The first symptoms of the flu. Why is the flu more common in winter than in summer? When are antibiotics needed?

Along with the first spring floods, a period of influenza outbreak begins. The spring flu wave is very dangerous. Spring already prepares many surprises for the body, but viruses floating in the air can put anyone on a hospital bed! The spring influenza epidemic of 2017 will differ in the type of pathogenic microorganisms, which are increasing in number every year.

Doctors do not advise relaxing this spring, warning that the forecasts are disappointing. Having barely overcome the previous strain, you will have to face another type - the “Hong Kong flu”, a type “A” strain virus. The new spring flu will spread very quickly, affecting large numbers of people; complications can be of any kind; it is difficult to predict and prevent them. Doctors warn that this type of virus will primarily cause lung pathologies. Possible mutations pathogenic microorganisms, which will significantly complicate diagnosis, complicate treatment and the choice of medications.

7

High fever is a symptom of spring flu

To successfully resist the attack of pathogenic microorganisms, you need to know as much as possible about the manifestations of the disease. The influenza virus is one of the varieties respiratory infections. Despite the fact that the symptoms and signs of the disease will be similar to those of the previous season, characteristic differences there will be too. New flu, this spring, in the first stages of development will resemble a common cold, but the condition of patients will rapidly deteriorate, causing complications, and deaths are inevitable.

Signs of spring flu 2017

Doctors distinguish three degrees of the disease: mild, moderate, severe. How quickly the patient’s well-being will deteriorate depends primarily on how high the immunity is, what general state, age of the patient. Signs of spring flu, symptoms for which you need to immediately go to the hospital:

the patient complains of chills;
body temperature rises to 42 °C;
there is a strong headache– pressure on the temples, back of the head, frontal area;
the muscles and joints of the limbs seem to be twisted or twisted;
sweating increases, the area of the neck, chest, and back sweats the most;
the eyes fill with tears and turn red;
weakness sets in, provoking apathy, indifference to everything that happens;
the patient refuses to eat food;
a dry or wet cough begins;
pain in the throat area;
mucus (snot) is released from the nasal passages.

At the most severe stage of its course, the spring influenza virus 2017 provokes seizures, loss of consciousness, and blood may come from the nose. This condition is complicated by other symptoms, signs of other pathologies that occur along with the flu, most often provoked by it.

Spring flu wave: how to treat?

Understanding how dangerous the spring flu can be, there is no need to self-medicate. Today the latest medications, treatment technologies that make it possible to relatively quickly alleviate the patient’s condition. If you notice the first signs, you should immediately contact professional help. To alleviate the patient’s condition and suppress the first symptoms of influenza 2017 before going to the hospital, the patient needs:

eat only light meals;
drink warm drinks (tea, compote, jelly);
stay in bed more;
rinse the mouth and throat periodically with decoctions medicinal herbs- chamomile, thyme, sage, St. John's wort. The same decoctions can be used to rinse the nasal passages.

If you feel very unwell, we can take painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, expectorants, antiviral drugs. However, at the appointment you will need to inform the doctor about all medications that were used for self-medication. The symptoms of spring flu can be suppressed on your own by early stages disease, however, when there is an outbreak of mass infections, you should not be too arrogant.

Medications

Medicines for the treatment of spring flu

Many people try to eliminate the spring flu virus by taking antiviral drugs, but this is wrong. The fact is that these tools can only help initial stage, are highly effective for prevention purposes. When pathology develops rapidly, you need to use something new, for example:

Relenza;
Tamivir;
Ingavirin;
Tamiflu;
Remavir;
Peramivir.

Additionally, if the spring flu 2017 occurs, it is not recommended to take medications that lower body temperature, however, when the fever is high, you can take it according to the instructions:

Nurofen;
Efferalgan;
Panadol.

When influenza develops, it is completely unacceptable to take aspirin, which provokes damage to the liver and brain, being a powerful anticoagulant. Additionally, if other symptoms appear - sore throat, runny nose, joints, dizziness. In this case, additionally drop drops into the nose, use throat lozenges, and rub with ointments. However, any choice of medications should be discussed with a specialist.

