Drugs against ARVI and influenza

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Medicines for influenza and ARVI

With the onset of cold seasons, all sorts of colds, acute respiratory viral infections, and flu begin. To protect themselves, people immediately head towards pharmacies and purchase a lot of medicines. But adequate treatment requires choosing drugs for influenza and ARVI adequately, coordinating the course with the attending physician.

Table of contents:

What medications to choose so as not to worsen the condition

In order to know a specific and effective range of medications for the treatment of respiratory diseases, it is necessary to study the nature of the disease. There are a number of factors that cause influenza, an acute respiratory infection. This condition is mentioned in ancient sources; humanity has experienced at least 18 epidemics. Each wave claimed the lives of millions of people, remember, for example, the “Spanish flu” - a flu that killed millions in Europe and Asian countries. Only with the advent of vaccines, drugs for acute respiratory infections and influenza, it became possible to avoid infection or suffer from it in a mild form. Moreover, to create a drug against acute respiratory infections and influenza, scientists work incessantly, since the virus tends to mutate, that is, become more powerful and adapted to the components of vaccinations. Updates occur every 2-3 years, but immunization should be done at least once a year.

Causes of influenza, how ARVI occurs

The optimal mark on the barometer for the reproduction of influenza viruses is from -5 to 5 degrees. It is during cold, “slush”, that is, high humidity seasons that the infection spreads, from which antiviral drugs for influenza are taken. The human immune system plays an important role in this; if it is in a “deplorable” state, then the risk of infection is very high. For what reasons do protective functions weaken:

For long-term, chronic diseases. The body cannot restore its strength; pathological processes take away internal potential. Problems include inflammatory processes, non-healing wounds, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, etc.

With an incorrect lifestyle. Physical inactivity, monotony, refusal to play sports, light types of physical activity: yoga, banal gymnastics create stagnation in the body. As a result, chronic diseases worsen, new ones appear - metabolic disorders, poor blood circulation.

Poor nutrition. In the pursuit of weight loss, many ignore healthy foods, which disrupts hormonal balance and metabolism. The body does not receive valuable microelements, vitamins, minerals, blood flow to small vessels is disrupted, which causes stagnation and decreased immunity. It is worth noting that anti-ARVI drugs are often a combination of valuable elements.

  • Smoking negatively affects the condition of the entire body. Vascular spasm occurs, the respiratory canals become clogged, liver tissue is destroyed due to decay products, and there is a large load on the kidneys and urinary tract. As a result of these and other problems, the body spends its potential on recovery and immunity decreases.
  • Alcohol. Much has been said about the dangers of alcoholic beverages, but it’s worth repeating again. Toxins released when consuming alcohol poison the entire body, entering the bloodstream, they penetrate every internal organ. The liver, kidneys, blood vessels, and brain suffer. There is a malfunction in the hormonal, nervous, cardiac system, and in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If a person is not able to give up bad habits, there is no point in finding out which flu drug is the most effective. The affected liver is not able to filter the blood and the effect of the medicine will only be depressing.

Colds. Banal hypothermia, prolonged exposure to drafts, and walking in wet shoes can cause a common cold, which takes away some of the defenses. A person's weakness can cause rapid infection.

Refusal of vaccinations. Annual immunization was created for a reason. The effect of vaccinations has been proven many times. Many people mistakenly believe that vaccines are dangerous. However, problems arise only in isolated cases due to certain factors:

  • during vaccination, the human body was poorly examined; the vaccine was given to a weakened patient with reduced immunity;
  • the drug has not been certified and is of dubious origin.

Important: for immunization you only need to go to trusted clinics and check the certificate of conformity of the vaccine being vaccinated.

Symptoms of respiratory diseases

To choose the right drugs for ARVI, you need to pay attention to the symptoms of a respiratory infection so as not to confuse the condition with a common cold. In total, there are more than 200 varieties of viruses, which include adeno-, rhino-, corona-, para-, enteroviruses, etc. A number of microbes can also provoke the disease: staphylococcus, pneumococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, chlamydia, mycoplasma.

Respiratory disease does not immediately manifest itself with the usual symptoms; a person is primarily concerned about:

The virus enters the body through a patient’s cough, sneezing, or through airborne droplets and settles on the mucous membrane of the respiratory canals. It is for this reason that dry breathing occurs. Penetrating the epithelium, they enter the circulatory system and affect internal organs. Intoxication occurs, which causes the following symptoms:

Due to multiplication on the mucous membrane, breathing becomes difficult, the nose and ears are blocked, and a painful, dry cough occurs.

Colds

Colds appear due to low immunity and hypothermia. The culprits are not outsiders, but the body’s own microbes. Unlike the flu, a cold is not a source of infection, and goes away in about 7-10 days if you take an effective remedy for acute respiratory infections and flu in a timely manner. In cases where cough and other signs of illness do not go away, it is necessary to undergo a full examination and identify problems that reduce the immune system, which is unable to fully repel the attack of pathogens.

