Loss of consciousness with influenza. “Flu cannot be carried on your feet. The virus affects blood vessels, and with any movement a person risks fainting. Flu symptoms and signs

Loss of consciousness is a condition that occurs when the brain begins to experience hypoxia - a lack of oxygen. Very often, people briefly lose consciousness in stuffy rooms, from heat or hunger, and when they come to their senses, they do not experience negative consequences. But fainting with convulsions carries a serious danger and is often accompanied by serious complications for nervous system.

Causes of pathology

Convulsive syncope is often confused with an epileptic seizure, since external manifestations very similar to each other. But epilepsy is an independent neurological disease characterized by convulsive attacks both without loss of consciousness and with loss. And fainting with convulsions is a consequence of severe oxygen starvation, which can occur when various diseases or from the influence of external factors.

Unlike the usual loss of consciousness with convulsions, which is characterized by signs indicating a lack of oxygen, an epileptic seizure begins suddenly.

Loss of consciousness with convulsions occurs when the neurons of the cerebral cortex are overexcited, when, under the influence of a negative factor, the brain begins to lack oxygen. It is this section that is responsible for muscle contraction. Depending on which part sends the signal, cramps occur in different parts of the body. The intensity of muscle contraction and the condition of the blood vessels determine whether a person will faint or not.

Loss of consciousness with convulsions may be caused by congenital or acquired diseases of the central nervous system:

Also, convulsions with loss of consciousness can occur against the background of strong nervous overstrain, shock, at very high temperatures, severe intoxication. Fainting occurs very rarely when there is a violation of the blood composition, for example, with severe magnesium deficiency.

The main reasons for this condition are childhood:

Seizures occur in children whose nervous system was damaged during fetal development. Most often, convulsions with loss of consciousness in a child can occur in the first months of life and up to three years - it is during this period that the formation of the nervous system occurs.

How to recognize and stop an attack?

At the first attack, a person begins to get scared, and the growing panic only aggravates his condition. A fall during a non-epileptic seizure is characterized by signs that can be used to determine that a person may faint.

Symptoms

Before loss of consciousness, the following symptoms occur:

With a high febrile temperature, the child experiences a glazed look, body tension, and only then muscle spasms begin. Seizures similar to epileptic seizures often occur in alcohol-dependent people after heavy drinking. This occurs due to brain intoxication and potassium deficiency in the blood. In such patients, convulsions begin already in an unconscious state and can last for quite a long time.

Convulsions can begin immediately upon loss of consciousness, but when a person faints, they almost always stop. Or vice versa, spasms begin after loss of consciousness. Another development option may occur: first, a fall occurs, but if the victim does not come to his senses for a long period, and breathing does not normalize, then the brain, suffering from hypoxia, sends a signal to the muscles, and convulsions begin.

Consequences

With a one-time loss of consciousness with convulsions, it can be judged that this condition was caused external factors. If attacks are repeated regularly, the reason lies inside the body. This is why it is necessary to go full examination to identify the cause of fainting with muscle spasms. After diagnosis, treatment is prescribed that completely eliminates the problem or prevents the development of convulsive conditions.

If you do not begin to treat the disease, complications will gradually develop, which cannot always be eliminated. Frequent oxygen deprivation leads to the death of brain cells, which disrupts many functions: motor, thinking, speech. Damage to the central nervous system can be irreversible; household skills are lost, the person becomes irritable and sometimes aggressive. Against the background of this condition, mental illnesses often develop.

If a person has lost consciousness and is having convulsions, it is important to prevent him from harming himself. In an uncontrolled state, he can receive not only abrasions and bruises, but also more serious injuries:

Fractures.
Spinal damage.
Chest injuries.
Tongue biting.
Concussion and brain contusion.

First aid

At the first pre-fainting symptoms, it is very important to provide first aid, this will avoid an attack. The most important thing is to put the patient to bed and provide access to fresh air. If loss of consciousness has already developed and the person has fallen, then you can help him in the following way:

A person who has lost consciousness but is already regaining consciousness should not be allowed to make sudden movements. He should lie down for 10 minutes, then sit down and after half an hour he can take a vertical position. At first, it is advisable not to give him a lot to drink to prevent vomiting; you can give him a few sips of warm water.

Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. The cause may be a short-term decrease in cerebral blood flow.

What is fainting? Often this is an indicator of some kind of disease. Medicine has studied a variety of conditions in which fainting can occur:

diseases manifested by a decrease in cardiac output: cardiac arrhythmias, aortic stenosis, pulmonary arteries, angina attacks;
pathological conditions: fainting when swallowing, when suddenly standing up from a lying position;
with a sharp decrease in oxygen content in the blood, other problems with the blood, with anemia, in stuffiness.

Causes of fainting

Fainting most often occurs in the following cases:

enhanced intracranial pressure;
brain pathologies;
a sharp drop in blood pressure;
increased sensitivity of the carotid sinus (sinocarotid syncope);
open and closed injuries skulls;
pain shock;
vertebral pathologies caused by osteochondrosis, congenital cervical pathologies;
problems of metabolism of brain tissue during hypoglycemia, infections, chemical poisoning;
seizures accompanied by hysteria;
autonomic disorders in children and adolescents.

Very often a consequence of a sharp decrease in blood pressure, if internal organs humans did not have time to adapt to changes in blood flow. In such cases, there is a feeling of malaise and lack of oxygen. This type of fainting is triggered by physical exertion.

Fainting occurs when sharp decline blood flow during bleeding, injury, due to dehydration.

Before fainting, a person feels weakness, ringing in the ears, cold sweat, darkening of the eyes, and loss of coordination of movements.

In the absence of any serious pathologies, fainting occurs safely.

Fainting in children

Children under 2 years of age may experience convulsive fainting due to fear and pain. The cause is often increased excitability of the nervous system. Any external irritant can cause a scream, which leads to holding the breath, and a short loss of consciousness occurs.

There are cases when it develops seizure At high temperatures, a child with the flu may experience fainting with convulsions. The teenage body is susceptible to similar manifestations. Blood vessels They don’t always have time to tune in to the growth of body parts. Very often, teenagers experience fainting due to VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia). In adolescence, they are often observed in girls. An isolated incident of fainting is not a sign of a serious illness, but it would be better to consult a pediatrician.

Let's take a closer look at what types of fainting are most common.

Fainting with epilepsy

The patterns of the course of convulsive syncope and syncope in epilepsy are significantly different. Both are characterized by loss of consciousness, convulsive manifestations, changes in blood pressure, and dilated pupils.

There are a number of distinctive signs by which the type of fainting can be determined.

Before loss of consciousness, there is a feeling of weakness, dizziness, ringing in the ears, sometimes you can just lie down to restore the body's strength. Patients with epilepsy usually feel the onset of an attack, but often an attack can begin suddenly, a person runs the risk of falling on the spot while walking, and changing the person’s position during a seizure does not normalize the condition.

