Each parent is worried if his child falls ill. Especially concerned are the mothers of babies whose age has not yet reached three years. Parents start to rush around, trying to find the most effective antiviral drugs for children. Reviews sometimes force you to buy a medicine that the baby does not need so much for recovery, as mother for sedation.
Antiviral drugs: need for use and classification
When should I use antiviral drugs for children? Reviews of some parents report that they give similar funds to their children at the first symptoms of the disease. Others say that they are completely trying to do without such medicines, since the latter cause them to distrust. Doctors prescribe medications to fight a viral infection with the following symptoms:
- increase in body temperature;
- sore throat and hyperemia of the mucous membranes;
- runny nose and stuffy nose;
- weakness, headache.
Together, these signs indicate that the child has a viral infection. Most of the ailments with this clinical picture are caused precisely by viruses. Therefore, treating the disease with antibiotics will be, at least, stupid. All antiviral drugs for children, reviews of which will be presented to your attention today, are divided into groups:
- against flu;
- from herpes infection;
- from retroviruses;
- homeopathic remedies;
- interferon-based drugs;
- broad-spectrum drugs.
Each medicine acts on certain viruses. The similarity of the drugs is that the effectiveness of any will be the stronger the sooner it is taken.
Influenza
The danger of the disease occurs when the pathology is caused by the influenza virus. The disease is insidious and violent. With influenza in children, there is a high probability of dehydration and complications. It is especially dangerous when babies get sick. What antiviral drugs for children are used in this case (from a year)? Reviews mention the following medicines.
- Rimantadine is an inexpensive and well-known drug. Moms and dads say that it is well tolerated by children, but it can only be given from the age of 7. The drug effectively eliminates the influenza A and B virus, which occur most often in children. A definite plus of pills is their inexpensive price. You can buy Rimantadin packaging for only 50 rubles.
- Tamiflu is the newest drug developed for the treatment of severe types of flu. Parents say that this medicine does not cause such confidence as the long-studied Rimantadine. However, the effectiveness of Tamiflu tablets is undeniable. Doctors recommend it to children from one year old with swine, bird flu, which are dangerous diseases. Moms and dads say that the cost of ten capsules "Tamiflu" indecently high (about 1,500 rubles). It is inconvenient that a prescription from a doctor is required to purchase the medicine.
- Relenza is an analogue of Tamiflu. The peculiarity of this drug is the unusual use: the drug is administered by inhalation. According to the parents, you can find out that this medicine is prescribed for children whose age has reached 5 years. The drug effectively copes with the flu virus, preventing complications. Negatively speak about the medicine because of its cost. For the course for the child will have to pay from 1300 to 1500 rubles.
For the treatment of herpes, chickenpox and shingles
Good antiviral drugs for children (from 3) - reviews say - these are drugs “Acyclovir”, “Zovirax”, “Valtrex”, “Vectavir”, “Famvir” and others. These medicines act on the herpes virus of various types. Parents of children tell that drugs effectively treat diseases such as shingles, chickenpox, genital herpes. The disadvantage of drugs (according to fathers and mothers) is that they can not be used for up to three years. Such a warning is given by the manufacturer. However, in practice, medicines are prescribed by a doctor to small children, only the dose is selected individually.
There are mothers and fathers who talk about how such drugs were prescribed for their children in the complex treatment of pneumonia and other diseases of the lower respiratory system. Talking about the effectiveness of drugs in this case is difficult, since it is not known what exactly from the whole complex helped the child cope with the problem.
Homeopathy: drugs with unproven effectiveness
Now in the windows of pharmacy chains you can find expensive and cheap, bad and good antiviral drugs for children. Reviews of parents about homeopathic remedies are controversial. Such tools help one kids effectively, while for others it turns out to be useless. Almost unanimously, parents declare the expensive cost of medicines. A plus of drugs is their safety and the possibility of use even in newborn babies. Running homeopathic remedies:
- "Oscillococcinum" - delicious granules that children take with great pleasure;
- "Aflubin" - drops based on ethanol, have an unpleasant taste and smell, which creates difficulties in treating a child;
- Ergoferon and Anaferon are sweet pills that promise not only the fight against the virus, but also an increase in immunity.
Nasal products for children
Antiviral drugs for children up to a year - reviews say - it is easier to give a child by intranasal administration. The opinions of fathers and mothers about such drugs are mostly positive. Parents are satisfied with the result of treatment, as well as the possibility of using means for prevention. Users mention the following items:
- "Grippferon";
- Derinat;
- "Nazoferon";
- Miramistin.
Getting into the baby’s nose, medicines create an invisible and imperceptible film that does not allow viruses to infect healthy cells. Causing its own immune response, drops make the body fight the infection on its own. Reviews say that the undoubted advantage of drugs is the possibility of their long use. Statistics show that it is these drugs that are most often used for children with a preventive purpose.
Interferons are the most popular drugs
Interferon-based products are the most common antiviral drugs for children from 3 years. Reviews about them are more good than bad. These medicines are designed to treat different types of viral infections. They can be called a wide range of agents. It is important that they have an immunomodulating effect. Popular are:
- "Cycloferon" (intended for children from 4 years old);
- "Isoprinosine" (can be taken from 2.5 years);
- "Kagocel" (appointed from 3 years old);
- "Arbidol" (in the form of a suspension and tablets, can be used from 2 years);
- "Tsitovir" (valid for children from one year old).
Parents from all types of medicines prefer to buy drugs based on interferon. There is an opinion among users that they are not addictive, can effectively help the baby cope with the disease, and also relate to over-the-counter drugs.
Opinion
There are different reviews of parents about the use of antiviral drugs. Most dads and mothers prefer to listen to medical advice and give these funds to their children. But there are also negative reviews.
Parents say antiviral drugs are a waste of money. In addition, some drugs have serious side effects. Therefore, mothers refuse to use such funds for children. There is a big misconception that antiviral and immunomodulating agents can be addictive, as a result of which the child is unable to cope with subsequent diseases on his own. It would be nice to know what doctors think about this.
Medical point of view
If you turn to pediatricians and ask when an antiviral drug is really needed for children (3 years old), the doctors’s reviews will tell you the following.
- The body of a child who does not have chronic and autoimmune diseases is able to cope with the virus on its own. It is important to properly organize the regimen, care and nutrition.
- In most cases, antiviral agents are given to children to calm their parents. Dads and mothers cannot stay idle while their child is sick. Therefore, they require that the doctor prescribe at least something.
- The effectiveness of the virus is higher if you use the medication for prevention or start using it in the first hours of the disease.
- Antiviral drugs are really necessary for a child with serious illnesses, such as viral pneumonia or during the flu.
To summarize
Today you learned what antiviral drugs are for children (effective). Reviews are also provided for your reference. Do not rely on someone else's opinion. If your child is sick, then show him to the doctor, get an appointment. Do not use antiviral drugs on your own, as their improper use can adversely affect the health of the crumbs.