Note on the prevention of influenza in children - information for parents

Influenza virus symptoms in adults and children

More than 90% of infectious diseases are acute respiratory viral infections, in particular influenza. Among the main symptoms of the flu virus in adults are fever, weakness, body aches, intoxication. The infection is transmitted by airborne and contact-household routes. The "entrance gate" is the nose and mouth. The virus reproduces in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, after which it enters the blood. In response to the penetration of the virus, the body begins to actively produce immunoglobulins. We will talk about how many days a fever lasts with the flu and how effective antibiotics are.

How can you get infected

The source of infection is a patient with clearly expressed or erased flu symptoms. A sick person is most dangerous in the first 2-3 days of the disease, when the virus enters the environment through airborne droplets. With the usual development of the disease, already on the 5-6th day, the patient does not pose a threat to the environment. In complicated cases, the virus can be detected in the body even two weeks after the onset of the disease. We will remind that the incubation period of influenza in adults lasts up to five days, in children - less than 24 hours.

The favorite time of the flu is the cold season. Every 2-3 years, according to statistics, an epidemic is possible. Vaccination during a flu epidemic is ineffective. Doctors recommend vaccination a month before the outbreak of the infection, that is, from the end of October to mid-November. The average time for the formation of immunity is from 7 days to two weeks. Vaccination before October is inappropriate.

Forms and symptoms of the influenza virus in adults

Depending on the severity of symptoms, the following forms of the disease are distinguished: mild, moderate, severe, hypertoxic.

Mild is characterized by slight intoxication, subfebrile temperature and the absence of catarrhal phenomena.

Moderate is characterized by headache, aching joints, profuse sweating, muscle pain, nasal congestion, redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes, a scratchy throat and a temperature of up to 38 degrees.

Severe is characterized by high fever and pronounced intoxication. In some cases, vomiting, nosebleeds, and confusion may occur. A flu prevention memo will help prevent this condition, which clearly spells out possible symptoms and actions at the first signs of infection.

Hypertoxic is pronounced intoxication, against the background of which cerebral edema, respirtory failure, and serious disorders of the nervous system may develop.

Clinical picture of influenza in adults:

• catarrhal manifestations (nasal congestion, sneezing, wheezing and sore throat, dry mucous membranes);
• dyspeptic phenomena (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea);
• cough, chest pain, shortness of breath;
• severe intoxication (muscle and joint pain, high fever, headache, chills, pain in the eyeballs);
• nosebleeds (typical for severe and hypertoxic forms).

On our website Dobrobut.com you can consult on all issues and make an appointment with a specialist at a convenient time for you.

Symptoms and treatment of influenza in children

The incubation period is characterized by the absence of clinical manifestations and lasts from 5 to 24 hours. In some cases, drowsiness, increased fatigue and weakness may appear.

During the period of severe manifestations, the virus multiplies massively. The baby is apathetic and lethargic, refuses to play. Muscle weakness, joint pain, fever, tearing, sneezing are the main symptoms of the disease. A feature of the course of influenza in children is a wave-like increase in temperature. The duration of this period is 3-5 days.

The recovery period.

Treatment of influenza in children involves:

• bed rest;
• good nutrition and plenty of drinking;
• antiviral drug oseltamivir;
• symptomatic therapy.

The course of treatment is prescribed and adjusted exclusively by a pediatrician. Self-medication is unacceptable! The doctor will tell you about the most effective flu medications used in pediatric practice during the appointment. Registration is carried out on the website and by phone.

How to treat flu during pregnancy

Influenza is especially dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy, because the virus with the bloodstream can also infect the unborn child. In addition, the consequences of infection are a great danger - the threat of miscarriage and exacerbation of chronic diseases.

How to treat the flu during pregnancy:

• bed rest;
• warm drinking in large quantities;
• a full-fledged diet with a predominance of vegetables and fruits;
• for fever and muscle pain, take paracetamol, but after consulting a doctor;
• for a runny nose, saline will help;
• a drug that acts on the influenza virus - oseltamivir - is allowed and recommended for pregnant women, the use of this drug reduces the risk of complications in a pregnant woman and the fetus.

Consult a specialist whether you need to get vaccinated against influenza.

Flu treatment

Therapy consists of the use of drug and non-drug methods. The latter include bed rest, abundant drinking, a balanced diet, local therapy (inhalation, nasal instillation, gargling).

Medications:

• antiviral;
• cough medicines;
• nasal drops;
• throat sprays.

Prevention

Specific prevention is the introduction of a vaccine containing virus antigens into the human body. Immunity after vaccination persists for a year. Side effects after vaccination in adults are rare and are most often associated with improper manipulation. Complications after influenza vaccination in a child: soreness at the injection site, enlargement of nearby lymph nodes and redness of the skin.

It is very important that a woman who is planning a pregnancy or is already pregnant is vaccinated against influenza before the start of the epidemiological season. Flu vaccination is allowed for pregnant women.

Flu vaccination is also very important for people over 65 years of age, because in people of this age category, influenza is more severe and often with complications.

Author / Reviewer of the article - Rykova Stanislava Oleksandrivna