Anti-cold teas list. Fast-acting antiviral agents. Preparations with interferons

Colds are common during seasonal temperature changes. Only people with sufficiently strong immunity do not suffer. But children are primarily at risk. Everyone should know how to protect their body and recover quickly if they cannot avoid a cold.

Cold drops

As soon as you feel unwell and have a sore throat, you should cancel everything and start treatment. First of all, it is necessary to help the immune system fight viruses. They cope with this task perfectly in drops. The most popular medicine today that can quickly relieve the symptoms of flu and colds is the drug “Aflubin”. It is a clear, colorless, alcohol-based liquid. Aflubin drops relieve chills, relieve irritation and pain in the upper respiratory tract, and reduce joint pain. The drug can also be used for preventive purposes if it was not possible to avoid contact with the patient.

Despite the alcohol content, the drug can be prescribed to children from birth. The amount of ethanol in the composition is insignificant. Aflubin drops help women fight colds during pregnancy and lactation. The dosage of the drug is determined depending on the form of the disease. During an exacerbation, adults and children over 12 years of age should take 10 drops of the drug up to 8 times a day. As a preventative measure, the drug "Aflubin" is used only 3 times a day. Children under 4 years of age are prescribed 2-4 drops 5 times a day.

Another popular interferon-based anti-cold remedy is Nazoferon drops. The drug can also be prescribed to infants and women during pregnancy and lactation. These are nasal drops that combat the main symptoms of colds and flu. During an exacerbation of the disease, Nazoferon drops are injected into each nasal passage 5 times a day. The difference between the drug is its short shelf life. It can only be used within 15 days from the moment the bottle is opened. It is necessary to store cold remedies of this type in the refrigerator.

Hot mug with medicine

The list of cold medications for adults in most cases opens with powders for preparing hot drinks. These are medications that are available without a prescription and are sold at any pharmacy. One of the most popular is Coldrex powder. This drug has antiviral, antipyretic, and immunostimulating effects. The main active ingredient is paracetamol, which effectively relieves pain.

Coldrex powder can only be prescribed for the treatment of respiratory diseases. A bacterial infection cannot be eliminated with this remedy. The dosage of the drug is determined by the doctor individually and depends on the severity of the disease and the characteristics of the patient’s body. You should not take more than 4 sachets per day. Cold medicines for children can also be used. But patients must be over 12 years old.

Cold powder usually has no side effects. In rare cases, disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract are observed. The patient may feel nausea and pain in the abdominal area. Vomiting and diarrhea sometimes occur. If such reactions develop, you should stop taking the drug. The doctor will prescribe other anti-cold medications.

Coldrex powder is very popular due to its properties and taste. The drug is produced with the taste of forest berries, lemon, and honey. Patients enjoy the treatment process. And relief occurs within a few minutes after taking the medicine.

Cold balms

Many therapeutic actions for colds are based on the warming effect. In pharmacies you can find anti-cold medications in the form of creams and balms, which are applied to the chest and provide just the same warming effect. The remedy “Eucabal” is very popular. The main active ingredients are essential oils of pine needles and eucalyptus. Thanks to the activation of blood circulation, a warming effect occurs. Cold ointment is applied several times a day to the back and chest, avoiding the heart area.

The medicine helps to quickly get rid of cough and runny nose. In most cases, the balm is used as part of complex therapy. Cold ointment is not an antipyretic. Moreover, Eucabal cannot be used if the body temperature is above 37 degrees.

The balm can also be used for steam inhalation. Essential oils help thin mucus and also relieve irritation of the respiratory tract. For inhalation, a teaspoon of Eucabal balm is diluted in two liters of hot water. This solution is suitable for a nebulizer. At the initial stage of a cold, the procedure should be performed several times a day.

Doctor Mom balm is effective for adults and children against colds. The medicine can be used for rubbing, as well as for inhalation. Children should use cold balm with caution. You should definitely consult your pediatrician. The balm has virtually no contraindications. It should not be used only by people who have skin diseases or are prone to allergic reactions.

Cough syrup

Almost any cold is accompanied by a cough. Complex therapy must include syrups that thin phlegm and relieve irritation in the throat. It is not recommended to choose a cold remedy for children and adults without consulting a doctor. The specialist must determine the form of the cough and the location of the infection. Only after a series of tests can cough syrup be prescribed.

One of the most popular remedies, which many have known since childhood, is Pertusin syrup. The main active ingredient is thyme extract. Potassium bromide acts as an excipient. The syrup has antitussive and mucolytic effects. Thyme helps increase the activity of the bronchial glands. With a dry cough, sputum begins to be released, and with a wet cough, the contents in the lungs become less viscous and are quickly expectorated. A huge advantage of Pertusin syrup is its low price. The product can be purchased in pharmacies for only 25 rubles.

Many people are accustomed to trusting modern medicines. The list of new drugs opens with Gedelix cough syrup, which has not only a thinning effect, but also an antispasmodic. The product perfectly helps relieve attacks of dry cough. And it can be used from birth. The syrup interacts well with others. Therefore, it can be safely used as part of complex therapy. But you should not self-medicate. Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and course of treatment.

Anti-cold medications in tablets

Pharmacies offer a lot of cold medicines in tablet form. But you should not use them yourself. Only a specialist can determine the form of the disease. It is impossible to cure a bacterial infection with simple antiviral drugs. If the cause of the illness is a respiratory infection, anti-cold medications in the form of tablets will come to the rescue. The list opens with a medicine called “Anaferon”. The product is available in various dosages. To treat children, it is worth purchasing “Anaferon for children”.

Anti-cold tablets can be used not only for the treatment of acute respiratory diseases, but also as a preventive measure. You just need to take one Anaferon tablet per day to avoid illness during seasonal temperature changes. Tablets can also be part of complex therapy in the treatment of bacterial infections. The drug "Anaferon" strengthens the body's defenses and also helps to quickly restore energy after an illness.

Analogues can be such anti-cold tablets as “Antigrip”, “Rinza”, “Coldrex”, “Arbidol”, etc. The list of medications is quite long. Before purchasing this or that product, you should consult a therapist.

Lollipops for sore throat

The first sign of an oncoming cold in most cases is a sore throat. If you start treatment at an early stage, complications can be avoided. Special lozenges are a great way to overcome a sore throat. Despite the fact that they act locally, serious troubles are avoided. After all, the active substance not only relieves pain, but also prevents the infection from spreading further.

The list of medications opens with lozenges for sore throat “Decatylene”. The drug has a cooling effect. It can be used as a prophylaxis during periods of exacerbation of seasonal morbidity, as well as after surgery in the oral cavity. After tooth extraction, Decathylene lozenges prevent the development of a purulent infection.

Lollipops for sore throat have virtually no contraindications. During periods of exacerbation of diseases, they are used every two hours. For prevention purposes, lozenges are dissolved only 2-3 times a day.

Sprays for sore throat

Like lozenges, sprays act on the infection locally. Similar anti-cold medications are produced based on phenol. The list opens with Orasept. This medicine has an antiseptic and analgesic effect. Its use in the early stages of a respiratory disease allows you to avoid complications such as runny nose, cough and fever.

Orasept spray can be prescribed to children over two years of age. During the period of exacerbation of the disease, the product is sprayed up to 4 times a day. If the sore throat stops, you should continue using the spray. The course of treatment should be at least 5 days. Anti-cold medications in spray form can be prescribed to women during pregnancy and lactation. But you should not use medications without consulting a therapist.

Vasoconstrictor drops

If a cold is accompanied by a runny nose, vasoconstrictor drops can be used as part of complex therapy. These are medications that relieve swelling of the mucous membrane and facilitate the passage of oxygen into the lungs through the nasal passages. Any must be used strictly according to the instructions. Adverse reactions may occur in the form of dryness and burning in the nose. Drug-induced rhinitis often develops, caused by addiction to the drug.

The list of nasal drops is quite long. But only a few drugs can be used to treat runny nose in children under one year of age. One of them is Nazol Baby. But in order to avoid adverse reactions, it is recommended to use this medication for no more than three days. A single dosage of the drug for children under one year of age is one drop in each nasal passage no more than twice a day. Nazol Baby drops are contraindicated for children with heart disease and diabetes. In case of hypersensitivity to individual components of the drug, its use should be discontinued.

Grandmother's recipes against colds

At the beginning of the last century, medicines were not available to everyone. But even then people knew how to treat colds. There are many folk recipes that help to effectively remove fever and the main symptoms of respiratory disease.

Any pediatrician will tell you that drinking plenty of fluids helps you overcome the disease faster. And if the drink is also useful, the infection will be dealt a double blow. Simple black tea is not enough. Chamomile decoction has an excellent effect. If your body temperature is elevated, the drink should not be consumed hot. Chamomile has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect and helps remove toxins from the body. Everyone should know how to treat a cold with chamomile.

Many grandmothers know that oil is a great remedy for colds. If the disease is accompanied by a cough, warm milk with butter and honey quickly relieves irritation. This drink should be consumed at night. A restful sleep will be ensured.

Garlic has an excellent antiviral effect. The ground vegetable is mixed with honey in a 1:1 ratio and used a teaspoon 3-5 times a day. This remedy can also be used for prophylactic purposes during the period of seasonal infections. Such treatment cannot be called tasty. But the effect is truly amazing. Garlic with honey will save a lot of money and strengthen the body's protective functions.

Let's sum it up

It is much easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later. There are many foods that stimulate the immune system. During seasonal temperature changes, it is worth eating more vegetables and fruits. Preference should be given to plants from the garden. Strawberries will be of little use in October.

If it was not possible to avoid a cold, treatment should begin as soon as the first symptoms appear. Special lozenges and sprays will help you quickly cope with a sore throat. By starting the use of medications in a timely manner, you can avoid the development of complications. But the selection of medications should be entrusted to a specialist.

An increase in body temperature is a serious cause for concern. If a child develops a fever, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before the doctor arrives, you can lower the temperature a little by wiping with a damp towel. And parents of children under three years old must have Nurofen, Panadol or Paracetamol in their first aid kit.

Updated: 09.24.2018 16:07:07

Expert: Boris Kaganovich

*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

When a person comes to a pharmacy and asks for something “for a cold,” an experienced pharmacist will not be taken by surprise by such a question. In any pharmacy there will always be interferon inducers, antipyretic drugs, sputum thinners and other medications that are necessary for a person with a respiratory viral infection and a cold. But even in such a situation, the pharmacy employee will definitely ask what symptoms are observed and advise you to choose a drug based on the patient’s complaints, although, by law, pharmacy employees should not provide advice, this should be done by a doctor. And that's why.

Usually the most common colds, which occur as a result of hypothermia or lack of immunity, are caused by viruses that are tropic to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. For example, these are adenoviruses and similar reoviruses and rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus. But in some cases, it may be ARVI, and the debut of influenza in an unfavorable epidemiological situation.

