Viral begins. How to treat viral infections. Other treatments for viral infection

Medical doctors classify all infections as rapid and slow. The slower the bacterium, the more dangerous it is to human life. This is justified by the fact that these microorganisms have the greatest destructive factor, and also do not have pronounced symptoms.

Let's consider the main infections:

• Herpetic. Herpes is present in the body of every person, but it only becomes aggravated if a provocateur appears. In appearance, herpes can be identified by the characteristic bubbles in one or another part of the patient's body.
• Acute respiratory viral infection. This microbe enters the respiratory tract of a person, after which it infects them. Symptoms are similar to those of the flu or the common cold. The most dangerous part of the disease is the possibility of getting chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Encephalitis. This microbe affects the human brain, which leads to the destruction of the central nervous system and consciousness. This disease has an extremely high mortality rate. After infection, patients often fall into a coma, experience convulsions and paralysis of some limbs. Also, this microbe contributes to the development of multiple organ failure, the result is death in 9 out of 10 cases.
• Hepatitis. Infection of the body with such a microbe leads to damage to the liver tissue. In the future, violations and complications develop during the work of this organ. These symptoms can be disastrous.
• Polio. After the illness, the person will experience constant convulsive seizures, later on, brain inflammation and loss of consciousness will develop. As a result of these symptoms, paralysis is possible. The disease is extremely dangerous, as it leads to the patient's disability.
• Meningitis. This microorganism penetrates the cerebral cortex and infects the cerebrospinal fluid. In the future, the virus "travels" throughout the human circulatory system. Can lead to impaired consciousness and muscle atrophy of the arms or legs, even in spite of correct therapy.
• Measles. After the onset of the disease, the patient develops a red rash on certain parts of the body, coughing and fever. By itself, the microorganism is not particularly dangerous, but if you do not take up the treatment of the infection in time, you can get complications in the form of encephalitis or meningitis.
• STDs. Sexually transmitted diseases have been around for a long time. Previously, they were considered extremely dangerous, but with the current level of medicine, they can be completely cured. In order to completely eradicate the disease, symptoms should be identified in a timely manner.

In each of these groups there are even more diseases that can be both completely harmless and easily treatable, and extremely dangerous for human life. A timely diagnosis, proper attitude to one's health and vaccination will help adults and children avoid the consequences and complications of infection.

Viral and bacterial upper respiratory tract infections have similar symptoms. Tests and clinical studies are the only way to accurately determine the type of infection, but they can be expensive and time-consuming. However, there are subtle differences between viral and bacterial infections. Some infections last longer than others and are accompanied by different colored mucus. In case of illness, stay at home and take care of your health. Get some rest and recharge.

Steps

Symptoms

Pay attention to the duration of the illness. Typically, viral infections last longer than bacterial infections. Feeling unwell lasts 1-3 days, then the condition begins to improve, but some symptoms may still persist. If symptoms last for a week or longer, it could be a viral infection. Symptoms should be closely monitored, and if they persist for some time, a doctor should be consulted about taking antibiotics. A viral illness can develop into sinusitis or increase the risk of a middle ear infection, which increases the likelihood of a bacterial infection.

Pay attention to the color of the mucous secretions. When you blow your nose or cough up phlegm, observe the color of the discharge. Overcome possible disgust, because the color of the discharge can distinguish between viral and bacterial infections.

• A thin and clear discharge usually corresponds to viral infections. Dark, greenish discharge is more common with bacterial infections.
• However, the color of the discharge is not a 100% indication of the type of infection. There are other factors to consider.

1. Examine your throat. A sore throat occurs with both viral and bacterial infections. To determine if antibiotics should be given right away, doctors most often look at the throat. A certain type of throat indicates a bacterial infection. For example, white spots are usually caused by bacteria. If a sore throat is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing, it could also indicate a bacterial (such as streptococcal) infection.

   Pay attention to the temperature. Both viral and bacterial infections can be accompanied by a high fever. However, there are some differences between different types of infection. With bacterial infections, the temperature is usually higher. In the case of a bacterial infection, the temperature rises for several days, while in a viral infection, on the contrary, it decreases after a few days.