Diagnosis of acute respiratory diseases

There is hardly any need to remind you that at the first signs of influenza or acute respiratory viral infection during an epidemic, you need to consult a doctor. Only in this way can dangerous complications be excluded: meningitis, pneumonia, inflammation of the lining of the brain, bronchitis, etc.

To determine the type of disease, the doctor conducts a visual examination and collects anamnesis. If necessary, prescribe blood and urine tests for a more thorough examination, prescribe treatment, which may include immunostimulants for influenza, drugs with anesthetic, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and other modes of action.

  • In the early stages of a respiratory illness, rapid diagnostics are carried out, thanks to which the condition can be identified within a few hours.
  • Serological diagnosis allows you to identify the type of antibodies.
  • There is also a polymerase chain reaction, differential diagnosis, these methods are carried out only in specialized laboratories.

Treatment: proven remedies for ARVI and influenza

Considering the fact that the disease is caused by viruses, it is necessary to undertake adequate treatment prescribed by a specialist who is well versed in which drug is best for influenza and ARVI.

Important: treatment of viral respiratory diseases with antibiotics is unacceptable, since the components of such drugs are not capable of destroying viral colonies. They are prescribed only to eliminate complications: pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis, etc.

At the first sign of acute respiratory viral infection, we immediately head to the pharmacy stall and try to select the funds ourselves. But the most effective drugs for influenza and ARVI can be harmful to health, or may not be needed at all. It is possible that a person is suffering from a common cold and there is no need to fight viruses. Or, harm your health due to components that cause serious side effects, since any name contains not only indications, but also contraindications.

Medicines against influenza and ARVI: immunostimulants

This type of product activates the body’s immune response at the biochemical level. But experts do not recommend getting carried away with immunostimulating drugs, and in some European countries they are generally prohibited. Immunostimulating drugs for influenza cause addiction to external influences, and it ceases to independently repel the attacks of microorganisms, autoimmune consequences arise. Cells can begin to attack their own healthy cells and cause oncological autoimmune pathologies of any organ.

Immunomodulatory medications for colds and flu have not proven effective. In any case, most doctors are of this opinion. Judging by their reasoning, a person himself has the ability to enhance protective functions; in extreme cases, it is possible to help with means based on human interferon.

Experts also warn about inadequate treatment of respiratory viral diseases with antipyretics. By lowering body temperature, a person weakens the body’s protective functions and allows viruses to freely attack internal organs, thereby causing dangerous complications.

Important: children under 12 years of age are contraindicated in taking aspirin, which causes severe damage to the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and Reine's disease.

The best drugs for ARVI and influenza

Tablets for acute respiratory infections and flu - antiviral

First of all, the medicine should be aimed at destroying pathogens, that is, have antiviral properties. This series includes Remantadine, Amantadine. But not all names are children's antiviral drugs for ARVI, so when choosing, you should carefully read the instructions, or even better, consult your doctor. Their use is indicated at the first manifestations of the disease. The disadvantage is that the components do not affect all types of viruses, especially mutated ones. For prevention, they are taken not only by the sick person, but also by all family members.

Products based on neuraminidase inhibitors protect against viruses type B and A by inhibiting microbial growth with a specific enzyme.

Medicines against influenza and ARVI viruses

Zanamivir is prescribed for children over the age of five years, the daily dose is not more than 10 mg per day. Administration should not be combined with bronchodilators, as bronchospasm, asthma attacks, etc. are possible.

Antiviral drugs for ARVI

Oseltamivir is taken from the 1st year of life according to the scheme of matching the baby’s body weight and the medication. Adults and over 12 years of age - daily dose is no more than 150 mg, treatment should not exceed 5 days. Contraindication: renal failure, side effects - nausea, vomiting, dizziness.

Ribavirin - blocks the reproduction of group A and B viruses, used to treat adeno-, corona-, syncytial viruses, parainfluenza. Prescribed only for persons over 18 years of age, dose - 200 mg three times a day. Contraindications: pregnancy, anemia, renal failure.

Drugs against influenza and acute respiratory infections based on interferon

This group contains protein components that stimulate the body to become resistant to viruses. Products with a wide range of effects allow you to get rid of virus colonies in a matter of days and have virtually no contraindications. Medicines for influenza virus and ARVI are presented in the form of rectal suppositories, tablets, drops: Viferon, Kipferon, Reaferon. Taken from infancy, both as treatment and effective prevention against respiratory diseases.

Amiksin, Tiloron, as well as products based on cycloferon, which contain substances that stimulate the body’s production of its own interferon, are included in the complex of therapy for colds. The most effective drug for influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, Amiksin, is prescribed for children aged 7 years and older, the course is no more than 6 tablets. Contraindications: pregnancy, children under 7 years of age.

Cycloferon is an antiviral medicine for acute respiratory infections and influenza, administered intramuscularly, the course is a maximum of 2 days (up to 250 mg) or taken in the form of tablets (1 tablet every other day), the treatment period is no more than 20 days. Contraindications: pregnancy, young children.