If the patient, even with a common cold, has been sick for several days, then the bacterial flora joins the viruses, and then in typical cases the temperature rises a second time, a wet cough appears, and mucopurulent or even purulent sputum begins to drain. In this case, it is already necessary to prescribe antibiotics, call a doctor, and treat the bacterial complication of the cold. In order not to lead the situation to complications, it is recommended to treat ARVI starting from the first day. What cold medications can help with this, and what products are currently produced to fight viruses, high fevers, and can be used in adults and children? This rating contains the most popular and effective means for these purposes. And the first of them will be considered etiotropic drugs, or drugs aimed at combating infectious agents.

Rating of the best cold and flu remedies

The best antivirals for colds

Currently, there are several groups of antiviral drugs. First of all, these are vaccines, but they are not suitable for the treatment of acute diseases, but only for their prevention and prevention.

Medicines are also used to prevent the development of a viral infection, blocking specific enzymes of the pathogen, preventing its penetration into cells, or the reproduction or replication of viral particles. There are drugs on sale that stimulate the immune system and promote the production of interferons by the patient’s body, which have antiviral activity, reducing the symptoms of colds and acute respiratory viral infections. It is the last two groups of funds that are presented in the rating. And since influenza is one of the most dangerous and severe diseases, which begins very similar to ARVI, the first remedy presented in the rating will be the highly effective antiviral drug Tamiflu.

Tamiflu (Influcein, Tamides)

Tamiflu is a monodrug, that is, a product with a single, but very effective component. This is oseltamivir. Its mechanism of action is based on blocking one of the enzymes of influenza virus aggression, called neuraminidase. The task of this enzyme is to facilitate the release of newly created viral particles in the human body from affected cells. Therefore, Tamiflu can be considered a means of pathogenetic treatment, but not for any acute respiratory viral infection or cold, but only for “suspicious” flu. Indications for use as an exception will be the treatment of acute respiratory viral infection occurring during the epidemic influenza season, which is more severe than the common cold.

This is a situation when the patient immediately and clearly manifests on the first or second day not only fever and catarrhal manifestations in the nasopharynx, but at the same time there is pronounced weakness and loss of strength, there is a headache, and diffuse myalgia, or muscle pain.

The second indication for this drug is the specific prevention of influenza. If there is an outbreak of influenza in a school or community, then everyone else needs to use this drug to avoid illness.

Tamiflu is used regardless of food intake. The course of treatment for adults, as well as children over 12 years of age, is one tablet 2 times a day, the course of treatment is 5 days. Treatment must be started no later than the second day after the onset of typical symptoms. You should not increase the dose even in severe cases of the disease, as this will not lead to an increase in the expected effect.

For prevention, take this remedy one tablet once a day for a week. The conditions for taking it are exactly the same: no more than 2 days should pass after possible dangerous contact, otherwise the effectiveness of the drug will sharply decrease. This wonderful and very effective drug is produced by the Hoffmann la Roche company from Switzerland, and its cost will be the highest in our rating. The average price of one package of 10 capsules, just calculated for a course of administration for 5 days, is 1,170 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Tamiflu is its high efficiency, recognized by the international clinical community, which can significantly reduce the duration and severity of the infection, and also dramatically increases the patient’s chances of not getting the flu. But such effectiveness is rarely accompanied by side effects. Most often this is nausea and one-time vomiting. They appear on the first day and then disappear without any additional changes in the use or discontinuation of the drug.

Unfortunately, in most cases, in the first two days after the onset of symptoms, people are not inclined to immediately spend more than 1000 rubles on a highly effective drug, and this can only be done by someone who is initially sure that they have the flu, or immediately, on the first day, called a doctor for house. Therefore, if there is no epidemic situation in the area, and it is not the “season,” then this drug should not be taken. To accept it there must be a reasoned decision.

Grippferon refers to immune drugs that contain a highly effective protective interferon, alfa-2b. Interferon is considered a highly effective antiviral therapy; it is produced in the human body. If endogenous interferon is not enough, then it is introduced from the outside, being a means of passive immune treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and colds.

Grippferon is indicated for various acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and also for prevention. For example, during the epidemic season and the height of influenza and ARVI, the prophylactic use of Grippferon as a means of prevention in public places in combination with a disposable mask can reliably protect any person from ARVI, influenza, and other “cold” diseases. It is produced in the form of a nasal spray and drops; Grippferon is used in three dosages in each nasal passage no more than 6 times a day for adults. For prophylactic purposes, this drug is prescribed one dose in each nasal passage 2 times a day.

Grippferon is produced in the form of a nasal spray by the domestic company Firn, and the average cost of one 10 ml package is 340 rubles. In addition, Grippferon is also available in the form of nasal drops, and the cost of one bottle of the same volume is 260 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of using Grippferon include great convenience, low price and no overdose. This remedy can also be used for colds and ARVI, starting from birth, with dose adjustment. The disadvantages of this drug include the recommendation not to combine it with vasoconstrictor drops, as this can cause drying of the nasal mucosa. Also, there are no large or international studies that would clearly speak about its effectiveness; all studies were conducted in Russia and on a small number of subjects.

Ingavirin is considered a single drug; it contains imidazolylethanamide pentanedioic acid. A substance with such a complex name helps to increase the production of interferon receptors, which increases the sensitivity of cells to signals that stimulate the immune response. As a result, interferon has a more complete effect, viruses are more quickly eliminated from the body, the symptoms of ARVI and colds and the duration of the disease are reduced. Taking Ingavirin reduces the risk of complications. Viruses such as influenza and parainfluenza pathogens, enteroviruses, rhinoviruses, Coxsackie viruses and their other representatives are sensitive to Ingavirin.

This drug is indicated for both the treatment and prevention of respiratory infections caused by viruses in adults and children over 13 years of age. Ingavirin should be used for treatment once, 90 mg per day, for a week. For prevention, the dosage is exactly the same, it does not change. It is produced by the domestic company Valenta, and the cost of a package of 7 capsules, designed for a course of weekly intake, is on average 500 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Ingavirin include convenient administration, since most drugs with antiviral activity must be used several times a day, convenient packaging designed for a course of both treatment and prevention, and a mild physiological effect. It does not introduce any chemical substance into the body, but simply increases the activity of hereditary mechanisms, activates genes and increases the production of certain cellular structures - receptors. Also, Ingavirin is not metabolized in the body and does not affect chronic diseases. However, there are some contraindications to it - it is not used for ARVI in pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children under 13 years of age.

The antiviral drug Arbidol, from the point of view of pharmaceutical chemistry, is called umifenovir, and it is indicated for influenza, ARVI, as well as for symptoms of rotavirus diarrhea, and for creating immunity against influenza. The product produces, in addition to antiviral, an immunostimulating effect. Arbidol is available in capsules, tablets and powder for suspension. It is necessary to use Arbidol for the prevention of ARVI and colds - one capsule twice a week for a month, and for treatment - one capsule every 6 hours for 5 days. Arbidol is produced by the domestic company Pharmstandard, and the cost of 10 capsules of 50 mg, or 10 single doses, averages 160 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The most pronounced advantages of Arbidol are in the prevention of ARVI. It then needs to be taken only twice a week, for example on Tuesday and Thursday. For treatment, it is used, of course, much more often, but even then one package of the drug will be enough for two and a half days of treatment. And two packages will be enough for the entire course, and its cost will not exceed 320 rubles. Sufficient effectiveness and reasonable price enable this drug to participate in the ranking of antiviral drugs for ARVI.

Finally, in conclusion, we will consider a drug that, at first glance, has nothing to do with the pathogens of ARVI. This is acyclovir, also known as Zovirax. Yes, this remedy acts exclusively on herpes viruses. But it very often happens that a respiratory viral infection that occurs against the background of reduced immunity leads to the activation of a herpes infection, which immediately “breaks out” on the patient’s lips. If measures are not taken, then such rashes against the background of reduced immunity can appear in the area of ​​the external auditory canal, and cause an extremely unpleasant neurological complication - Bell's palsy, or facial nerve paresis. Therefore, herpes during a cold must be dealt with immediately after its slightest occurrence.

This is what acyclovir cream, or Zovirax, is for. After the first appearance of burning, discomfort and the appearance of blistering rashes, it is necessary to immediately, every 4 hours, or 5 times a day, apply this cream to the affected area, as well as to the surrounding undamaged skin. The course of treatment is at least 4 days. Zovirax cream is inexpensive, one small 5-gram tube costs about 180 rubles on average. It is produced by the English pharmaceutical company Glaxosmithkline.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of using Zovirax in local forms include their rapid action, blocking the spread of herpetic infection to other areas of the skin, “spreading” of the rash in the projection of nerve fibers, as well as good tolerability. The disadvantages include the impossibility of prevention when using local forms of medicines, such as ointments and creams. But, nevertheless, antiherpes drugs should always be in the same medicine cabinet with drugs for the treatment of respiratory viral infections. After all, as practice shows, in 10-15% of cases, herpes is activated during ARVI, and you need to be prepared for this.

The best antipyretics for colds

There are some restrictions, or rather suggestions, to the use of antipyretics. Everyone knows that it is necessary to reduce the temperature only when it reaches at least 38.5 degrees. In some recommendations you can read that only a temperature of about 39 degrees and above should require treatment with antipyretic drugs, and this is correct. If a person is basically healthy and does not have chronic damage to the heart or blood vessels, does not have arterial hypertension, and does not suffer from epilepsy, then one can and should try to follow these recommendations. If the patient has diseases, increased convulsive activity, or intolerance to high temperatures, then he needs to start taking antipyretic drugs, starting with a temperature of 38 degrees, and even lower. But, even against the backdrop of an increase in fever, it is necessary to drink as much warm and vitamin-rich liquid as possible, and in some cases, use physical methods, such as rubbing. Currently, there are many effective antipyretic drugs based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most effective and popular ones are listed below.

The drug Ibuklin, produced by the Indian pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddis, is considered a highly effective combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol. Each of them by itself is already capable of having an antipyretic effect, and in combination they work even better. Blood antipyretic effect, this drug also helps relieve pain, for example, with diffuse muscle pain during the flu, with headaches, which often accompanies ARVI. Ibuklin should be taken 2 hours after meals, one tablet three times a day, but not more than 3 tablets. You can be treated for no more than 3 days without a doctor’s prescription, and then only after consulting a doctor. The cost of the drug Ibuklin, containing 10 tablets in one package, designed for 3 days of use, is, on average, 130 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of this product include high activity, ease of use and inexpensive price. But each of the components has side effects and contraindications. Most often they manifest themselves in patients with stomach ulcers and erosive gastritis, in the form of nausea, heartburn and vomiting. There may be headache, skin rash, sweating, and other side effects. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor before starting treatment, and if this is not possible, then you should not use Ibuklin on your own for more than 3 days.