A seizure can also occur in a supine position, even during sleep, and the most common fainting very rarely occurs in a supine position.

Loss of consciousness is caused by external factors, for example, psycho-emotional stress.

There are significant differences between convulsive movements. When you faint, the muscles contract and relax alternately and abruptly. Epileptic convulsions are distinguished by generalized forms, when the muscles are blocked by a spasm for several minutes, a clonic spasm occurs.

Usually the phenomenon lasts a matter of seconds, the victim remembers the events taking place around him.

Overexcitability of the nervous system leads to hysterical fits, which could very well end in fainting.

Vasovagal syncope

Medical practice shows that of all fainting conditions, about half are vasovagal syncope. It appears completely healthy people, can sometimes be repeated.

It can occur in a state of excitement, fear, severe fatigue, severe pain. Accompanied by arterial hypotension, bradycardia, pallor.

The phenomenon proceeds as follows. Sympathetic tone increases sharply; in some people, such an increase in sympathetic tone is unnecessary and can provoke a sharp increase in heart contractions. The nerves send intense impulses to the brain, this is accompanied by a decrease in sympathetic tone and an increase in parasympathetic tone. As a result, bradycardia develops, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure and fainting. Consciousness is restored if the patient is placed in a supine position and his legs are raised.

Vasodepressor syncope is noted by doctors as common reason loss of consciousness. Main reasons - strong pain and emotional stress. The muscular artery dilates, the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle falls, and blood flow decreases. It often occurs in men with severe pain.

The onset of unconsciousness does not occur immediately; initially, weakness, ringing in the ears, enlarged pupils, blurred vision, dizziness, increased sweating. Then the patient loses his balance and loses consciousness. The unconscious patient is immobilized and experiences convulsions.

Blood pressure often drops to 60 mm. Bradycardia occurs. Skin pale.

Orthostatic syncope

Such fainting develops when standing up suddenly or moving from a lying position to a standing position. The reason is a violation of the reflex mechanisms that ensure the maintenance of blood pressure when moving to a standing position. In healthy people, blood pressure decreases by 10 mmHg. Art. the heart rate increases by 15 in 1 minute, but the body’s condition quickly normalizes due to the reflex narrowing of the blood arteries.

There are two types of such fainting.

Hyperadrenergic orthostatic syncope occurs in patients with autonomic dysfunction, their manifestation is . Fainting is characterized by pronounced tachycardia.

Loss of consciousness in such a patient occurs abruptly, usually preceded by a short pre-fainting state. In a supine position, consciousness quickly returns. Further changes in the patient's position do not cause repeated fainting.

Hypoadrenergic orthostatic syncope develops with orthostatic hypotension, which is based on autonomic polyneuropathy with progressive autonomic failure, which occurs primarily or secondary (with diabetes mellitus, other pathologies).

In a supine state, the victim’s blood pressure is often elevated. Heart rate remains unchanged.

A common cause of such conditions may be long-term lying in a supine position or being in weightlessness (when flying into space).

Help with fainting

In a person in a state of loss of consciousness, the muscles of the tongue are relaxed and asphyxia may occur. It is strongly recommended to provide emergency assistance the victim: he is placed on his side and his tongue is fixed so that it does not fall into the larynx.

It is necessary to free a person from restrictive clothing. It is very important to ensure blood flow to the brain. Next, you need to call an ambulance, because it is impossible to clearly recognize the cause of unconsciousness, for example, to distinguish fainting from coma. Ammonia, which is given to the victim to smell, often helps a lot.

Such conditions occur regularly and can pass without a trace, but sometimes they indicate severe diseases of internal organs, intoxication, mental disorders, etc. Let us next consider the main types of fainting and the situations that provoke them.

There are several groups of reasons why a person may lose consciousness:

Insufficient blood flow to the brain.
Decreased oxygen levels in the blood.
Decrease in circulating blood volume.
Changes in cardiac output and arrhythmia.
Disorders and disorders of the brain.

The following common types of loss of consciousness are distinguished:

First. Vasovagal syncope (syn. vasodepressor syncope) develops due to a perverted reaction of the body to stimuli from the receptors of the autonomic nervous system - the department that is responsible for the functioning of internal organs.

The main factors contributing to this condition may be:

Emotional shock (fear of the sight of blood, etc.).
Painful sensations when performing tests.
Long-term compression of the neck organs.
Abrupt cessation physical exercise And so on.

Vasovagal syncope is characterized by pathological rapid dilation of blood vessels, a decrease in heart rate and depression of respiratory processes.

Consciousness usually returns within a few minutes without additional help from outside.

In some cases, vasovagal syncope may be caused by mental disorders, the treatment of which eliminates similar situations in the future.

Patient L., of asthenic build, 26 years old, complained of a short-term loss of consciousness during a blood test.

According to a relative who was nearby at that moment, the condition was short-lived and was accompanied by paleness of the face, focusing of the gaze at one point and wide open eyes.

I contacted a neurologist and was referred to additional examinations: ECG, CBC, cerebral encephalography, etc. No somatic pathology was detected.

Normalize sleep and rest patterns
Nutritious food
A course of taking sedatives
Consultation with a psychologist

Second. Fainting in people with vegetative-vascular dystonia occurs due to a labile vasomotor system and an unstable psyche.

Patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia do not tolerate climate change, weather, severe physical activity or emotional turmoil.

One of the forms of manifestation of vegetative-vascular dystonia is a fainting state.

With excitement, stress, donating blood, or being in a poorly ventilated room for a long time, the patient may faint, but after a few minutes regain consciousness, suffering from minor bruises.

There are also other situations that occur with loss of consciousness, which are caused by such pathological conditions, How:

Fainting with convulsions. Sudden loss of consciousness with a convulsive attack is characteristic of hysteria, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury and some other diseases. Fainting in epilepsy is often confused with an epileptic seizure.

A seizure is also characterized by loss of consciousness, but with it there is typical trauma to the tongue, involuntary urination, and facial flushing, which usually does not happen with a banal faint.

For a reliable diagnosis, consultation with a doctor is necessary.

Fainting in severe infectious diseases is common.

Loss of consciousness during adenovirus infection, influenza, parainfluenza occurs due to infectious-toxic damage to blood vessels and centers of the autonomic nervous system.

Any sudden movement or getting out of bed leads to disruption of the compensatory mechanisms and loss of consciousness.

Orthostatic fainting occurs when a rapid change in body position occurs when the cardiovascular system does not have time to adequately supply the brain with oxygen.

The development of this condition can be facilitated by taking medications (beta blockers, diuretics, etc.)

Loss of consciousness that occurs when coughing against the background of chronic diseases of the respiratory system.

During a severe coughing attack, pressure increases and the outflow of venous blood from the skull decreases, which leads to fainting.

