Flu Treatment
Influenza
symptoms are treated with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs. The most widely
used are those containing acetylsalicylic acid,
or aspirin. To ease some of the symptoms, sedatives
and expectorants may alleviate coughing.
In recent years some anti-viral medicines have been
developed which help prevent and shorten the duration
of influenza. This is because influenza is a viral disease
and antibiotics are ineffective on viruses. Antibiotics
should be used only when bacterial complications (such as sinus or throat infections) occur. Actually,
it is possible for a bacterial infection to take place
with a viral infection.
Influenza symptoms are treated with medication
but you should also follow a few simple rules:
- Drink as much liquid
as possible to replace fluids the body loses due
to fever.
- Stay in bed: influenza may be
very debilitating. Therefore rest is essential and
should be extended as long as possible (which means
remaining in bed even after your temperature returns
to normal).
- Take things easy and only resume
normal activities a few days after your recovery.
Influenza viruses are mainly of Asian
origin. In these geographic areas, environmental
conditions favor the development and the mutation of
the virus. The influenza virus stems from birds, which
transmit them to pigs which, in turn, pass them on to
man.
Because influenza viruses constantly evolve, immunity
is impossible. Our immune systems recognize
a virus if we have already been infected once by the
same type of virus, but if the virus changes, recognition
is no longer possible. Thus, every year new vaccines
must be developed.
