How do you treat someone with influenza?

Answer 1

As everyone knows: Drink fluids and get plenty of rest in bed, just like momma said.

Over-the-counter medicines can help you treat the symptoms. Ask your pharmacist for recommendations for your specific symptoms. However, some symptoms are important in actually fighting off a virus. They shouldn't necessarily be prevented. A good example is that you'll feel tired when you're sick with a cold or flu. That's because your body is using its energy to fight the virus and it is your body telling you to take it easy for a while. Don't force yourself to be active, feeling tired is a sign that your body needs the rest.

Another example is that a fever is your body's way of trying to kill viruses in a hotter-than-normal environment. Thus, if you endure a moderate fever for a day or two, you may actually get well faster.

Coughing is another symptom that can be helpful in getting over colds or flu. In moderation, it clears your breathing passages of thick mucus that can carry germs to your lungs and the rest of your body. Cough medicines and other preparations that have expectorant effects, like those containing guaifenesin (Robitussin, Mucinex), help produce effective coughing.

A stuffy nose is also best treated mildly or not at all. Decongestants restrict blood flow in your nose and throat. Instead, you want increased blood flow because it carries blood cells and "fighters" to the infected area and carries away the waste products of the fight from the area including "dead" viruses and cells to be eliminated from your body.

Blowing your nose gently can help avoid sniffling the mucus back into your head or swallowing post nasal drip. But an even better way to clear the rhinorrhea (runny nose) is to use saline nasal spray to wash the nasal passages (available in the drug stores).

Some suggested remedies (see also the related questions below for more):

You may be able to prevent and/or cure secondary infections and thereby reduce the severity and duration of the cold or flu if you place 2 or 3 drops of Oregano oil in your mouth every few hours.

There are indications that vitamin C taken on a regular basis can help prevent colds. If you do get one, increasing your intake of vitamin C for the first three to four days seems to help speed recovery.

Answer 2

Preventing and trying to prevent Influenza are two different things. One is you are accomplishing it. But if you stick-with number two your trying but you can't succeed. So just ask yourself this... How can I not get Influenza. But if you already do then who can I prevent it.

Answer 3

When you have the stomach flu it is very important that you drink liquids such as Gatorade, Powerade, Water and non-flavored or non-dark color Jell-O. This is important because you need to keep hydrated. Without hydration, the stomach flu can spread and burn the inside of your stomach making you throw up your stomach acids. Greasy foods are out of the picture. Why, this will upset your stomach even more. After 2-3 days if stomach pains diarreah vomit and pain continues see your doctor or rush to the nearest hospital.

Answer 4

Be prepared 2 read A LOT!

There is no "cure". The flu is treated symptomatically, e.g., cough medicine for coughing, analgesics* for aches and pains, fever reducers* for high fever. You can take over-the-counter cold and flu remedies (like Tylenol Cold, DayQuil, or NyQuil). Call to ask your pharmacist for suggestions for over-the-counter symptom relieving products that are available for your symptoms, then send someone else out in public to pick those up for you, so you don't expose others to your flu virus and cause it to spread and so you can rest in bed.

Anti-viral medications can be helpful (like Tamiflu) if given within the first 40 - 48 hours after symptoms begin. They can shorten the severity and duration of the symptoms.

Otherwise, rest in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and keep away from others while your symptoms of fever, sneezing and coughing are active. Wash your hands often and use tissues to cover the sneezing and coughs.

*Note: those under 18 years old should not be given aspirin due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome. Non-aspirin analgesics, like Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) should be used instead.

Do antibiotics help? No, none of them do, they are for bacterial infections only. Influenza (or the flu) is a viral infection caused by different strains of Influenza viruses. As with all viral infections, it cannot be treated with antibiotics or cured with other medications. The only way to destroy the virus is to allow the immune system to fight it. As such, the best way to handle influenza is to get as much rest as possible with proper nutrition to keep the immune system running at its best.

However, an antibiotic may be prescribed by your doctor to treat secondary bacterial infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia, but this is usually not needed in those with healthy immune systems. Other treatments can include anti-viral medications prescribed by your doctor, but again, these are usually not necessary. In rare severe cases, hospitalization may be required for respiratory support and IV medications and IV fluid replacement.

Prevention is the best medicine: To stop getting influenza you can do three things: (1) achieve immunity by vaccination (2) avoid contact with the virus (as in, do not come into contact with people with the flu) and wash your hands frequently (3) boost your immune system with a healthy diet rich in natural vitamins to keep your systems running at peak efficiency to combat infections.