In addition to the main mechanisms causing loss and clouding of consciousness, there are a number of factors that contribute to their development:

Lack of sleep.
Emotional exhaustion and stress.
Unbalanced diet.
Stuffy room and prolonged standing.
History of frequent infectious diseases and others.

There are many reasons and conditions that can cause a person to faint, most of them do not require serious treatment and are simply a coincidence.

Others, on the contrary, talk about serious disruptions in the body. Therefore, every such incident should be a reason to visit a doctor.

Have you ever encountered a pre-fainting state or syncope that simply “knocks you out of the rut” and the usual rhythm of life!? Judging by the fact that you are now reading this article, then you know firsthand what it is:.

an impending attack of nausea rising and growing from the stomach.
darkening of the eyes, ringing in the ears.
sudden feeling of weakness and fatigue, legs give way.
panic fear.
cold sweat, loss of consciousness.

Now answer the question: are you satisfied with this? Can ALL THIS be tolerated? How much time have you already wasted on ineffective treatment? After all, sooner or later the SITUATION WILL GET WORSE.

Better read what Marina Berestova says about this. For several years I suffered from frequent fainting – headaches, migraines, dizziness, fatigue, problems with blood vessels and heart. Endless tests, visits to doctors, diets and pills did not solve my problems. BUT thanks simple recipe, I don’t lose consciousness, my heart has stopped bothering me, my headaches have gone away, my memory has improved, and strength and energy have appeared. Tests showed that my cholesterol was NORMAL! Now my attending physician is surprised how this is so. Here is a link to the article.

ProInsultMozga.ru is a project about brain disease and all associated pathologies.

Flu and its complications

Influenza is one of the well-known and studied infectious diseases that can spread rapidly and have a clear seasonality. Influenza has a special place among respiratory diseases, because in terms of the severity of its manifestations, the possibility of fatal complications, and consequently significant economic losses, it leaves other acute respiratory infections far behind.

Influenza annually claims tens and hundreds of thousands of lives around the world. The highest mortality rate is observed in the group of chronic patients and people with serious illnesses. But an unfavorable outcome of influenza can also occur in young, practically healthy individuals and children. Influenza is severe in infancy.

The influenza virus is a viral particle containing RNA. Influenza in humans can be caused by several types of viruses (A, B, C). The influenza virus has a special structure; it contains two antigens on its surface. Each of these antigens, called hemagglutinin and neurominidase, have several varieties. Their combination determines the basic properties of the influenza virus.

A feature of the influenza virus is the variability of surface antigens, which determines its widespread prevalence and significant human susceptibility to this pathogen.

The influenza virus is tropic to the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, which is the entrance gate of infection for him. Once in the cells columnar epithelium, influenza viruses multiply and then destroy cells and enter the bloodstream. The circulation of the influenza virus in the blood is called viremia, its period can be up to 7-14 days.

As a result of toxic effects and the circulation of viruses during influenza, damage to the microvasculature is observed. Hemorrhagic and neurotoxic syndrome, damage to the heart and other internal organs become common.

The influenza virus leads to the development of a secondary deficiency of immune responses, which facilitates the penetration and reproduction of bacterial flora (secondary bacterial complications, bacterial pneumonia).

Influenza can occur as typical shape, less often have an erased (atypical) course. The severity of typical symptoms and common manifestations Influenza intoxication can vary from mild to very severe.

Flu symptoms

The period from the entry of the influenza virus into the human body until its first symptoms (called incubation) can last up to one week, but more often it is 2-3 days (maybe 12 hours). A typical flu begins with tremendous chills and increased temperature, sweating, and a feeling of heat. Fever during influenza infection can reach 39-40°C or higher and persist for several days.

Along with fever during influenza, the patient is bothered by bloating and pain in the head, neck, orbits, joints and bones. A special feature of influenza is that catarrhal symptoms such as runny nose, congestion and sore throat are not characteristic of the onset of the disease.

Catarrhal phenomena can appear after the initial period of intoxication, fever (after 1-2 days) and are manifested by rhinitis without copious discharge, dry cough, which is a reflection of tracheitis. Influenza is characterized by redness of the eyes, facial skin, and conjunctivitis.

Often, with an infection caused by the influenza virus, there may be hemorrhagic phenomena. Flu intoxication often manifests itself as nausea and vomiting. All patients with influenza report severe weakness and disability.

I would especially like to dwell on severe forms of influenza.

Severe forms and complications of influenza

With severe flu, the temperature period is longer and can last up to 5 days, when the fever reaches 40 - 40.5 ° C. The fever is difficult to control and exhausts the patient. General symptoms symptoms associated with viremia and intoxication (weakness, arthralgia, myalgia, loss of appetite, nausea) with this form of influenza acquire greater manifestations than with its mild course.

The result toxic effect infection (influenza virus) with severe form there may be lethargy (or agitation), delirium and convulsive reactions. Hemorrhages in the form of bleeding and hemoptysis can occur with this form of influenza. Severe influenza can be complicated by infectious-toxic shock and acute respiratory failure.

The most severe form of influenza is hypertoxic. With this form of influenza, the period of temperature rise is maximum and exceeds 5 days, while the fever is extremely pronounced and persistent (40 - 40.5 ° C).

Hemorrhages are more pronounced and there may be significant bleeding. In the hypertoxic form, phenomena of brain damage in the form of meningoencephalitis are observed. Toxemia with influenza leads to swelling of the brain, which is manifested by inappropriate behavior, delusions, hallucinations, and loss of consciousness.

Influenza is especially dangerous due to its complications, which are more often observed in seriously ill patients and people over 60 years of age. Complications of influenza are common in patients with diseases of cardio-vascular system, asthma, diabetes, immunodeficiencies. The flu can be severe during pregnancy.

One of the complications that often occurs with influenza is pneumonia. With influenza, pneumonia can be primarily viral or be a secondary bacterial complication. The influenza virus can multiply not only in the upper respiratory tract, but also in the epithelial cells of the bronchi and alveoli. Therefore, with influenza, phenomena of alveolitis and bronchiolitis can be observed, which is manifested by symptoms of pneumonia.

Influenza pneumonia is severe, since the influenza virus can damage lung tissue (alveoli, interstitium), cause pulmonary edema, acute failure respiratory functions, respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). With this complication, the microvessels of the alveolar septa are damaged by the influenza virus, inflammation is observed in them, resulting in a sharp increase in permeability, which leads to pulmonary hemorrhages, hemoptysis (bleeding), and pulmonary edema. ARDS leads to respiratory failure and can be fatal.

Symptoms of pneumonia due to influenza appear some time after the first signs of the disease. In this case, the patient’s condition sharply worsens, pain appears in the chest, heaviness in the chest, dry, unproductive cough with a small amount of mucus or streaked with blood, severe shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, dizziness, cyanosis, weakness.

