Any adult knows that a common cold is not a reason to immediately start taking antibiotics. Such funds, of course, have an excellent effect on pathogens, and it becomes easier for a person the next day, but they can cause considerable harm. If the disease is at an initial stage, it can easily be overcome with the help of heavy drinking, antiviral drugs and bed rest. But in some cases, antibiotics still can not do.
Tests will help you make the right diagnosis.
Before the doctor prescribes antibacterial therapy for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, a series of tests will be performed. This is the only way to make sure that complications have not joined the common cold. If a cough is present, sputum culture will be performed. In addition, general blood and urine tests will be prescribed. Determine whether antibiotics are needed for acute respiratory viral infections, a smear from the nose and throat will help. If a purulent infection is present, it can be recognized immediately. A serious reason for the appointment of antibiotic therapy is the identification of Lefler's bacillus (diphtheria pathogen).
To more accurately make a diagnosis, the doctor may suggest that the patient undergo an examination in a hospital. Here it will be possible to carry out all the necessary laboratory tests and monitor the patient's condition. A clinical blood test will be performed several times. The doctor should pay attention to whether ESR is increasing, whether the total number of leukocytes is increasing.
Pay attention to health
Attachment of a bacterial infection can be determined by the general condition of the body. As a rule, body temperature rises sharply. If a cold is complicated by pneumonia, the patient develops shortness of breath and severe coughing fits. In this case, ARVI is treated with antibiotics without fail.
It is worth paying attention to the color of the discharge from the nose and pharynx. If the mucus becomes dark or green, it is very likely that complications have appeared. With a bacterial infection of the genitourinary system, the urine acquires a brown color, a sediment appears in it, which can easily be seen with the naked eye. In the feces, you can notice blood or pus.
It often happens that after the onset of acute respiratory viral infections, it takes several days, and treatment with
antiviral drugs does not give any results. In addition, additional unpleasant symptoms may appear, such as headaches, nausea, and sleep disturbance. This may indicate the development of the inflammatory process in the lungs and bronchi. Additionally, purulent plaque may appear on the tonsils, and a sore throat intensifies.
In the event of complications, the doctor should decide which antibiotic to take with ARVI. The patient’s age, medical history, tendency to allergic reactions, localization of complications, etc. are taken into account. It is not recommended to take antibacterial drugs without the consent of the therapist.
When is it possible to do without antibiotics?
Even if laboratory analysis showed the presence of a bacterial infection, antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections are not always taken. Do not prescribe medications for mucopurulent rhinitis, which lasts less than two weeks. Antibacterial therapy begins only when antiviral treatment does not give a positive result. In addition, antibiotics are not prescribed for tracheitis, viral tonsillitis, nasopharyngitis, laryngitis. Antibacterial agents are also not suitable for the treatment of herpes virus infection, which can occur during a period of acute respiratory viral infections.
There are also cases where the use of antibiotics is necessary at the very first symptoms of a cold. With severe signs of reduced immunity, drugs are used simply for prevention. This is due to the fact that a bacterial infection will most likely join a weakened body. Antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections for children are prescribed in case of severe weight loss or in the presence of any physical abnormalities.
Indications for the appointment of antibiotics
Antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections in adults and children are prescribed primarily when the first symptoms of angina or pneumonia appear. A doctor may prescribe drugs from the penicillin or macrolide group. With purulent lymphadenitis, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. With the appearance of such complications, there is a need for additional consultation with a hematologist and a surgeon.
With SARS, inflammation of the sinuses can develop. Sinusitis is a serious cause for concern. If mucous discharge of yellow color and pain in the nose region appear during a common cold, it makes sense to turn to ENT. An accurate diagnosis will help to make an X-ray examination. Antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections for children and adults in the case of sinusitis are prescribed by the otolaryngologist.
In some cases, antibiotic therapy is prescribed for preventive purposes. Patients who have recently undergone surgery are treated with ARVI antibiotics. In this case, a broad-spectrum drug can be prescribed. It will have to be applied for at least five days. Thus, the doctor tries to protect the patient from the development of any complications against the background of a decrease in immunity.
What antibiotics can be prescribed?
Depending on the form of complications, the general condition of the patient and his age, the doctor selects an antibacterial drug. Penicillin antibiotics can be prescribed only to those patients who are not prone to allergic reactions. With tonsillitis, drugs such as Ecoclave, Amoxiclav, Augmentin can be prescribed. These are medicines that are commonly called “protected penicillins.” They have a milder effect on the human body.
With infections of the respiratory system, macrolides are most often prescribed. "Macropen", "Zetamax" - antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections in adults, if bronchitis begins. For diseases of ENT organs, Sumamed, Hemomycin, and Azitrox can be prescribed.
If resistance to drugs of the penicillin group occurs, antibiotics from a number of fluoroquinolones are prescribed. This is Levofloxacin or Moxifloxacin. Fluoroquinolones are prohibited antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections for children. The skeleton in babies is still not formed enough, so unpredictable adverse reactions can occur. In addition, fluoroquinolones are reserve drugs that a person may need in an adult. The sooner you start taking them, the sooner addiction will develop.
