Flu

March 1st, 2012

Related Articles:

• Rubella adults
• Instructions on Elixir Bronhikum TP
• Price fljukostat 50 mg
• Antibiotic Cefepime

Tweet

Flu   is an acute viral disease that affects the respiratory tract, accompanied by severe intoxication . The disease can lead to the most serious complications and sometimes death, usually in children and elderly patients.

As manifestations of infection and methods SARS   and flu   considered to be close to each other diseases, but flu-like state of great intoxication and often runs very hard, leading to various complications.

With this disease at least once in my life encountered anything. This is not surprising, because the disease is considered the most common infectious disease Which annually is able to result in outbreaks, and sometimes epidemics. It is therefore important to know everything about this illness: major hazards and ways to protect against it.

Around the world, every year a huge number of children and adults suffering from such a disease, which leads to very serious complications. The thing is that the flu virus is very variable. Every year there are more and more new types of the virus, the so-called strains With which the human immune system has not yet met. Therefore, there is no absolute vaccine   against this disease, which could provide complete protection, because there is always the possibility of making a new mutation of the virus.

Humanity on influenza was known for many centuries ago. The very first officially documented epidemic occurred in the distant 1580. But, at that time still did not know anything either about the disease or its nature arise.

In 1918-1920 there was a pandemic of respiratory infection that seized the entire globe. The infection, which was called " Spaniard "Most likely it was a severe influenza epidemic. "Spanish Flu" was characterized by the incredible mortality as a result of lightning pneumonia   and pulmonary edema .

The viral nature of influenza reliably established Smith . Andrews   and Laidlaw   England only in 1933. They were able to identify a specific virus, which mainly affected the respiratory tract of hamsters. Infection occurs flush coming from the nose and throat patients. Indicated they treated virus influenza type "A" . And in 1940godu Madge   and Francis   We were able to open the virus influenza type "B" . In 1947 Taylor   unable to allocate a new type of virus - "C" .

More study influenza virus and its properties became possible from 1940. At this time, the virus began to grow in special chicken embryos . It was from that time in the study of this disease has been made quite a big step forward. At that time, the flu was discovered ability to mutate. Also identified were all portions of the virus, that were able to change. Of course, an important discovery was the creation therapeutic vaccine .

The source of infection - a a sick man Whose viruses are excreted with the phlegm and saliva, discharge from the nose during breathing, coughing and sneezing . These viruses are able to get on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, eyes and nose out of the air or by contact with patients. They may settle on various surfaces and then fall on the mucous membranes of a healthy person through the hands or by the use of common patients with various hygiene.

After infection, the virus gets on the straight mucous membranes of the upper airways   (pharynx, nose, throat or trachea) by penetrating into the cells, and from actively proliferate. Just a couple of hours, the virus infects the entire mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. He can not hit other organs except airways. Therefore wrong to apply such a term as " intestinal flu "Because the disease is not capable of hitting the intestinal mucosa of a healthy person. Often, what is called intestinal flu with symptoms such as intoxication, accompanied by diarrhea and fever It is in a different disease - viral gastroenteritis .

Still not exactly determined due to any protective mechanisms stops viral replication and, consequently, the recovery occurs. Usually, after 2-5 days of virus excretion stops the environment. Thus, a person with the flu completely ceases to be dangerous, and after a while disappear and flu symptoms.

Similar diseases are most susceptible to people who weakened immune system :

• Small children   under 2 years, because their immune system is still inconclusive formed;
• Persons who suffer from all sorts of ailments immunodeficiency ( congenital immunodeficiency . HIV );
• the elderly;
• Persons who suffer from chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, especially with acquired and congenital heart defects ;
• sick diabetes ;
• Persons who suffer from various chronic lung diseases, including asthma ;
• pregnant women;
• sick people suffering from various chronic diseases of the blood and kidneys;
• the elderly, usually older than 65 years who have chronic diseases present various different degrees.

Flu-like symptoms

The flu incubation period   very short, ranging from infection to the earliest manifestations of an average of 48 hours. The disease almost always begins acutely. Influenza severity can be divided into light . average   and heavy .

Almost always appear catarrhal phenomena and signs of intoxication. And yet, in 5-10% of all cases occur and hemorrhagic component .