With the flu, sudden difficulty breathing may occur due to swelling of the vocal cords; this complication is called false croup.

Severe infectious-toxic complications (shock and encephalopathy) are caused by the effects of viruses (bacteria) and their toxins on the microvasculature, brain and internal organs. Intracranial pressure increases, convulsions, blurred vision, throbbing or bursting headache, uncontrollable vomiting, confusion and even loss of consciousness are observed.

In particularly severe cases of influenza, coma and disturbances in the rhythm and depth of respiratory movements may develop. From neurological complications With influenza, polyneuritis, arachnoiditis, and encephalitis occur. Myocarditis can be a serious life-threatening complication of influenza.

Diagnosis of influenza

Specific diagnostics viral infections, in particular influenza, is well developed. The determination of influenza pathogen virions in saliva, blood, and swabs from the nasal cavity and oropharynx is used. Identification and determination of the influenza virus is carried out using the PCR method (detection of RNA of the influenza pathogen) and serological methods. The latter include ELISA, RTGA (determination of antibodies to influenza viruses).

In addition to special methods for verifying the causative agent of influenza, general clinical methods are used (analysis of hemogram, urine, biochemical markers, coagulogram, blood gas composition, plasma electrolytes). In UAC on different stages The infectious process is determined by leukopenia or leukocytosis.

If complications of influenza are suspected, an X-ray diagnosis of the bronchopulmonary system, an ECG, a study of respiratory function and the degree of bronchial obstruction (spirometry), and blood oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry) are required.

In the diagnosis of influenza it has great importance medical history indicating the patient’s contact with other patients who have been given a similar diagnosis. It is important to clarify whether the patient with influenza had contact with people with acute respiratory infections.

Flu treatment

Outpatient treatment of influenza is possible only for mild forms of the disease. In more severe cases and complications of the disease, patients with influenza are subject to mandatory hospitalization in the infectious diseases department.

Patients with influenza should remain in bed, take sufficient fluids, and have a fortified diet with an optimal content of protein products. As early as possible, from the moment of diagnosis of influenza, patients are prescribed antiviral drugs that suppress the reproduction and replication of the virus, improve the prognosis and course of influenza, and reduce the likelihood of complications.

In case of fever, a decrease in temperature (antipyretics) is required. For influenza, according to indications, expectorants, mucolytics, immunostimulants, and vitamins are used.

Bacterial complications of influenza (pneumonia and others) dictate the need to use, as prescribed by a doctor, antibiotics and antimicrobial agents. In case of intoxication, detoxification agents and electrolyte solutions are administered. For respiratory failure, oxygen therapy is used.

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Many thanks to the cosmetologist at the clinic" Healthy family", and especially Vera Mikhailov. I go.

I was diagnosed as a child. I always wore glasses, like that.

After visiting your territorial therapist and surgeon. To which to.

Daria Filimonova | 02/07/2018

If you do implantation, then only in a center like Rutt.

“Flu cannot be carried on your feet. The virus affects blood vessels, and with any movement a person risks fainting.”

Inna AIZENBERG, “FACTS”

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The other day, FACTS already reported: the epidemic threshold for influenza has been exceeded in Ukraine. If in Kyiv the excess is insignificant - only two percent, then in other regions of Ukraine the situation is different. For example, in the Chernihiv region last week there were 25 percent more patients than normal. What strain of influenza is observed in the country? What should you do to avoid getting sick? These questions were answered by FACTS by the head of the department of respiratory and other viral infections at the Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. L. Gromashevsky AMS of Ukraine, Doctor of Medical Sciences Alla Mironenko.

Nowadays, the H3N2 flu “A/Perth” is widespread in Ukraine, which is named after the Australian city of Perth, where the disease was first identified, explains Alla Mironenko. - This is exactly the strain we predicted in the fall. For Ukrainians, this is a relatively new type of flu, so the population does not have developed immunity. In Kyiv, the epidemic threshold has been exceeded slightly, but the infection is spreading quite intensively. There are no fewer sick people.

How can those who did not get vaccinated on time protect themselves now?

Before going outside, it is advisable to lubricate the nasal cavity with oxolinic ointment. For unvaccinated people, I recommend spending less time in crowded places and limiting contact with those who are already sick. If you cannot avoid contact with patients, you should remember about gauze bandages, taking into account the rules for their use.

Bandages need to be changed every two to three hours. Some people take anti-flu medications for prevention, which your therapist will help you choose. Vitamin C is very useful. For prevention, it is advisable to take one or two tablets a day, and for those with the flu, four to six. Let me remind you that people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract should treat acidic foods with caution. Naturally, this does not exclude other types of treatment: antiviral drugs, bed rest, hot drinks.

Is it necessary to bring down a high temperature during influenza or ARVI?

At elevated temperatures, the body produces protective interferon, which is necessary to fight infection. If the temperature is lowered, the healing process is delayed. Therefore, we usually do not recommend doing this until the thermometer rises above 38.5. But if the patient does not tolerate the temperature well, antipyretics can be taken. In young children heat can cause convulsions, so in such cases it is better to knock it down and call a doctor.

While the symptoms of a cold appear gradually, the flu makes itself felt almost immediately. The temperature may jump in the first hours of illness, and a little later chest pain appears. A person feels hot and cold, he feels weakness, aches in the body and joints, and his eyelids seem to become “heavier.” With such health, the patient is simply unable to go to work and is forced to stay at home and get treatment. But as soon as the temperature drops and his health improves a little, he immediately forgets about medications and bed rest and hurries to go out into the public. This is the most common mistake. Due to the fact that the virus affects blood vessels, with any sudden movement a person risks fainting. Therefore, the flu cannot be carried on your feet.

The severity of the disease can only be determined by a doctor who examines the patient and listens to how his lungs work. Therefore, you should always contact a specialist.

Now some media have reported that you can still get a flu shot. Is it so?

Modern flu vaccines are not dangerous. The question is whether they are effective today. The principle of the vaccine is as follows: within two weeks after vaccination, the human body produces antibodies to the virus. This is only possible if the person does not get sick during this period. Now, when the virus is “walking” through the streets, this cannot be guaranteed.

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Loss of consciousness with the flu

I don’t see any need to bring Arbidol to the infectious diseases hospital.

P.S. In addition to Arbidol, they asked to bring Naftizin. So I think how legal this is. After all, the hospital - the infectious diseases department - must be allocated medicines. But it turns out that everything has to be brought to them: either they take it home, or they are really poor.

And guessing about the diagnosis in this situation is a thankless task.

Where can I go with my illness?

Loss of consciousness. Fainting.

The materials posted on the site are verified information from experts in various fields of medicine and are intended solely for educational and informational purposes. The site does not provide medical consultations and services for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Recommendations and opinions of experts published on the pages of the portal do not replace qualified medical care. Possible contraindications. ALWAYS consult your physician.

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If you faint, this is a reason to think about your health.

Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. The cause may be a short-term decrease in cerebral blood flow.

What is fainting? Often this is an indicator of some kind of disease. Medicine has studied a variety of conditions in which fainting can occur:

diseases manifested by a decrease in cardiac output: cardiac arrhythmias, stenosis of the aorta, pulmonary arteries, angina attacks;
pathological conditions: fainting when swallowing, when suddenly standing up from a lying position;
with a sharp decrease in oxygen content in the blood, other problems with the blood, with anemia, in stuffiness.

Causes of fainting

Fainting most often occurs in the following cases:

increased intracranial pressure;
brain pathologies;
a sharp drop in blood pressure;
increased sensitivity of the carotid sinus (sinocarotid syncope);
open and closed skull injuries;
pain shock;
vertebral pathologies caused by osteochondrosis, congenital cervical pathologies;
problems of metabolism of brain tissue during hypoglycemia, infections, chemical poisoning;
seizures accompanied by hysteria;
autonomic disorders in children and adolescents.

Very often it is a consequence of a sharp decrease in blood pressure if a person’s internal organs have not had time to adapt to changes in blood flow. In such cases, there is a feeling of malaise and lack of oxygen. This type of fainting is triggered by physical exertion.

Fainting occurs when there is a sharp decrease in blood flow due to bleeding, injury, or dehydration.

Before fainting, a person feels weakness, ringing in the ears, cold sweat, darkening of the eyes, and loss of coordination of movements.

In the absence of any serious pathologies, fainting occurs safely.

Fainting in children

There are cases when a convulsive attack develops at a high temperature in a child, with the flu, and fainting with convulsions may occur. The teenage body is susceptible to similar manifestations. Blood vessels do not always have time to adjust to the growth of body parts. Very often, teenagers experience fainting due to VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia). In adolescence, they are often observed in girls. An isolated incident of fainting is not a sign of a serious illness, but it would be better to consult a pediatrician.

Let's take a closer look at what types of fainting are most common.

Fainting with epilepsy

There are a number of distinctive signs by which the type of fainting can be determined.

A seizure can also occur in a supine position, even during sleep, and the most common fainting very rarely occurs in a supine position.

Loss of consciousness is caused by external factors, for example, psycho-emotional stress.

Usually the phenomenon lasts a matter of seconds, the victim remembers the events taking place around him.

Overexcitability of the nervous system leads to hysterical attacks, which can quite realistically result in fainting.

Vasovagal syncope

Medical practice shows that of all fainting conditions, about half are vasovagal syncope. It appears in completely healthy people and can sometimes recur.

It can occur in a state of excitement, fear, severe fatigue, severe pain. Accompanied by arterial hypotension, bradycardia, pallor.

Vasodepressor syncope is noted by doctors as a common cause of loss of consciousness. The main reasons are severe pain and emotional stress. The muscular artery dilates, the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle falls, and blood flow decreases. It often occurs in men with severe pain.

The onset of unconsciousness does not occur immediately; initially, weakness, ringing in the ears, enlarged pupils, blurred vision, dizziness, and increased sweating appear. Then the patient loses his balance and loses consciousness. The unconscious patient is immobilized and experiences convulsions.

Blood pressure often drops to 60 mm. Bradycardia occurs. The skin is pale.

Orthostatic syncope

There are two types of such fainting.

Hyperadrenergic orthostatic syncope occurs in patients with autonomic dysfunction, their manifestation is arterial hypotension. Fainting is characterized by pronounced tachycardia.

Hypoadrenergic orthostatic fainting develops with orthostatic hypotension, which is based on autonomic polyneuropathy with progressive autonomic failure, which occurs primarily or secondary (with diabetes mellitus, other pathologies).

In a supine state, the victim’s blood pressure is often elevated. Heart rate remains unchanged.

A common cause of such conditions may be long-term lying in a supine position or being in weightlessness (when flying into space).

Help with fainting

In a person in a state of loss of consciousness, the muscles of the tongue are relaxed and asphyxia may occur. It is strongly recommended to provide emergency assistance to the victim: he is placed on his side and the tongue is fixed so that it does not fall into the larynx.

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Influenza virus

Almost 95% of infectious diseases are acute respiratory viral infections, one of which is influenza. Influenza epidemics occur almost every year, usually in the fall and winter, and more than 15% of the population is affected.

Immunity after the flu does not last long, and the presence various forms virus, leads to the fact that during the year a person can suffer this infection several times. Every year, more than 2 million people die due to complications from the flu. Let's find out everything about this disease in this article.

Etiology of influenza

Influenza is caused by a group of viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. There are three large genera - A, B and C, which are divided into serotypes H and N, depending on which proteins are found on the surface of the virus, hemagglutinin or neuraminidase. There are 25 such subtypes in total, but 5 of them are found in humans, and one virus can contain both types of proteins of different subtypes.

Influenza viruses change very quickly, and new species with altered properties are discovered every year. Sometimes such pathogenic subtypes appear that epidemics caused by them are described in history textbooks. One of these subtypes is “Spanish Flu,” which often killed a person within 24 hours and claimed the lives of 20 million people at the beginning of the last century.

The most dangerous epidemiologically are influenza A viruses; they cause epidemics every year. Type B virus can also cause severe form influenza, but it does not have such a strong spread, usually outbreaks occur against the background of type A or shortly before it. Both groups contain proteins H and N, therefore, when classifying them, not only the group, but also the subtype, as well as the place of discovery, year and serial number are indicated. Influenza C virus does not contain the H protein and is usually mild.

How does flu infection occur?

Infection usually occurs through airborne droplets, although contact and household transmission cannot be ruled out. The virus enters the body through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. It is believed that you can become infected with the flu even at a distance of 2–3 meters from a patient, so special meaning during epidemics, they acquire funds personal protection.

On human skin, the influenza virus dies quickly - after 4–6 minutes, but on household items, the ability to survive increases, for example, on metal and plastic. If a person touches a surface contaminated with the flu virus and then touches their face, and studies show that people touch their face more than 300 times during the day, this dramatically increases the likelihood of infection.

How long a person with the flu is contagious depends on the type and severity of the illness, but you can usually become infected within 5-6 days of the onset of the disease. Moreover, infection can also occur with the erased form of influenza. Infection is facilitated by a decrease in air humidity in the room. Fresh air prevents the virus from entering the respiratory tract, but low temperatures, about 0 °C, against the background of hypothermia of the mucous membrane and dry air, the risk of contracting the flu increases.

For the spread of infection, it is important at what temperature the influenza virus dies. Different strains react to changes in temperature differently, but heating above 70 °C destroys the virus within 5 minutes, and boiling almost instantly. The virus can remain viable on household items for up to 7 days. High humidity also contributes to its death.

