread of infection in the body.

The drug is quite expensive. The price for it can vary from 200 to 600 rubles per package. It comes in the form of tablets for oral use, which is very convenient. The course of treatment for adult patients is developed individually.

Homeopathic remedies

Treating colds with homeopathic remedies is an alternative way to eliminate problematic symptoms. The method is based on the principle of similar treatment, in which the prescribed drug causes a medicinal disease in a person, designed to defeat a natural one.

If symptoms such as cough, runny nose, or fever appear, the following homeopathic medicines are prescribed:

1. Aflubin O It has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antipyretic, and detoxification effects.
2. Oscillococcinum used to prevent and treat influenza and colds.
3. Cinnabsin used for sinusitis.
4. Rhinital active against rhinitis.
5. Tonsilotren prescribed for sore throat.
6. Rengalin helps get rid of cough.
7. Influcid used to treat the upper respiratory tract.

These medications cope with the symptoms of colds and acute respiratory viral infections, since they all have pronounced antiviral activity.

Principles of treatment

You can get rid of the alarming symptoms of the flu faster by adhering to some rules.

For such patients the following is provided:

• compliance with bed rest;
• ensuring peace, especially in the midst of illness;
• drink plenty of fluids, herbal tea, compotes, still mineral water are suitable;
• keeping the room clean, maintaining temperature regime and the required air humidity;
• daily rinsing of the nose with saline solutions and rinsing the mouth with anti-inflammatory drugs and decoctions;
• carrying out antiviral symptomatic therapy aimed at fighting infection and restoring the body's defenses;
• taking enough vitamins.

During treatment, it is advisable for patients to adjust their diet. It is recommended to include more fruits and vegetables in the daily menu and limit the consumption of indigestible foods. It is imperative to eat onions, garlic, drink berry compotes and fruit drinks, as well as vitamin teas with honey and lemon. Raspberry, cranberry and lingonberry jam will be useful for the flu. It is recommended to make meals in fractions. It is important not to overeat during treatment, so that all the body’s reserves are aimed at fighting the disease.

As for antibiotics, it is not advisable to take them for influenza and ARVI, since these drugs do not have antiviral activity.

Diseases that occur in a mild form can be cured at home. It is recommended that the patient be allocated a separate room, isolating him from other family members.

Traditional methods

In most cases, the treatment of colds is not complete without the use of traditional methods. There are a large number of products whose effectiveness has been proven in practice.

Here are a few of them:

1. Medicine against influenza. You need to take a large onion, cut it in half and inhale the essential vapors for 5 minutes. Repeat the procedure at least three times a day.
2. Garlic tincture against viral infection. To prepare it, take 100 g of garlic, chop it, pour in 250 ml of high-quality vodka and leave to steep for 24 hours. Directions for use: spread two drops of the product on the tongue and swallow. The course of treatment is 5 days.
3. Immunity booster. You should take 3 tbsp. l. pistachio kernels, grind them to a powder and pour 1.5 cups of boiling water. Take 3 tbsp. l. 4 times a day, regardless of meals.
4. Motherwort herb for the flu. To obtain a therapeutic effect, it is recommended to take 1 g of powdered herb 4 times a day, washed down with boiled water.
5. Anti-inflammatory decoction based on medicinal herbs. You should take equal parts of beech herb, sage and medicinal chamomile and mix. Brew the mixture at the rate of 1 tsp. per glass of boiling water. Drink 3-4 glasses a day.
6. Cherry decoction to reduce fever. Pour 100 g of dried cherries into 0.5 liters of water and evaporate over low heat under a lid until 1/3 of the volume disappears. Take 2 tbsp at high temperatures. l.

Vitamin tea with lemon and honey will help you get back on your feet faster after the flu.

Features of gentle therapy

The organization of gentle therapy, the need for which arises for individual patients, requires special attention. IN in this case we're talking about about elderly patients, people suffering from liver diseases, and women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

During pregnancy and lactation

Almost all pregnant women have a severely weakened immune system. Therefore, expectant mothers have a much greater chance of catching a flu infection. For prevention purposes, doctors recommend that they get vaccinated.