Preventive measures

Folk remedies for the prevention of spring flu

If the flu epidemic begins to gain momentum, you need to play it safe and try to protect your body from infection:

Firstly, you need to visit less in public places, with a large crowd of people. Spring flu strikes at a distance of 3-4 meters, especially if the body is weak and has low resistance to viral pathologies.
Secondly, you need to pay due attention to hygiene rules oral cavity, hands, nasal mucosa.
Thirdly, there is no need to neglect vaccination; during an outbreak, you can take antiviral drugs.

In fact, the spring flu epidemic can be avoided if you start using special medications in time:

Remantadine;
Interferon;
Cycloferon;
Citrovir-3;
Kagocel;
Amizon.

It is recommended to start breakfast with dishes that contain fresh garlic, onions, and horseradish. The pungent aroma and properties of these food products help prevent the penetration of the virus. You can also eat garlic at night by preparing a mixture with honey – combining in equal proportions.
Garlic “beads” can be worn around the neck, and peeled, chopped garlic can be placed around the apartment.
Chicken broth is useful during this period.
Drink decoctions of linden, viburnum, mint, and thyme instead of tea.
Include in diet fresh juices, fruit drinks made with cranberries, currants, and ginger.
When drinking tea, add ginger, lemon, honey, milk, rose hips.
There are dishes that contain sauerkraut.
Rinse your nose with a solution of salt water, adding a tablespoon to each glass. Similar washings can be done on the basis honey water, dissolving a tablespoon in a glass of liquid. It is recommended to rinse every time before leaving the house.
When washing, the nasal passages should be washed with soap.
Rinse the oral cavity with solutions of Furacilin and Baking soda.

Procedures can be combined and alternated at your discretion.

Forecasts

Experts say that the forecasts are disappointing - the spring outbreak of influenza 2017 will begin unexpectedly and will develop rapidly. A real epidemic is expected. Diseases with high probability First they will cover large cities and gradually spread to the outback. Absolutely all groups of the population will be at risk.

Doctors advise not to relax and autumn period. Group outbreaks will be observed starting in October and will last until December. During this period, you need to be especially careful, follow all preventive measures, improve the functioning of the immune system, healthy image life. At the slightest suspicion of influenza, immediately go to the hospital for professional medical care.

With the onset of the autumn-winter period comes the flu - this law works just as accurately as the arrival of day and night. The disease differs from a cold in its viral nature and complications, so it is absolutely impossible to carry it on your feet. The pathogen is very fickle, constantly mutates and has many strains, so the question of what kind of flu is expected in 2017-2018 is by no means idle and allows you to protect yourself as much as possible, maintaining your health and ability to work, without losing your life for at least a week.

Specialists International organization Health authorities are in a hurry to notify about what kind of flu is expected in 2017-2018. According to data that can already be considered reliable, this will turn out to be the new kind virus, named "Michigan". Information received from Nacimbio (National immunobiological company) - official supplier to the territory of Russia 90% of all imported vaccines. This signal became the impetus for preliminary preparation to combat the upcoming epidemiological season. According to the statement of the main representative of Nacimbio, in the near future the virus strains will be transferred to Russian specialists. After this, the drug development process will begin with the right kind antigen.

The 2017-2018 flu vaccines will contain the following strains:

A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1);
A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2);
B/Brisbane/60/2008;
B/Phuket/3073/2013.

Starting from the autumn season of 2017, Moscow residents will be attacked by viruses A “Michigan” and “Hong Kong” and B “Brisbane”. Thanks to their timely research and development of a new vaccine, the fight against the expected flu will be more effective.

Experts attribute “Michigan” to swine flu, the pandemic of which passed in 2009, and it also raged in January-April 2016. The Michigan virus is extremely dangerous due to its severe complications - that year more than 100 people died across Russia, including children and pregnant women. Experts believe that abnormally warm weather conditions are the main cause of the development of the disease. When and how the newcomer “Michigan” will manifest itself, experts have not yet given exact answers - the incidence almost always begins to rise sharply in the second half of November. Therefore, it is important to think about vaccination in advance and go to the hospital for vaccination tomorrow or get it in one of mobile points. By and large, Moscow residents do not need to wonder what kind of flu is expected in 2017-2018, but should simply contact one of the following addresses. After spending a minute on vaccination, you will forget about such a problem as the flu.