Clinical picture and severity of the disease

From the moment of infection until the first symptoms of the disease appear, it can take from three hours to three days, usually the incubation period lasts 1–2 days. The disease begins acutely, the first signs of influenza are a sharp rise in temperature and symptoms of intoxication. The patient may complain of general weakness, headache, muscle pain. A runny nose and cough often occur; this condition lasts for 3–4 days, then, if there are no complications, the symptoms gradually decrease.

There are 3 degrees of severity of the disease.

Easy degree. The temperature does not rise above 38 °C or flu without fever is observed. The patient has complaints, but more often the symptoms are mild or absent. The danger of this form is that the patient, being “on his feet,” becomes a carrier of the influenza virus.
Average degree. Temperature 38–39 °C, there are pronounced symptoms, intoxication.
Severe degree. Temperature above 40 °C, convulsions, delirium, and vomiting may occur. The danger lies in the development of complications, such as cerebral edema, infectious-toxic shock, hemorrhagic syndrome.

With uncomplicated influenza, symptoms gradually decrease from 3–4 days of illness; by 7–10 days the patient recovers, but general weakness and fatigue may bother him for 2 weeks.

Flu symptoms

The first symptoms of influenza are subjective: weakness, weakness, body aches. Then a sharp increase in temperature occurs and symptoms of intoxication of the body appear. The patient's complaints can be divided into several groups:

symptoms of intoxication;
catarrhal phenomena and damage to the upper respiratory tract;
abdominal syndrome.

Intoxication is expressed by headache, muscle pain, general weakness, and fever. How long the temperature lasts during influenza often depends on the serotype and general immunity of the body. Its increase is accompanied by chills and increased sweating. High temperatures over 39 °C are dangerous as they can lead to seizures and swelling of the brain. Patients with high fever due to intoxication may experience delirium and hallucinations.

The temperature continues for 2–4 days, then it decreases, and the patient gradually recovers. If the temperature lasts longer, or occurs again on the 5th–6th day, this indicates the addition of an infection and the development of complications. In such cases, you should immediately consult a doctor.

In young children, a high temperature is more dangerous not only because of the possibility of developing seizures and cerebral edema; a child with a fever very quickly loses fluid due to sweat. And when abdominal symptoms also appear (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain), fluid loss becomes even greater, and dehydration occurs. Therefore, treatment of severe influenza in children is usually accompanied by the administration of infusion solutions.

When treating influenza at home, Special attention You need to pay attention to your drinking regime. You need to drink as much juice and tea as possible, and if symptoms of dehydration appear, such as dry skin and mucous membranes, this is especially noticeable on the tongue, consult a doctor immediately.

Objective symptoms of influenza in humans are often not expressed, except for temperature, you can notice pale skin, redness of the pharynx, and hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the eyes. There are types of infection that occur without a runny nose, but even with “dry” flu, there is often a dry, sore throat. The cough is dry at first, then it can become wet; in people with chronic lung diseases (bronchitis), the virus causes an exacerbation of the process.

Treatment

Treatment of influenza in adults and children follows the same principles, but the likelihood of complications in children and the elderly is much higher. This is due to reduced immunity. In older people, it decreases due to the aging of the body and a decrease in reparative processes. In childhood, immunity is still developing, which often leads to various diseases.

Antiviral drugs

Treatment for infection should begin as early as possible. This also applies to antiviral drugs for influenza, which are practically useless to take already on the third day of illness. Therefore, at the first symptoms, or even better before they appear, when there was contact with a flu patient, you need to take an antiviral drug, for example, amantadine (Midantan), Rimantadine, Tamiflu; interferon preparations (“Interferon”, “Aflubin”). This allows you to prevent illness or shorten the duration of illness by 1–3 days.

Taking antiviral drugs for influenza will not only help shorten the duration of the disease, but also prevent the development of complications, so they should be used in people with reduced immunity. Antiviral drugs are also used to treat complications.

Mode

When treating the disease, it is important to adhere to bed drinking regime. Bed rest is necessary even for mild flu, since complications often arise precisely due to non-compliance with bed rest. In patients with moderate influenza, bed rest significantly improves the patient's condition. It is advisable to create a comfortable environment, dim light, and silence, since bright light and noise often irritate influenza patients.

Bed rest is needed both to limit the patient’s communication and to reduce the risk of infection for others. Caregivers should use personal protective equipment (mask) for prevention purposes.

To reduce the risk of infection, you need to wet clean the room and ventilate it, since high humidity and fresh air cause the death of the virus. Personal items, dishes, linen, and toys for children should be treated with disinfectant solutions or detergents.

Symptomatic therapy

Drugs for the treatment of influenza can be divided into several groups:

Symptomatic treatment means that each type of drug is taken for specific symptoms.

Features of the disease during pregnancy and lactation

The influenza virus can affect the course of pregnancy, this is especially common when a woman becomes infected with it in the first trimester. The likelihood of pathologies in the fetus increases, and since immunity decreases during pregnancy, complications arise more often.

Therefore, pregnant women should try not to become infected:

wear a mask when going outside;
you can lubricate the nasal mucosa with oxolinic ointment;
It is advisable to get vaccinated in a timely manner.

Even if a pregnant woman does not leave the house, the virus can be brought by those close to her.

If infection has occurred, then you must remain in bed and drink more juices containing vitamins. The lack of vitamins can be compensated for with medications. It is advisable for pregnant women to take antiviral drugs.

Treatment of influenza during pregnancy should be carried out under the supervision of a physician, and the use of drugs including medicinal herbs, folk methods.

Flu is dangerous not only during pregnancy, but also during breastfeeding. In this case, it is important to follow hygiene rules. It is not at all necessary to wean the baby from the breast at this time. Feeding can continue provided that they are not used medications, which can pass into breast milk and the mother will try to prevent infection of the baby during feeding. You need to use a mask and wash your hands and breasts thoroughly before feeding.

Treatment of influenza breastfeeding should be carried out with preparations that include natural substances. Anti-runny nose drops are now being produced that contain only natural ingredients, herbal teas against cough Treatment during feeding should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Complications

Influenza can lead to complications in other organs and systems of the body, and they can develop immediately or as a result of the addition of a bacterial infection. So, a severe form of the disease can be complicated by:

The cause of these complications is the virus entering the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body. If a patient exhibits symptoms such as convulsions, rash, hemodynamic disturbances (fall blood pressure, abnormal heart rate), loss of consciousness - you should urgently call an ambulance.

Late complications are:

otitis, sinusitis (frontal sinusitis, sinusitis);
bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy;
meningitis, encephalitis;
endocarditis, myocarditis.

Typically, late complications of influenza are associated with the addition of a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotic treatment.

Prevention

Features of this infectious disease, its rapid spread, complications during its course, became the reason for the development of a flu vaccine. Children are now vaccinated against many viral infections, and developing a vaccine against influenza should not have been difficult for the pharmaceutical industry.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to develop a universal vaccine, since influenza is presented different groups, virus serotypes. Currently, a vaccine containing group A virus antigens is used for vaccination against influenza. Its timely administration can prevent infection, but since viruses B and C are often detected during an epidemic of virus A, it is impossible to completely exclude influenza disease.