   Assess risk factors

   1. Weigh your chances of getting the flu. The flu is caused by a viral infection. If some of your work colleagues get sick with the flu, remember that it is highly contagious. If you have recently come into contact with someone with the flu, it is likely that the illness you are experiencing is due to this particular illness.

      • Keep in mind that flu is treatable if it is diagnosed early and addressed within the first two days of symptoms. As soon as you experience the first symptoms during the flu season, see your doctor right away.

   2. Consider your age. Young children are more susceptible to certain viral infections. They are more likely to have upper respiratory tract infections. If your child has symptoms such as sore throat, sneezing and coughing, it is possible that he or she has an upper respiratory infection.

      • If you suspect your child has an upper respiratory infection, visit your doctor.

   3. Think back to the last time you had sinusitis. Sometimes the infection starts out as a viral infection and then progresses to a bacterial one. If you've recently had a viral infection, such as sinusitis, you may develop a secondary bacterial infection. If a second illness followed shortly after the first illness, it is most likely a bacterial infection.

      • In some cases, a bacterial infection can also be caused by another type of viral infection. If any illness lasts more than two weeks, you should see your doctor.

   Health care

   1. If you develop certain symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Most viral and bacterial infections can be treated at home. However, in some cases, you should see a doctor immediately. This is even more important if a child is experiencing these symptoms. See your doctor for the following symptoms:

      • Infrequent urination (less than three times in 24 hours)
      • Labored breathing
      • The condition does not improve within 3-5 days
      • Worsening of symptoms, especially after some improvement.

   2. Take antibiotics for bacterial infections. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and are not helpful for viral infections. Although doctors may not always prescribe antibiotics even for bacterial infections, they can be prescribed for you if there is a serious infection.

   3. Try over-the-counter medications for pain relief. If a viral or bacterial infection is causing severe pain, talk to your pharmacist about medications that can help you. When taking medication, follow the instructions for use. Also check with your pharmacist to see if these drugs will interact with other drugs you are taking.

      • If you are prescribed antibiotics, ask your doctor if you can take over-the-counter pain relievers along with them.

   4. Get a flu shot. Get vaccinated to prevent getting the flu again. This will protect you from the flu virus. Influenza is a viral infection, and viral infections can sometimes cause bacterial infections. A flu shot will reduce your risk of viral and bacterial infections.

      • The flu shot will not protect you against all types of viruses and bacteria. It reduces the likelihood of illness, but does not nullify it.
      • Many are also vaccinated against pneumonia. Talk to your doctor about this.
      • If you or your child have not received the routine vaccinations, tell your doctor. You may have a rare virus, in which case you need extra precautions to keep others from getting infected.

Content

A person is most susceptible to various colds in the autumn and spring. Viral infectious diseases are a type of disease that is caused by an infection that has penetrated into a weakened body. They can wilt in an acute form or sluggish, but treatment must be carried out in both cases, so as not to aggravate the situation, to avoid dangerous complications. On average, a person suffers from 2 to 3 times a year with colds, but the development of the disease always gets due to viral DNA.

What are viral diseases

Types of viruses

Different types of bacteria can cause symptoms of pathology, which differ in the place of localization, the rate of development, and signs. Human viruses have a special classification, conventionally they are divided into fast and slow. The second option is very dangerous because the symptoms are very weak and it is not possible to immediately detect the problem. This gives her time to multiply, to strengthen. Among the main types of viruses, the following groups are distinguished:

