Signs of flu in adults and children. What to take at the first sign of flu?

With the onset of the cold season, more and more people are worried about the flu, the signs of which are very similar to other colds. The cause of its occurrence is the penetration of a viral infection into the body with damage to the respiratory tract. It often manifests itself in the form of epidemics. About 15 percent of the world's population is infected with it every year.

Development and distribution

Signs of flu can appear in people of any age category. The source of infection can be a sick person who spreads it by airborne droplets. The high-risk group includes young children and the elderly, as well as pregnant women and people with chronic respiratory and heart diseases.

The virus enters the human body directly through the cells of the ciliated epithelium of the trachea, bronchi and nose. It is in them that it begins to multiply, the cells are destroyed and die. In the presence of infection, respiratory tract irritation is noted. The immune system is oppressed, so a secondary infection often leads, leading to complications.

What are the main forms characterized by?

The signs of the flu virus are not always manifested equally, because there are several forms of the course of the disease. Despite the differences, they are all quite dangerous to humans.

1. With a mild form, the temperature does not rise more than 38 degrees. Symptoms of intoxication do not appear brightly, but may even be absent. In this case, the disease is confused with the common cold.
2. The moderate form is characterized by a body temperature of 38.5-39.5 degrees and classic features. Usually, joint and muscle pains appear, sweating intensifies significantly, a dry cough begins to torment, the voice becomes hoarse.
3. In severe form, pronounced intoxication is noted. The temperature rises to 40 degrees. Possible nosebleeds and signs of encephalopathy in the form of seizures and hallucinations.
4. The hypertoxic form is expressed by a temperature above 40 degrees. Intoxication of the body can lead to cerebral edema or toxic infectious shock. Sometimes respiratory failure develops.
5. The fulminant form can lead to death, especially if patients have weakened immunity or some pathological problems with the respiratory system. Pulmonary edema and extensive bleeding, as well as other serious complications, may appear.

About the incubation period

When a virus enters the body, it begins to multiply inside infected cells. No symptoms and signs of the flu are yet to be detected. The incubation period usually lasts 3-5 days. Its duration is affected by the state of the immune system and the amount of virus ingested.

The disease begins to appear when the cells begin to die. From that moment, the virus becomes dangerous to others. The immune system detects the occurring destructive processes in the body and begins to respond in a certain way. The most dangerous period for infection is three days after the onset of the first symptoms.

How can one distinguish about colds?

The first signs of flu can resemble a common cold. However, knowing some of the subtleties, you can not go wrong with the diagnosis. Influenza almost always begins with lightning speed. With a cold, the symptoms increase gradually. First, it blocks the nose, then sore throat and other symptoms appear. The temperature with a cold rarely rises above 38.5 degrees.

With flu, intoxication is more pronounced. It appears as a result of poisoning by harmful substances that appear due to the decay of destroyed viruses. Coughing in the presence of a virus in the body does not occur immediately. It usually takes about three days after the onset of the inflammatory process. With a cold, the patient begins to cough at the very beginning.

Recognizing the first signs of a cold and flu, you can avoid complications in the treatment process. The right approach to therapeutic measures can also accelerate recovery.

The main signs of influenza in adults and children

Symptoms of the disease in children and adults are approximately similar. They are quite pronounced.

1. In almost all cases, body temperature rises. She continues to rise for several hours. Chills often appear. The temperature usually lasts from 2 to 5 days. Doctors do not recommend knocking it down if it does not exceed 38.5 degrees.
2. Another symptom is weakness, which appears due to the active struggle of the body with a viral infection. A huge amount of energy is spent on this. Weakness may persist for several days after recovery.
3. After infection, most people develop a cough. It can hold for about a week. The virus infects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which is why coughing occurs after infection in most cases.
4. A sign of influenza in adults and children can be a rather severe headache, which is associated with the formation of the viral infection vital products in the body. Intoxication is very active. Pain most often appears in the area of ​​the temples or eye sockets. In some situations, there may be dizziness, as with fever, the vessels dilate somewhat.
5. In the oropharynx, certain changes occur. Usually the soft palate turns red, as vessels are often affected. In severe cases, even minor hemorrhages can occur. Patients sometimes complain of dry mouth. The oral cavity acquires its former appearance only after 7-9 days after the onset of initial signs.
6. Changes apply to the nasopharynx. Edema appears on the mucous membrane, breathing through the nose is much more difficult. Burning or tingling may appear. In more severe forms, nosebleeds begin.