According to representatives of the Ministry of Health, vaccination can be done throughout the season. The procedure is carried out on a voluntary basis, although in the near future the government has promised to make flu vaccination mandatory. When weighing the pros and cons of influenza vaccinations, we should not forget that influenza viruses claim the lives of 250-500,000 people every year.

Flu symptoms are similar for all types of the virus. This means that the essence of prevention and treatment methods for the new virus should be similar to those used in previous years.

Symptoms of expected flu in 2017-2018

Already in the first hours, after penetration into the human body, the virus makes itself felt with malaise and severe symptoms. . The patient will cough and sneeze, which will become dangerous for the people around him. The virus is easily transmitted by airborne droplets, quickly spreading and causing an epidemic. Therefore, influenza is called a “family disease”, in which it is impossible to isolate the carrier of the infection from the rest of the family.

Reveal existing infection based on the first symptoms:

Cough, sore throat. These are one of the first signs that are caused by dry mucous membranes in the mouth. As a result of this condition, a person has difficulty swallowing and feels a sore throat. In this case, there is no mucous discharge from the nose. But due to frequent and intense coughing, chest pain appears.
After several hours, over a period of up to one day, infected person his temperature rises and he begins to feel feverish. This is a natural response of the immune system to a virus that it begins to fight. The fight against fever is carried out at those moments when the temperature is very high (40-41 degrees) and poses a danger to the patient’s life.
An infected person may feel severe weakness in the body and complete exhaustion, an immediate increase in temperature occurs. These symptoms are also inherent in ARVI, so people do not immediately recognize dangerous virus flu
Increasing headaches, accompanied by brittle joints and “twisting” of muscles, are some of the obvious symptoms infection with an infectious disease.
The influenza virus also affects work digestive system. The patient begins to vomit, diarrhea, and dehydration. These symptoms do not appear immediately, but cause no less discomfort than heat bodies and painful sensations in the throat.

The advanced state of influenza leads to a number of complications, most often affecting the lungs. A person develops severe pneumonia, which is especially dangerous for small children and pregnant women. At the same time, lips and nails turn blue, and severe shortness of breath appears. The first symptoms of the disease should not be overlooked, immediately calling ambulance, self-medication is also prohibited, the risk of death is high. You should immediately seek help from a doctor and undergo a full examination.

A drug against the expected flu in 2017-2018

Scientists from Japan have developed a drug that can defeat the Michigan flu. However, it does not act immediately; the body needs up to two weeks, so the risk of getting sick in the first days after vaccination remains very high.

In the coming years, a universal vaccine is expected to be released that will affect all strains of influenza. This means that you will not need to update your medications every year. However, so far this information is only in the form of releases - there is no official confirmation or certification in Russia for this moment No.

Flu vaccines allow the immune system to develop in a timely manner sufficient quantity antibodies to a specific influenza virus in 2017-2018, and, when entering the body, stop its further spread. Thanks to this, the body is reliably protected from the disease. Viruses mutate, the structure of their protein shell changes and existing vaccine unable to stop another type of virus that was active in other years.

Scientists have to create new drugs with modified composition every year. Taking into account the above-described trend, Japanese specialists tried to improve the drug. It initiates the body’s production of antibodies of a fundamentally different type, the so-called T cells. The difference is that such antibodies recognize the virus not by its protein shell, but by its internal part, which is identical in all species.

After conducting a series of clinical experiments, no components that were harmful to the body were found in the new vaccine. At this stage, the drug continues to be tested to exclude all side effects.

According to experts, the vaccine will be available in 2018. Scientists are also working on creating a special nasal spray for children aged 2 to 4 years, they are more often exposed to viruses than others. In the near future, experts will develop a spray for teenagers. Knowing the dangers posed by influenza, people should engage in disease prevention. And it is important for doctors to improve their skills in order to accurately determine the presence of the virus and prescribe the correct treatment...

In the coming season, experts predict a real flu epidemic in Russia and neighboring countries. Every year, new strains of the influenza virus appear, so you need to know what the 2017 flu looks like: its symptoms and treatment, the first signs and measures to prevent the disease.