Intoxication flu appears like this:

• fever Under mild form during which the temperature usually does not exceed 38 ° C; with an average - 39-40ºS; in the case of heavy flow temperature can exceed 40 ° C;
• headache   in the eye, especially when moving the eyeballs;
• chills;
• muscle pain, usually in the joints, lower back and legs;
• general malaise and weakness;
• appetite loss;
• It can sometimes be vomiting and nausea.

Flu symptoms in children may occur 2-3 days after infection. After that the disease is developing rapidly and starts to hit the upper respiratory tract.

Classic symptoms considered heat   to 40 ° C, chills, headache and muscle pain, sore throat and a bad state of health. These symptoms last 3-4 days, but fatigue and cough can last up to 1-2 weeks after sleeping temperature.

In children, the disease can be similar to other respiratory infections, such as pneumonia . bronchitis   or croup . May include the stomach ache . diarrhea   and vomiting . And vomiting may occur more often than diarrhea. It changes the behavior of the child - a high temperature significantly increases the overall irritability.

In infants, the flu is often difficult to recognize, because these signs and symptoms are not unique. The flu in babies under 6 months occurs less frequently, but symptoms include a sudden loss of appetite, general apathy   and slackness .

Diagnosis of the flu

If you have symptoms of influenza appointed laboratory smear pharyngeal mucosa, sputum and nasopharyngeal swabs. Secreted in the analysis of the virus is cultured to determine the strain of influenza virus. Type of virus is determined by methods immunofluorescence   and braking reaction gemegglyutinatsii . For this purpose, specific immune serum.

May appoint a rapid test for the presence of antigens   nasopharyngeal swabs in the sediments. Such investigation may take up to 30 minutes. It is the most commonly prescribed diagnosis of influenza.

Other diagnostic methods virtually uninformative. Blood leukocyte   in the normal course of the disease is in fact normal or with slight deviations. Leukopenia   It is observed only in the presence of viral or bacterial complications.

Treatment of influenza

Flu is treated as a drug and non-drug therapy. Drug-free treatment of influenza   It passes as the treatment of acute respiratory infections or colds. In this case it is recommended to bed for five days. In the period of acute illness is not necessary to read, work on the computer and watching TV. Similar exercises deplete weakened body, prolonging the illness and the subsequent risk of developing all kinds of complications.

With this type of treatment recommended daily warm drink plenty of fluids 2n-rich vitamin C   - Juice, rosehip infusion or tea with lemon. Daily drinking that amount of fluid, the patient carries out detoxification. Thus, there is an accelerated excretion of all kinds toxins It formed as a result of vital activity of viruses. This therapy is based on the body's immune system and is not recommended for people with weakened immune systems who have comorbidities who have had long before this infectious disease. For people at risk during seasonal epidemics of influenza disease prevention is recommended.

Non-specific drug therapy   in the treatment of influenza is characterized by the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: acetaminophen . ibuprofen . diclofenac . Such compositions possess good anti-inflammatory action, are able to reduce the body temperature of the patient, reducing pain. In this case, the possible use of these drugs in the composition such as a pharmaceutical powder Theraflu . koldreks   and etc.

Remember, the lower the body temperature is lower than 38 ° C, it is impossible, because at this temperature the human body are activated special protective mechanisms to combat infection. Aspirin Successfully used to treat flu symptoms in adults is contraindicated in children, because the viral infection it can cause a serious complication like Reye's syndrome Which is a toxic encephalopathy Manifesting coma   and seizures .

Appointed by the flu special antihistamines   - A drug used in the treatment allergies Because they reduce all signs of inflammation: swelling of the mucous membranes and nasal congestion. The preparations belonging to the first generation of this group - tavegil . suprastin . diphenhydramine   have side effects such as drowsiness . Drugs as the next generation - fenistil . loratadine . zirtek   - Do not have a similar effect.

Specials vasoconstrictor nose drops   can reduce nasal congestion, nasal remove it. But it is not a safe drug, as it may initially seem. Of course, on the one hand, with SARS   Drops should be used in order to reduce the swelling and thus improve drainage from the sinuses to prevent the subsequent development sinusitis . Just remember that prolonged and frequent use of dangerous drops in the sense that it can develop chronic rhinitis .

This occurs when uncontrolled taking the drug can be a significant thickening of the nasal mucosa, which leads to the dependence of droplet constant to nasal congestion. In this case, this treatment only surgical complications. You need to follow a strict regime of consumption drops: 7 days, 3 times a day.