Usually the flu must run its course through your body's immune system before it can be stopped by your body. There is no "cure" or treatment like we have for bacterial infections with antibiotics to cure them. Antibiotics do not work on viruses and there is no equivalent medicines for treating viruses.

These are some "home remedies" from contributors: 1. Aromatic Steam: Add two teaspoons of chopped fresh ginger to a container which is filled with steaming water. First, cover your head with a towel and then lean over the steam. Start inhaling for long as you can and then take a pause for air. Keep doing until you find relief. Or simply fill a bowl with hot water and put your head over it with a towel on your head. Breathing in the hot moist air helps clear and soothe your nose and nasal passages.

2. Drinking hot water with a slice of ginger and a little honey in it will help your throat. (See also the related question below with much more help for getting rid of a sore throat.)

3. Drink lots of Orange Juice. Vitamin C is very good when you're ill with colds and flu.

4. Sleep and eat well and do whatever you can to build up your immune system.

5. Chicken soup is good for colds or flu.

6. Warm Shower: Close the Bathroom door and take a warm shower. The steamy bathroom can help in opening airways, keep them moist, and help to thin sinus mucus.

Symptomatic Treatment: As stated above, in addition to the prevention with a vaccine, and treatment with anti-viral medications (see more below), the flu is treated symptomatically with medications and other symptom-relieving measures.

There are products to treat the specific signs and symptoms of the individual, such as anti-emetics for vomiting and medications to treat diarrhea, analgesics for the aches and pains, fever reducers, and other typical medications for cough and cold and flu symptoms. Ask your pharmacist for recommendations for your specific symptoms.

Flu symptoms typically include:

* Fever.

* Cough.

* Sore throat.

* Muscle and joint pain.

* Shortness of breath.

* Nausea and vomiting (not frequent symptoms).

* Diarrhea (less frequent).

Precautions:Fever Reducer Medicine:

As stated above, do not give aspirin for fever to children or teens, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

"Aspirin or aspirin-containing products should not be administered to any person aged 18 years old and younger with a confirmed or suspected case of influenza virus infection, due to the risk of Reye syndrome."

Avoid dehydration:

When the symptoms include fever with increased perspiration, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, one of the most important treatments would be replenishing lost fluids by drinking plenty of water, and/or if tolerated, occasional sports drinks that replenish lost electrolytes. If drinking fluids is not tolerated, contact a health care provider to see if anti-emetics (medicine for vomiting) are needed. Or you may need medicines for the fever or diarrhea. Sometimes other forms of replacement of fluids may be necessary. Dehydration is a serious complication of viral disease, especially in the elderly or very young, that can cause organ failures and even death.

Other measures:

Proper hydration as mentioned above, a good diet (with supplements such as Vitamin C if needed), and proper rest will help boost the immune system and so are also important. Showers and baths can be comforting. Use facial tissues made with lotion in them to help relieve a sore red nose from the runny nose or apply scent-free baby lotion or even petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to your sore nose.

Follow all advice of your doctor and the CDC and World Health Organization for preventing the spread of flu viruses, such as frequent hand washing and good etiquette in using tissues. Keep aware of the updates and announcements from those organizations and your local government health entities during the flu season. See related questions below for more information.

Antiviral Medications to lessen the severity of symptoms and stop virus reproduction to help speed the recovery:

The flu can also be treated if caught very early with antiviral medications ordered by your doctor, if the virus is sensitive to the ones available (some viruses are resistant to some of the four main anti-viral medicines). For example, with the H1N1/09 "Swine Flu" there are only two of the four types that are effective against that particular virus: oseltamivir (Tamiflu/Fluvir) and zanamivir (Relenza). Tamiflu is for treatment in adults and children aged 1 year and older, and should be taken within 40-48 hours of the first symptom for maximum effect. However, your healthcare professional can determine if it is appropriate to start this treatment and when, so contact them for advice if you have been exposed or have symptoms and an underlying health condition; or if you are pregnant, elderly or you have a sick young child, since those are the groups at highest risk for complications and more severe symptoms.

The 4 types of antiviral drugs that are currently licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza are: Amantadine, Rimantadine, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir. While most influenza viruses have been susceptible to these drugs, the most recent swine-flu viruses isolated from humans, are resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine. So, your doctor will determine if these medicines are needed and will work for the flu you have if your symptoms warrant that type of medicine. None of these drugs can cure or prevent us from getting the virus, but can lesson the severity of the symptoms and shorten their duration.