Efferalgan – effervescent tablets

Efferalgan contains paracetamol, and is perhaps the leader in the ratings of antipyretic drugs in terms of its safety. It is no wonder that so many different commercial forms of paracetamol are available for use in children. Efferalgan contains 500 mg of paracetamol and is available in capsules and effervescent tablets for use in adults. In addition to lowering the temperature, Efferalgan also has an analgesic effect, so at the same time it is good for treating diffuse muscle pain during influenza, reduces sore throat, and reduces the severity of headaches. All of these symptoms are also often present with respiratory viral infections.

It is necessary to use Efferalgan by dissolving one effervescent tablet in a glass of warm water, and the daily dose should not exceed 6 tablets for an adult, and the maximum single dose should not be more than two tablets. But usually, in uncomplicated cases, a daily dose of 3 g works very well for the patient. It is not recommended to use this drug for more than 3 days as an antipyretic without a doctor's prescription. Efferalgan is produced by the pharmaceutical company Upsa, a derivative of Bristol-Myers Squibb, France. The average cost of one package of 16 effervescent tablets, designed for more than five days of use, does not exceed 150 rubles in a retail pharmacy chain in September 2018 prices.

Advantages and disadvantages

A big advantage of Efferalgan is its good tolerability, mild action, wide therapeutic range, as well as the ability to use it in children, for whom it is available in the form of rectal suppositories, oral solution and powder. Also, low cost is a fairly effective argument in favor of choosing this drug. However, symptoms of overdose are possible, especially if the patient has liver pathology. This is manifested primarily by nausea and discomfort in the right hypochondrium. The drug can also cause side effects such as allergic reactions and dizziness. But these symptoms are dose dependent, and if the patient does not exceed the recommended dosage of 3 g per day, then these conditions occur very rarely.

Cefekon-N is a special antipyretic agent, since it is produced in rectal suppositories, but is used not in children, but in adults. Cefekon-N contains the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen, which is relatively rarely used in clinical practice. In addition, the suppositories contain caffeine and salicylamide. Together, these suppositories relieve pain, reduce fever, and have an anti-inflammatory effect. The presence of caffeine invigorates, reduces drowsiness, has an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of internal organs, and reduces the symptoms of a primary allergic reaction during ARVI. This drug is indicated as a common antipyretic for common colds. It is necessary to use Cefekon-N after a morning bowel movement, inserting one suppository deeply into the rectum one to three times a day, and after this manipulation it is necessary to lie quietly for half an hour. You can use this remedy yourself, but not longer than 3 days. Tsefekon-N in suppositories is produced by the domestic pharmaceutical concern Nizhpharm, and the average cost of one package of 10 suppositories is about 120 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Cefekon-N is a drug that is indicated, albeit with caution, for patients with erosive-ulcerative gastritis and gastric ulcers, since it is administered rectally and does not irritate the gastric mucosa. In addition, the product, due to the caffeine it contains, reduces daytime sleepiness and the feeling of weakness that often occurs in the first days of both influenza and ARVI. This product is also widely used and has a low price. But it must be remembered that the drug is contraindicated in patients with high blood pressure, renal failure, insomnia and angle-closure glaucoma. That is why it is advisable to consult a specialist before starting treatment.

Symptomatic therapy

Moving on to symptomatic treatment, we can say that the antipyretic drugs described above also belong to this group of drugs, but they were highlighted separately because of their particular popularity. Symptoms of ARVI, and, above all, dangerous flu, consist of high fever, a feeling of weakness and headache, nasal congestion, or, on the contrary, dryness. Sometimes viral infections cause rhinorrhea, or the well-known “snot.” The patient is bothered by a dry cough and general weakness.

Therefore, to combat these unpleasant symptoms of a cold, such groups of drugs as antipyretics and analgesics to combat fever and symptoms of intoxication, sprays and solutions to moisturize the nasal mucosa and anticongestants to eliminate rhinorrhea, sputum thinners, as well as drugs for effective its removal. Medicines belonging to these categories will be discussed in this section. Most of them can be used in both adults and children. But still, the rating of drugs for the treatment of cold symptoms in children includes those drugs that are indicated for use in childhood, and the dosage of which is selected in a special way for use in pediatric practice.

The Best Cold Symptom Relievers for Adults

To treat cold symptoms in adults, the entire arsenal of modern drugs is used, but this rating includes those drugs that do not have an antipyretic effect, since these drugs were discussed above. But the list will still include a drug that reduces, among other things, the symptoms of fever. And let's start the review with just such a tool. This is a well-known effective anti-cold drug, Theraflu.

Theraflu for colds and flu contains 4 effective ingredients. This is paracetamol from the NSAID group, which has antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects, the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine, the histamine receptor blocker pheniramine, and vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. This unique combination of constituent components allows, in addition to the antipyretic and analgesic effect, Theraflu to have an antiallergic and decongestant effect. As a result, the remedy will be indicated not only for respiratory viral infections, with symptoms of fever, intoxication, and aches throughout the body. Theraflu successfully fights nasal congestion, sneezing and runny nose. Therefore, if you have a full range of such symptoms, you can save on medications, since Theraflu for flu and colds is a whole “small pharmacy”.

Theraflu is used by dissolving 1 packet in a glass of hot boiled water, and it should also be taken hot. You can take no more than three packets during the day. Taking the drug will be most comfortable if you take it at night, since the antihistamine contained in Theraflu has a sedative effect. Theraflu for colds and flu is produced by the French company Farmat, and the average cost of one package of 10 bags, designed for 3 days of use, is about 290 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

A big benefit from purchasing this drug will be the fact that for less than 300 rubles you can purchase a whole range of medications. This is an analgesic, antipyretic, a substitute for nasal drops, and a medicine to combat allergies (itching in the nose and sneezing). However, the disadvantage of this good cold medicine may be side effects such as drowsiness, allergic rash, dry mouth, abdominal discomfort, reflex urinary retention, and other unpleasant symptoms associated with the side effects of histamine receptor blockers. But on the other hand, if you do not exceed the recommended dosage and use just one sachet at night, this can significantly ease the course of colds and acute respiratory viral infections.

Otrivin complex is a modern and highly effective combined anticongestant. In simple terms, these are nasal drops in the form of a nasal spray. The drug contains ipratropium bromide and xylometazoline. As a result, the drug has not only a vasoconstrictor effect, but also an anticholinergic effect. The action of xylometazoline causes a narrowing of the capillaries of the nasal mucosa, which reduces swelling and hyperemia, and facilitates nasal breathing. And ipratropium bromide reduces the severity of the secretion of the sebaceous glands, and as a result, rhinorrhea stops. The product takes effect within 5 minutes, the effect of a single use lasts at least 6 hours.

Otrivin complex is usually indicated on the 2nd and 3rd days of the disease, when catarrhal phenomena join the symptoms of malaise and colds. Sometimes it happens the other way around: at the beginning a person begins to experience nasal congestion and only then does general malaise arise, so there is no single recipe for use. For adults, the product is injected into each nostril 3 times a day. Otrivin complex should not be reused more often than after 6 hours, and the specified number of intranasal instillations should not be exceeded more than 3 times a day. The duration of the course of treatment is no more than 7 days without a doctor’s recommendation. Otrivin complex is produced by the Swiss company Novartis, and one package of 10 ml spray will cost 225 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of this highly effective drug is its speed of action and duration, therefore, despite the relatively high price for intranasal drops, they are used very economically. However, in order to avoid the development of adverse reactions, you should not exceed the recommended dosage, otherwise unpleasant symptoms such as tachycardia, dry nasal mucosa or a burning sensation up to nosebleeds, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating may appear. This is all a consequence of the side effects of both adrenergic agonists and anticholinergics in high dosages. Therefore, if the patient initially has chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, or other diseases, for example, chronic renal failure, then a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

Flutidec (carbocysteine)

In the typical course of ARVI, patients begin to cough after a few days, and then it is necessary to take measures to evacuate accumulated sputum from the lungs, as well as increase its formation in order to avoid stagnation and infection of the mucous membrane not with viruses, but with microbes. Therefore, mucolytics and expectorants are used to prevent bacterial bronchitis. And such drugs include a highly effective drug - carbocysteine ​​under the commercial name Fluditec. It comes in syrup form and is produced by the French company Innotek.

Its task is to activate a special bronchial enzyme called sialic transferase. As a result, the fluidity of bronchial secretions improves and its discharge to the outside is facilitated. Along the way, this drug increases the secretion of class A immunoglobulins, which help in the fight against microbial infection.

Fluditec is indicated for bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, as well as for the treatment of various diseases of the sinuses of the skull, such as sinusitis, and pathology of the middle ear. Adults should take the drug 15 ml of syrup 3 times a day, the best dose would be one hour before meals, or 2 hours after meals. Without consulting a doctor, you can take the drug on your own for no more than 10 days. The cost of 125 ml of syrup containing 5% carbocisteine ​​is, on average, 380 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The most important advantage of this drug is its combined effect not only on bronchial secretions, which manifests itself in an increase in its fluidity, but also in enhancing local protection of the surface of the bronchial mucosa by increasing the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A. Therefore, it is carbocysteine ​​(Flutidec) that is best able to prevent the transition bronchitis and cough during ARVI to microbial colonization of the disturbed structures of the bronchial tree, preventing the development of secondary bronchitis.

The Best Cold Symptom Relievers for Children

As you know, there are no special medications for children that adults would not use, since both the child’s body and the adult’s body are based on the same physiological and biochemical principles. It’s just that children’s medications have no contraindications for use in childhood, and their dosages are specially selected so that the drug is absorbed by the child’s body without exceeding the dose. Finally, a convenient dosage form can be considered a feature of the children's product: either in suppositories, or in the form of a suspension, or in the form of a delicious fruit syrup. The most popular and favorite cold remedy for all parents will be children's Nurofen. This is where the review begins.

Children's Nurofen contains a mildly active and relatively safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen, and it is indicated for children with pain, fever with chills, catarrhal symptoms in the throat, muscle pain and acute respiratory tract infections, not to mention influenza and ARVI . The suspension is available with an orange or strawberry scent, and it must be used depending on the age of the baby. The earliest period of a child's life when this can be done is three months of age. But, no matter what the age and body weight of the child, more than 30 mg of the drug per kilogram of weight should not be given per day. Thus, children aged 1 year who weigh about 9 kg should not be given more than 10 ml of suspension per day, and a single dose should be 2.5 ml, three or four times a day. Detailed instructions are included with the drug. Nurofen for children is produced by the well-known pharmaceutical company Rackitt Benzikker, UK, and the average cost of one bottle of suspension with a volume of 150 ml will be 180 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Nurofen can be considered high safety, and a mild antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, but only if parents do not exceed the recommended dosage. In addition, there are clear contraindications, one of which is a child’s combination of bronchial asthma with aspirin intolerance, renal failure, or congenital bleeding disorders. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain recommendations from your treating pediatrician before using the product for the first time. Also, the drug should not be given to a child whose body weight is less than 5 kg.