Recommendations for the first signs of flu

It is advisable in the presence of the first symptoms to provide the patient with bed rest. A person who has become infected with a viral infection is very contagious to others, so you should immediately limit contact. If necessary, it is recommended to use a mask of gauze.

If the first signs of influenza are already present in adults and children, then an adequate supply of fluid must be ensured. In the heat, a person sweats a lot, so he loses a lot of water. In this case, too hot drinks should be avoided. Drinking should be warm.

Suitable drinks may include herbal teas, stewed fruit or non-acidic juices. It is advisable to refuse coffee, because it can increase the heartbeat, which will lead to a deterioration in overall well-being. It is recommended to drink more than 2 liters of water per day, so that the body can successfully get rid of toxins that cause nausea, drowsiness and headache.

It is necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. To reduce the concentration of the virus, you should regularly air the room, even if it is cold outside. If it is not possible to take a shower, then you need to remove sweat from the skin with wet wipes.

How can I relieve the symptoms?

Many people think about what to take with signs of flu in order to alleviate their condition. To do this, you have to remove the main symptoms of the disease. Of these funds, three categories of drugs can be distinguished.

1. Antipyretic drugs help lower the temperature, alleviating the patient's condition. After taking, usually aches in the muscles and joints disappear. In addition, such drugs have an anti-inflammatory effect. Often take ibuprofen or paracetamol.
2. Get rid of nasal congestion allow special drops with a vasoconstrictor effect. With their help, it is possible to quickly remove edema, thereby restoring normal breathing. However, it is advisable not to use such funds for a long time. Usually instill in the nose for 3-5 days. A significant increase in this period can lead to the development of drug rhinitis, expressed by constant nasal congestion.
3. Antihistamines can be used to relieve some symptoms. Their reception allows you to get rid of swelling of the nasopharynx and redness of the eyes.

Drugs for exposure to the pathogen

Ill people also need to know what to take at the first sign of the flu in order to quickly eliminate the pathogen. The basis of treatment is antiviral drugs, as they act directly on the infectious agent. There are a lot of such means. They can affect the virus at all stages of its life cycle.

The antiviral effect is particularly effective in the early stages of infection, as it prevents the non-cellular agent from multiplying. Similar drugs are divided into two classes.

1. Neuraminidase inhibitors affect many strains of the virus. They prevent the spread of the pathogen in the body, while reducing the severity of symptoms. The duration of treatment is also significantly reduced. However, there is evidence that such drugs can cause side effects in the form of nausea, diarrhea, and even mental disorders.
2. M2 inhibitors act on the virus, preventing it from entering healthy cells in the body. However, many pathogens are resistant to old forms of such drugs.

Studies have made it clear that a pronounced antiviral and therapeutic effect is provided by immunostimulants like donor serum and gamma globulin. They have high titers of antibodies. Gamma globulin is recommended for the very first signs of the flu.

As a prophylactic and therapeutic agent in the CIS countries, interferon preparations can be used. Manufacturers claim that they have not only an immunostimulating, but also an antiviral effect. Some experts warn against their use for the prevention and treatment of influenza, since interferons can cause adverse reactions, especially if the doses are very high.

Although many claim the use of interferon inducers in the fight against viral infection, there are no data in reputable clinical trial journals. These drugs are not drugs in North America and Europe.

About Vitamin C

Even Linus Pauling advocated the use of vitamin C in large quantities at the first sign of a cold and flu. In this regard, the method is quite widespread. However, not so long ago a study was conducted that made it clear that regular intake of ascorbic acid does not help to reduce the number of colds and viral diseases. It only facilitates them to some extent.