Another problem is the short duration of action of the vaccine. Immunity against influenza does not last long, often protecting against infection for only 6–8 months. Therefore, it is better to vaccinate in the fall, so that antibodies against it circulate in the blood throughout the cold, winter period.

Prevention of influenza in children and the elderly is provided free of charge, since they are at risk, and in them the flu can cause complications leading to death. Vaccination is contraindicated if you are allergic to chicken protein, or if you have allergic reaction for previous vaccination.

There are many flu vaccines from foreign and domestic manufacturers on the Russian pharmaceutical market:

In addition to vaccination for prevention, antiviral drugs are used. Which antiviral agent What is the best choice for flu prevention? - the most commonly used products include natural substances. Their use does not cause any adverse side effects in people with weakened immune systems. These include “Arbidol”, “Immunal”, “Kagocel”, “Cycloferon” and others. The development and research of drugs against this infection continues.

Nonspecific flu prevention includes:

the use of immunostimulating drugs for the prevention of influenza (“Anaferon”, “Immunal”);
during an epidemic, means of protection against influenza;
increasing immunity and maintaining hygiene rules.

Antiviral drugs are used daily, according to the instructions (Arbidol, Amiksin, Cycloferon).

The best remedy for the flu is to increase the overall immunity of the body. Immunity is enhanced by hardening and the use of vitamins C. We must not forget about personal hygiene and products traditional medicine to prevent infection. So, during a flu epidemic it is recommended:

avoid crowded places (public transport, events);
use personal protective equipment (mask);
keep your hands clean;
avoid contact with sick people;
Increase the amount of foods containing vitamin C in your diet.

To summarize, let us recall that influenza is an infectious, contagious disease that can lead to various complications. The likelihood of infection increases in autumn and winter. Children and elderly people who are at risk are most often infected with the flu. Timely vaccination against the most likely serotypes causing the epidemic helps prevent the disease.

Very detailed article. Thank you.

Today we were taken aback by saying that, in general, we were in vain to get flu shots, since the flu is not at all what we were expecting. Well, what's the point of doing it? My husband drinks antiviral drugs, it helps him a lot not to get sick. Now I will do the same, no vaccinations.

FLU- spicy infectious disease, occurring with primary damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and symptoms of intoxication - chills, fever, weakness, headache, muscle and joint pain. It is the most common epidemic disease.

Influenza viruses belong to the orthomyxoviruses and are divided into 3 serological types. The type A virus is characterized by significant antigenic variability, which has led to the emergence of new strains that cause epidemics every 2 - 3 years and pandemics - once every 10-30 years. Viruses of types B and C are characterized by greater stability. Type B virus can cause an epidemic usually within 3 to 4 years, influenza C virus causes only sporadic diseases or limited outbreaks. The persistence of influenza viruses in the environment is low. High temperature, drying, and sunlight quickly kill them. Influenza viruses are more resistant to low temperatures.

The source of the infectious agent is a sick person, especially in the first 5 days of illness. Infection occurs more often by airborne droplets, the virus is released into the air by the patient from damaged epithelial cells of the respiratory tract with drops of saliva, mucus, sputum, when breathing, coughing, talking, crying, coughing, sneezing; less often, transmission of the virus occurs through household items (towels, handkerchiefs, dishes, etc.) contaminated with the patient’s secretions containing the virus. Susceptibility to influenza is very high. The frequency of epidemics depends on the level of population immunity and the variability of the antigenic properties of viruses.

Clinical picture. Incubation period lasts from 12 hours to 3 days, more often 1-2 days. In typical cases, the disease begins suddenly. Chills appear, the temperature quickly rises to 38-40 0C. Patients complain of severe headache, sleep disturbance, pain when moving eyeballs, aches throughout the body, weakness, weakness, nasal congestion, lacrimation, sore throat, lethargy, drowsiness, . In severe cases, fainting, severe loss of consciousness, decreased blood pressure, muffled heart sounds, and pulse lability are possible. There may be meningeal phenomena. Characterized by hyperemia and puffiness of the face, hyperemia of the conjunctiva. The duration of fever with uncomplicated influenza is 2 - 5 days, rarely more.

After 2 - 3 days, serous-purulent nasal discharge appears. When examining the pharynx, hyperemia with a cyanotic tint, swelling of the soft palate, arches, and uvula are noted. Fine granularity of the soft palate, vascular injection, and pinpoint hemorrhages are also characteristic. In most patients, it is observed due to the development of tracheitis and tracheobronchitis, and the phenomena of tracheitis predominate, therefore, with the flu, painful, dry (“scratching”) sputum appears after a few days. Sometimes the flu occurs without fever or without signs of damage to the respiratory tract.

The most common complication is, which can be early (the first days of the illness) or late. The development of pneumonia is accompanied by deterioration general condition, increased shortness of breath, cyanosis, increased body temperature. Often there is pain in the chest, with sputum, which may contain blood; physical data are usually scarce.

Terrible complications are hemorrhagic pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, hemorrhagic. Possible cerebral hemorrhages, etc. Frequent complications of influenza - eustachitis,. Flu often leads to exacerbation of various chronic diseases.

Diagnosis is based on epidemiological history data (indication of contact with febrile patients, the presence of disease outbreaks, epidemics), clinical picture and results laboratory research. In the blood it is found with relative lymphocytosis and monocytosis. ESR is within normal limits or moderately increased. When complications caused by bacterial flora occur, neutrophilia and a significant increase in ESR are observed.

Treatment. Patients with a severe course of the disease and complications, as well as those suffering from severe chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, etc., are subject to hospitalization; the remaining patients are treated at home. Patients should remain in bed during the entire febrile period. The room where the patient is located must be warm and well ventilated. The patient should be warmly covered, bed and underwear should be changed as necessary (in case of sweating), plenty of warm drink with raspberries, honey, linden blossom should be given (to enhance sweating and detoxification), as well as warm milk with alkaline mineral water or sodium bicarbonate ( baking soda) to reduce sore throat. A seriously ill patient must be turned in bed, encouraged to take deep breaths so that there is no congestion in the lungs, and the oral cavity and skin should be cleaned. A dairy-vegetable diet rich in vitamins and drinking plenty of fluids are recommended.

Patients with severe intoxication, regardless of the day of illness, are administered intramuscularly with a donor anti-influenza drug (gamma globulin). In the absence of anti-influenza immunoglobulin, normal human (anti-measles) is administered. For the purpose of detoxification, hemodez or reopolyglucin are also used. Intravenous administration 5% glucose solution, saline solutions carry out carefully in a volume of no more than 500 ml. At the same time, Lasix is used to prevent the development of pulmonary or cerebral edema.

