The acronym ARVI refers to a whole group of diseases of the upper respiratory tract that developed as a result of a viral infection in the body. These include influenza, parainfluenza, rhinovirus infections. There are many methods for treating acute respiratory viral infections in modern medicine, but a physician must be consulted before using any of them.
How to treat ARVI
To date, researchers have identified about 200 different pathogens of ARVI, but this, unfortunately, is not the limit, and the list of viruses is growing. In Russia, for example, almost 50 million people infected with this infection are registered. Therefore, the question of how to treat influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in adults and children is becoming more and more urgent every year.
Modern medicine practices an integrated approach to the treatment of these diseases. And one of its most important parts is the use of drugs that affect the cause of the disease. These include antiviral, as well as drugs that enhance the patient's immune system.
Commonly used drugs
In the treatment of influenza and SARS, Amixin, which is one of the stimulants of the immune system, is very popular. It is based on the active substance tiloron, which provokes the production of 4 types of interferons at once. By the way, this drug is an excellent tool for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections.
Contraindicated for use:
- children under 7 years old;
- pregnant and lactating.
In medicine, this tool is considered quite safe, practically not causing side effects. But in rare cases, the patient may manifest:
- dyspepsia;
- allergic reaction;
- chills.
Such a tool costs about 600 rubles.
When deciding how to treat ARVI in an adult, doctors often recommend Arbidol, an antiviral, immunostimulating drug. Due to the effects of umifenovir, which is its basis, the reproduction of viruses is inhibited, which allows the body to cope with the infection faster, and the severity of the manifestations of the disease is significantly reduced.
When using Arbidol, the patient almost never has side effects. The drug is released in capsules. It is contraindicated:
- children under three years old;
- pregnant.
The price for it ranges from 130 to 700 rubles.
No less popular in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections "Anaferon" - a homeopathic drug that helps to increase the number of antibodies, as well as the activation of the production of interferon. With its help, it is possible to quickly stop the severity of symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and reduce the risk of bacterial infection.
The product is available separately in adult and pediatric dosage. Its price is within 280 rubles.
Interferon-based drugs
Often used in the treatment of influenza and SARS based on interferon:
- Viferon. This drug has antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, is available in different forms, but the most popular are rectal suppositories used in the treatment of newborns. Its effectiveness and safety are confirmed by clinical studies.
- Kipferon. This drug is prescribed for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections. It has not only antiviral and immunostimulating properties, but also anti-inflammatory. There were no obvious side effects from taking this drug.
- Cycloferon. The drug is produced both in the form of tablets for internal use, and in the form of a balm for external use. Not recommended for children under 4 years old. Studies of the effects of this drug were carried out only in Russia, and the criteria by which the assessment was carried out may not meet European standards.
- Grippferon. This drug is available in the form of drops and is prescribed for acute respiratory viral infections, bronchitis and sinusitis. It is instilled into the nose, due to which the components are easily absorbed into the blood through the mucous membrane.
Antibacterial drugs
If the results of treatment for acute respiratory viral infections are unsatisfactory and a bacterial infection has joined the disease (the presence of which is established using clinical blood tests), antibacterial agents are used. But only the attending physician can determine the need for antibiotics. Otherwise, the patient risks not improving, but aggravating his condition, since these drugs do not act on viruses.
Suspicion of the need for antibiotic therapy may occur if the patient also has inflammation of the lymph nodes, mucous membrane in the throat, sinusitis develops, abscesses or phlegmon appear.
Most often, antibiotics of the penicillin, cephalosporin series, as well as macrolide groups are used. Penicillin-based drugs have a wide spectrum of action, are easily absorbed by the gastric mucosa, and effectively fight pneumococcal, streptococcal and meningococcal infections. These are the drugs:
- "Oxacillin";
- Ampioks;
- Augmentin
- "Amoksiklav" dr.
Medicines based on cephalosporin are characterized by low toxicity and the ability to affect even strains of bacteria resistant to penicillin. These include:
- "Cephaloridin";
- "Cefazolin";
- "Cephalexin" and others.
Macrolide-based preparations are often used. They have a complex structure and inhibit the growth of bacteria, inhibiting protein synthesis in ribosomes. These drugs are considered the safest among antibacterial agents:
- Erythromycin;
- Clarithromycin
- Roxithromycin;
- Azithromycin, etc.
Antipyretic drugs
Before treating influenza and SARS, the patient needs to bring down the temperature. But it should be borne in mind that it is only necessary to reduce one that exceeds the 38 ° C mark, since fever helps the body turn on the mechanisms that destroy viruses. If the temperature stays above the indicated mark for a long time, this puts a big load on the cardiovascular system and can cause negative consequences. To bring down the temperature in this case, you will be helped by proven means:
- "Paracetamol". It has an analgesic, antipyretic and mild anti-inflammatory effect. Acts directly through the center of thermoregulation and pain.