1. Orthomyxoviruses- all influenza viruses.
2. Adenoviruses and Rhinoviruses. They provoke ARVI - an acute respiratory viral infection that affects the respiratory system. Symptoms are very similar to those of the flu and can cause complications (bronchitis, pneumonia)
3. Herpesviruses- Herpes viruses, which can live asymptomatically in the body for a long time, are activated immediately after weakening of the immune system.
4. Meningitis. It is provoked by a meningococcal infection, the mucous membrane of the brain is damaged, the virus feeds on cerebrospinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid).
5. Encephalitis- affects the lining of the brain, provokes irreversible disturbances in the work of the central nervous system.
6. Parvovirus, which is the causative agent of poliomyelitis. A very dangerous disease that can cause convulsions, spinal cord inflammation, paralysis.
7. Picornaviruses- causative agents of viral hepatitis.
8. Orthomyxoviruses- cause mumps, measles, parainfluenza.
9. Rotavirus- cause enteritis, intestinal flu, gastroenteritis.
10. Rhabdoviruses- pathogens of rabies.
11. Papoviruses- the cause of human papillomatosis.
12. Retroviruses- AIDS pathogens, first HIV develops, and then AIDS.

List of human viral diseases

Medicine knows a huge number of infectious viruses and infections that can provoke various diseases in the human body. Below are only the main groups of diseases that are likely to be encountered:

1. One of the most voluminous groups of viral diseases - flu (A, B, C), different types of colds that cause inflammation in the body, high fever, general weakness and sore throat. Therapy is carried out with the help of fortifying agents, antiviral drugs, if necessary, antibacterial medicines are prescribed.
2. Rubella. A common childhood pathology, less common in adults. Symptoms include damage to the membranes of the respiratory tract, skin. eyes, lymph nodes. The virus is transmitted by droplets, always accompanied by high fever, skin rashes.
3. Piggy. A dangerous viral disease affecting the respiratory tract, the salivary glands are severely affected. Rarely in adult males, testes have been affected by this virus.
4. Measles- often found in children, the disease affects the skin, respiratory tract, intestines. It is transmitted by airborne droplets, the causative agent is paramyxovirus.
5. Poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis). Pathology affects the respiratory tract, intestines, then enters the bloodstream. Further, motor neurons are damaged, which leads to paralysis. The virus is transmitted by droplets, sometimes a child can become infected through stool. In some cases, insects are the vectors.
6. Syphilis. This disease is sexually transmitted, it affects the genitals. Then it affects the eyes, internal organs and joints, heart, liver. Antibacterial agents are used for treatment, but it is very important to determine the presence of pathology immediately, because it may not cause symptoms for a long time.
7. Typhus. It is rare, characterized by a rash on the skin, damage to the blood vessels, which leads to the formation of blood clots.
8. Pharyngitis. The disease provokes a virus that enters the human body along with dust. Cold air, streptococci, staphylococci can also provoke the development of pathology. A viral illness is accompanied by fever, cough, sore throat.
9. Angina- a common viral pathology, which has several subspecies: catarrhal, follicular, lacunar, phlegmonous.
10. Whooping cough... This viral disease is characterized by damage to the upper respiratory tract, laryngeal edema is formed, and severe coughing fits are observed.

The rarest human viral diseases

Most viral pathologies are infectious diseases that are sexually transmitted, airborne. There are a number of diseases that are extremely rare:

1. Tularemia. Pathology in its symptoms strongly resembles the plague. Infection occurs after the entry into the body of Francisella tularensis - this is an infectious bacillus. As a rule, it gets in with the air or when bitten by a mosquito. The disease is transmitted from a sick person.
2. Cholera. This disease is very rare in modern medical practice. Vibrio cholerae virus, which enters the body through dirty water, contaminated food, causes symptoms of pathology. The last outbreak of pathology was recorded in 2010 in Haiti, the disease claimed the lives of more than 4500 people.
3. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A very dangerous pathology that is transmitted through the meat of infected animals. The causative agent is prion - a special protein that begins to actively destroy the cells of the body after penetration. The insidiousness of pathology lies in the absence of symptoms, a person begins to have a personality disorder, severe irritation, dementia appears. It is impossible to cure the disease and the person dies within a year.

Symptoms of the virus

Symptoms do not always appear immediately, some types of viral diseases can proceed for a long time without obvious signs, which becomes a problem with further treatment. Each infectious disease goes through the following stages:

• incubation period;
• premonitory;
• the height of pathology;
• recovery.