The best antiviral drugs for ARVI

Kagocel is an effective interferon inducer and has immunomodulatory and antiviral properties. Prescribed only to adults: 2 tablets. three times a day, then gradually switch to 2 tablets. The course of treatment is 4 days and no more than 18 tablets.

Immunomodulatory drugs for influenza “Arbidol”, “Immusstat”, “Umifenovir” are very popular during seasonal respiratory diseases. It is prescribed not only for the treatment, but also for the prevention of ARVI, influenza type A, B, and is included in the list of the most important names. Since 2011, it has officially become an antiviral drug. Prescribed to children from 3 years of age, there are practically no contraindications, only individual intolerance.

What medications to take for influenza and acute respiratory viral infections for immunomodulation and effects on viruses

Amizon - induces interferon, has immunomodulatory, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. Prescribed from 6 years of age, course up to 7 days.

Anaferon is an antiviral drug for influenza and ARVI on a homeopathic basis with immunomodulatory properties, used to treat colds and respiratory conditions. It is given to children under six months of age; contraindication is individual intolerance.

Grippferon is an antiviral, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drug in the form of nasal drops. The course is prescribed individually by a specialist.

The most effective drugs for ARVI

The complex, combined antiviral drug "Teraflu" consists of an antipyretic - paracetamol, and ascorbic acid. Also present are phenylephrine and pheniramine, which have vasoconstrictor and decongestant properties, reduce fever, and relieve nasal congestion. It is used not only for the treatment, but also for the prevention of respiratory diseases.

Fizzy drinks for flu and colds

To relieve the symptoms of colds and respiratory diseases, you need to take combined medications that contain antipyretic, antispasmodic, painkillers, antihistamines, and vitamin C. Let’s find out which reliable medications for influenza, ARVI, you can drink by dissolving in warm water.

Coldrex, Faromatsitron, Flukold and other drugs are prescribed from 12 years of age. The daily dose is no more than 3 or 4 packets, the course is 3-4 days. Contraindications: allergic reaction, acute gastrointestinal diseases, renal failure, individual intolerance, pregnancy, children under 12 years of age.

Home remedies

Along with antiviral drugs of any type: immunomodulatory, combined, immunostimulating, a person must take proven measures to restore strength:

  • Observe bed rest - at rest, immunity and energy accumulate and are saved.
  • Drink more warm water, juices, fruit drinks, compotes. Toxins from the decay of healthy cells and viruses poison the entire body; they can be eliminated through sweat and normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, and urinary tract, which is facilitated only by additional fluid.
  • Proper nutrition - consume only healthy foods, avoid fatty, spicy, smoked, and sweet foods. If it hurts to swallow, include chicken and fish broth, viscous porridges, and purees in your diet.
  • To refuse from bad habits. Smoking and alcohol directly affect internal organs, which are already subject to excessive stress due to toxins and viruses.

The best herbal preparations for ARVI

Persons not familiar with the basics of herbal medicine do not know that a number of plants have excellent antiviral properties, especially against cytomegalovirus. Thanks to their use, other symptoms are also relieved: swelling, high temperature, runny nose, cough.

The best drugs for influenza and ARVI based on medicinal plants:

  • Alpizarin: Altai kopek, mango leaves.
  • Flacoside: Amur velvet, Laval velvet.
  • Megozin, Gossypol, Helepin: oil, seeds, cotton roots.
  • Chamomile flowers - a decoction of this plant has anti-inflammatory, sedative, decongestant and bactericidal properties. For 200 grams of water (boiling water) add 2 tablespoons of dried flowers, leave for half an hour and drink a third of a glass 3-4 times a day.
  • Linden (flowers) relieve inflammation, thin mucus, and stimulate expectoration. Steam 2 tablespoons with a glass of boiling water, strain after 30 minutes and drink 3 times a day, a third of a glass.
  • Proteflazid: reed grass, turf pike - used for the prevention of colds and flu.
  • Imupret: horsetail, walnut (leaves), oak bark - the product has immunomodulatory and antiviral properties.

Everyone understands perfectly well that it is better to avoid a disease than to fight it with medications. If you follow a healthy lifestyle, eat well, and engage in active sports, you will not need to ask the question of which drugs to choose for influenza and ARVI.

Source: http://gripptips.ru/preparatyi/preparatyi-ot-grippa-i-orvi.html

From Virus.ru

Flu, sinusitis, sore throat

Types of antiviral drugs for influenza and ARVI

Antiviral medications for colds and flu are essential in the fight against these diseases. Of course, if you are in an environment where there is already a person with ARVI or flu symptoms, you need to take preventive measures. During the period of intensification of colds, you should strengthen your immune system and reduce the possibility of infection to a minimum. But most people neglect prevention and worry about health when the disease has already begun to cause the first symptoms.

If the doctor determines that the disease is of a viral nature (influenza, ARVI), then he prescribes a specific antiviral drug for ARVI or influenza for treatment.