What to do, how to deal with the oncoming flu, but most importantly, how to prevent it - you will learn from our article

Types of influenza 2017 and their symptoms

In the autumn-winter period 2017-2018, experts predict the predominance of three strains of influenza in the Russian Federation and Ukraine: Brisbane (influenza type B), Michigan (H1N1), Hong Kong (H3N2).

It is these three strains that will be included in the current 2017 influenza vaccine. In Russia, the influenza outbreak will occur at the beginning of winter (late November - early January), but the incidence of influenza can be expected in February 2018. This is explained by the fact that the virus will not cover the entire country at the same time, but will spread gradually throughout the entire territory of the Russian Federation.

The invasion of the virus into Russia is planned from the Chinese side, and the flu will already come to Ukraine from the Russian Federation, so in Ukraine the peak incidence is expected in January-February. The “Chinese” virus is carried by circulating air currents from one territory to another, which explains the prevalence of the virus.

Important! To prevent an influenza epidemic, the Ministry of Health has developed a universal vaccine that protects the population from almost all types of influenza. Large-scale vaccination is already taking place today in major cities countries (Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.) where the bulk of the population is concentrated.

Let's look at what types of flu should be expected in the 2017-2018 season.

Michigan virus

The new Michigan flu strain is a subtype of swine flu, which was first recorded in 2009. Cases of the Michigan virus were identified in January-April 2016; during this period, more than a hundred people died from the disease in the Russian Federation, including pregnant women and children. Experts believe that the main reason for the spread of this particular strain of the virus is the abnormally warm weather this season.

It is difficult to predict how the Michigan virus will manifest itself in 2017-2018, but doctors recommend getting vaccinated against this strain in advance, because When infected with this type of influenza, complications develop very quickly and are severe.

Symptoms:

An increase in temperature (38.7-40 degrees), while the indicators may not subside in within three and more than a day;
Pain, aches in muscles, joints;
Weakness, drowsiness;
Severe headaches;
Lack of appetite;
Heavy sweating;
Dryness in the nose and oropharynx;
without sputum discharge.

During the development of the disease in adults and children, complications may arise in the form of,. To avoid similar complications Doctors advise not to self-medicate, but to call a doctor at the first signs of illness. Pregnant women, children, elderly people, and people suffering from chronic diseases and having a weakened

Hong Kong virus

Belongs to the subtype of “bird flu”, which in the period 2003-2013. had the highest mortality rates. Bird flu previously circulated exclusively among birds, but due to mutations it began to affect humans. Since the human immune system was not ready for such a virus, the disease short time has reached epidemic proportions.

The initial symptoms of bird flu begin to appear 1-2 days after infection:

There is an increase in temperature to high performance, the temperature cannot be brought down the first time. Against the background of high temperature occurs febrile state, chills
There are signs of intoxication of the body: headaches, malaise, dizziness, nausea.
The appearance of a dry cough that turns into a wet one.
Severe nasal congestion. Due to difficulty breathing, the patient is forced to breathe through the mouth.
Sore throat.
Pain and cutting in the eyes, lower back, back, joints, limbs.
Sometimes Hong Kong flu can cause digestive disorders: vomiting, stomach pain.

Hong Kong flu 2017 begins acutely, but with drinking and bed rest, provided all recommendations are followed, the patient’s condition improves after 3-4 days, and by the end of the week the symptoms usually disappear completely.

Such a seemingly simple remedy as medical mask will help you protect yourself from getting the flu

Virus Brisbane

This subtype of the Australian flu belongs to the B virus strain. “Brisbane” is currently a poorly studied form of influenza and is considered the least dangerous: it occurs in mild form, rarely causes complications. Most often, the influenza virus affects young people and children, people with weakened immune systems.

The main symptoms of Brisbane are similar to those of other types of flu - fever, body aches, dry cough and runny nose. In some cases, people experience mild symptoms of indigestion.

Usually patients begin to feel better after a couple of days: the temperature drops, the unpleasant symptoms in the nose and throat. If your health does not improve after 3-4 days, you should immediately consult a doctor.