Viferon in suppositories is a popular remedy for increasing immunity in a child. The main active ingredient of Viferon is recombinant interferon Alpha-2b in combination with vitamins: alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid. Viferon is used for complex therapy of various infectious diseases, starting from the first days of a baby’s life, and for both treatment and prevention. Viferon is used not only for acute respiratory viral infections, but also for other infections, including childhood infections: measles, whooping cough, mumps and others.

Viferon rectal suppositories should be used one suppository twice a day, that is, every 12 hours. The course of treatment is at least 5 days, and the suppositories have different dosages, from 150 thousand units to 3 million. Therefore, the initial recommendation for the use of this drug in a child should be given by a doctor, choosing an individual dosage. Viferon in candles is produced by the domestic company Feron. The cost of one package of candles (10 pieces) in a minimum dosage of 150,000 units is, on average, 250 rubles. Viferon candles must be stored in the refrigerator.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of these combined immune suppositories is the ability to use them in children for a wide variety of diseases, starting from the period of prematurity. They help not only with ARVI, but also with manifestations of herpes infection, with childhood viral diseases such as chickenpox and measles, they can be used for prevention. The disadvantage of this drug may be the insufficiently large number of randomized studies and the lack of experience in using this drug abroad.

In children, as in adults, one of the first symptoms of respiratory viral infections and colds is nasal congestion and swelling, rhinorrhea. But in children, the water content in the body is greater, the mucous membrane becomes looser than in adults, and the symptoms of congestion are more pronounced.

The most popular and safest of all means that are indicated for irrigating the nasal mucosa for colds in children is pure sea water. It contains all the necessary salts, iodine for disinfection, and the most typical representative of such natural medicines is the drug Aqua Maris Baby. It is intended for washing and irrigating the nasal cavity in children. Aqua Maris Baby is used for all acute respiratory viral infections, bacterial infections, sore throats, sinusitis, allergic lesions, simply dry mucous membranes, dusty air, and for another wide range of indications.

It is necessary to use Aqua Maris baby for rinsing each stroke, on average 5 times a day daily when treating colds, and for prevention - 3 times a day. If the child has not yet reached the age of two, then the instructions include a special explanation of how to properly rinse the child’s nose.

Sea water is produced in a special metal bottle, which is under pressure, and the volume of the bottle is 50 ml. It is produced by the French company Yadran, and the average cost of this spray is 290 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

This spray would be good for everyone if it were not for its very high price. As the producers say, “the water is taken from an ecologically clean area of ​​the Adriatic Sea, from a depth of more than 10 m.” But in any case, the cost of 50 ml of even the purest sea water should not be 5 times higher than the cost of a liter of milk, even taking into account retail sales laws. This fact is a significant psychological barrier for many categories of parents. And at the same time, they will not spare any money on medicines for the baby’s health, but they are not going to spend on water. But if this barrier is avoided, then this remedy will be an excellent substitute for anticongestants containing adrenergic agonists and other substances that have side effects.

About mucolytics for children

In the rating of cold medications for adults, the mucolytic carbocisteine ​​was named. According to modern international studies, it has been proven that mucolytics should not be used in children. These include acylcysteine, Ambroxol, Bromhexine and many others. It turned out that many children experienced severe complications after regular use, and since April 2010, mucolytics for children have been banned in some countries, in particular in France. According to modern and indisputable data, such simple measures as drinking plenty of warm vitamin drinks, rinsing the nasal passages, and regularly humidifying the air in the room can get rid of phlegm with the same effectiveness, but without any risk.

There is probably not a single person who has not suffered from colds at least once in their life, at least in childhood. Therefore, there is no person who would not be concerned about the question of what to take for a cold.

Colds may have different names, but they are based on one reason - infection of various parts of the body and, in particular, the upper respiratory tract, by pathogens. These microorganisms are divided into two main categories – bacteria and viruses.

Treatment of acute respiratory diseases can be either symptomatic, aimed at alleviating the manifestations of the disease, or etiological, aimed at eliminating the root cause of the disease. Fortunately, antibacterial drugs, or antibiotics, have long been used successfully to treat diseases caused by bacteria. But in the case of diseases caused by another group of infectious agents - viruses, the situation is not so favorable. And there are several reasons for this.

Respiratory diseases caused by viruses

What acute respiratory diseases are caused by viruses? These include, first of all, influenza and ARVI.

The term ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) refers to various infections caused by viruses that are not related to influenza. These viruses include:

• adenoviruses,
• rhinoviruses,
• parainfluenza viruses,
• coronaviruses,
• respiratory syncytial viruses.

Respiratory symptoms are also characteristic of some other viral diseases:

• measles,
• rubella,
• chicken pox,
• whooping cough

However, they are not usually classified as viral respiratory diseases.

Symptoms of parainfluenza and ARVI

Symptoms of diseases caused by different types of viruses often differ little from each other. And it is usually possible to determine the type of disease only by identifying the type of pathogen, which is not always easy.

Typically, ARVI is characterized by symptoms such as cough, runny nose, high temperature (sometimes low-grade, below +38º C), sore throat, headaches, and frequent sneezing. Sometimes symptoms may be accompanied by signs of intoxication - nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Most experts are of the opinion that when treating ARVI in people with normal immunity and not a weakened body for some reason, no antiviral drugs are needed. These diseases, with the right approach to their treatment, go away on their own and do not cause any complications. Therefore, treatment of these diseases is mainly symptomatic. The only exception is syncytial infection, which can be fatal in infants.

Treatment for diseases such as ARVI comes down mainly to bed rest, creating normal conditions for recovery - the absence of drafts and hypothermia. It is also necessary to drink a lot of liquid, always warm, for example, tea with lemon. Taking vitamins and antioxidants also helps with healing. To treat a runny nose, you can use anti-inflammatory or clearing nose drops; to treat the bronchi and throat, you can use inhalations based on herbal infusions that relieve inflammation. Good nutrition is also an important element of therapy.

Photo: Nestor Rizhniak/Shutterstock.com

Flu and its characteristic symptoms

Symptoms of influenza are often different from those of other viral respiratory diseases. However, this difference may not always manifest itself. Often, in the case of high immunity or a weakened type of virus, the symptoms of influenza are practically no different from the symptoms of ARVI. And, nevertheless, there are several main signs that you should pay attention to.

First of all, most varieties of influenza are characterized by a very high temperature, which can rise to +39.5 – +40ºС. The temperature usually rises to high levels in a short period of time. Thus, if the temperature is initially low-grade, and then, after a couple of days, rises to high values, then this most likely does not mean the presence of influenza, but some kind of secondary infection such as pneumonia.

Also, with the flu there is such a characteristic symptom as subtle pain in the muscles of the body, especially in the limbs (ache). This symptom can be characteristic both of the early stage of the disease, appearing several hours before the temperature rises, and for the period when the temperature has already risen. Respiratory symptoms with influenza are usually erased compared to ARVI. In most cases, with the flu there is no runny nose, but a severe cough may be present.

Influenza, unlike ARVI, is dangerous due to its complications affecting other organs - the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver. A severe form of influenza is very dangerous - toxic flu, in which death from intoxication of the body is possible.

Influenza is usually transmitted by airborne droplets, from sick to healthy people. The influenza virus is quite resistant to external influences and can persist in the external environment for a long time. The incubation period of the disease usually ranges from several hours to several days.

Experts believe that influenza most often manifests itself at ambient temperatures ranging from –5ºС to +5ºС. At these temperatures, the virus can persist for a long time. In addition, such a temperature regime helps dry out the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and makes them more susceptible to the virus.

There are several types of influenza virus. And not all drugs are able to affect all these types. Treatment of influenza is mainly symptomatic. Taking antiviral drugs for influenza is indicated in cases of severe disease, as well as in cases of weakened immunity. These can be both etiotropic drugs and drugs that stimulate the immune system. Thanks to their use, it is often possible to shorten the duration of the disease and avoid possible severe complications.

How does a viral disease develop?

Unlike diseases caused by bacteria, viruses that enter the body directly attack human cells. The virus is usually very simple. As a rule, it is a single DNA molecule, and sometimes a simpler RNA molecule containing genetic information. In addition, the virus also contains a shell of proteins. However, some types of viruses - viroids - may not have it either.

Viruses are able to integrate into the genetic apparatus of cells and reconfigure it to release their own copies. Viruses cannot reproduce without the help of cells from other organisms.

Structural features of viruses that cause ARVI and influenza

Most viruses included in this group are RNA viruses. The only exception is an adenovirus, which has a DNA molecule.

Influenza viruses are divided into three main serotypes - A, B, and C. Most often, diseases are caused by the first two types. The type C virus causes illness only in immunocompromised people, children and the elderly. There are no epidemics of diseases caused by this type of virus, while epidemics caused by viruses of types A and B occur very often - once every few years in a certain area.

The surface of the RNA molecule of the virus is covered with several protein molecules, among which neuraminidase should be highlighted. This enzyme facilitates the penetration of the virus into the cell and then ensures the release of new viral particles from it. Influenza viruses primarily infect epithelial cells lining the surface of the upper respiratory tract.

Of course, the immune system is not sitting idle either. Immune cells, having detected the presence of strangers, produce special substances - interferons, which suppress the activity of viruses and prevent their penetration into cells. In addition, special types of lymphocytes - T-killer cells and NK lymphocytes destroy cells affected by viruses.

However, viral diseases, including those caused by influenza viruses, claim many lives every year.

The peculiarity of viruses is their increased ability to mutate. This leads to the fact that protein molecules on the surface of viruses can very quickly change their composition, and as a result, immune forces are not always able to recognize them in time as a previously encountered object.

Therefore, scientists have long wanted to develop agents that would be active against various viruses. However, such a task faces many difficulties. They consist, first of all, in the fact that viral particles are very small and have an extremely primitive structure, even compared to bacteria. This means that they have very few vulnerabilities.

However, some antiviral agents have been developed. In particular, many of them are active against viruses that cause ARVI and influenza.

Types of antiviral drugs

Antiviral agents aimed directly at combating viruses can be divided into four main groups:

• vaccines;
• immunostimulants and interferon inducers;
• drugs containing interferon;
• direct acting antiviral drugs (etiotropic).

There are many antiviral agents belonging to different groups, and it is not easy to identify the most effective drug among them.

Antiviral vaccines

Vaccination was invented at the end of the 18th century. Over time, it began to be widely used as a prophylactic agent to combat various diseases, including viral ones.

The essence of vaccination is to give the body's immune system information about the infectious agent in advance. The fact is that the immune system often recognizes the danger too late, when the infection has already spread throughout the body. And if the immune system is configured in advance to fight the desired agent, then it will instantly enter into a fight with it and easily neutralize it.

