How not to get the flu: flu prevention

Approaching cold weather is associated with an increase in the incidence of respiratory infections, including influenza. The epidemic has not yet begun, and many are already concerned about how to protect themselves from infection and not get sick. If desired, if you follow certain rules and carry out preventive measures, you can avoid the disease.

Influenza disease is caused by an appropriate virus that can exist in various types. And they are constantly changing every year. Influenza is not a common respiratory infection. The disease is very serious, often giving terrible complications. This is his cunning.

A bit of history

The description of this disease is found since the time of Hippocrates. This suggests that the disease appeared quite a long time ago.At that time, the healers did not know how to treat the flu and protect themselves from it.

From the chronicles it can be found out that there were 18 large-scale epidemics that went beyond the borders of a particular state, covering a number of continents and taking on the character of pandemics. At that time, the causes of the disease were unknown. No one knew where she came from and what to do from her deliverance. Even hypotheses of occurrence connected with stars were put forward. Today it is naturally perceived as a sheer nonsense.

The most common pandemic was the incidence that occurred in 1918 at the end of the First World War. During its existence, about 50 million people died. The scale of mortality from the "Spanish woman" (as it was christened) was simply horrendous in nature.

Only in the thirties of the last century, the viral nature of this disease was confirmed. This was done by scientists from London. Earlier, the American scientist Shope Richard suggested that the disease is not bacterial, but viral.

Now they know how to deal with the infection. Vaccine received to prevent the disease.But the problem is that viruses are mutated and become resistant to the vaccines used. Several types of influenza viruses have been discovered and studied.

Causes and Symptoms of Flu

Influenza diseases are quite common and prone to the emergence of epidemics, when at the same time a large number of people are sick. The following points are characteristic of this disease:

1. The entrance to the virus is the upper respiratory tract. Getting on the mucous membrane of the larynx and nose, the pathogen settles on it and the process of its accumulation begins. Indeed, in order to develop a disease, a certain amount of viral agents is required. They multiply to such limits that the body is no longer able to cope with them and an infectious process occurs. At the same time, at first, the throat may be sore, nasal breathing is hampered due to swelling of the mucous membrane and the addition of a rhinitis.
2. Further development of the scenario depends on the state of immunity. If the defenses are weakened, then in the coming days or even hours the temperature rises sharply.The fever is very pronounced, and the temperature can reach 40 degrees. During this period, the virus has already infiltrated the epithelium and began its hectic activity. The decay products of viruses cause the occurrence of intoxication.
3. If there is a further development of the disease, then the following symptoms join:

• the occurrence of severe headaches;
• the patient may feel sick;
• phenomena associated with vertigo.

Influenza has not only a negative impact on the patient, but has certain negative consequences. They boil down to the following points:

• The number of cases of hospitalization of patients in hospitals is increasing.
• The percentage of cases of fatal diseases is increasing.
• Missing working days in connection with the release of the employee on the newsletter.
• Reduced performance and productivity.
• The well-being of the sick person is significantly worsened.
• The number of visits to the polyclinic at the place of residence is increasing.

What to do in order not to get sick?

Nobody wants to get sick. And for this you need to follow a number of specific rules:

Immunization
The guarantor that prevents the occurrence of the disease is immunization. Now there are a large number of vaccines, both domestic and foreign production. They are intended to immunize against one or more types of virus at the same time. Having been vaccinated, you can be sure that the insidious disease will not be able to approach a person, or he will recover from the flu in a very mild form without any complications. At the same time, a person travels without any fear in public transport, visits other places of mass gathering of people.

Sometimes vaccination can be associated with various complications. The risk of their occurrence increases several times if:

1. Vaccination is carried out in an institution that is clearly in doubt.
2. There is no certificate for the preparation, and the delivery and storage conditions leave it to be desired.
3. There is no preliminary medical examination, as there are certain contraindications for vaccination.

It is necessary to be vaccinated in advance, before the start of an increase in the incidence or development of an epidemic. This is necessary in order for the body to produce antibodies in response to the introduction of antigen.