The duration of the first stage always depends on the specific type of virus and can last from 2-3 hours to six months. Symptoms will differ depending on the developing disease, but, as a rule, the following manifestations are attributed to the general symptoms of viral pathologies:

• soreness, muscle weakness;
• slight chills;
• persistent body temperature;
• sensitivity of the skin to touch;
• cough, sore throat, watery eyes;
• dysfunction of some organs;
• swollen lymph nodes.

Temperature with a viral infection

This is one of the main reactions of the body to the penetration of any pathogen. Temperature is a defense mechanism that activates all other immune functions to fight off viruses. Most of the diseases occur with a high body temperature. The viral pathologies that provoke this symptom include:

• flu;
• ARVI;
• tick-borne encephalitis;
• childhood diseases: chickenpox, mumps, rubella, measles;
• polio;
• Infectious mononucleosis.

Often there are cases of development of diseases for which the temperature does not rise. The main symptoms are watery compartments with a runny nose, sore throat. The lack of temperature is explained by the insufficient activity of the virus or the immune system is strong, therefore, it does not fully use all possible methods of fighting the infection. If the growth has begun, then high rates are maintained, as a rule, for about 5 days.

Signs

Most viruses provoke the development of acute respiratory pathologies. There are some difficulties in identifying diseases that were caused by bacteria, because the treatment regimen in this case will be very different. There are more than 20 types of viruses that cause SARS, but their main symptoms are similar. The primary signs include the following manifestations:

• rhinitis (runny nose), cough with clear mucus;
• low temperature (up to 37.5 degrees) or fever;
• general weakness, headaches, poor appetite.

How to tell a cold from a virus

There is a difference between the two. A cold occurs during prolonged exposure to the cold, severe hypothermia of the body, which leads to a weakening of immunity and the appearance of an inflammatory process. This is not the name of the disease, but only the reason for the development of other pathologies. Viral pathology often becomes a consequence of a cold, because the body does not have enough defenses to resist the pathogen.

Virus diagnostics

When contacting a doctor, he should conduct a visual examination and take an anamnesis. Usually. viral diseases are accompanied by fever, cough, runny nose, but after 3-4 days a person feels an improvement. Specialists can determine the type of disease based on general symptoms or based on seasonal outbreaks of diseases, for example, flu epidemics often begin in winter, and ARVI in autumn. Determining the exact type of virus will be required for specific treatment (HIV, syphilis, etc.). For this, a virological study is used.

This method in medicine is the "gold standard", which is carried out in a special laboratory. As a rule, such methods are used during epidemic outbreaks of viral infectious diseases. Methods of immunodiagnostics (immunoindication, serodiagnostics) have found widespread use for diagnosing pathogens. They are realized through a variety of immune responses:

• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
• radioisotope immune analysis (RIA);
• hemagglutination inhibition reaction;
• complement fixation reaction;
• immunofluorescence reaction.

Treatment of viral diseases

The course of therapy is, depending on the type of pathogens. For example, if it is necessary to treat ARVI, childhood viral pathologies (mumps, rubella, measles, etc.), then all medications are used to eliminate symptoms. Subject to bed rest, the diet, the body itself copes with the disease. Treatment of viruses is carried out in cases where they cause significant discomfort to a person. Apply for example:

• antipyretics, if the temperature is above 37.5 degrees;
• vasoconstrictor drops are used to relieve nasal edema;
• in rare cases, antibiotics (if a bacterial infection has joined);
• NSAIDs that relieve pain and lower fever, such as aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen.

During treatment, doctors recommend drinking more fluids in order to fight intoxication of the body, moderate nutrition, bed rest and humidity in the room of at least 50% where the patient is. Therapy for influenza is no different, but the doctor must be sure to monitor the patient, because this disease can cause serious consequences. One of them is pneumonia, which can lead to pulmonary edema and death.