When vaccinated against viruses, a vaccine is injected into the blood - a substance containing the protein shells of viruses, or somehow weakened viruses. These components are unable to cause disease, but are capable of training immune cells to fight invaders. Thus, if real viruses enter the body, then, as a rule, they are neutralized very quickly. Immunity obtained through vaccines can last for many years.

As for influenza, there are several types of viruses that cause this disease. There are vaccines for most of them.

Vaccines can be of several types. There are vaccines containing live but weakened viruses. There are also vaccines containing inactivated virus components. Typically, one vaccine contains material from several varieties of viruses, which is regularly updated in accordance with the mutations to which the substances that make up the shells of these infectious agents undergo.

Flu vaccination, first of all, should be given to people in certain risk groups:

• Age over 65 years;
• Having respiratory diseases;
• Taking drugs that suppress the immune system, cytostatics, corticosteroids;
• Patients with diabetes;
• Children;
• Women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.

Unlike influenza, there are currently no vaccines to prevent ARVI.

Antiviral agents that enhance immunity

Any virus that enters the body encounters its protective forces - immunity. Human immunity is divided into two types: specific and nonspecific. Specific immunity is developed against a specific type of infectious agent, while nonspecific immunity has a universal effect and can be directed against any type of infection. Antiviral drugs based on enhancing immunity use its nonspecific variety.

Preparations with interferons

This class of antiviral agents contains interferons, special substances secreted by immune cells to fight viruses. Typically, interferon in such antiviral drugs is obtained artificially using special bacteria. Interferon attaches to cell walls and prevents viruses from entering them. On the other hand, viruses are able to block the production of interferon from cells, thereby facilitating their penetration into them. Thus, drugs containing interferon are designed to compensate for the lack of natural interferon observed during viral infections.

Information about the effectiveness of antiviral drugs of this class is contradictory. Many people claim that they helped them, although the results of clinical trials do not allow us to speak with confidence about these drugs as an effective remedy. In addition, they have many side effects. Among them, it is worth noting the high likelihood of allergic reactions.

The list of popular drugs of this type includes Grippferon, Alfaron, Interferon, Viferon, Kipferon.

Viferon

The drug contains interferon type alpha 2b. Escherichia coli bacteria were used in the synthesis of this substance. The drug also contains vitamins C and E. The drug can be used as an antiviral medicine. It is active against pathogens of major respiratory infections, as well as hepatitis and herpes viruses.

Kipferon

A drug for the treatment of influenza and ARVI. The medicine is available in the form of suppositories. Contains immunoglobulins and human leukocyte interferon. Fat and paraffin are used as additional components. The drug is active not only against viruses (ARVI, influenza and hepatitis viruses) but also against a number of bacterial infections, in particular chlamydia.

Grippferon

Available as a solution for nasal use, it contains human leukocyte interferon and has immunomodulatory properties. It also contains some excipients. Intended mainly for the treatment of viral infections of the upper respiratory tract.

Antiviral immunostimulating agents

Unlike interferons, antiviral immunostimulating agents do not attack viruses directly, but stimulate the immune system to produce its own interferons. These are inexpensive but quite effective means. The advantage of this type of drugs, compared to drugs containing interferon, is that they are much less likely to cause side effects in the form of allergic reactions. Examples of such drugs are Ingavir, Kagocel, Cycloferon, Lavomax, Tsitovir. It is difficult to say for sure which of them is most effective for acute respiratory viral infections. They all differ somewhat in their effects and contraindications, and in order to know which one to choose, it is best to seek advice from a specialist.

The effectiveness of antiviral immunostimulating agents, judging by reviews, is quite high. However, many people who are passionate about such remedies do not think about how often they can drink them. Doctors warn about the harm that can result from uncontrolled use of immune stimulants. The fact is that with regular use of stimulants, the functioning of one’s own immunity occurs. The body gets used to the stimulation and is unable to respond to the infection on its own, which can cause complications of infectious diseases. The second danger associated with immune stimulants is that immune cells can begin to attack the body's own tissues, which is the cause of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, lupus erythematosus, and some others.

Tsitovir

Contains bendazole, a substance that stimulates the formation of interferons. Other active substances are ascorbic acid and thymogen, which increase the body’s resistance to infection. Available in three main dosage forms - capsules, syrup and powder for solution. Can be used as a medicine to help against influenza and ARVI.

Kagocel

One of the best-selling drugs on the Russian market. Developed in the late 1980s. in Soviet Union. One of the main active ingredients is obtained from cotton and is a gossypol copolymer. Another component is cellulose glycolic acid. The combination of these components leads to increased secretion of interferon by immune cells. It should be noted that pure gossypol is known as a drug that negatively affects male spermatogenesis. And although the developers claim that the preparation contains an insignificant amount of this substance in its pure form, this circumstance makes us wary.

Amiksin

A drug that stimulates the production of various types of interferons - leukocyte (alpha type), gamma, and fibroblast interferon. A powerful remedy that is active against various viruses, including viruses that cause ARVI, herpes and hepatitis. The drug was developed in the United States about half a century ago, but was soon banned there due to its side effects. In particular, it was found that the main component of the drug can cause damage to the retina. However, in the countries of the former USSR this drug is actively sold under various brand names.

Cycloferon

Currently, this is one of the most popular drugs from the class of immunostimulants on the market. The active substance is meglumine acridone acetate. The drug can be administered into the body parenterally or taken in tablet form. Judging by the reviews, the drug has a high effect. However, it is interesting to note that the main active ingredient was originally used in veterinary medicine. But just a few years after the start of its use in this capacity, the drug was registered as a drug for the treatment of infectious diseases in humans. At the same time, manufacturers recommend using the drug even for treating children over 4 years old.

Antiviral etiotropic drugs (direct-acting drugs)

This type of drug acts directly on influenza or ARVI viruses. In this case, mechanisms may be used that impede the replication of the virus or its penetration into cells. Some drugs may also have a mild stimulating effect on the immune system.

Amantadins

These are first-generation antiviral etiotropic drugs, otherwise called M2 channel blockers. The mechanism of their action is based on disruption of the functioning of certain enzymes that ensure the reproduction of the virus in the cell. The main drugs of the class are deytiforin, amantadine, midantan and rimantadine. Amantadines are also effective against some other types of viruses, such as adenoviruses and herpes viruses.

Remantadine

One of the first representatives of the group of direct-acting antiviral drugs. At the time of its introduction (early 1960s), it seemed like a real breakthrough in the fight against influenza. The medicine has shown its effectiveness in many clinical trials.

The drug was developed in the USA, but in the Soviet Union the pharmaceutical industry also quickly launched the production of this drug. With its help, it was possible to significantly reduce the time spent on treating patients with influenza, which resulted in significant cost savings throughout the Soviet economy.

However, it soon became clear that influenza viruses quickly developed resistance to this drug and mutated in such a way that they became practically invulnerable to it. Recent studies show that more than 90% of influenza viruses are resistant to rimantadine, which makes it practically useless in the treatment of this disease.

In addition, the drug was initially active only against influenza virus type A and did not affect type B viruses. Thus, rimantadine in terms of treating influenza today is of rather historical interest. However, this medicine cannot be called completely useless, since it turned out that it is effective against the tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Remantadine is available in two main dosage forms - 50 mg tablets and syrup. The standard duration of treatment is 5 days, under certain conditions this time can be extended to two weeks.

Neuramidase inhibitors

These are more modern and effective direct-acting antiviral drugs. Their antiviral mechanism is based on blocking an enzyme that allows the virus to leave the infected cell and also penetrate healthy cells. Since the virus cannot penetrate the cell, it is easily destroyed by the body’s immune forces. Today, drugs in this group are most often used among direct-acting viral etiotropic drugs intended to combat influenza.

The main representatives of the class are oseltamivir, marketed under the brand name Tamiflu, and the drug Relenza (zanamivir). There is also a new generation drug - Peramivir (Rapivab), which has shown high effectiveness against uncomplicated influenza. This drug is intended primarily for parenteral administration.

However, it is worth noting that drugs in this group have a number of disadvantages. In the case of mild, uncomplicated flu, their effectiveness is usually relatively low, but the number of side effects is quite high. Neuramydiase inhibitors are also quite toxic. The incidence of side effects when taking them is 1.5%. Medicines are prescribed with caution to patients with a tendency to bronchospasm. In addition, they cannot be classified as cheap drugs.

Tamiflu

This drug was developed in the USA in the late 1980s. Initially it was planned to be used in the fight against the AIDS virus, but then it turned out that oseltamivir is not dangerous for this virus. However, instead, the drug was found to be active against influenza types A and B. The drug is most effective in severe forms of influenza due to its ability to suppress the formation of cytokines and prevent inflammation and an excessive immune response in the form of a cytokine storm. Today, this drug probably leads the rating in terms of effectiveness among other etiotropic drugs.

When choosing a dosage, you should take into account the patient’s condition, the nature of the disease, and the presence of chronic diseases. The standard duration of treatment is 5 days, dosage is 75-150 mg.

However, it is worth noting that the drug does not act against ARVI pathogens. In addition, an overdose of the drug and its uncontrolled use, including for preventive purposes, can lead to very serious health consequences, for example, mental disorders.

Relenza

Like Tamiflu, it belongs to the group of neuramidase inhibitors. This is an effective antiviral drug, a structural analogue of sialic acid. Unlike oseltamivir, this flu medicine is not produced in tablets, but in special blisters intended for use in an inhaler - a diskhaler. This method allows you to deliver the drug directly to the respiratory tract affected by the virus and ensure the most effective effect of the drug on the infectious agent.

Arbidol

A domestic drug that was developed back in the 1980s. The active substance is umifenovir. Unlike neuraminidase inhibitors, the action of umifenovir is aimed at inhibiting another viral protein, hemagglutinin. However, this method also prevents the virus from entering cells. In addition, the drug is capable of providing moderate stimulation of the body's immune forces. Arbidol can also treat not only the flu, but also ARVI. A structural analogue of this drug, Arpetol, is produced in Belarus.

Reviews about the drug are mostly positive. However, one cannot help but be alarmed by the fact that the only serious study of the effectiveness of the drug was sponsored by its manufacturer, the Pharmstandard company. Therefore, today Arbidol cannot be unambiguously classified as a drug with proven effectiveness.

Rebetol

This drug is not designed to fight influenza viruses, but to fight other viruses such as rhinosyncytial virus. This infection most often occurs in children, in whom it occurs in a complex form. However, it can also be used as an anti-influenza drug, although with less effect. In addition, the drug can be used in the treatment of herpes. For acute respiratory viral infections, the drug is administered to the site of inflammation using inhalation. Other names of the drug are Virazol and Ribavirin. The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Symptomatic drugs

Contrary to popular belief, these drugs are not antiviral. They are intended only to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of influenza and ARVI - pain and fever. However, this does not deny the fact that symptomatic medications are a good remedy for colds. They usually contain anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs - paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, sometimes antioxidants - ascorbic acid, and less often - antihistamines and vasoconstrictors such as phenylephinephrine. Thus, they have no effect on influenza or ARVI viruses. Although the names of many such drugs can mislead the inexperienced person. For example, the symptomatic drug Theraflu can be confused with the etiotropic drug Tamiflu.