How the 2017-2018 flu develops

The spread of influenza occurs by aerosols - airborne droplets and airborne dust, and it develops in different climatic zones V different times, but always with the arrival of cold weather. This is explained by the fact that it is during the autumn-winter period that the body is weakened and resistance is reduced. The virus also exists in the air in the summer, but it is not possible to become infected with it at this time, because... a person receives solar energy and vitamins that strengthen the immune status.

In order to become infected with the virus, it is enough to be in the same room with a sick person for a few minutes. If a person does not have certain means of protection, then infection cannot be avoided. The disease has a short incubation period, so the first manifestations of influenza can be noticed within a couple of hours after infection.

Note! The symptoms of influenza 2017-2018 do not differ in their clinical picture from previous seasons. The main signs of the flu: high fever, runny nose, severe cough.

Influenza is characterized by an acute onset and short incubation period. Signs of respiratory, intoxication, dyspeptic and catarrhal syndromes develop. There may be complaints of fever, drowsiness, chills, a feeling of weakness, myalgia, hoarseness, gum sensitivity, severe runny nose, etc.

As they say, those who are familiar are armed. Therefore, you should know and recognize the first symptoms of influenza.

During the first days, unpleasant symptoms may persist, but then the immune system begins to fight the virus and gradually the state of health improves. If the patient does not feel better within 2-3 days, it means that the disease is progressing, which can lead to various complications.

How to distinguish the flu from other diseases

You should be able to distinguish between the symptoms of influenza and ARVI in order to begin treatment on time and prevent the disease from developing into complicated forms.

Signs	ARVI	Flu
Onset of the disease	Gradual increase in symptoms.	Acute onset, rapid development
First symptoms	Sore throat, nasal congestion. The temperature usually does not exceed 38.5 degrees.	A sharp rise in temperature above 38.8 degrees. Pain in muscles, head, heavy sweating, chills, fever.
Sneezing and coughing	Always accompanied by sneezing. The cough appears at the very beginning - it is usually dry, hacking, and not very strong.	Never manifests itself as sneezing. The cough makes itself felt 2-3 days after the onset of the disease - the cough is exhausting, severe, and is often accompanied by pain in the chest.
Intoxication	Symptoms of intoxication are rare.	Signs of intoxication are clearly expressed.
Complications	Rarely occur.	Influenza most often leads to complications, including severe damage to the nervous, of cardio-vascular system, development of pneumonia. Possible deaths.
Recovery	After a week of bed rest, the person returns to the usual rhythm of life.	The recovery period may take up to a month. It is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations so as not to cause a second wave of the disease.

The new “Turkish” virus of 2017 called “Coxsackie”, which is one of the types of infectious human enteroviruses that multiply in the intestines and stomach, is somewhat similar in symptoms to influenza and ARVI. The first signs of the virus: sharp increase temperatures up to 3-40 degrees, muscle aches, general deterioration in health. If such symptoms appear, identify stomach flu Only a doctor can do it, because main clinical picture(appearance of small bubbles with liquid on the body) develops later.

Dangerous flu symptoms

Influenza infection can occur in different stages and forms depending on the severity of manifestations:

Mild form: the temperature rises to 38 degrees, the patient feels weakness and headache, there are minor symptoms of intoxication.
Moderate form: pronounced signs intoxication (head and muscle pain, severe sweating, chills), fever up to 3 degrees, respiratory syndromes(cough, runny nose, damage to the trachea and larynx), vomiting and diarrhea, possible development of pathologies of the ENT organs (,).
Severe form: temperature can reach 40 degrees, the patient is “on fire”, possible disturbances of consciousness, convulsions, hallucinations, disorders of the cardiovascular system, complications of varying severity(bronchitis, bacterial infections, pneumonia) are often incompatible with life.
Hypertoxic form: temperatures exceed 40 degrees, hypertrimia develops (hypoxia, rapid breathing), severe respiratory failure, meningism.

The latter form most often causes death, so if it manifests itself, you should definitely consult a doctor.

One of main mistakes people are self-medicating. At the first suspicion of influenza, you should consult a doctor to prescribe treatment.