How the body resists viruses

In most cases, the body itself can overcome the virus without special effective drugs. To resist viruses, the immune system produces special substances - antibodies and interferons. After foreign organisms penetrate the skin or mucous membranes, they encounter immune cells, which send signals to the immune system. She, in turn, begins to produce antibodies that can bind to viral proteins. But it will take some time to produce the required amount of antibodies. As a result of this activity of the immune system, it remembers which virus it fought, and when it appears again, ready-made antibodies will quickly be able to neutralize it. True, in this way the body cannot protect itself from all viral diseases. Antibodies will be effective if you have already had rubella or chickenpox. In this case, the immune system will not allow the disease to reoccur.

Influenza and ARVI have the ability to change their structure and the emergence of new strains. Therefore, even if you have already suffered from such diseases, next time you can become infected with another type of acute respiratory viral infection or influenza, with which your body is not yet familiar. In the fight against these viruses, the most effective proteins are interferons. They counteract at the intracellular level without selective action, therefore they actively fight almost all types of pathogenic microorganisms. When interferon enters the intercellular space, it begins to have an antiviral effect on all neighboring cells. As a result, they become resistant to the virus. Interferon also suppresses the development of viral proteins.

However, there are a number of microorganisms that suppress the activity of interferon, then only antiviral drugs will help. But there is always a risk that the virus has already adapted to the action of a particular drug, in which case the use of these drugs will not bring results. If this happens, the doctor will prescribe another antiviral drug.

The course of treatment for viral diseases such as influenza and ARVI involves taking special antiviral drugs. If you start taking them from the first hours of development of the pathological process, then the possibility of the virus entering healthy cells will be reduced to a minimum, which means that intoxication of the body and possible exacerbations of chronic diseases can be avoided.

If you want your body to quickly learn to resist the flu, resort to preventive measures in the form of vaccination.

What viruses cause influenza and ARVI?

Let's look at the most common types of viruses that lead to influenza and ARVI:

  1. Influenza virus. Most often, influenza is caused by viruses of types A and B. Symptoms begin to appear on the first or second day after a foreign microorganism enters the body. The average duration of the disease is about 7 days if you start taking appropriate medications on time.
  2. Rhinoviruses. These microorganisms begin to multiply on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. They are easily carried through the air by sneezing. The first symptom is a runny nose; it appears on the second or third day after infection. With effective treatment, recovery occurs within 6-8 days.
  3. Adenoviruses. These viruses of groups B, C and E cause inflammation of the larynx and eyes. Characteristic symptoms of the disease are: high fever, sore throat and red eyes.
  4. Parainfluenza. When infected with this type of virus, laryngitis develops, and then the infection descends into the bronchi. A runny nose appears less often. If you do not take antiviral drugs for influenza, the fever can last up to 8 days.

The most important task for a virus is to penetrate the host’s body in order to actively multiply in it. After a foreign microorganism penetrates a cell, it builds its proteins in it to implement replication. As soon as such viruses begin activity in the cell body and feed on its contents, it quickly dies. So, step by step, aggressive viruses, introducing themselves into new healthy cells, begin to destroy them.

What antiviral drugs exist for influenza and ARVI?

Antiviral drugs for acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, having an effect on viruses, strive to stop their reproduction and spread throughout the human body. There are synthetic and natural based medications. They are used both to combat an already established disease and to prevent it. Today, modern medicine knows about 500 types of causative agents of colds. They are often treated with three traditional types of medications:

  • broad spectrum drugs;
  • means for the treatment of herpes;
  • drugs against cytomegalovirus.

If the disease is mild, you can limit yourself to taking interferon analogues. Start taking antiviral medications for the flu as soon as your doctor prescribes it. Otherwise, the virus can multiply throughout the body to such an extent that the medicine will no longer be effective.

Taking antiviral drugs provides a number of advantages for the human body:

  • reduces the risk of exacerbation of chronic problems (asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, etc.);
  • relieves symptoms;
  • reduces recovery time;
  • reduces the risk of severe complications.

Antiviral drugs for ARVI are also taken as preventive measures if one of the family members is already sick.

Chemical antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza

This type of antiviral agent is the most effective. These drugs include the quite popular Acyclovir, Remantadine, Arbidol, Ribavirin and Tamiflu. The safest among these drugs is Acyclovir, but it is more specialized in a small list of infections. The most popular from the above list is Remantadine, which is produced not only in tablet form, but also in the form of syrup under the name Orvir. The significant disadvantages of this antiviral drug include its narrow range of application. It is active only against influenza viruses in the first days of infection. It will not be effective against other pathogenic microorganisms. But accurately determining whether you have the flu or not is quite problematic. Therefore, to avoid mistakes, it is prescribed during epidemics.

Ribavirin is active not only against influenza, but also in the fight against respiratory viruses, which sometimes cause the development of pneumonia in children in the first year of life. In comparison with rimantadine, it is more effective, since it has an antiviral effect not only during the period of infection, but also in the initial stage of the disease.