Prophylactic use of antiviral medicines:

Tamiflu can be used to prevent the flu in some cases. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this prophylactic use in specific situations. It is not a substitute for proper preventive hygiene techniques and other recommended ways to avoid getting and spreading the flu, and is not a substitute for flu vaccinations. If your doctor believes it will be helpful, you will still need to use it in combination with other preventive measures.

The future of flu treatment:

One of the most encouraging developments for all future flu and viral infections, is a "cure" or treatment currently in trials, that, unlike current anti-viral medications, approaches the attack on the virus in a new way that can not only disable the specific strain of virus, but also prevent it from future mutations (which can allow it to be resistant to the treatment after it makes those modifications in the mutation processes).

Current antiviral medications affect the chemical keys on the viruses' coats (called capsids) to prevent them from attaching to the host cells. The current problem is that the virus can continue to mutate and adjust itself to chemically change its protein coating and render the anti-viral medication ineffective. The new approach attacks the virus at the stem, instead of at the protein coating. The stem is unable to mutate to a resistant version. The new drug being developed and tested is expected to work on the most deadly of current viral strains.

The manufacturer of the new antiviral treatment has announced that they hope to have the human trials completed and the medication in production in the next few years, if all goes well in the current animal trials.

Common Cold Vaccine Development--Not yet:

Unfortunately, at least the first product being developed that is described above is not expected to be effective against the rhinovirus (the virus that often is the cause of the common cold). While it is anticipated by the manufacturer to be effective against our most deadly types of viruses, it is not being targeted to treat the rhinoviruses.

We may continue to suffer future sniffles and colds for a while longer, but this can also be an advantage in keeping our immune systems "tuned" through battle with the more minor viral strains anyway. We are making steps closer than ever to the cure for the common cold, though.

See additional information in the related questions below for techniques you can utilize to reduce the prospect of contracting the virus.

Antiviral Medications are used to lessen the severity of symptoms, stop virus reproduction, and to speed recovery of influenza.

The flu can be treated with anti-viral medications if caught soon after symptoms develop.

There are currently 4 types of antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: Amantadine(Symadine/Symmetrel), Rimantadine (Flumadine), Oseltamivir (Tamiflu/Fluvir) and Zanamivir (Relenza). Which of these will be most effective is determined by the type of flu involved. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information says that the H1N1/09 swine flu is responsive to only two of the anti-viral medications: oseltamivir (Tamiflu/Fluvir) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Tamiflu is for treatment in adults and children aged 1 year and older, and should be taken within 48 hours of the first symptom for maximum effect, however, your healthcare professional can determine if it is appropriate to start this treatment even after that date, so contact them for advice if you have been exposed or have symptoms.

To prevent the flu by developing your own immunity, vaccinations are recommended at the beginning of each new flu season, and in the US they are trivalent (useful for prevention of 3 types of flu).

Tamiflu can also be used to prevent the flu virus, in some cases. It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this prophylactic (preventive) use. It can also be used for prescription to other members of a household, when one person is known to have the influenza, to prevent the rest from getting it.

It is not a substitute for proper preventive hygiene techniques and other recommended ways to avoid getting the flu and should be used in combination with these measures when prescribed.

Answer 5

Generally you give supportive therapy such as rest, fluids and Tylenol and Motrin as needed for fever and pain.

If the patient is sicker or higher risk mediation such as Tamiflu or Relenza maybe indicated as well as more sophisticated support like oxygen, respiratory medications, IV fluids and hospitalization.

Answer 6

Be sure to protect yourself from the virus or infection by wearing a protective mask and gloves, for the first few days especially, in its more infectious stage. Encourage him to REST, drink lots of plain, clean water and vitamins and juices high in vitamin C. If vomiting and diarrhea are present, taking fluids is of utmost importance to prevent dehydration. Clear soft drinks can also be taken if they are low in sodium (salt dehydrates), which may be hard to find. Control fevers with over-the-counter meds. and see a doctor if symptoms concern you, worsen, or don't improve. Be sure to get plenty of rest and take some vitamin C yourself.

Answer 7

A Spoonful of sugar helps the swine flu go down. swine flu go dooown. swine flu go down. a spoonful of sugar helps the swine flu go down. in the most delightful waay. ;)

Answer 8

The shot and wash hands and stay away from other people who you no that has it.

Answer 9

The way we do now-try to predict what it will mutate into and encourage shots but it's hit and miss