- "Panadol". Helps reduce temperature, relieve headache, improve the general well-being of the patient. For children, starting from 3 months, this remedy is prescribed in the form of a syrup. The doctor will prescribe a scheme for treating acute respiratory viral infections in children with Panadol.
- Ibuprofen It is a derivative of phenylpropionic acid and has an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
- Nurofen Helps to eliminate pain, inflammation and the appearance of hyperthermia. It is an effective tool to combat migraine and pain of various origins.
- "Aspirin". A well-known antipyretic, which, in addition, has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is also prescribed as a blood thinner to help prevent thrombosis.
Antihistamines
With ARVI, antihistamines will not be superfluous. With their help, swelling of the nasal mucosa and rhinitis can be minimized, as well as improving the general condition of the patient.
In this case, apply:
- "Brompheniramine";
- Chloropyramine;
- "Chlorphenamine";
- will help in the fight against acute respiratory viral disease and Suprastin.
After using these drugs, the onset of symptoms of rhinitis is reduced and the duration of the disease is reduced. The main thing is that they do not cause complications and negative consequences.
Vasoconstrictor
Vasoconstrictor drops in the nose during acute respiratory viral infections will instantly relieve swelling of the mucosa and facilitate breathing. The most effective drugs include the following:
- "For Nose" is a spray intended for narrowing of blood vessels and having alpha-adrenomimetic action.
- "Nazivin" - drops prescribed for acute or allergic rhinitis. They constrict blood vessels, reduce the volume of blood in them and relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa. In addition, the drug reduces the amount of mucus secreted from the nose.
- "Tizin" is a spray that contains tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, which makes it effective for rhinitis of any etiology.
- "Oxymetazoline" - a drug that has a local vasoconstrictor effect, which helps to ease nasal breathing and get rid of a runny nose.
Cough medicine
When an acute respiratory viral disease occurs , two types of cough are distinguished:
- Productive. With its help, the respiratory tract is cleansed of accumulated mucus. Such a cough cannot be suppressed.
- Unproductive. This is usually a dry barking cough. The airways are not cleared. Therefore, the main task is to take medications that help discharge mucus and make it softer.
Doctors say that cough should not be treated immediately and not always, but only when it interferes with sleep and is very dry. How to treat SARS in an adult if a cough occurs:
- Glaucin;
- Libexin;
- "Lazolvan";
- Tusuprex.
Very effective means to facilitate coughing:
- "Bromhexine";
- Sinecode
- Mukaltin;
- Halixol.
Principles of treatment for acute respiratory viral infections
Treatment of influenza at home, as in a hospital, is always distinguished by an integrated approach. To reduce the severity of symptoms and alleviate the condition of the patient, immunomodulating drugs, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and, if necessary, antibiotics are used.
How to treat an adult with acute respiratory viral infections - at home or in a hospital - depends on his condition. So, adult patients with a strong immune system can quickly cope with the disease at home. And young children, with a fragile body, most often require constant monitoring by a specialist, and, therefore, they are better off in a hospital for the duration of the illness. After all, as you know, the flu itself is more dangerous, and its complications, which can only be avoided with proper treatment.
Drug-free therapy
Adults with a non-acute form of acute respiratory viral infections can undergo therapy at home. There are many ways to treat ARVI at home. But a positive effect will be observed only if certain rules are observed:
- It is necessary to adhere to the drinking regimen so that toxins formed during the division of the virus are easily eliminated from the body.
- Observe bed rest, because when you leave your home, you contribute to the further spread of the virus and exacerbate the possibility of complications.
Pregnancy
With the appearance of acute respiratory viral infections in a pregnant woman, a sudden reduction in blood flow occurs in the order mother-placenta-fetus. In this case, the minimum amount of oxygen is supplied to the child. Timely therapy can help prevent fetal hypoxia. In addition, it has been precisely established that with a complication of pregnancy of a developed acute respiratory viral infection, the frequency of preterm baby is slightly increased.
Proper treatment can help to cope with the disease in a timely manner, prevent complications, as well as probable pathologies of the course of pregnancy.
Respiratory infections with further formation of bronchitis and pneumonia are considered more serious for the condition of the pregnant woman and the formation of the fetus. Therefore, before treating acute respiratory viral infections during pregnancy, a consultation with a therapist and a gynecologist is necessary.
Vaccination
SARS viruses are the most dangerous pathogens. This type of disease is often found in children under 4 years old and adults over 60, as well as in people with pathologies of the heart, respiratory system or metabolic disorders.
Vaccination for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections is necessary for those who, when infected with acute respiratory viral infections, can develop a complication, for example, for pregnant women. According to statistics, vaccination reduces the number of cases and complications. In vaccinated people, the chance of developing ARVI is reduced by three times. Since the immunity formed during vaccination is only able to act for a year, it must be repeated regularly. This is due to the fact that the viruses that cause SARS are constantly changing.
Modern vaccines for acute respiratory viral disease are safe. Side effects occur only within a couple of hours, for example, an increase in temperature. Vaccines can be used for children from 6 months old, pregnant and elderly people.