If such complications have begun, then treatment must necessarily be carried out in a hospital with the use of special medications (Zanamivir, Oseltamivir). When the human papillomavirus is digested, the therapy consists in maintaining immunity in good shape, surgical removal of warts, and genital warts. In cases of severe viral pathologies. For example, HIV, a course of antiretroviral drugs is needed. It cannot be completely eliminated, but you can keep it under control and prevent the spread of the disease.

In case of infection with herpes of the genitals, it is necessary to take special drugs, their maximum effectiveness is confirmed in the first 48 hours. If you use the funds later, their medicinal effect is significantly reduced and the course of treatment can last from several weeks to several months. Herpes on the lips should be treated with local remedies (ointments, gels), but even without them, the wound heals within a week.

Antiviral drugs

In medicine, there is a certain number of medicines of this group, which have proven their effectiveness and are used constantly. The entire list of drugs is conventionally divided into two types:

1. Medicines that stimulate human immunity.
2. The drugs that attack the detected virus are direct-acting drugs.

The first group refers to broad-spectrum drugs, but their use leads to serious complications. One example of such drugs is interferons, and the most popular of them is interferon alpha-2b. It is prescribed for the treatment of chronic forms of Hepatitis B, previously it was prescribed for hepatitis C. Patients could hardly tolerate such therapy, which led to side effects from the central nervous system, cardiovascular system. In some cases, pyrogenic properties are manifested - they cause fever.

The second type of drugs PPD is more effective, easier to tolerate by patients. Among the drugs in demand, the following treatment options are distinguished:

1. Herpes- acyclovir. It helps to overcome the symptoms of the disease, but does not completely kill it.
2. Flu- influenza neuraminidase inhibitors (Zanamivir, Oseltamivir). To the previous drugs (adamantanes), modern strains of influenza have developed resistance, and they are not effective. Name of drugs: Relenza, Ingavirin, Tamiflu.
3. Hepatitis... For the treatment of group B viruses, interferons are used together with Ribavirin. For hepatitis C, a new generation of drugs is used - Simeprevir. Its effectiveness reaches 80-91% of a persistent virological response.
4. HIV... It cannot be completely cured, antiretroviral drugs provide a lasting effect, cause remission, and a person cannot infect others. The therapy is lifelong.

Prophylaxis

Preventive measures may differ slightly depending on the type of virus. For example, to prevent infection with hepatitis or HIV, you need to protect yourself during sexual intercourse. There are two main areas of prevention of viral diseases:

1. Specific... It is carried out to develop specific immunity in humans through vaccination. A person is injected with a weakened strain of the virus so that the body develops antibodies to it. This will help protect you from people with measles, flu, polio, hepatitis (liver disease). Most life-threatening diseases can be prevented with vaccines.
2. Nonspecific... Strengthening human immune defenses, healthy lifestyle, physical activity and normal nutrition. A person must follow the rules of hygiene, which will protect him from intestinal infections, protect himself during sexual intercourse in order to prevent HIV infection.

Infectious diseases are combined into a whole group of diseases caused by various agents. The virus enters the body in various ways, may already be in the body and manifest itself under certain circumstances. The main routes of infection are:

• hematogenous (injections, non-sterile instruments, blood transfusions, dialysis procedures);
• fecal-oral (through kissing, food or water, excrement);
• through insect bites, bodies of water (for example, E. coli).

A viral infection enters the body and begins to develop inside various organs or systems. Viral infection has fundamental differences, which are expressed in the following aspects:

• the incubation period (can occur from several days to ten years);
• prodrome period (activation of the virus after incubation);
• the height of the disease.

A similar scheme is suitable for any type of infection, from the usual ARVI to AIDS or hepatitis. Infectious diseases are very contagious, so the epidemiology of the disease is always large-scale. Treatment of viral infections should be carried out in hospitals, since at the height of the disease there are only two outcomes: recovery or death of the patient. A common viral infection in adults lasts 7 to 10 days.