Treatment of sore throat and the flu is symptomatic treatment. The most effective way is a special gargling disinfectants . It is also possible to use extracts of chamomile, sage, as well as solution furatsilina . Rinsing should be performed often enough - to once per 2 hour. Among other things it can be used disinfectants sprays   and Aerosols : bioparoks . Hexoral   etc.

Drug therapy includes medications for cough . The goal of treatment is considered to decrease the cough sputum viscosity, making it easy to cough. In this case, an important condition for recovery is drinking regime, as a warm drink is capable of phlegm. In case of difficulty in expectoration can take special expectorants such as bronholitin . mukaltin . ACC .

Current antiviral therapy administered in combination with drug therapy. Appointed by the antiviral drugs and the means to support the immune system of the patient. Do not self-medicate and take antibacterials These drugs have no effect on viruses, including influenza virus.

Appointed influenza immunoglobulin Which is administered to a patient suffering from immunodeficiency. Antiviral rimantadine . Treatment of influenza rimantadine begins on the first day of the disease. Receiving rimantadine   children under 12, people with chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys and pregnant women is not recommended. The positive effect is the use of intranasal Interferon .

Complications of influenza

Prolonged treatment or failure to follow the doctor's recommendations often leads to flu complications. There are viral and bacterial complications of influenza, which lead to the disruption of the respiratory system and related diseases.

Primary viral pneumonia   It is a very serious complication of the flu virus. The disease begins as a flu that is often perceived by patients as a relapse of the disease. There breathlessness It develops respiratory distress, cough, sometimes with blood.

These complications like pericarditis   and myocarditis   He noted " Spaniard ". Today, such complications are rare, but have severe clinical picture.

During the flu greatly reduced natural resistance of the human body other infections. To fight the virus body spends all its internal reserves. Against this background, can rapidly develop bacterial complications of influenza.

Bacterial pneumonia Which resulted in 2-3 days of severe course of the disease and after improving the overall condition, the body temperature rises again. Appears cough green or yellow. The most important thing is not to miss the beginning of this complication, and early treatment of influenza complications and choose wisely antibiotics . Complications of influenza are also sinusitis . genyantritis   and otitis . For more severe pathology of provoking influenza status is glomerulonephritis   (inflammation of the renal tubules with decreased kidney function) encephalitis   and meningitis   (inflammation of the tissue and meninges).

Prevention of influenza

• To enhance immunity, sleep you need each day at least 8 hours.
• Buried in the nose every morning Oil Guy   (clarified butter is necessary to boil over low heat, until then, until the oil will be completely transparent, there is a small amount camphor ).
• Use futsoking   - A special soaking feet in lightly salted water.
• Use the nose oxolinic ointment   2-3 times per day.
• You can try to preventive methods of traditional medicine, the droplets in the nose: 50 gr. sunflower oil put on 20 minutes in a water bath, add 1 clove of garlic juice and quartered onion, mix it all, we give it brew for 2 hours, filtered through cheesecloth and bury several times during the day. Onions and garlic should be taken every day, and at night lay in the room.
• Prevents virus in the body by limiting contact with sick people.
• Remember that the flu virus can linger for a while in various personal care products used by patients. Therefore it is very important to wash your hands immediately after contact with the patient objects. Do not touch with dirty hands to the mouth, eyes and nose.
• However, the soap does not kill viruses as washing hands with soap and water only facilitates mechanical removal of microorganisms from hands. Use disinfectant lotions to prevent the flu is absolutely not justified.
• The risk of contracting SARS   possibility of resistance depends immune system.

To maintain normal immunity should:

• High-grade, and the main thing to eat: food must contain a sufficient amount of carbohydrates fats, proteins and vitamins. In the cold season, when the diet significantly reduced the number of edible fruits and vegetables, you need supplementation of vitamin B complex.
• Engage in regular physical activity outdoors.
• Avoid all kinds of stress.
• Stop smoking, because smoking greatly reduces immunity.

The most effective prevention of influenza - the use of vaccines, varieties of which are updated annually. Vaccination is the vaccines that have been created to combat viruses circulating in the previous winter. The effectiveness of vaccination increases with repeated vaccination.

Today, there are 3 types of vaccines: whole virus vaccines . Split vaccines   ( split ) And subunit vaccines .

When to vaccinate?

Vaccination is best done before the onset of the epidemic in the period from September to December. During the epidemic can also be vaccinated, but it should be borne in mind that the immune system is formed at 7-15 days, during which should be carried out with the help of additional prevention rimantadine .