There are also combination drugs, including etiotropic and symptomatic drugs - for example, Anvivir, containing rimantadine and paracetamol.

It should be noted that the simultaneous prescription of interferon inducers and antipyretics, which is practiced by some doctors, does not make much sense. Indeed, when the temperature rises, on the contrary, there is an increase in the production of interferon, and an artificial decrease in temperature reduces this process to nothing.

Homeopathic remedies

It is worth noting such a type of medicine as homeopathic remedies for the treatment of viral diseases of the upper respiratory tract. There are fierce debates around homeopathy; it has both supporters and opponents. However, it is indisputable that almost all homeopathic medicines do not directly affect viruses, and therefore it is very difficult to classify them as antiviral. For example, such a popular French anti-flu drug as Oscillococcinum contains liver components from musky duck as an active component. In this case, it is not entirely clear on what basis such a component was classified as an effective remedy against influenza and colds. Nevertheless, the drug is actively sold and enjoys traditional popularity, including in our country. Needless to say, this kind of drugs is an obvious example of the use by clever businessmen of the self-hypnosis effect (placebo effect) characteristic of people.

Antiviral drugs for influenza and ARVI - benefit or harm?

In our country, the incidence of respiratory diseases is especially high, given the cold climate, long winter and off-season. All this creates a demand for drugs for colds and flu. Of course, pharmaceutical manufacturers cannot ignore such a potentially huge market. And they fill it with drugs of sometimes dubious quality and dubious effectiveness, promoting them with the help of aggressive advertising, claiming that the best drug today is this particular drug and no other. Currently, a person who comes to a pharmacy, as a rule, has no difficulty in choosing antiviral drugs. There are a lot of them, for every taste, and among them there are many drugs that are affordable. But, as you know, free cheese only comes in a mousetrap.

As shown above, there are no ideal antiviral drugs. Interferon drugs have many side effects, and these are of a kind that can appear after a long time. Nowadays, more and more information is accumulating that their regular use increases the risk of autoimmune diseases - lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, psoriasis, insulin-dependent diabetes and even cancer. Particular caution should be exercised by those patients who have relatives suffering from autoimmune diseases. Also, drugs of this type should be used with caution when treating children.

In addition, drugs containing interferon can cause severe allergic reactions. In addition, their effectiveness is highly questionable. In principle, the same can be said about antiviral immunostimulants. It is worth noting that in most Western countries such drugs are practically not used. The concept of treating respiratory diseases widespread there recognizes only etiotropic or symptomatic treatment, and antiviral immunomodulators are prescribed to patients only in exceptional cases.

As for etiotropic drugs, they also cannot be called an ideal choice. Although they have a much greater evidence base, their effectiveness is often greatly exaggerated due to advertising by manufacturers. In addition, such old drugs as rimantadine have already lost a significant share of their effectiveness due to the formation of a huge number of virus strains resistant to their action.

Neuramidase inhibitors appear to be most effective. However, they are highly toxic and have a limited spectrum of action, covering only influenza viruses. Therefore, given that they are most effective in the first days after the onset of the disease, they can be used only when there is complete confidence that the disease is caused by the influenza virus and not by something else. And needless to say, at the onset of the disease it is usually not possible to determine the type of pathogen. Otherwise, using these drugs will simply be a waste of money. By the way, this type of drug cannot be called cheap.

The only way to combat viral infections with antiviral drugs that has minimal side effects is vaccination. However, it cannot be considered a panacea. It has some limitations, since there are a huge number of flu strains and it is absolutely impossible to come up with a vaccine that would be effective against everyone. To some extent, however, this is compensated by the fact that the biological material contained in vaccines is constantly updated.

Therefore, you should think about whether it is worth using this kind of treatment at all, which can bring more problems than the disease itself. It should be noted that most people underestimate the strength of their own immunity. Following simple rules - bed rest, plenty of warm drinks, taking vitamins and a proper diet in most cases puts a person on his feet in about the same time as treatment with new-fangled antiviral drugs. Their use may still be justified for influenza with high fever, but the use of the same immunomodulators in the treatment of ARVI is not recommended at all.

Also, do not overuse symptomatic medications. After all, the same high temperature is the body’s protective reaction to the invasion of viruses and bacteria. At high temperatures, the production of interferons increases, making the body's cells immune to viral infection. By artificially lowering the temperature, we actually prevent the body from fighting infection. Therefore, you should not lower the temperature, at least if it does not cross the critical mark of +39º degrees.

The situation is further complicated by the peculiarities of our mentality. It is no secret that many people, faced with acute respiratory infections and the flu, do not strive to be cured, but simply to quickly return to their normal lives, go to work, etc. This not only leads to the fact that everyone around them becomes infected, but also to the fact that as a result the person does not treat the disease, which becomes chronic. A cold suffered on the legs has a much more harmful effect on the body than refusing to take antiviral medications.

However, most people understand that this behavior is not correct, but resort to another, seemingly more correct, remedy - swallowing packs of antiviral agents. And at the same time, it seems that he is really getting better, but at the same time he is destroying his body. Meanwhile, it’s worth thinking about the fact that health is much more valuable than a couple of extra days spent on sick leave.

Of course, these tips are suitable for people with healthy immune systems. However, not everyone can boast of it. Nowadays there are many people whose immunity is weakened. In them, the disease may drag on, which ultimately threatens various complications. In this case, taking antiviral tablets is justified. However, the fact of having a weakened immune system should be established not on the basis of individual sensations - I have a runny nose every month, which means I need to buy drugs with interferons or immunomodulators, but on the basis of thorough research into the state of the immune system. The selection of antiviral drugs must also be careful. The doctor should advise which one is best suited in a particular case. The drug must be used in accordance with its recommendations and instructions.

And, of course, treatment with these drugs should not be perceived as natural. Having been cured once with the help of antiviral drugs, you should not rely on the fact that miracle drugs will help get rid of the disease the next time. Measures should be taken to strengthen the immune system. There are many natural ways to do this - hardening, regular walks in the fresh air, proper nutrition and daily routine, proper rest, physical education and sports.

Also, measures aimed at preventing diseases should not be ignored. It should be taken into account that influenza and ARVI viruses are quite resistant to unfavorable factors and can exist in the external environment for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly carry out hygiene procedures, especially during periods of increased morbidity - wash your hands after coming from the street, regularly rinse your mouth and rinse the nasal cavity, avoid communicating with patients with respiratory diseases. Chronic diseases should also be treated promptly, since it is well known that viruses multiply most intensively in the body, weakened by the fight against chronic diseases. And, of course, it’s worth getting rid of bad habits. After all, it is well known that smoking significantly weakens the immune forces of the tissues of the upper respiratory tract, which leads to increased vulnerability to infectious diseases, including viral ones.

It is also necessary to take into account that it is necessary to start antiviral therapy with drugs as early as possible, at the first signs of the disease. Otherwise, the treatment will not be effective.

In addition, before starting treatment with antiviral drugs, you should make sure that the respiratory disease is actually caused by viruses and not bacteria. Otherwise, antiviral therapy will be completely useless.

Popular antivirus products, type

Prices for popular antivirus products

How helpful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

The risk of contracting an acute respiratory disease haunts people at any time of the year, even in the hot summer. But colds especially often plague us in the winter months, as well as in the off-season. What cold medications can help get rid of it most quickly and effectively? Our review is devoted to answering this question.

Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs

When we have a severe cold, as a rule, our temperature rises, we experience nasal congestion, and cough—the symptoms are unpleasant, to be sure. What medications for colds will help quickly alleviate the condition, lower the temperature, relieve swelling in the nasopharynx, slow down or even stop the development of inflammatory processes in the body? There are three proven, reliable and universal medicines:

- "Aspirin";

- "Ibuprofen";

- "Paracetamol."

All of the listed cold tablets are widely used in therapy against acute respiratory infections, but today it is believed that Paracetamol is the safest. It is available not only in tablets, but also in the form of rectal suppositories, syrups and drops (for small children). Analogues are the drugs "Panadol", "Efferalgan", "Calpol", "Flyutabs" and other drugs. Many modern medications for flu and colds are produced based on paracetamol:

• "Fervex";
• "Solpadeine";
• "Caffetin";
• "Coldrex";
• "Teraflu";
• "Rinza";
• "Maxicold";
• "Parcocet";
• "Sedalgin";
• "Grippex" etc.

The question may arise: “If all these cold medications have paracetamol in common, how are they different from each other?” The fact is that all of the listed medications include various additional components that help the body cope with the disease faster. For example, the notorious "Fervex", in addition to paracetamol, also contains substances such as ascorbic acid and pheniramine; "Solpadeine" contains small doses of codeine and caffeine, etc.

How paracetamol can be dangerous

This drug is well tolerated by most patients and has relatively few contraindications. Paracetamol is supported by the fact that this medicine is approved for use even in infants (in drops and syrups). However, even the safest cold medications can have some side effects on the body. And the drug "Paracetamol" is no exception.

The press writes a lot about medical studies claiming that this drug, taken in childhood, can further provoke the development of asthma in adolescents, and also contributes to the occurrence of eczema and allergic rhinitis. Therefore, cold medications for children should not be used without serious reasons and without first consulting a doctor.

Paracetamol has a negative effect on the liver (as do many other medications), so patients with severe diseases of this organ should take this drug with great caution.

Medicines for the common cold

What cold and flu remedy can effectively combat nasal congestion due to a runny nose? Such a medicine should be sought among the so-called decongestants - drugs that have the ability to constrict blood vessels, as a result of which they can be removed and the sick person is able to breathe relatively freely.

These medicines are available both in the form of tablets and in the form of drops, ointments and sprays. The most popular today are sprays, drops and emulsions. All vasoconstrictor drugs can be divided into three groups: short-acting, medium-acting and long-acting.

Short-acting medications for the common cold include:

• "Sanorin";
• "Tizin";
• "Naphthyzin"

The advantage of these drops is their fast action and inexpensive price, but the disadvantage is that they “work” for only a few hours, and sometimes even less. Meanwhile, it is allowed to bury them in the nose no more than 4 times a day.

Medium-acting drugs:

• "Rinostop";
• "Xymelin";
• "Galazolin";
• "Xylene";
• "Otrivin."

The listed drops and sprays contain the substance xylometazoline. It is thanks to him that these medicines successfully combine the duration of action (up to 10 hours) with high efficiency. Disadvantage: these drugs cannot be instilled into the nose of children under two years of age, and their use should not last more than 7 days.

Long-term medications:

• "Nazol";
• "Nazivin."