Arbidol is sometimes mistakenly called a broad-spectrum drug, since the instructions for use indicate that it is effective in the fight against influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections. In fact, it can only combat influenza viruses in the initial stages of the disease.

The most effective drug among those presented is the new generation drug Tamiflu. It differs in that it can effectively counteract viruses throughout the entire duration of the disease. Tamiflu can halve the duration of a fever and the risk of complications from influenza. But at the same time, it has a significant number of side effects, so it cannot be used to treat a child under 12 years of age. Under the influence of this antiviral drug, microorganisms lose their ability to penetrate the cell membrane, and intoxication is gradually inhibited and disappears.

Interferon group of drugs for ARVI and influenza

The most effective and at the same time safe group of antiviral drugs for ARVI and influenza are interferons and their inhibitors. These drugs have been used for a long time; they have proven themselves in counteracting many viral diseases. As mentioned above, interferon actively fights all types of viruses, and therefore is not a narrowly targeted agent. It is produced by the body itself, so the only side effect may be a sensitivity reaction to foreign protein cells.

The action of interferon is so effective that the symptoms of the disease disappear on the second day from the start of taking the drug. It actively counteracts foreign microorganisms not only in the first days of a cold, but also during the acute phase of the disease. The complex of advantages of this medicine has led to the fact that pharmaceutical companies began to produce it in a variety of forms. Interferon, Cycloferon, etc. are available for sale in the form of injections. For the treatment of children, interferon analogues exist in the following form:

  • rectal suppositories Viferon;
  • vaginal suppositories Kipferon;
  • nasal drops Derinat and Grippferon.

These drugs are prescribed to infants under one year old and older children for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other similar diseases during any period of illness. They are generally well tolerated, only Grippferon can cause a slight burning sensation in the nose. It should be borne in mind that it does not have a vasoconstrictor effect.

If you compare Kipferon and Viferon, they are both good and quite effective, only the first begins to act faster due to the fact that it contains specific antibodies. Viferon is a synthetic analogue of interferon, so the risk of adverse reactions when taking it is lower.

When using antiviral drugs such as Cycloferon and Interferon, it should be taken into account that it will take some time for them to begin to act fully. But the flu needs to be cured quickly. Therefore, they can only be used as preventive measures.

Derinat is an antiviral agent in the form of drops that quickly has an immunostimulating effect. It is mainly prescribed to children in the first or second year of life; it stimulates the production of interferons by the child’s immune system. It can be given to children without any fear, as it is practically free of side effects. When Derinat is instilled into the nose, it begins its antiviral effect and at the same time stimulates the similar work of other antiviral drugs.

Antiviral and immunomodulatory agents

Pharmaceutical companies have produced many drugs in this group in recent years. Therefore, we will focus on the most famous and effective medications. They themselves do not have an antiviral effect, however, when affecting the body, they provoke the formation of interferon, which will fight viruses.

Among immunomodulatory drugs, there are drugs that are prescribed only by an immunologist after a thorough examination. But other drugs - immunomodulators can be freely prescribed by a therapist, these include:

All of them are used only as a preventive treatment, since the first effect occurs only after two to three weeks of taking such a remedy.

Homeopathic antiviral remedies for ARVI and influenza

Recently, homeopathic antiviral medicines have been gaining popularity in the fight against influenza and ARVI viruses. Oscillococcinum, Aflubin and Vibrucol are especially popular. The technology of action of these drugs has not yet been described, but it is believed that they activate the body’s defense system, which means they have an immunostimulating effect.

In practice, such homeopathic remedies gave results only when taken during the period of infection with ARVI, and then only in each case. The effect of these drugs is purely individual.

Therefore, it is better not to waste time, but to start taking a more effective remedy in the fight against colds. Homeopathic medicines should be used only if you have had a positive experience of using it previously to treat a cold in your particular body.

Treatment of ARVI and influenza with antiviral drugs

Flu, if left untreated, can lead to serious consequences, so its treatment should be approached promptly and responsibly. By its nature, influenza is a viral disease, so antiviral drugs are used against it. But there is no perfect cure for the flu.

The most common drugs used to combat influenza are:

  • M2 channel blockers Amantadine and Remantadine;
  • neuroamidase inhibitors – Zanamivir and Oseltamivir.

Amantadine effectively fights influenza type A. The daily dose for an adult is from one to two hundred milligrams of the drug. The duration of treatment and prevention is 10 days.

Remantadine inhibits the reproduction of influenza viruses. The result of taking it will only be in the first days of illness with influenza type A, but it also copes well with intoxication from influenza virus type B. This antiviral drug is sold in the form of tablets; adults take two tablets three times on the first day of illness, and on the second day - twice, on the third day - once. Remantadine is also used as a prophylaxis against viral colds; in this case, you need to take one tablet once a day for 14 days. When taking it, there is a risk of side effects, such as sleep disturbances, attention problems and irritability.

An antiviral drug for influenza, Zanamivir, is prescribed to children over 5 years of age and adults in the form of inhalations of five milligrams per day. This remedy cannot be combined with other inhaled medications, otherwise exacerbations of chronic lung diseases are possible. People without such problems may experience nasopharyngeal irritation due to an overdose.