The effect of vitamin C intake, studies show, is negligible. The risk of infection is not reduced, and the duration of the disease is reduced by no more than 10 percent.

Alternative medicine

Proponents of alternative methods of treatment suggest using various plants as additional means. Some of them have antiviral effects. For those who do not know what to drink at the first sign of flu from folk remedies, you can recommend tincture from eucalyptus. It will require 20 grams of dry shredded leaves. However, it should be prepared in advance, as it is infused for about 7-8 days. Alcohol is simply poured into a container with leaves and tightly closed. It is necessary to take 20-25 drops diluted in a small amount of water.

A simpler option is to use the onion. It must be cut into pieces and inhaled 3-4 times a day for a couple. Between these procedures, a swab dipped in crushed garlic should be placed in the nose.

When signs of flu appear in children, you can prepare a safe but effective remedy. It is necessary to grate ginger on a fine grater and add honey to the resulting mass in a ratio of 4 to 1. After stirring, a natural medicine is recommended to add 1-2 tablespoons to tea.

The tangible effect is brought by fresh pine needles. For cooking, you need only 100 grams of the starting material. It must be thoroughly washed and ground, then pour a liter of hot water and bring to a boil. The product should be infused for 1-2 hours. After this period of time, it can be filtered and consumed inside half a glass 3 times a day.

A more affordable remedy is a decoction of pearl barley. It can be taken at high temperature. For cooking, pour 100 grams of cereal with a liter of water. Boiling should be carried out for 10-15 minutes. The cooled product is filtered and taken orally at night. To improve the taste, you can add a tablespoon of honey.

At the first sign of the flu, a tincture of three herbs mixed in equal proportions may be helpful. For preparation are used: sage, initial letter, camomile. The listed herbs are carefully chopped. Half a liter of water requires adding one tablespoon of the dry mix.

Signs of complications

Sometimes complications can occur after the flu. Signs of a disease of other organs may appear if a physical load was exerted on the body during a viral infection. Most often, respiratory organs are affected. Some people develop pneumonia caused by a secondary infection.

The influenza virus can even cause acute nervous disorders, which are expressed in the form of severe headache, dizziness and nausea. Quite often, complications lead to otitis media, sinusitis, meningitis, conjunctivitis and other dangerous diseases.

• With pneumonia, breathing problems occur. Body temperature rises to high values. Acute chest pain may be present.
• With sinusitis, heavy breathing is noted due to damage to the nasal passages. Usually, when you blow your nose, thick yellow or green mucus comes out. Pain appears around the nose and eyes.
• Otitis is not difficult to notice. Immediately there is pain in the ears, the discharge of pus from them begins. Discomfort may be in the throat and neck.
• Conjunctivitis is accompanied by discomfort in the eye area. Swelling, redness and purulent discharge are noted.
• Meningitis deserves special attention, as in many cases it leads to death. With its presence, a high temperature rises, consciousness can be confused, convulsions appear. The patient becomes too sensitive to light and loud sounds.

What preventative measures can help?

To avoid the disease, it is necessary to be able to clearly recognize the signs of influenza in people and to know preventive measures. The most effective way to avoid infection is through timely vaccination. Modern vaccinations are reliable and safe for the human body. They need to be done annually, since an immune response is possible only in the short term.

During an epidemic, it is advisable to avoid large crowds. It is not recommended for a long time to stay in the same room with a sick person. After visiting public places, you must wash your hands. Wet cleaning should be carried out in your own home, which consists in washing the floor, wiping the furniture surfaces with a detergent. Also, regular ventilation of the room is required so that the concentration of the virus does not increase.

If a person has all the signs of influenza, and contact cannot be avoided, then you need to use a gauze mask. To approach the patient too close is not worth it. The minimum allowable distance is 1 meter. It is with close contact that it is easiest to catch an infection. Following these recommendations, you can avoid getting the flu.