Paradoxically, during reproduction, this carrier dies, and the patient begins to feel much worse. When the virus enters the body, especially during the prodrome, malaise is felt throughout the body. Rarely, when the patient clearly indicates the localization of pain, discomfort. Usually all organs and systems are affected to one degree or another.

Main types

All viral infectious agents can be roughly classified into fast and slow. The slower the reaction or the intensity of the development of pathology, the more dangerous the virus is to human life. This is due to the long absence of symptoms, which means, a large destructive effect. Among the main and common viruses are:

• Herpetic infections. The herpes virus exists in the tissues of any human body, but it is exacerbated only in the presence of provoking mechanisms. Some people are not at all familiar with this disease for the rest of their lives. A characteristic sign of herpes is the appearance of bubbles in different parts of the body.
• Encephalitis. Encephalitis affects the lining of the brain, provoking irreversible disorders in the central nervous system, human consciousness. The lethality of the disease is high. The disease is often accompanied by coma, convulsive syndrome, paralysis of the limbs and the whole body. Encephalitis provokes the development of multiple organ failure and the death of the patient in almost 90%.
• ARVI. The ARVI virus affects the human respiratory system, causing the characteristic symptoms of colds and flu. These signs are known to almost all patients. The danger of a viral lesion lies in the chronicity of the disease or in dangerous complications (bronchitis, pneumonia).
• Viral hepatitis. The disease is characterized by damage to the liver and hepatic structures. Against the background of the development of pathology, persistent violations of the functionality of the organ are formed, serious complications that can lead to the death of the patient.
• Meningitis. Meningococcal infection is localized in the subcortical part of the brain and infects the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream. Against the background of adequate therapy, persistent disturbances of consciousness, atrophy of the muscular structure of the limbs persist.
• Polio. The development of the disease is accompanied by severe convulsions, loss of consciousness, inflammation of the spinal cord. Paralysis is common. Usually the disease leads to deep disability of the patient.
• Measles. Measles is characterized by the appearance of a red rash on different parts of the body, persistent hyperthermia, and coughing. The measles virus is a relatively safe condition, but it often provokes complications such as meningitis or encephalitis.
• Sexual infections. A common form of infection, known during the formation of any society. Today, this type of infection responds well to treatment, but subject to timely detection.

Each group of infections is represented by a huge list of diseases. The nature of the disease determines the degree of danger of the infectious agent. Timely diagnostics, attention to one's own body, preventive vaccination protect children and adults from the dangerous consequences of infection.

Common signs

Signs of a viral infection in adults directly depend on the nature of the damaging agent, its localization and degree of spread. Common features include:

• slight chills;
• muscle weakness and soreness;
• sensitive skin to contact;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• persistent body temperature;
• disruption of the work of some organs;
• lacrimation, sore throat, cough.

The main difference between ARVI and ordinary influenza is the manifestation of symptoms of infection in the first case, followed by a violation of the respiratory system. Respiratory problems usually begin immediately with laryngitis or pharyngitis. For example, with an exacerbation of a herpetic infection in patients, the appearance of vesicular formations in different parts of the body is noted, the state of health worsens, irritability and soreness appear in the foci of the vesicles. Meningococcal disease manifests itself with severe symptoms with headache, confusion, severe deterioration in well-being, and other characteristic signs.

Indications for hospitalization

If the usual signs of ARVI do not frighten many patients and they are able to give an objective assessment of their condition, then the following are the symptoms of a viral infection in adults, in which you need to immediately consult a doctor:

• high temperature retention;
• fainting, loss of consciousness:
• confusion, trembling in the limbs;
• cough with sputum;
• fever;
• chest pain, inferiority of inspiration;
• the appearance of a rash (redness, extensive blisters, bulky spots);
• severe headache radiating to the neck;
• coughing up blood;
• swelling of the face or swelling of the limbs.

Such symptoms can be regarded as a complication of the usual ARVI, the onset of a serious brain disease. With unstable immunity and worsening of the condition against the background of colds, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of viral infections is as follows:

• visual examination of the patient;
• study of the patient's clinical history;
• immunological study:
• chest x-ray;
• analyzes of urine, blood, feces.