Oseltamivir is an analogue of the well-known Tamiflu. For flu or colds, children over 11 years of age and adults are prescribed 75 mg twice a day, taken for five days. This drug begins to be prescribed to children from one year old.

Before taking any antiviral drug, consider the fact that the duration of treatment and dose may vary for each person. This depends on many factors: age, health status, weight of the patient. In addition, the regimen and dose of a particular drug depends on the purpose of administration: treatment of a disease or prevention.

Also carefully read the information about possible side effects and contraindications; it may not be used in your case.

Use of antiviral drugs during pregnancy and lactation

Despite the fact that during pregnancy it is not recommended to take medications that are not related to the woman’s condition, acute respiratory viral infections and influenza are indications for starting treatment with antiviral medications. If therapy is not started in time, there will be a serious danger to the health and life of the mother and fetus.

Antiviral drugs for influenza and ARVI during pregnancy are prescribed as soon as the first symptoms appear. The most common drug in this case is Tamiflu. And although it is better to start taking it from the first days of the disease, in severe cases it is taken much later.

If for some reason Tamiflu is not suitable or it is not possible to purchase it, pregnant women are prescribed Zanamivir. It is taken by inhalation twice a day for five days.

Taking antiviral drugs for influenza during breastfeeding has some special features. During treatment, it is better to stop breastfeeding your baby or consult a doctor about the individual use of antiviral drugs.

These two drugs, in terms of safety level, belong to group “C” - this means that they have not undergone special clinical trials in the treatment of pregnant and lactating women against influenza. But their effectiveness exceeds the possibility of threatening the health of the mother and fetus.

Features of the treatment of influenza and ARVI in children

Under 3 years of age

With the onset of autumn, cold season begins for kids. The cause is most often the ARVI virus, which is easy to become infected in a public place, transport or in kindergarten. Children have weaker immunity than adults, so it is much easier for them to become infected. If your child is sick, call a doctor at home. He will prescribe effective medications specifically for your case. This way, you will avoid the possible risk of complications and ineffective treatment. You should not trust the advice of friends, grandmothers or advertising on TV. Let's consider what remedies doctors recommend in such cases:

  1. Ribarin is prescribed to babies under one year of age for bronchitis and pneumonia. Only doctors can prescribe it, as it has many side effects.
  2. Relenza counteracts various forms of influenza. It is recommended to take it no later than two days from the moment the first symptoms appear.
  3. Vitaferon is a broad-spectrum drug that can be used to treat children under 3 years of age. It contains substances that have a stimulating effect on the immune system. The only problem with taking it may be sleep disturbance.
  4. Groprinosin also activates the immune system and blocks the spread of viral infections.

Over 3 years of age

Weakened children's immunity plays into the hands of influenza viruses. If a child gets sick more than five times a year, care should be taken to strengthen his immune system. Allergies, poor appetite, fungal and cold infections, fatigue - this whole complex of problems is a signal that immunity needs to be boosted.

Of the four types of antiviral drugs, the following are used to treat children over 3 years of age:

  1. The most well-known chemical drugs are Remantadine, Ribaverin and Arbidol.
  2. Immunostimulants that have an effect after several weeks of use and are used only as prophylaxis - Imudon, Immunal, Bronchomunal.
  3. Interferons Derinat, Anaferon, Viferon have immunostimulating activity. They increase the level of interferon in the child’s body and stop the activity of the virus in the early stages of the disease.
  4. Homeopathic remedies Vibrukol and Aflubin are the safest and help the immune system fight viruses, but their effect affects each person individually.

Not all antiviral drugs for influenza are suitable for children. There are a number of drugs that are used only for the treatment of adults, and they are contraindicated for children:

  • medicines that help fight cough such as Ambrohexale or Bromhexine;
  • a drug with high toxicity - Amiksin or Tilaxin;
  • a number of antiviral agents, the safety and effectiveness of which have not been confirmed - Neovir, Thymogen, Cycloferon and others.

If a child has mild cold symptoms and does not have a high fever of more than 38.5°C, it is better to give the body the opportunity to overcome foreign microorganisms on its own. Try to cure ARVI with drinking plenty of fluids, tea with rose hips or honeysuckle, chamomile decoction, honey and other well-known home remedies. If the condition does not improve within 1-2 days, you should seek help from a doctor.

Treatment of herpes with antiviral drugs

Separately, it is worth mentioning the treatment of herpes, which is also viral in nature. This disease is not as dangerous as the flu, but is accompanied by an unpleasant symptom - a rash on the lips. Herpes is fought with two groups of drugs: general and local. The first include immunomodulators and interferons. The second includes products that are applied to rashes and contain active elements against the herpes virus. Such topical ointments include Zovirax, Acyclovir, Acyclostad and others. In fact, this is one drug that is produced by different manufacturers under their own names. These medications are effective and reliable means in the fight against herpes; they have been used for many years and have not lost their medicinal qualities over time.