Hardening
Constant hardening procedures are required. This leads to the strengthening of immunity. A strong immune system itself is able to cope with the virus and prevent the development of the disease. This, incidentally, concerns not only the flu, but also other infectious diseases. Tempering procedures require regularity and gradualness of their conduct. The body is gradually accustomed to different temperatures.

You can alternately pour your feet with warm or cold water. Start with the foot. Taking a contrast shower would be helpful. After water procedures, it is imperative to wipe dry with a towel. After 2 months, you can gradually proceed to dousing with cold water.

Nutrition
The need for a balanced diet. It should bring your diet in full order, making the appropriate adjustments. After all, it is known that the place of formation of immunity is the intestine. Therefore, such actions are of great importance. If the organs of the digestive tract work poorly, then this negatively affects the state of the whole organism. It is necessary to rid your body of toxins.Smoked, over-fatty, spicy foods should be completely excluded from the diet. All this will not lead to anything good, but will only weaken the immune system.

Useful porridge, dairy products, fish, steamed meat, vegetables, fruits. To strengthen the immune system, you can use fish and chicken broths. The use of dried fruit and citrus is very useful.

Important! All drugs should be taken only on prescription. You can not self-medicate. This can only hurt. After all, it is no secret that many drugs adversely affect the kidneys, liver, and other organs.

Finally: No matter how trite it sounds, but a complete rejection of bad habits is required. With tobacco and alcohol, a person destroys blood vessels and a heart. Violated the work of all organs without exception. In the end, tobacco smoke leads to formidable cancers.

Prevention activities

It is not enough to strengthen the body. Activities should be directed to ensure that the possibility of infection by the virus. The virus is very insidious, and sometimes triumphs even over strong immunity.You can protect yourself from the disease using the following methods:

1. If someone in the family is sick, then contact with them should be of the most minimal nature. Contact with him in compliance with all precautions should only be in cases of extreme necessity.
2. Before approaching the epidemic will be useful intake of vitamins.
3. Do not hesitate to constantly wear a cotton-gauze bandage. On this occasion there should absolutely not be any complexes. Many do not wear it because, in their opinion, they at this moment look ridiculous. But it should be remembered that health is the most expensive. The mask prevents the penetration of viruses into the nasopharyngeal cavity.
4. The virus multiplies well in the presence of warm, dry air. Therefore, the room should be ventilated as often as possible. It does not hurt, but regular wet cleaning will only benefit. All these simple measures will significantly reduce the risk of infection.
5. The patient in the apartment should not be in the common room. He should be allocated a separate room. Surrounding must necessarily wear a cotton-gauze bandage. When carrying out wet cleaning should be added disinfectants. The patient is allocated separate dishes and hygiene items, including a separate towel.Cleaning is carried out not only in the room where the patient is located, but also in the whole apartment.
6. Do not allow people who have the flu to work or study. You should convince them of the need to take a sick-list. Not only does the patient risk getting complications by suffering the disease "on his feet", he will also infect others.
7. In case of illness, do not go to the clinic to infect others. It is better to call the doctor at home.

Medication Drugs

When the first symptoms of the disease are revealed, you should immediately seek medical help. Do not self-medicate. Only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe medical remedial measures.

The one who, having got the flu, hastily begins to take antibiotics is not right. The effect of this cannot be obtained, since antibiotics do not act on the virus. You can only achieve the formation of resistance of microorganisms as a result of their mutation. This will only lead to the fact that in the future the use of antibiotics for the therapeutic correction of any disease of bacterial etiology will be simply useless.

An effective remedy is ascorbic acid. Her reception can really strengthen the immune system, which will be a reliable help in the fight against infection.

The use of interferon, immunal, aflubina is shown. All of them will help fight infection. A proven remedy is oxalic ointment. Its composition contains a powerful antiviral component. She smeared the wings of the nose and nasal sinuses. In addition, the fatty base will contribute to the delay of viruses trapped on the mucous membrane.

Herbal teas will help strengthen the immune system. To do this, use linden flowers, dried fruits of raspberry, currants, lemon, oregano.

Video: 5 ways not to get the flu