Case influenza They are increasing and it is estimated that the worst is yet to come.In addition to influenza, there are other viruses such as Coronavirus disease and respiratory syncytial virus They are rising and either talking about triple epidemic or triple epidemic; however, according to the latest report from the Spanish Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System, influenza virus is the most frequently circulating virus strength.
Granted, flu numbers are higher at this time than at this time last year, but still lower than in pre-pandemic years.
The increase in cases appears to be due to extremely cold This has led to more indoor events and Christmas parties conducive to infection.We are not seeing very severe cases, but health centers are at a loss And the symptoms are still bothersome.
this flu symptoms Mainly fatigue, general malaise, nasal congestion, cough, fever, sore throat and muscle aches.usually Infection lasts for one weekour defenses need to stop the virus from spreading for as long as it takes.
No medicine can shorten the course of influenzawe can only relieve symptoms, and there are usually several medications that can be used to relieve symptoms Reduce the intensity of symptoms It feels better, but not all are suitable.
Dr. Susan Judas explains which medications work and don’t work against the flu.
Why you shouldn’t take antibiotics when you have the flu
because Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections Influenza is caused by flu virus.Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can affect gut microbiotawhich are our healthy bacteria, can cause health problems in addition to developing antibiotic resistance, which is a real global health problem.
Do nasal decongestants work on mucus?
Nasal decongestants are vasoconstrictor They can occasionally help, but the problem is that the rebound effect is significant and it’s easy to become addicted.
those containing corticosteroids They are anti-inflammatory and have no rebound effects, but must be taken with a doctor’s prescription as they cannot be used long-term without medical supervision.
Are antiviral medications recommended to treat influenza?
this antiviral drugs They are not recommended as they can be at best Shorten the flu by a day If they are given early in the infection. By the time we have all the symptoms, it’s usually too late. They don’t compensate for the side effects and associated risks in exchange for shortening the course of the flu by a few hours.
Which is better, paracetamol or ibuprofen, to take when you have the flu?
There are no medications that can shorten the course of the flu, we can only relieve the symptoms.Now, if the flu comes up, the best advice is paracetamol Relieve general discomfort, but not recommended anti-inflammatories as Ibuprofen Ongoing because symptoms (fever, malaise) indicate that the body is setting up mechanisms to heal the infection as quickly as possible.
take anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can relieve symptoms, but Resist these processes to some extent, so they can be extended a little bit, which is to say, you’ll be better off, but a little longer. Paracetamol does not interfere with this process because it does not reduce inflammation.
Additionally, misuse of NSAIDs may cause problems in the body. kidney. You should not take it for more than 2 or 3 days in a row without medical supervision.
Do flu preparations work?
Influenza preparations contain a mixture of drug (analgesic, antipyretic, antihistamine…). They are really meant to relieve symptoms, not shorten the process. But as always, with more remixes, More possible adverse effects And not all of these are always needed. They’re more comfortable, but taking only what you need is a smarter strategy.
Are there any precautions when using cough syrup?
This depends on the ingredients of the cough syrup.useful for Wet cough or expectoration (a mucus-producing one), medications or natural expectorant compounds, usually with few contraindications, except in people who cannot cough for some reason (dementia, etc.).
But those dry cough They often contain opiate derivatives and are contraindicated if mucus is present because coughing is a reflex action to expel mucus and we are inhibiting it, leading to accumulation of mucus and possible superinfection.
What home remedies are effective for coughs and flu in general?
Everything you give us hydration Or drugs that have a sedative effect on the throat mucosa are good for us: natural broths, infusions, etc.this onion Has a sedative effect cough.
Must be in stock Zinc, vitamin D and C content Very important for the normal operation of the system immune system. the most important is, rest and sleep well So that the body can focus on repairing itself.