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Source: http://otvirusa.ru/gripp/protivovirusnye-preparaty-ot-grippa.html

Flu and ARVI medications for children

What medications are there to treat influenza?

Antiviral drugs for influenza

List of flu medications

Remantadine

Remantadine for children is currently on sale. It is produced as Orvirem syrup.

Tamiflu

Relenza

List of drugs against influenza and ARVI

Due to the possibility of side effects, this drug is contraindicated in children under three years of age.

Amiksin

Cycloferon

Arbidol

Release form. Capsules (100 mg) and tablets (50 mg).

Isoprinosine

50 mg/kg should be divided into 3-4 servings.

Panavir

Ingavirin

It blocks the virus from entering the cell and disrupts its reproduction, acting as an inducer of endogenous interferon.

The best remedy for flu and colds

In order to avoid contracting a viral infection, it is necessary not to visit crowded places during an influenza epidemic, and preventive courses of antiviral drugs should be carried out.

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comments to the article

We were treated with ergoferon, our son is 3.5 years old. I got sick on Thursday and went to kindergarten on Monday. No cough, no sniffles, healthy baby. He dissolved the tablet himself and was pleased that it was not bitter.

But we love Esberitox, we take it with the whole family. We drank it once in the spring, and now in September and have never gotten sick yet.

In terms of treating viral and influenza infections, I now like ergoferon; children and adults can use it. It helps quite quickly, on the third day it gets better so much that it seems that you are already healthy, but you need to continue treatment, since this is not a painkiller, you need to take it in a course, as indicated in the annotation for the drug.

Influcid, and only him have I trusted for the last three years with the treatment of my child. With it, we have a good chance of getting sick in five days, and most importantly, without any problems. Other antivirals are as good as tea with lemon. One even got sick with pneumonia.

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Antiviral drugs for influenza and ARVI

To treat colds and flu, antiviral drugs are used that specifically destroy respiratory viruses and influenza viruses. The mechanism of action of antiviral agents is based mainly on blocking the replication of viruses and interrupting their reproduction cycle.

Main groups of antivirus products

The following drugs are prescribed against ARVI and influenza:

  • directional action;
    • for influenza – Remantadine, Algirem, Tamiflu, Relenza;
    • respiratory syncytial virus – Ribavirin, Synagis;
    • coronavirus infection - Ribavirin;
  • wide spectrum of action;
    • recombinant interferons – leukocyte interferon, Viferon, Grippferon;
    • interferon inducers - Neovir, Cycloferon, Amiksin.

In addition to antiviral drugs, immunostimulating agents are used for treatment, of which inducers of their own (endogenous) interferon are most often prescribed.

Antiviral drugs for acute respiratory viral infections and influenza are effective if no more than a day has passed after the first signs of a cold appear. But they can be used at any stage of the disease.

Let’s take a closer look at which antiviral drugs are the most effective for acute respiratory viral infections, and which tablets are the safest for influenza.

Flu remedies

Inexpensive antiviral drugs for influenza and ARVI viruses include Remantadine, a medicine in tablets and capsules, as well as Oxolinic ointment, an effective remedy that helps prevent colds.

In children, antiviral agents are used:

  • Remantadine – from 4 years;
  • Algirem – from 1 year;
  • Tamiflu (oseltamivir) - in the USA it is allowed from 1 year, in the Russian Federation - from 12 years;
  • Relenza (zanamivir) – from 5 years.

In the treatment of influenza and ARVI, inexpensive effective drugs containing oxoline are used (Tetraxoline, Oxonaphthylene), but their antiviral activity for colds is not considered proven.

Amantadine is the first antiviral drug with proven effectiveness, but since 2011 it has not been recommended in the United States for the treatment of influenza due to the high resistance of influenza strains to this drug.

Increased resistance of influenza is also noted for Remantadine (an analogue of Amantadine), but the effectiveness of the drug remains in acute respiratory viral infections.

Remantadine is an inexpensive drug against viral infection, used in adults and children over 7 years of age for colds (ARVI), flu, and also in the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis.

Antiviral drugs for influenza and ARVI with proven effectiveness include the drugs Oseltamivir and Zanamivir. Oseltamivir is the best antiviral drug available today, effective against colds, influenza A and B, but in 2010, WHO reported the emergence of resistant forms of the virus to this medicine.

And in 2014, the Cochrane Society (USA) questioned the specificity of Oseltamivir’s action on influenza viruses.

Respiratory syncytial infection

For treatment of bronchiolitis that occurs as a complication of a cold due to MS infection or influenza, the antiviral drug Ribavirin and the drug Synagis are prescribed - effective drugs of the new generation.

The active ingredient in the antiviral drug Synagis is palivizumab. This medicine is a monoclonal antibody that has specific activity against MS infection.

Ribavirin is one of the best antiviral drugs, a drug active against acute respiratory viral infections caused by the RS virus, coronavirus and parainfluenza virus. The drug enters the infected cell and acts on enzymes, preventing the assembly of the viral protein.

