Influenza virus symptoms in adults and children
More than 90% of infectious diseases are acute respiratory viral infections, in particular influenza. Among the main symptoms of the flu virus in adults are fever, weakness, body aches, intoxication. The infection is transmitted by airborne and contact-household routes. The "entrance gate" is the nose and mouth. The virus reproduces in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, after which it enters the blood. In response to the penetration of the virus, the body begins to actively produce immunoglobulins. We will talk about how many days a fever lasts with the flu and how effective antibiotics are.
How can you get infected
The source of infection is a patient with clearly expressed or erased flu symptoms. A sick person is most dangerous in the first 2-3 days of the disease, when the virus enters the environment through airborne droplets. With the usual development of the disease, already on the 5-6th day, the patient does not pose a threat to the environment. In complicated cases, the virus can be detected in the body even two weeks after the onset of the disease. We will remind that the incubation period of influenza in adults lasts up to five days, in children - less than 24 hours.
The favorite time of the flu is the cold season. Every 2-3 years, according to statistics, an epidemic is possible. Vaccination during a flu epidemic is ineffective. Doctors recommend vaccination a month before the outbreak of the infection, that is, from the end of October to mid-November. The average time for the formation of immunity is from 7 days to two weeks. Vaccination before October is inappropriate.
Forms and symptoms of the influenza virus in adults
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the following forms of the disease are distinguished: mild, moderate, severe, hypertoxic.
The lung is characterized by slight intoxication, subfebrile temperature and the absence of catarrhal phenomena.
A headache, aching joints, profuse sweating, muscle aches, nasal congestion, redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes, a sore throat and a temperature up to 38 degrees are typical for the average. Note that antibiotics are not always effective for flu symptoms.
Severe is characterized by a high temperature and pronounced intoxication. In some cases, vomiting, nosebleeds, and confusion may occur. A note on flu prevention, which clearly describes possible symptoms and actions at the first manifestations of infection, will help prevent such a situation.
Hypertoxic - pronounced intoxication, against the background of which brain edema, respiratory failure, and serious disorders of the nervous system may develop.
Clinical picture of influenza in adults:
- catarrhal manifestations (nasal congestion, sneezing, wheezing and sore throat, dry mucous membranes);
- dyspeptic phenomena (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea);
- cough, chest pain, shortness of breath;
- pronounced intoxication (muscle and joint pains, high fever, headache, chills, pain in the eyeballs);
- nasal bleeding (characteristic of severe and hypertoxic forms).
On our website Dobrobut.com, you can consult on all issues and make an appointment with a specialist at a time convenient for you. Find out if you can send your child to school if the number of flu patients at school has halved.
Symptoms and treatment of influenza in children
The incubation period is characterized by the absence of clinical manifestations and lasts from 5 to 24 hours. In some cases, drowsiness, increased fatigue and weakness may appear.
During the period of severe manifestations, the virus multiplies massively. The child is apathetic and lethargic, refuses to play. Muscle weakness, joint pain, fever, lacrimation, sneezing are the main symptoms of the disease. A characteristic feature of the course of influenza in children is a wave-like increase in temperature. The duration of this period is 3-5 days.
Recovery period.
Treatment of influenza in children includes:
- bed mode;
- full nutrition and plenty of drinking;
- antiviral and antipyretic drugs;
- symptomatic therapy;
- vitamins;
- immunomodulators.
The course of treatment is prescribed and adjusted exclusively by a pediatrician. Self-medication is unacceptable! The doctor will tell you about the most effective flu medicines used in children's practice during the appointment. Registration is carried out on the website and by phone.
How to treat the flu during pregnancy
Influenza is especially dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy, because the virus with the bloodstream can infect the future child. In addition, the consequences of infection represent a great danger - the threat of miscarriage and exacerbation of chronic diseases.
How to treat the flu during pregnancy:
- bed mode;
- warm drink in large quantities;
- full nutrition with a predominance of vegetables and fruits;
- for temperature and muscle pain, take paracetamol, but after consulting a doctor;
- a saline solution will help with a runny nose.
Recipes of traditional medicine are also effective: gargling with decoctions of herbs, hot teas, inhalations with chamomile and St. John's wort.
Consult with a specialist whether you need to get a flu shot.
Flu treatment
Therapy consists of the use of medicinal and non-medicinal methods. The latter include bed rest, plenty of drinking, rational nutrition, local therapy (inhalations, nasal instillation, gargling).
Drugs:
- anti-viruses;
- desensitizing;
- medicines for cough;
- nasal drops;
- sprays for the throat.
Antibiotics and detoxification therapy are prescribed according to individual indications.
Prevention
Specific prevention is the introduction of a vaccine containing virus antigens into the human body. Immunity after vaccination lasts for a year. Side effects after vaccination in adults are rare and are most often associated with incorrect manipulation. Complications after flu vaccination in a child: soreness at the injection site, enlargement of nearby lymph nodes, and redness of the skin.
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