The doctor should choose the best antibiotic for ARVI, based on the characteristics of the patient's body and the form of complications. The specialist should do everything to the maximum to help the patient overcome the disease, while avoiding adverse reactions. The problem is complicated by the fact that every year pathogens become more and more resistant to broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs.
How to take antibiotics?
The use of antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections is necessary only when it is impossible to do without them. A runny nose and cough in a mild form are perfectly treated with antiviral drugs. Additional therapy is carried out when complications begin, and a bacterial infection joins the symptoms of the common cold. If the high temperature lasts more than three days, purulent discharge appears, the general condition of the patient worsens, antibiotics are prescribed.
It is advisable to write down all information about taking antibiotics in a special notebook. Pathogens may develop immunity to antibacterial drugs. Therefore, treatment cannot be started with potent drugs. In the event of complications, the doctor will definitely ask what antibiotics for ARVI were taken earlier. The same drug will not be able to give an equally good result in the treatment of different patients.
In order to choose the appropriate antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections, it is worth conducting a bacterial culture. Thus, it will be possible to determine the sensitivity of microorganisms to a specific group of antibacterial drugs. The problem can only be that laboratory analysis can last from two to seven days. During this time, the patient's condition may worsen.
Antibiotics for influenza and SARS must be taken strictly according to the scheme. One has only to forget about the medicine for one day, and again the unpleasant symptoms of the disease will appear. Between taking pills a certain period of time should pass. If the drug is taken twice a day, then this must be done strictly after 12 hours.
How many days are antibiotics taken?
Regardless of what antibiotics are prescribed for ARVI, a doctor should take them for at least five days. The very next day after the start of antibiotic therapy, the patient will feel a significant relief of his condition. But in no case can you interrupt treatment. The duration of taking antibacterial drugs is set by the therapist.
There are antibiotics of prolonged action, which are prescribed in especially severe cases. The scheme of their reception is divided into several stages. The patient will have to drink pills for three days, then take a break for the same period of time. Reception of antibacterial drugs occurs in three steps.
Reception of probiotics
Any antibiotics act not only on pathogens, but also on those that benefit. During the treatment period, the natural intestinal microflora is disturbed. Therefore, it is additionally worth taking drugs that can restore the normal state of the body. Such drugs as Bifiform, Linex, Narine, Gastrofarm have a good effect. You should not only take probiotics, but also consume more dairy products. Drugs are taken between antibiotics.
During the treatment period, it is necessary to observe a special diet. It is worth eating more vegetables and fruits, refuse fatty and spicy foods. Any antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections in adults and children inhibit the work of the liver. It is necessary to eat light foods that will not burden the body. It is desirable to replace white bread with black bread, and dried fruits will be an excellent alternative to sweets.
Antibacterial drugs for adults
Cephalosporins are semi-synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs. There are several generations of these tools. The most popular drugs are Aspeter, Zeporin, Cephalexin. They can be prescribed for various diseases of the respiratory system. Aspetil is also suitable for children's use, provided that the patient has a weight of more than 25 kg.
Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum drugs that are rapidly absorbed into soft tissues. The most popular are Levofloxacin and Moxifloxacin. These antibacterial drugs are contraindicated in children, women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as people suffering from epilepsy. Cases of serious allergic reactions to fluoroquinolones are also familiar. Drugs are used twice a day for 500 mg.
Macrolides are drugs with a bacteriological effect. They can be prescribed for such complications of SARS as bronchitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia. Macrolides include Azithromycin and Erythromycin. It is difficult to answer the question of which ARVI is which antibiotic is better. After all, the effect of taking macrolides can be noticeable only after 2-3 days. These drugs are approved for use during pregnancy and lactation. The daily dosage of the drug can not exceed 1.5 g (divided into 5-6 doses).
Penicillins are antibiotics that affect streptococci and staphylococci. The most common drugs are Amoxiclav, Amoxicillin. This group of antibacterial drugs is considered the least toxic. Perhaps the use in pediatric therapy. The effectiveness of the reception can be noticed after a few days. The general course of treatment should last at least five days. In the most difficult cases, penicillins are taken 10-14 days.
What antibiotics are most often prescribed for children with ARVI?
In diseases of the upper respiratory tract, babies older than three months are often prescribed Augmentin. This drug is offered in pharmacies in powder form. It is turned into a suspension and given to children 3 times a day. In rare cases, an allergic reaction in the form of a rash may occur. A positive result from treatment can be seen the very next day after the start of antibiotic therapy.
With such complications of acute respiratory viral infections, such as otitis media, tonsillitis, cystitis, sinusitis, children can be prescribed "Zinacef." The drug is presented in the form of a solution for injection. Dosage is determined by the age and weight of the child. The drug is diluted with water.
Sumamed Forte is another popular drug in pediatric therapy. The antibacterial agent has a wide spectrum of action and allows you to overcome the disease in the shortest possible time. Medication "Sumamed" is contraindicated in children under 6 months. The drug is presented in the form of a powder, which is diluted in suspension. The dosage is calculated based on the weight of the child (10 mg per 1 kg of weight). The drug is taken once a day.