Differential diagnosis is about excluding life-threatening conditions. If necessary, doctors prescribe an MRI of the brain, additional blood tests for various enzymes, and other studies. A timely visit to a doctor will help preserve the health and life of the patient.

Treatment tactics

The tactics of treating viral infections is to comply with the following algorithms:

• elimination of the cause of the disease (provoking mechanisms);
• elimination of unpleasant symptoms (pain, dyspeptic disorders, respiratory disorders, other factors);
• bed rest and a special diet.

Medical treatment of a viral infection begins after an accurate diagnosis and clarification of the provoking factors. So what to take with such a disease? Common ARVI involves the appointment of the following drugs:

• non-steroidal drugs (relieve inflammation, lower fever, relieve pain);
• antihistamines (have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic effects);
• local nasal drops (vasoconstrictor for runny nose, swelling and severe nasal congestion);
• throat remedies (relieve redness, swelling, disinfect and soothe irritated mucous membranes);
• antitussives (promote the separation of sputum, eliminate spasms with a cough reflex, reduce irritation in the bronchi and disinfect).

With other mechanisms of the onset of pathology, appropriate drugs are prescribed to increase local immunity and eliminate characteristic symptoms. For example, for the treatment of genital infections, local drugs of specific administration are prescribed for men and women, with herpes infection, it is necessary to prescribe antiviral drugs for local and internal use. Enteroviral intestinal infection requires special preparations from the group of absorbents. It is important to understand that taking antibiotics for viral infections is not only pointless, but also very dangerous for the condition of the kidneys, liver or stomach. Drinking plenty of fluids is a good idea.

Correct and nutritious nutrition, healthy lifestyle, absence of bad habits, increased local immunity allow maintaining the health of any patient for a long time. With a burdened clinical history, it is important to undergo regular examinations and carry out preventive vaccinations. Preventing a disease or episodes of its exacerbation in a chronic course is much easier than starting to treat it.

Everyone is familiar with the state of malaise when you wake up with a stuffy nose and a feeling of fever, which makes you feel hot and cold. You may also be coughing, sneezing, experiencing muscle pain and fatigue. These are the main symptoms of a viral infection. If you get sick, you need to do your best to get well as soon as possible. In some cases, unfortunately, medications are indispensable. After reading this article, you will learn how to cure a viral infection as soon as possible and prevent recurrence of symptoms in the future.

Steps

Recovery of the body

Set aside enough time to rest. An organism infected with a viral infection, in addition to its usual work, has to fight the infection. Therefore, he is in great need of rest. Take sick leave for 1-2 days. Dedicate time to relaxing and relaxing activities that don't require any effort on your part, such as watching your favorite movies. Rest will allow your body to focus on fighting the virus. If you can't sleep, try the following activities:

• Read your favorite book, watch a TV series, listen to music, or call someone.
• Note that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. Therefore, you need to give your body as much rest as possible, thereby allowing it to fight the virus.

1. Drink plenty of fluids. Viral infections usually lead to dehydration (dehydration occurs due to fluid loss due to fever or phlegm). If the body is dehydrated, the symptoms are more severe. This vicious circle can be broken by drinking plenty of fluids. Drink water, tea, natural juices, and drinks with electrolytes to keep your body hydrated.

   Do not contact people for several days. If you have a viral infection, you are contagious, which means you can pass the virus on to another person. In addition, when you interact with other people, your body is exposed to other pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that can aggravate your condition.

   Use a humidifier. Using a humidifier, especially in the bedroom, can help relieve nasal congestion and coughing. This will help you sleep better. A good sleep is the key to recovery. Keep your humidifier clean. Clean the appliance from mold on a regular basis. Otherwise, your condition may get worse. Clean the humidifier regularly, following the recommendations written in the operating instructions.

   Buy hard candy or gargle with saline to relieve sore throat. If you have a sore throat, get sore throat lozenges from your pharmacy. The composition of such lozenges includes substances that have an analgesic effect.