At the onset of the disease, human leukocyte is used in the form of a solution, which is instilled 5 drops into the nasal passages every 1 - 2 hours for 2 - 3 days, or in the form of an aerosol used for inhalation.

It gives a pronounced therapeutic effect at the onset of the disease, especially with influenza A. On the first day of treatment, adults are prescribed 300 mg of rimantadine: 100 mg (2 tablets) 3 times after meals; on the second and third days - 200 mg (100 mg 2 times a day); on the fourth day - 100 mg 1 time per day, contraindicated in acute diseases liver, acute and chronic diseases kidneys, thyrotoxicosis and pregnancy. Oxolin is used in the form of 0.25% ointment, which is used to lubricate the mucous membrane of the nasal passages 3 to 4 times a day. Persons who have allergic manifestations should not use oxolin.

For nasal congestion, instill 2-3 drops of 2-3% ephedrine solution or 1-2% menthol oil solution, etc. Use of antipyretics ( acetylsalicylic acid, analgin, etc.) is indicated only for hyperthermia.

In order to reduce vascular permeability, calcium supplements are prescribed, ascorbic acid, . Oxygen therapy is indicated. Corglicon or strophanthin is administered according to indications. For insomnia and agitation, sedatives are used. For coughs, expectorants, mustard plasters, alkaline warm inhalations, as well as solutan, etc. are prescribed. Use according to indications antihistamines- , tavegil, etc.

Antibacterial drugs (sulfonamides and antibiotics) should not be prescribed for uncomplicated influenza, since they do not act on influenza viruses and do not prevent complications, in particular pneumonia. On the contrary, if it develops while taking antibiotics, it is less treatable.

Antibiotics for influenza are used only in cases of the development of prolonged bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media and other complications caused by a secondary bacterial infection, or in case of exacerbation of concomitant diseases requiring the prescription of antibiotics.

Forecast favorable, but in severe cases and complications serious, especially in the elderly and children.

Prevention. Patients undergoing treatment at home must be isolated (in a separate room, behind a screen). When caring for patients, you should wear a mask made of 4-6 layers of stretched and ironed gauze. The room where the patient is located must be ventilated, wet cleaned with a 0.5% chloramine solution, and disinfected dishes, towels, handkerchiefs and other items used by the patient. To disinfect the air, it is recommended to irradiate with bactericidal ultraviolet lamps premises of hospitals and clinics (wards, doctors' offices, corridors, etc.). Patients with influenza should not visit the clinic. During epidemics, restrictive measures are carried out: nurseries and kindergartens are switched to 24-hour operation, schools are closed, mass entertainment events are prohibited, visits to patients in hospitals are prohibited, etc. It is mandatory to wear gauze bandages for employees of medical, transport, trade, household and other enterprises related to service to the population.

Specific prevention of influenza is carried out by vaccination in the pre-epidemic period, as well as by prescribing antiviral drugs to persons in contact with patients (emergency prophylaxis). For specific prevention of influenza, inactivated and live vaccines are used.

For emergency prevention use, which has a pronounced effect on influenza A. is prescribed to adults who have been in close contact with a patient with influenza (in families, hospital wards of any profile, office premises, etc.), 50 mg 1 time per day for 2 days, if the patient was immediately isolated, or 5 - 7 days if contact continues (for example, in families when leaving the patient for treatment at home). For prophylactic purposes, dibazol is often used in small doses (for example, 1 tablet per day), sometimes - leukocyte and donor anti-influenza gamma globulin, for example, in seriously ill patients with non-communicable diseases who have been in contact with a patient with influenza, especially if there are contraindications for the use of rimantadine.

Important measures to prevent influenza are hardening the body, exercising physical culture and sports, timely treatment of diseases of the paranasal sinuses.

If in Kyiv the excess is insignificant - only two percent, then in other regions of Ukraine the situation is different. For example, in the Chernihiv region last week there were 25 percent more patients than normal. What strain of influenza is observed in the country? What should you do to avoid getting sick? These questions were answered by FACTS by the head of the department of respiratory and other viral infections at the Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. L. Gromashevsky AMS of Ukraine, Doctor of Medical Sciences Alla Mironenko.

“Currently, the H3N2 flu “A/Perth” is widespread in Ukraine, which is named after the Australian city of Perth, where the disease was first identified,” explains Alla Mironenko. “This is exactly the strain we predicted in the fall. For Ukrainians, this is a relatively new type of flu, so the population does not have developed immunity. In Kyiv, the epidemic threshold has been exceeded slightly, but the infection is spreading quite intensively. There are no fewer sick people.

— How can those who did not get vaccinated on time protect themselves now?

— Before going outside, it is advisable to lubricate the nasal cavity with oxolinic ointment. For unvaccinated people, I recommend spending less time in crowded places and limiting contact with those who are already sick. If you cannot avoid contact with patients, you should remember about gauze bandages, taking into account the rules for their use.

Bandages need to be changed every two to three hours. Some people take anti-flu medications for prevention, which your therapist will help you choose. Vitamin C is very useful. For prevention, it is advisable to take one or two tablets a day, and for those with the flu, four to six. I remind people suffering from illnesses gastrointestinal tract, acidic foods must be treated with caution. Naturally, this does not exclude other types of treatment: taking antiviral drugs, bed rest, hot drinks.

— Is it necessary to bring down a high temperature during influenza or ARVI?

— At elevated temperatures, the body produces protective interferon, which is necessary to fight infection. If the temperature is lowered, the healing process is delayed. Therefore, we usually do not recommend doing this until the thermometer rises above 38.5. But if the patient does not tolerate the temperature well, antipyretics can be taken. In young children, a high temperature can cause convulsions, so in such cases it is better to bring it down and call a doctor.

— How to distinguish the flu from a cold?

— If the symptoms of a cold appear gradually, then the flu makes itself felt almost immediately. The temperature of 39-40 degrees may jump in the first hours of illness, and a little later chest pain appears. A person feels hot and cold, he feels weakness, aches in the body and joints, and his eyelids seem to become “heavier.” With such health, the patient is simply unable to go to work and is forced to stay at home and get treatment. But as soon as the temperature drops and his health improves a little, he immediately forgets about medications and bed rest and hurries to go out into the public. This is the most common mistake. Due to the fact that the virus affects blood vessels, with any sudden movement a person risks fainting. Therefore, the flu cannot be carried on your feet.

The severity of the disease can only be determined by a doctor who examines the patient and listens to how his lungs work. Therefore, you should always contact a specialist.

— Now some media have reported that you can still get a flu shot. Is it so?

— Modern flu vaccines are not dangerous. The question is whether they are effective today. The principle of the vaccine is as follows: within two weeks after vaccination, the human body produces antibodies to the virus. This is only possible if the person does not get sick during this period. Now, when the virus is “walking” through the streets, this cannot be guaranteed.