It is permissible to use these products only twice a day and no more than 3 days in a row. They are able to provide free breathing for a long time. The disadvantages include the fact that prolonged vasospasm has a destructive effect on the nasal mucosa. Contraindications for use are the age of the child under 1 year, pregnancy, as well as diabetes and kidney disease.

If your throat hurts

Let's continue to study the question of how to fight against flu and colds. The drugs that are used for this cannot be limited to nasal drops. If you have a sore throat, and this happens with acute respiratory infections in most cases, then you also need effective medications for it.

Today, various absorbable lozenges and pills that can have a local anti-inflammatory effect, as well as aerosols, are very popular:

• "Inhalipt";
• "Pro-Ambassador";
• "Kameton";
• "Faringosept";
• "Aqualor throat";
• "Yox";
• "Laripront";
• "Strepsils";
• "Hexoral";
• "Theraflu LAR";
• "Septolete Neo";
• "Septolete plus";
• "Anti-angin";
• "Adgisept";
• "Sebidin";
• "Stopangin" and others.

The big advantage of the listed drugs is that they are indicated for topical use, their penetration into the body is negligible, and they practically do not enter the blood. Meanwhile, these drugs have a strong effect against viruses and microbes, which during colds actively multiply in the mouth and cause inflammation and sore throat.

However, you need to understand that with severe sore throat, such medications will not be able to completely cope with the disease. The attending physician usually also prescribes effective tablets for flu and colds, sometimes these can even be antibiotics. You can also read about them in our article.

What will help with cough

A runny nose, sore throat, fever - these are not all the symptoms of acute respiratory infections. If a person coughs a lot with a cold, what should he drink? It will be better if the medicine is prescribed by a doctor based on the diagnosis, because cough can be caused by various reasons (bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, etc.). In addition, the cough can be dry or wet, with sputum discharge.

To get rid of a dry, painful cough, the following remedies are used:

• "Codelac";
• "Stoptussin";
• "Terpincode";
• "Tussin Plus";
• "Sinecode";
• "Neo-codion";
• "Kofanol";
• "Insti";
• "Glycodin";
• "Butamirat";
• "Bronchicum";
• "Falimint";
• "Hexapneumin" and other drugs.

Expectorants for the treatment of wet cough:

• "Bromhexine";
• "Lazolvan";
• "ACC";
• "Mukaltin";
• "Tussin";
• "Glyceram";
• "Ambrobene" and others.

Antibiotics

Sometimes the disease is so severe that the doctor decides to prescribe the patient the most powerful drugs available in the arsenal of modern pharmacology. Which medications a patient needs to take can only be decided by a qualified doctor. The fact is that different bacterial drugs affect different types of bacteria. Here is a list of modern antibiotics that are most often used in the treatment of acute respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, etc.:

1. Penicillin group:

• "Amoxicillin";
• "Amoxiclav";
• "Augmentin" and others.

The listed drugs are effective against bacteria that cause inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

2. Group of cephalosporins:

• "Zintzef";
• "Zinnat";
• "Suprax".

Medicines in this group help with bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy.

3. Group of macrolides:

• "Summamed";
• "Hemomycin".

These are one of the most powerful antibiotics of the latest generation. They are able to quickly cope even with atypical pneumonia.

Antiviral drugs

People often conflate the flu with a cold. This is because the symptoms are largely similar. With the flu, the throat also hurts, the nose can’t breathe, the head hurts, the body temperature rises, etc. That is why, self-medicating, unfortunate patients try to fight the flu by taking conventional cold medications, including antibiotics, which can greatly harm themselves .

Meanwhile, you need to know that the nature of the flu is not bacterial, as with a regular acute respiratory infection, but viral. This means that to fight the disease, the following medications are most often used in complex therapy for the treatment of influenza:

• "Amiksin";
• "Kagocel";
• "Arbidol";
• "Relenza";
• "Grippferon";
• "Rimantadine";
• "Midantan";
• "Ribamidil";
• "Interferon".

Medicines that strengthen the immune system

When we are already sick, pills for the flu and colds, of course, will help us quickly overcome the disease and get better, but there are medicines that can be used to strengthen the immune system and avoid infection even during the peak of the acute respiratory infection epidemic.

Immunomodulators that are produced on a plant basis are very popular and safe:

• "Immunal";
• "Echinacea tincture";
• "Doctor Theiss";
• "Ginseng tincture";
• "Eleutherococcus extract";
• Chinese".

You can also increase the body's resistance to colds with the help of medications that contain enzymes of various pathogens (streptococcus, staphylococcus, pneumococcus, etc.) in microscopic doses. The pharmacy chain sells the following drugs for the prevention of colds from this group:

• "Lykopid";
• "Ribomunil";
• "Broncho-munal";
• "Imudon";
• "IRS-19".

Vitamins

If you have a cold, what else should you drink? Usually, the doctor also prescribes vitamins to his patients who have contracted an acute respiratory infection. In no case should this recommendation be neglected, because such drugs effectively strengthen the body of a sick person, stimulate the immune system, help damaged cells regenerate, etc. Here is a list of vitamins that we need to successfully fight a cold:

1. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, or ascorbic acid). This is the most powerful assistant for acute respiratory infections. It is able to actively inhibit the proliferation of viruses and bacteria. If you are sick, it is recommended to take 1000-1500 mg of vitamin C per day;

2. Thiamine (B1). It promotes the regeneration of damaged epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract.

3. Riboflavin - vitamin B2. Needed by the body for the synthesis of antibodies.

4. Pyridoxine - vitamin B6. Participates in the restoration processes of nerve endings when the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is affected by disease.

5. Nicotinic acid - vitamin PP. Thanks to it, blood circulation improves and blood vessels are restored.

6. Retinol - vitamin A. This is a very necessary element for the successful regeneration of epithelial cells.

7. Tocopherol - vitamin E. It has powerful antioxidant properties; capable of stimulating the immune system.

Of course, vitamins enter our body with food, but this is not enough, especially in winter and spring. At the pharmacy you can buy universal multivitamin complexes, for example:

• "Complivit";
• "Multivit";
• "Polivit";
• "Undevit";
• "Pangexavit";
• "Oligovit";
• "Nutrisan";
• "Makrovit";
• "Hexavit" and many others.

There are multivitamin preparations, the effect of which is enhanced by beneficial minerals. It can be difficult to figure out the abundance of vitamin supplements on your own, so it’s better to rely on the doctor’s choice.

Medicines for children

Cold medicines for children should be prescribed by a pediatrician. After all, some drugs from an adult home medicine cabinet can be harmful to children. But it is also necessary to have some proven medications on hand in a family with a baby.

For children:

• "Panadol" for children in suppositories or suspension.
• Analogues of "Panadol": "Cefekon", "Calpol", "Efferalgan".

Cough medicines:

• Syrup "Tussin".
• Lazolvan solution or syrup.
• "Sinekod" in drops or syrup (for dry cough).

For ears, nose and throat:

• "Nazol Kids" and "Nazol Baby" (spray and drops) - for a runny nose.
• "Otipax" - ear drops that do not contain antibiotics.
• "Aqua-Maris" is a weak solution of sea salt in the form of a spray. Well moisturizes and cleanses the mucous membranes of the throat and nose from bacteria. Analogues: "Salfin" and "Dolin".

The funds listed are quite enough to last until the doctor arrives.

Folk remedies

Good cold pills are definitely great! But some people, for various reasons, prefer to heal exclusively with natural remedies. Well, traditional medicine can offer many excellent recipes and recommendations. Here are some of the most versatile and effective:

1. Raspberry tea is a remedy for colds and flu, which has been used by mankind for centuries. Raspberries, dried or in the form of jam, will help to quickly lower the temperature; they have antipyretic properties, because they contain natural salicylic acid. In addition, raspberries contain vitamin C in fairly large quantities.

2. Honey is added to the garlic pulp (proportion 1:1), the drug is thoroughly mixed and given to the patient twice a day, one or two teaspoons. Garlic is also recommended for inhalation. To do this, several of its cloves are crushed, filled with water (1 tbsp.) and boiled for 10 minutes. This “impact” medicine can then be placed in front of the patient so that he can breathe over it.

3. Another remedy (and a very effective one) for colds is regular milk. Perhaps you don’t know that it contains enzymes that strengthen the immune system, and also contains the substance tryptophan, which promotes the production of serotonin in the body - a strong sedative. To a liter of milk you need to add a few spoons of honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, bay leaf and a couple of allspice peas. Bring the milk mixture to a boil and leave for 5 minutes before use.

4. If the patient is suffering from a cough, you can try using such a proven remedy as black radish juice mixed with honey. The drug is prepared as follows: the top of the washed root vegetable is cut off, part of the pulp is scraped out from the middle, so that an empty cavity is formed. Honey (2 tsp) is placed in the hole, and the radish is closed with the cut off top, like a lid. Wait 12 hours - during this time the juice will be released, which, when combined with honey, will turn into an antitussive medicine. It is recommended to take the product as follows: for adults - 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day, for children - 1 tsp. three times a day.

Prevention

We are used to having to fight against flu and colds from time to time. Drugs are available in abundance in pharmacies, so most people face the disease with confidence that recovery will not be difficult. But prevention is a great and necessary thing. Therefore, now we will remind you what preventive measures help to successfully overcome severe illness:

1. Flu shot. Every year, doctors warn the population about the need for timely vaccination, but many of us simply ignore this, and in vain.

2. In the cold season, when there is little sun outside and there are not enough fresh fruits and vegetables on the table, you can and should feed yourself with synthetic vitamin complexes and do not forget about lemon, cranberries, rosehip decoction - all this will relieve the body of vitamin deficiency WITH.

3. Oxolinic ointment, carefully applied to the nasal mucosa before going outside, is a strong shield that can repel attacks from bacteria and viruses.

4. Personal hygiene must be at its best. That is, the motto “wash your hands with soap more often” is more relevant than ever!

5. The room you are in needs to be ventilated and must be wet cleaned, because microbes feel incredibly comfortable in dry, dusty air.

6. During an epidemic of influenza and acute respiratory infections, walking through crowded shopping centers, cinemas, cafes and other places where many people gather is not recommended. But walks (especially skiing) in the fresh air in a country park or forest perfectly strengthen the body.

Conclusion

After reading the information about what medications to take for a cold, you can face acute respiratory infections or the flu fully armed. But it’s better, of course, to never catch a cold or get sick! Take care of yourself, we wish you good health!

A cold always comes suddenly and when it is not needed at all. A person who often suffers from acute respiratory infections is familiar with the signs of the disease: the throat begins to hurt, the whole body feels weak, and now the nose is stuffy, constant sneezing, and one cannot do without a handkerchief. What to do? After all, going to work tomorrow and going on sick leave was not planned at all. For some, colds become a real disaster.

Here we will look at what means you can effectively and quickly cure your body of a cold, and also offer you ways to protect yourself from this disease in the future.

