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.