You should immediately contact a doctor if you have the following symptoms:

Blue discoloration of the skin;
Temperature 40 degrees and above;
, lack of urination;
Excessive excitability;
Difficulty or rapid breathing;
Bleeding from the nose;
severe diarrhea or vomiting;
The appearance of seizures;
Fainting, severe drowsiness, confusion.

The flu is very severe in children and its complications can even cause death. Therefore, children must be vaccinated against influenza, and if the disease occurs, they must be treated promptly and adequately.

What to do if you have the flu

The main danger of influenza is the rapid development of the disease. When the first signs of illness appear, you must contact medical assistance. You should also stock up on necessary medications in advance, because... during the flu season, the demand for medicines is high and they may simply not be available in the nearest pharmacy, and bad feeling may prevent you from getting out of the house to get your medications.

What you need to have in your first aid kit for the flu:

Antiviral drugs: Tamiflu, Remantadine, Amiksin, Relenza.
Personal protective equipment: special masks or thick gauze bandages.
Antipyretics: Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen.
For nasal congestion and runny nose: Nazivin, Rinonorm, Tizin. You can rinse your nasal passages with saline solution.
Decongestants (antihistamines): Tavegil, Suprastin, Cetrin.
Vitamin complexes.
Antitussives: Libexin, Petrussin, Tusuprex, herbal preparations.
: , Umifenovir.

It is advisable to discuss the use of medications with your doctor, especially for antibiotics, which can be prescribed for the flu to prevent the development of complications.

During treatment for influenza, the patient must organize bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids, a certain gentle diet.

Antiviral drugs should be taken in advance, when the first flu patient has already appeared in the environment. Also, do not ignore vitamins and immunomodulators to strengthen protective system body. Connect others medicines should depend on the manifestations of the disease, and it is undesirable to “get carried away” with antibiotics, which can cause.

With properly selected therapy, the flu is easier - symptoms of intoxication are felt less and dangerous complications arise less often.

Prevention of influenza

The influenza virus remains viable in the air and can be infectious to others for several hours, and when on surfaces it can persist for 3-4 days.

How to prevent infection:

Avoid crowded places, try to exclude visits during the period of peak incidence entertainment events, clubs, libraries, theaters, etc.
Wear a protective medical mass - it cannot completely protect against the flu, but it can stop particles of the virus from entering the body. Airways she can do it.
Wash your hands often with soap. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Do not use other people's personal items (cosmetics, towels, handkerchief, large telephone).
Regularly ventilate the room and carry out wet cleaning.
Adjust your daily routine: spend more time good rest, walk on fresh air daily.
Fortify your diet - more vegetables and fruits, natural compotes and juices.

Important! Most effective means protection against influenza in 2017 is vaccination. Vaccination should be done in September-November to give the opportunity immune system form lasting protection against the virus.

Flu - dangerous epidemic, capable of causing suffering to the patient and causing frequent deaths. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to get vaccinated, which is available in any state medical institution free of charge.

Modern influenza vaccines are universal and can protect against most strains of the virus. After vaccination, vaccinated people remain healthy throughout the entire epidemiological season.

ARVIs account for 95% of all infectious diseases humanity. Diseases caused by influenza viruses account for no more than 8%. During periods of epidemic outbreaks, the numbers increase to 25%.

People are accustomed to the fact that every year at almost the same time we are warned about the flu, a possible epidemic, about methods and means of prevention, and are asked to be extremely careful. Schools, kindergartens, and some higher education institutions are closing educational establishments. Government precautions are not enough - people get sick all over the world, there are often deaths, and this continues year after year.

Flu epidemic 2017-2018: Epidemic is coming

For 2017-2018 World organization Public health promises the dominance of the following influenza strains: deadly influenza B - Brisbane, influenza A - H3N2-Hong Kong flu and H1N1 - “Swine” flu. Russian Health Minister Sergei Kraevoy said that the antigens of these viruses have already been introduced into the vaccine and it is being developed. The “viral” period has already begun, “outbreaks” are expected soon, and the epidemic is close.

Influenza epidemic 2017-2018: Winter epidemic

Winter epidemics are expected by the end of November - beginning of December, but since some of the above viruses have already visited the country, certain groups of the population have developed “herd” immunity. Last year there were several hundred known deaths. Therefore, people should be more attentive and careful about their health and the health of their loved ones.