It should be borne in mind that a woman’s illness during pregnancy can affect the condition of the unborn child. Therefore, young mothers are advised to strengthen their bodies, eat more vitamin-rich foods, and go for walks more often. fresh air.

Majority medicines, which can be prescribed to ordinary patients with influenza or ARVI, are prohibited for pregnant women.

List of approved medications for women suffering from colds during pregnancy and lactation:

• antiviral Oxolinic ointment;
• antiviral suppositories Viferon;
• a homeopathic medicine aimed at eliminating the main symptoms - Oscillococcinum;
• You can drip Pinosol into your nose, wash the mucous membranes with saline solutions (Aqualor, Aquamaris, etc.);
• from vasoconstrictor drops, after consultation with a doctor, you can use children's drugs Nazivin, Xylene, etc.;
• To eliminate inflammation in the throat, gargling with Miramistin is prescribed.

Features in elderly patients

Treatment of infectious diseases in older people is much more difficult. Elderly patients have an increased likelihood of developing serious complications, such as pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and otitis media. This category of people is at risk for the incidence of colds.

Prevention to combat the virus for elderly patients involves:

• timely treatment of infectious diseases;
• maintaining household hygiene;
• use of antiviral therapy and taking vitamins;
• isolation during treatment.

If complications develop, patients with ARVI may experience alarming symptoms: headache, runny nose, impaired external respiration, cough.

Manifestations indicate the addition of a bacterial infection, which requires adjustment of treatment. In case of development of pulmonary pneumonia, sinusitis or otitis, the main therapeutic direction will be antibiotic therapy.

For a diseased liver

A special approach is required for the treatment of colds for people with liver disease. The selection of medications, including antiviral ones, should be carried out taking into account contraindications for use.

Liver patients can be given:

• Kagocel;
• Arbidol;
• Antigrippin;
• ascorbic acid;
• Paracetamol.

They will benefit from cleansing the liver during treatment. To do this, twice a day, morning and evening, should be given to patients. oatmeal with honey.

Possible complications

ARVI is characterized as catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by pneumotropic viruses. In some cases, a disease of viral etiology is complicated by a bacterial infection.

With severe influenza or ARVI, the likelihood of developing complications increases:

• radiculoneuritis;
• inflammation of the middle ear;
• meningoencephalitis;
• neuritis;
• rhinitis;
• sinusitis;
• pharyngitis;
• tonsillitis;
• pulmonary inflammation.

Each of the above diseases requires separate treatment.

Prevention

Any disease, including colds, is easier to prevent than to treat. First of all, patients should observe household hygiene, regularly do wet cleaning, ventilate rooms, and maintain the necessary humidity in the room.

Every time after going outside, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap, and during an epidemic, also rinse your nasal passages.

The development of the disease can be prevented with the help of immunomodulatory drugs. Immunal, Arbidol, Amizon have a good effect.

Vaccination

An effective preventive measure against influenza is routine vaccination. Vaccinations are primarily indicated for people over 65 years of age, including heart patients, patients suffering from kidney disease, cancer patients and those who are often treated in a hospital.

Also in summer period Scientists are making a prediction about the likely strain of influenza that will begin to spread in Russia this winter, based on cases of illness in other countries. Before the fall, a vaccine against a specific type of influenza virus is created and vaccination begins, from the moment of which at least 1 month must pass until the onset of the epidemic.

Vaccination helps to avoid contracting an influenza infection, and if the body is infected with a virus, it helps to transfer the disease more easily and without complications.

The most common vaccines are:

• Flu;
• Begrivak;
• Fluarix;
• Agrippal.

Why is self-medication dangerous?

Despite the abundance of medications that can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription, resorting to self-treatment if you suspect an influenza or viral infection is not recommended. Only the attending physician knows how to treat influenza and ARVI in adults correctly. Even with a correct diagnosis and the identified type of pathogen, there is a possibility of relapses, especially if the disease has not been fully treated.

Drugs intended to eliminate infections of viral etiology may be useless for diseases caused by bacteria. Incorrect treatment often causes complications, so therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a therapist.

Video

You can learn how to properly treat flu and colds by watching this video.

