Recently, in the treatment and prevention of many diseases, a group of drugs called immunomodulators has gained sufficient popularity. They are prescribed not only for adults, but also for babies, especially during the period of SARS epidemics. It is logical that many have a question about their effectiveness and, therefore, the appropriateness of use. It is worthwhile to dwell in more detail on what immunomodulators are for children and what is the principle of their action.
The name of the group of drugs itself suggests that they are used to activate the body's natural defenses. Immunity is conditionally divided into specific and non-specific. The first is effective against certain diseases. In order to get it, you must either get an infection or get vaccinated. Nonspecific protects the body from all foreign bodies. To maintain this system in good shape, you need to strengthen your physical form in various ways: to harden, play sports, etc. Immunomodulators can help in this. For children, these drugs are also prescribed, sometimes from an early age.
These drugs stimulate the production of interferon - a protein that makes it difficult for viruses to grow and makes the body immune to infections.
In addition, other protective forces are activated, as a result of which the risk of getting sick is minimized.
However, most pediatricians believe that it is not worth using immunomodulators for children , unless there are good reasons for this.
Drugs have been used in practice not so long ago, therefore their long-term effect on the body is still poorly understood. In addition, the uncontrolled use of these drugs can lead to disruption of the natural development of protective functions.
This can happen due to the fact that it is not known how the body will react if the immunity is artificially enhanced.
Therefore, only a doctor should prescribe funds, taking into account the individual characteristics of a person and his lifestyle.
Modern immunomodulators are quite effective in cases of acute respiratory viral infections.
Among them, one can name the drug Derinat, which is very often used in the treatment of both adults and children.
It has a minimum of contraindications. Another advantage of the product is the variety of its use: the drug can be instilled into the nose (for example, for children) or used as a solution for inhalation.
Immunomodulators are used for influenza. When treating this disease, doctors recommend Anaferon, Grippferon. They can also be used as prophylaxis (no more than 2 times a year), applying according to the instructions supplied by the manufacturers, or according to the scheme prescribed by a specialist.
Immunomodulators for children who are often sick can become a tool that can help cope with a beginning infection or protect the body from the virus. One of the main conditions is to choose the right drug, because the use of any drug should be reasonable and maximally effective.