Influenza epidemic 2017-2018: The difference between influenza and ARVI

Flu is always a mass infection, people get ARVI all year round, and the flu in “seasons”.

Flu leads to complications and then death. The mortality rate from influenza is higher than from ARVI.

There are special antiviral drugs.

ARVI proceeds slowly, while influenza develops rapidly, it is even possible to indicate exact time when a person feels sick.

Usually not with the flu severe runny nose, severe congestion nose occurs with ARVI.

A sore throat is more of a cold than a flu.

Sneezing is more common with a cold than with the flu.

Weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache, irritability persist for some time after the flu, and are absent after ARVI.

Flu epidemic 2017-2018: How to avoid getting sick

Most reliable way- This is vaccination. Experts believe that the vaccine can alleviate symptoms and, accordingly, to some extent protect against complications. Immunity acquired through immunization protects against disease. Also, do not neglect personal hygiene; you need to remember to wash your hands and try to avoid crowded places. During periods of epidemic, you need to take care of your immune system not only by vaccination, you need to take vitamins, drink more fluids and lead a healthy lifestyle.

The 2017 flu virus is serious disease caused by infection or cells of the influenza virus. At the moment, the existence of about 2500 types of influenza has been proven, all of them are acute respiratory infections. viral infections. Influenza often spreads in the form of pandemics or viral epidemics. Some influenza viruses can be dangerous, and some can cause fatal outcome. For example, in the 20th century an epidemic called the Spanish epidemic broke out. Then, according to rough estimates, about 1,200 people and more than 10,000 animals died. Now the flu cannot cause death, since scientists have developed a vaccine that works in 98% of cases.

Most often, the flu begins in the fall or winter, when a person’s immunity is greatly weakened. The virus is spread by airborne droplets, and most often enters the human body when breathing along with air. You can also become infected by eating food that has been touched by an infected person or by close contact with him. Once in the human body, viruses begin to multiply rapidly, and their waste products become the cause of unpleasant symptoms.

Flu symptoms

Flu symptoms usually appear 2-4 days after infection. At this time, the virus cells are in an inactive state and do not bring any discomfort. The duration of this stage is strongly influenced by human immunity. If the infected person is hardened and has a strong immune system, the hibernation period will last longer. Do the most physically developed people with strong immunity, the infection can be destroyed within preparatory stage. If immune defense If the patient is weak, then after about a week the first symptoms will begin to appear. These include:

Cough

When infected with influenza, the cough is usually dry, but after some time phlegm may appear. In more severe stages, even special syrups and other remedies do not help get rid of cough.

Increased body temperature

In the early stages of the disease, the temperature rises by only 0.5-1 degrees, and in the presence of strong immunity, it does not change at all. But after a few days the temperature may jump by several degrees, sometimes up to 38-39. This makes people go to bed and start healing.

General malaise

After a few days, the person will begin to feel weak and lethargic. Chills, fever, and headache often begin. Because of this, the patient is forced to stop any activity and begin treatment.

Pain in the chest and throat

At severe form flu 2017 may begin sharp pains. If it is weaker, it is aching and does not go away for several hours.

Pulmonary edema and difficulty breathing

These symptoms appear over severe forms diseases when the virus has been in the body for several days. Disruption of the breathing process occurs due to infection cells entering the lungs, which leads to their swelling. Respiratory failure leads to a decrease in the amount of oxygen, which disrupts brain function.

Flu treatment

The 2017 flu is very similar to other types of acute respiratory viral infections, so only a doctor can determine it. But the treatment for all types of acute respiratory viral infections is similar, so you can treat the flu at home. Firstly, having determined that a person has become infected with the flu, he must immediately be isolated from other people. Next, you should take antiviral drugs:

Cycloferon
Kagocel
Ingavirin
Tamiflu
Arbidol
Remantadine
Oxolinic ointment
Anaferon
Oscillococcinum
Ingavirin

To remove toxins from the body, you need to drink as much as possible more water, preferably warm. If the disease is severe, antibiotics are needed. After this, the patient remains in bed and rests for 5-8 days.