   • Gargle with saline (dilute 1/4 -1/2 teaspoon of salt in one glass of water). This is another way to relieve sore throat.

2. Talk to your doctor if you have other health problems whose symptoms may be worsened by a viral infection. Usually viral infections are not dangerous, but they pose a threat to people with weakened immune systems, as well as to those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If you have cancer, diabetes, or any other immune system disorder, consult your doctor if you have a viral infection.

   Diet changes

   1. Include foods high in vitamin C in your diet. Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful immune modulators. Therefore, during the period of illness, increase the intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C can be taken in tablets. You can also change your diet to increase your intake of this vitamin. Include the following foods in your daily diet:

      Include in your diet chicken soup . Have you ever wondered why kids are given chicken noodle soup when they are sick? This is because chicken soup is a great helper in the fight against the virus. Chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, it helps to relieve nasal congestion.

      • Add onions, garlic, and other vegetables to the soup. Thanks to this, you will increase the amount of vitamins and minerals that the body desperately needs during illness.

   2. Increase your zinc intake. Zinc regulates the body's immune functions and helps it fight viruses. Most people take 25 mg of zinc daily. However, you can increase your zinc intake by including the following foods in your diet: spinach, mushrooms, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and boiled oysters.

      • Zinc is most effective at the onset of a cold or flu, in the first two to three days. Increase your zinc intake if you feel you are starting to get sick.
      • You can also buy zinc lozenges. These lozenges can be purchased at the pharmacy.
      • Do not take zinc supplements if you are taking antibiotics (such as tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones), penicillamine (a drug used to treat Wilson's disease), or cisplatin (a drug used to treat cancer). Zinc reduces the effectiveness of the aforementioned drugs.

   3. Increase your consumption of echinacea. Echinacea is a plant that is often used to make tea. Echinacea is also available as a dietary supplement. Echinacea increases the number of white blood cells in the blood (white blood cells that are responsible for immune responses) and other substances that enable the body to fight the virus. Echinacea can be consumed as a tea, juice, or pill, which can be purchased over the counter.

      • In addition, you can include eucalyptus, elderberry, honey, reishi and shiitake mushrooms in your diet.

   Drug treatment

   1. Take over-the-counter medications that can help reduce fever and pain caused by a viral infection. If you have a cold or flu, you are most likely experiencing a headache and fever. Paracetamol and ibuprofen help relieve pain. Paracetamol also helps to lower fever. You can buy the aforementioned drugs at any pharmacy.

      Use a nasal spray. There are different types of nasal sprays. Saline nasal sprays are safe and can be used by both children and adults. Saline nasal sprays reduce swelling and nasal discharge.

      Take cough syrup if you cough. When choosing a cough syrup, pay attention to its composition. In particular, pay attention to whether the syrup you choose contains decongestants, antihistamines and / or pain relievers. It is very important to do this to avoid overdose of one or another substance that is part of the syrup (for example, if the pain reliever is part of the cough syrup, you should not take an additional pain reliever).

      • OTC drugs are safe for adults. However, pay attention to the interaction of your chosen syrup with other drugs that you are taking.
      • Do not use cough syrup on children under two years of age.
      • With a wet cough, mucolytic agents are prescribed, and with a dry cough, drugs that suppress the cough reflex.

   2. Seek medical attention if you have a serious viral illness. In some cases, professional medical attention may be required. See your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

      • Elevated body temperature (above 39.4 ° C)
      • Worsening condition after short-term improvement
      • Duration of symptoms more than 10 days
      • Cough with yellow or green phlegm
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

   Prevention of viral infections

   1. Get vaccinated. Talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated against different viruses. While vaccines for some types of seasonal flu can indeed be effective, the situation with the common cold is more complicated. There is simply no vaccine for the common cold. There are vaccines for viruses such as human papillomavirus, chickenpox and shingles. Remember that the shot means you have to endure one or two shots, but that shouldn't stop you, because the discomfort from the shots is negligible and the benefits of the shot are enormous.