Flu Treatment

The flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza virus. If anything characterizes this organism is its contagiousness. The virus passes in an easy way from person to person through drops of saliva that are expulsed while talking, coughing or sneezing. Contact with contaminated hands or objects are also a route of infection.

Many respiratory viruses are usually responsible for epidemics at the end of autumn or winter. In the northern hemisphere, influenza occurs every year between November and April, being more aggressive from December to March. In contrast, in the south, the virus appears in the period from May to October.

Treatment of symptoms

  • Rest of the patient for two or three days.
  • Drugs to reduce the usual malaise, fever, generalized pains and aches and nasal congestion, among others.
  • Antibiotics do not initially provide any benefit because the flu is a virus and not bacteria. Are indicated only for complications (pneumonia, exacerbation of chronic bronchitis) or to prevent these high-risk patients.

Flu Treatment Antiviral Treatment

  • There are more or memos antiviral drugs specific for influenza (amantadine, ribavirin) that may play a role in high-risk individuals who have not been vaccinated or be used in some situations, along with the vaccine to prevent the spread of the disease. These antivirals are of very limited use since they have side effects and rapidly induce resistance.
  • A recently developed another antiviral drug (Zanamivir) acting on the virus by inhibiting the neuraminidase. If given within the first two days of symptoms can reduce the duration of the disease.