This antiviral medicine is approved for ARVI in adults, is used from 18 years of age, but according to indications it is prescribed to children in case of a threat to life caused by the infection. For children, the medicine is prescribed locally in the form of inhalations.

Ribavirin has a long list of contraindications and side effects, which is why you should never prescribe it yourself.

Coronavirus infection

Antiviral drugs that have been used since the first days of coronavirus infection include Ribavirin. If there is a risk of atypical coronavirus pneumonia, the antiviral drug Oseltamivir is prescribed.

A special form of coronavirus, SARS, caused a severe epidemic in 2003 in 32 countries. This virus is distinguished by its tropism for the epithelium of the pulmonary alveoli, which immediately causes a serious condition upon infection.

For SARS, domestic Arbidol is used, which has antiviral activity. It is used from 3 years of age for ARVI and influenza of any severity.

Adenovirus infection

For adenoviral colds, Oxolinic ointment is moderately effective. It is used primarily to prevent adenovirus infection during outbreaks of infection in adults and children.

Against ARVI caused by rhinovirus, RS viral infection, adenovirus, and influenza A and B, the antiviral drug Ingavirin is used, which is prescribed for treatment in children from 7 years of age, and for prevention the medicine is used only in adults from 18 years of age.

Rhinoviruses

Groups of rhinoviruses are extremely diverse. More than 100 types of rhinoviruses are known, which makes it impossible to carry out effective vaccination.

From the first day of illness, leukocyte Interferon alpha is sprayed into the nose, which, in addition to antiviral activity, has an immunomodulatory effect. To prevent rhinovirus infection, Arbidol and Kagocel are prescribed.

Kagocel is an inducer of alpha and beta interferons. Taking the drug stimulates the production of its own interferon, which is confirmed by an increase in the concentration of this substance in the blood.

Medicines for all types of ARVI and influenza

The list of the best, most effective antiviral drugs for flu and colds includes:

  • inhibitors of the matrix protein of the virus - Remantadine, Midantan (amantadine);
  • neuraminidase blockers – Oseltamivir, Zanamivir;
  • virus RNA blockers – Ribavirin (Ribamidil).

From birth, broad-spectrum antiviral agents such as Grippferon, Alfaron, Viferon, and Children's Anaferon are used for colds and flu. From 2 years of age, the drug against viral colds Arbidol is prescribed.

From 3 years of age, the antiviral drug Cycloferon is approved for children with colds and flu with reduced immunity. From the age of 12, Neovir and Amiksin are prescribed.

In adults and children, immunostimulating syrup Cytovir-3, which exhibits antiviral properties, is used for prevention.

For ARVI in adults, drugs in tablets and capsules are used for treatment:

The best medicines for colds and flu include the antiviral drugs Synagis and Tamiflu, which are new generation drugs that are distinguished by their specificity of action.

Prevention

Antiviral drugs that are often used to prevent ARVI and influenza are Arbidol, Amiksin, IRS19, Ribomunil. Vaccination with Synagis is carried out against the RS virus.

When choosing an inexpensive but effective medicine for influenza, preference should be given to leukocyte interferons. Drugs in this group combine immunomodulatory and antitumor properties with antiviral activity.

It should be noted that not a single antiviral drug, either domestic or Western, can boast of the full scope of randomized studies.

The properties of antiviral agents and the quantitative characteristics of their effect on the immune system are still insufficiently studied. The long-term effects of taking antiviral drugs have not been studied, which increases the risk of side effects during self-medication.

Self-medication with antiviral drugs is also dangerous because there are many counterfeits on the pharmaceutical market. There are also unscrupulous manufacturers offering little-studied medications for sale.

Why is it difficult to fight against viruses?

The difficulty in treating diseases caused by viruses is that these simple microorganisms have an incredible ability to transform.

And the high speed of reproduction makes it possible to quickly respond to environmental changes and develop strains that are most adapted to these conditions, which survive and continue their destructive effect.

Each type of virus has a “tropism,” i.e., an affinity for cells of a certain type, with which it connects according to the “key-lock” principle. The lock is a cell receptor that, like a key, is opened by the virus antigen.

Most often, viruses are able to bind to several types of cellular receptors. And viruses themselves usually have several antigens that have the ability to change, which is why it can be so difficult to find a cure for a virus for a cold or any other infectious disease.

Properties of viruses

Respiratory viruses have a tropism for epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. Some respiratory viruses are also tropic for the intestinal epithelium and lymphoid tissue (adenovirus).

Respiratory syncytial virus (RS virus, RSV) is tropic to the epithelium of bronchioles and causes an inflammatory process in the smallest caliber bronchi. The parainfluenza virus has an affinity for the epithelium of the larynx and provokes acute laryngitis with a dry cough and a sore throat from the first hours of invasion.

The target for influenza is the epithelium of the respiratory tract, mainly affecting the trachea. In addition, influenza viruses have a tropism for the endothelium, the membrane lining blood vessels.

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