Swine flu: symptoms, treatment and prevention

Swine flu (Californian) is an acute infectious disease caused by virus A (H1N1), characterized by high virulence (infectiousness), a feature of which is a high percentage of mortality among people at risk (pregnant women and people with chronic physical illnesses), violent course, marked respiratory disorders.

Symptoms of swine flu in humans

Clinic A (H1N1) is identical to the symptoms of "seasonal flu", the difference is the same - in 20-25% of patients the disease occurs against a background of dyspepsia (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea). Infection with swine flu is characterized by a rapid "start", already on day 2-3 it passes into viral pneumonia, changes blood composition, increases its coagulability, leads to thrombosis, septic shock, myocarditis. Symptoms of the disease in an adult:

• respiratory insufficiency;
• fever to 38-39 degrees;
• chills, pain in the joints / muscles;
• headache, dry cough;
• diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;
• disorders of the cardiovascular system: lowering blood pressure, tachycardia, deafness of heart sounds,

The severe form of swine flu disease is indicated by pyretic temperature (above 39 degrees), unproductive cough, myalgia, hyperthermia, sore throat, severe shortness of breath, hemorrhagic syndrome (nasal / pulmonary hemorrhages, hemoptysis). Extremely severe swine flu is characterized by the development of a dangerous pulmonary complication - acute respiratory distress syndrome. Symptoms of a child's illness:

• an obsessive dry cough;
• general weakness, high fever (38.5-40 degrees);
• pain in the joints, shortness of breath;
• headache, diarrhea;
• abdominal pain (abdominal pain);
• sore throat, nausea, vomiting.

Unlike adults, children are diagnosed with moderate-to-severe forms without complications. Over the catarrhal syndrome (runny nose, sore throat, cough), intoxication syndrome predominates (weakness, headache, fever). Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea) are more often noted in children up to 6 years of age, on the chest X-ray of infiltrative changes is not detected. In general, infection of A (H1N1) in children is characterized by a smooth course against a background of moderate abnormalities in laboratory parameters of peripheral blood.

Swine flu: treatment

Epidemic A (H1N1) in Russia began in January - earlier than usual. The main difference between the 2016 pandemic is the deadly defeat of healthy young people 25-40 years old, a serious clinic that very quickly flows into a viral-bacterial bilateral pneumonia that has a purulent-hemorrhagic nature. According to the epidemiological surveillance of the Russian Federation, the virus spreads rapidly across the country's regions, dozens of patients died from a dangerous disease, hundreds of people are infected. Doctors call on the Russians not to panic, and at the appearance of specific symptoms immediately seek medical help. In the case of adequate and timely therapy, the prognosis is usually favorable.

Cure for swine flu

Than to treat a pork flu? The only group of drugs designed to treat A (H1N1) are neuraminidase inhibitors: zanamivir and oseltamivir. Their action is based on the blocking of the cleavage by influenza viruses B and A of the sialic acid residues that make up the glycoprotein receptors located on the membrane of the infected cell, which leads to the cessation of the multiplication of viruses. Resistance A (H1N1) to Oseltamivir is 0.5-0.7%, Zanamivir resistance is not recorded. Reception of Zanamivir (Relenza) and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is recommended:

• Persons under 19 years of age who are receiving acetylsacyl acid therapy;
• people with HIV and serious medical conditions;
• pregnant women,
• children under 5 years old, adults over 65;
• patients with a confirmed history of A (H1N1) virus;
• in the presence of two symptoms of the listed: difficulty nasal breathing, dry cough, respiratory failure, fever, sore throat.

Complicated forms of A (H1N1) are treated with a combination of 2-3 antiviral drugs: Arbidol + Viferon + Tamiflu, Tamiflu + Cycloferon, Panavir + Cycloferon + Tamiflu. Medium-heavy - a combination of Viferon + Tamiflu, Arbidol + Tamiflu, Viferon + Arbidol. Symptoms: vasoconstrictive drops for the nose, febrifuge (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol), drugs for cough relief (Ambroxol, Tussin), antihistamines (Zodak, Claritin).

Prevention of swine flu: drugs

Swine flu is a dangerous disease that is easier to prevent. To date, for specific prevention, a vaccine against the virus A (H1N1) has been created, preparations Arbidol, Tamiflu, Viferon are indicated for non-specific prophylaxis.