The disease is accompanied by damage to the respiratory system and intoxication, which has a negative impact on the condition of the whole organism. All segments of the population - both adults and children - are exposed to pathogens of viral or bacterial origin transmitted through the air.

The main questions discussed in this article are how to treat ARVI in adults, and what is the difference between acute respiratory disease and influenza.

Briefly about the main thing

The greatest surge in ARVI is observed in the cold season. The disease is especially severe in the spring, which is a consequence of a significant depletion of the body’s energy reserves in the winter.

Impact of infection

Weakening of the body's protective functions, vitamin deficiency, and hypothermia become the main factors predisposing to the perception of a viral infection.

By affecting the upper respiratory tract, it contributes to the development of concomitant inflammatory processes, accompanied by:

• general weakness;
• cough;
• runny nose;
• temperature rise to 38°;
• headache.

These are symptoms indicating the presence of ARVI in the body.

From medicines effective treatment for viral infection involves the use of antipyretic, antiviral and antihistamine drugs. A mandatory component of therapy is taking vitamins.

What is the difference between influenza and ARVI?

Influenza is one of the forms of ARVI. It occurs in an acute form and is difficult to treat. The main danger of influenza is the likelihood of serious complications in the absence of proper therapy.

Influenza outbreaks (epidemics, pandemics) in some cases cause death.

The rapid spread of the epidemic is typical for the autumn-spring period.

Unlike ARVI, influenza is accompanied by a more acute manifestation of symptoms:

• high temperature (39-40°);
• aching joints;
• lacrimation;
• chills;
• pain in the eyes;
• sleep disturbance;
• hallucinations.

It is not possible to develop stable immunity to influenza due to the constant mutation of the virus and the exceptional degree of its adaptability.

Clinical course of ARVI

The body is damaged by a viral infection quickly. The incubation period ranges from several hours to 1-2 days.

The first signs of ARVI are as follows:

• sore and dry throat;
• tickling in the nose causing sneezing;
• hoarseness;
• copious secretion of mucus from the sinuses;
• inflammation of the eyes, accompanied by fear of light.

Intoxication of the body, caused by the breakdown of waste products of pathogenic microorganisms, is accompanied by chills and excess temperature.

The infection manifests itself in patients with greater or lesser severity due to individual susceptibility to the virus and the general condition of the body.

Despite the fact that many adults are able to endure a painful condition on their legs, it is recommended not to ignore the likelihood of manifestation severe consequences and listen to the advice of doctors. Their main recommendation is to adhere to bed rest.

How does influenza manifest in humans?

Among the main symptomatic manifestations characteristic of influenza are:

• persistent high temperature that does not subside for more than 4-5 days;
• intense pain in the occipital region of the head that cannot be eliminated with painkillers;
• abnormal heart rate, high pulse;
• state of delirium, convulsions.

Such manifestations pose a serious danger to the patient’s life and become an indication to call a doctor. Urgent hospitalization of the patient may be necessary.

Treatment at home

ARVI with a temperature in an adult above 39-40° requires immediate therapeutic intervention, which involves the use antiviral drugs, antibacterial agents and analgesics.

Among the most effective means used to treat acute respiratory infections and influenza, the following medications should be noted:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol.
2. Vasoconstrictor drops that eliminate excessive mucus secretion from the nasal passages - Galazolin, Nafozalin, Sanorin.
3. Antihistamines that prevent the likelihood of allergic manifestations.
4. Cough remedies. The best representative of this group is recognized Oseltamivir.
5. Influenza can be quickly cured by using antiviral drugs. Well proven Arbidol, Amiksin, Tsitovir, Anaferon, Lavomax.

Staying in the fresh air should also become an integral part during the treatment of ARVI and influenza during the recovery stage.

Prevention of viral diseases

The main preventive measures recommended are:

• avoid visiting crowded places;
• wash your hands often and only with soap;
• do not touch your face with your hands, especially your eyes, nose and mouth;
• when going outside, lubricate the nasal passages with Oxolinic ointment;
• use disposable masks and handkerchiefs;

Influenza vaccinations are considered the most important preventive measure.

Vaccination should not be ignored, since even if you become infected with a viral infection, the course of the disease will be mild and, most importantly, without complications.