If a cold starts to attack. Effective treatments

Many people feel their illness at the very beginning. And for successful and quick treatment it is necessary to capture this very moment. What are the remedies to prevent colds?

If you are hypothermic. Raspberry jam will help you here. And also don’t forget about linden honey. In general, these valuable products should always be kept in the house. So, as soon as you are at home, immediately - hot tea with a spoonful of honey or raspberries. These are essential antipyretic natural remedies containing plant salicylic acid. Cover yourself with a blanket, relax and warm up for a couple of hours.

If you have a sore throat. Don't delay treatment. Start rinsing it with saline solution. Eucalyptus infusion is ideal for a sore throat. The healing property of eucalyptus lies in its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

At the first symptoms of a cold, your body will need maximum intake of vitamin C. Want to know a homemade vitamin remedy for colds? Drink regular tea with lemon more often. But if you have a sore throat, avoid strong boiling water.

What to do at high temperatures

Do not be afraid of elevated temperatures (at least up to 38C). After all, this is a sign that our body is resisting a cold and concentrating its forces to fight the invading viruses or bacteria. Therefore, taking medications to reduce fever in this case becomes unnecessary. The body's own strength can successfully overcome the disease. But at the same time, mandatory control is required on your part.

Antipyretic medications will only be needed if the temperature rises above 38C. It would be better if it was paracetamol. Although it should not be abused (it has a harmful effect on the liver).

Remember! When your temperature is high, your body needs rest and sleep. Many people prefer to endure a cold “on their feet.” Reconsider your attitude towards the disease. And, spend at least two days in bed and try to relax.

You can quickly bring down the temperature by rubbing your body with a mixture of vodka and water (to one part vodka and one part water).

Most people successfully use folk remedies to treat colds. For many, these “grandmother’s recipes” have long become a habit.

A tasty mixture prepared as follows will be a good antipyretic: take 1 tablespoon of raspberries, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of butter. Add 30 grams of vodka or cognac to the mixture. You will need another glass of hot milk and half a teaspoon of soda. After mixing thoroughly, drink the product at night and warm up under the blanket.

How to treat a cough?

Cough is a constant accompaniment of most colds. At the beginning of the disease, it is dry, as it is caused by a sore throat. This cough is annoying and irritating. During this period, it is necessary to take mucolytics. These medications thin the mucus. These include ACC, Ambroxol, Bromhexine. The consequence of the use of such drugs is that the cough becomes expectorant and successfully removes the formed sputum from the pulmonary tract.

To treat coughs, the medicinal properties of herbal infusions such as chamomile, linden blossom have long been used, or they take special breast mixtures sold in pharmacies.

Black radish has long been considered a good remedy for colds and coughs. Cut out the middle of the fruit. Place honey in the resulting fruit cup and leave for 24 hours. Drink the resulting infusion on an empty stomach.

Do you know that one of the best remedies for colds is honey? It has effective bactericidal properties. True, when you have a cold, you should rely on linden honey. The methods of its use are varied:

• For a glass of hot tea or milk you will need one tablespoon of honey.
• Dilute the juice of one lemon and 100 grams of honey with 800 ml of warm boiled water. By drinking this drink throughout the day, it is possible to eliminate the symptoms of the disease.
• You can mix honey with aloe juice. It will be better if you add some good dry wine to this mixture. Leave for 5-6 days. You need to take one teaspoon before meals.
• Take one tablespoon of linden blossom and pour a glass of boiling water. Leave for 20 minutes. Strain the resulting infusion and add one tablespoon of honey to it. It is advisable to take half a glass of the product at night.

Remedies for runny nose

At the first signs of nasal congestion, start instilling special vasoconstrictor drugs (Galazolin, Naphthyzin, Sanorin). Their goal is to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa and improve breathing. But these drops cannot be taken for more than a week.

Sprays Otrivin, Aquamaris, etc. are currently used quite successfully to cleanse the nose during colds. They help flush away mucus that forms. Thus, drops and sprays facilitate nasal breathing, but for the treatment of colds, they are powerless.

Home remedies are effective for treating a runny nose due to a cold. So, iodine tincture helps a lot. Add 6-7 drops of iodine to water (2 teaspoons of warm boiled water). Use instillation into sinuses at least twice daily.

Menthol oil will help soften the nasal mucosa and treat a runny nose. For instillation you need to take 3-5 drops. But it’s also good to lubricate with this oil, rubbing the skin of the face on the temples, nose and forehead.

Here is another good remedy for runny nose and colds: you need to take freshly prepared carrot juice and mix it with any vegetable oil (in equal proportions). Add 2 or 3 drops of garlic juice to this mixture. Use several times a day for nasal drops.

Aloe juice will successfully help you cure a runny nose. You can mix aloe juice with boiled water. Apply 3-5 drops of juice several times a day. The result will be better if you simultaneously massage the outside of the nasal cavity.

A severe runny nose can be relieved by rinsing the nose. Add one teaspoon of calendula or eucalyptus tincture to 0.5 liters of warm, slightly salted water. Using an enema, pour a stream of solution into one nostril, but so that it immediately comes out through the other.

What to do if a child gets sick?

First of all, make sure that your baby does not have a fever. Then you can use the following folk remedy for colds, which is good for young children: pour mustard powder into socks and let it sit for 2-3 days.

In children, the most common and long-lasting symptom of a cold is a runny nose. Therefore, pay all your attention to periodically removing mucus from the nose (after all, the baby does not yet know how to blow his nose on his own). Vasoconstrictor drops can be used for instillation into the nose of children. But don't use them for more than five days. Long-term use leads to some damage to the nasal mucosa. Breast milk can be instilled into infants.

There is no need to worry too much if green discharge appears from the baby’s nose without a rise in temperature. Usually, this happens in the final stage of the disease, when viscous sputum and mucus accumulated in the respiratory tract come out through the nose. The child needs to ease this moment by rinsing the nasal cavity.

This procedure can be carried out with an aqueous solution of salt (dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water). Using an ordinary enema, alternately direct a stream of solution through the nasal sinuses. But at the same time, do not allow the child to throw his head back too much.

The next sign of a childhood cold is a sore throat. Start teaching your baby to gargle. It’s good if for this you use herbal decoctions (chamomile, sage, eucalyptus).

And, of course, cough. It seems like it will never end. Don't panic. Begin to treat the disease calmly and responsibly. It's good if you have a home inhaler. It is also seasoned with herbal decoctions. Using an inhaler successfully alleviates the treatment of childhood colds.

How to bring down a high temperature in a child? Antipyretics

If a child has a fever, a mandatory visit to the doctor is necessary. Only a specialist can correctly diagnose the disease and prescribe the necessary medications for treatment.

But, if the situation is such that there are still several hours before the doctor’s examination, and the temperature is too high, then it is urgent to alleviate the baby’s well-being by using antipyretic drugs. For babies, you can use antipyretic syrup. Rectal suppositories help a lot.

Clothes the baby wears at elevated temperatures should be light and cotton. Wipe your baby with a damp diaper. Place a damp cloth on the head. It is possible to rub the baby's body with vodka or a mixture of vodka and water. After rubbing, you need to leave him completely undressed for a few minutes. The evaporation of liquid will certainly lead to cooling of the body. During the period of activation of the disease, during fever, the child requires plenty of fluids. Alternate boiled water, compotes, herbal decoctions (St. John's wort, linden blossom, rose hips).

Colds in children are often of viral origin (ARVI). During a viral infection, antibiotics should never be taken! Here only antiviral drugs (for example, interferons) will help your baby.

But often, a viral infection is accompanied by a bacterial infection. It can be recognized by the following signs: the temperature rises again, intoxication is observed, the child becomes pale, and weakness appears. This is where antibiotics come to the rescue. But what and what doses of medicine are needed for a small organism can only be decided by a doctor.

After taking antibiotics, the baby needs biological products that will restore the natural intestinal flora (bifidumbacterin or Primadophilus).

What should a pregnant woman do if she has a cold?

After all, it turns out that most common medications have contraindications - pregnancy. And yet, among the medications for colds for pregnant women there are approved drugs. So you can use Panadol to reduce the temperature. For a runny nose without any harmful effects, use Aquamaris, Pinosol. Some Doctor Mom products can be used successfully for coughs.

But remember, before using any medications during pregnancy, as well as any other treatments, you should consult your doctor!

If you have a sore throat, gargle periodically. A solution of baking soda (one teaspoon of soda per glass of warm boiled water) with the addition of 2 or 3 drops of iodine kills viruses well. Also use a decoction of eucalyptus, sage, and chamomile for rinsing.

Do not forget that you cannot warm your feet during pregnancy. This may cause premature termination of pregnancy.

Remember the most important thing is that during pregnancy you are now responsible and caring not only for yourself, but also for your baby. Therefore, first of all, you need to protect yourself from colds during this period. When going outside or to crowded places, lubricate your nose with oxolinic ointment. Or use an invisible antiviral mask - Nazaval Plus spray. As soon as the first signs of a cold appear, begin treatment, and it is better if you use traditional medicine, which has far fewer contraindications than medicinal ones.

Make sure your cold doesn't cause complications!

Colds are dangerous because they can cause a number of more severe diseases (complications). Therefore, beware of the following symptoms appearing after a while:

• If you experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, or wheezing, these may be signs of pneumonia.
• If a cold lasts more than two weeks, and the nasal discharge and cough do not stop, and the temperature rises periodically, sinusitis may be suspected.
• If the lymph nodes in your neck are enlarged, your throat is red and coated, and there is mucus in your throat, then you may have a streptococcal or viral throat infection.
• If you have ear pain, sleep disturbances, or fever, then your cold may have led to serious ear infections (otitis media).

In any case, if you have suspicious symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. But, in order to prevent such complications, try to correctly use all the recommendations for treating what appears to be a “common cold.” Take care of your health!

Prevention

Everyone knows that people most often fall ill with acute respiratory diseases in the fall or spring. It is at this time of year that there is the greatest likelihood of hypothermia. But notice that one of them had cold feet, and immediately a red throat or runny nose. And for the other, the body did not react at all, and there were no signs of a cold. I wonder why?

It's all about immunity! If you don’t want to get sick, start strengthening your body’s immune system:

1. In the morning - exercise. Then - a contrast shower.
2. Start playing sports. Let it be, at your discretion, swimming, skiing, running.
3. Quit smoking.
4. Try to eat the most fortified foods. Vitamin C is especially recommended. Your food should be as healthy as possible. Focus your lunchtime on fresh fruits and vegetables.
5. If your immune system is failing you, immune-strengthening drugs such as Immunal or echinacea tincture will come to the rescue.
6. In winter, and especially during epidemics, when leaving the house, lubricate the nasal cavity with oxolinic ointment. It is this that will protect your body from unwanted infections.
7. Avoid drafts. They are especially dangerous in those moments when you are warmed up and sweating.
8. Temper your throat. Just always keep water in the refrigerator and drink a sip of cold water in the morning.