How not to get the flu: flu prevention

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

Influenza is caused by the corresponding virus, which can exist in various types. Moreover, they are constantly changing every year. Influenza is not a commonplace respiratory infection. The disease is very serious, often giving formidable complications. This is his insidiousness.

A bit of history

A description of this disease has been found since the time of Hippocrates. This gives reason to believe that this disease appeared quite a long time ago. At that time, healers did not know how to cure and protect themselves from flu.

From the chronicles you can find out that there were 18 large-scale epidemics that went beyond the borders of a single state, covering a number of continents and taking on the nature of pandemics. At that time, the causes of the disease were unknown. No one knew where she came from and what to do about her deliverance. Even hypotheses of occurrence associated with the stars were put forward. Today, this, of course, is perceived as sheer nonsense.

The most common pandemic was the incidence that occurred in 1918 at the end of World War I. During its existence, about 50 million people died. The scale of mortality from the "Spanish Woman" (so dubbed it) was simply terrifying in nature.

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

Now they know how to fight the infection. A vaccine has been obtained to prevent the disease. But the problem is that viruses are susceptible to mutations 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 are prone to epidemics when a large number of people are ill at the same time. For this disease, the following points are characteristic:

1. The entry gate for 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. After all, in order for the disease to develop, 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 it can perspire in the throat, nasal breathing is difficult due to swelling of the mucosa and the addition of a runny nose.
2. Further development of the scenario depends on the state of immunity. If the protective forces 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 invaded the epithelium and began its violent activity. The breakdown products of viruses cause 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 dizziness are added.

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

• The number of cases of hospitalization of patients in hospitals is increasing.
• The percentage of fatal cases is increasing.
• Skipped workdays in connection with the exit of the employee to the newsletter.
• The working capacity and labor productivity are reduced.
• The well-being of the sick person is significantly worsening.
• The number of visits to the clinic at the place of residence is increasing.

What to do in order not to get sick?

Nobody wants to be ill. And for this it is necessary to observe a number of certain rules:

Immunization
The guarantor that prevents the onset of the disease is immunization. Now there are a large number of vaccines, both domestic and foreign production. They are intended for immunization against one or more types of virus at the same time. Having vaccinated, you can be calm because the insidious disease can not approach a person, or he will get the flu in a very mild form without any complications. At the same time, a person without any fear travels in public transport, visits other places of mass crowds.

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

1. Vaccination is carried out in an institution that is clearly in doubt.
2. There is no certificate for the drug, and the conditions for its delivery and storage leave much to be desired.
3. A preliminary medical examination is not carried out, since there are certain contraindications for vaccination.

It is necessary to vaccinate in advance, before the start of the rise in the incidence of the disease or the development of the epidemic. This is necessary in order for the body to develop antibodies in response to the introduction of antigen.

Hardening
Constant tempering 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, applies not only to the flu, but also to other infectious diseases. Hardening procedures require regularity and gradualness of their conduct. The body is gradually accustomed to various temperatures.

You can alternately pour over your feet with either warm or cold water. Begin with the foot. Taking a contrast shower is helpful. After water procedures, it is mandatory to rub dry with a towel. After 2 months, you can gradually proceed to dousing with cold water.

Nutrition
The need for good nutrition. You should bring your diet in full order, making appropriate adjustments to it. After all, it is known that the intestine is the place of formation of immunity. Therefore, great importance is attached to such actions. 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 meats, excessively fatty, spicy foods should be completely excluded from the diet. All this will not lead to anything good, but only weaken the immune system.

Useful cereals, dairy products, fish, steamed meat, vegetables, fruits. Strengthen the immune system with the help of fish and chicken broths. The use of dried fruits and citrus fruits is very useful.

Important! All medications should be taken only as directed by a doctor. Do not self-medicate. This can only do much harm. It is no secret that many drugs adversely affect the kidneys, liver, and other organs.

In conclusion: No matter how trite it sounds, it requires a complete rejection of bad habits. A person destroys blood vessels and heart by tobacco and alcohol. The work of all organs is violated, without exception. In the end, tobacco smoke leads to formidable cancer.

Prevention Activities

It is not enough just to strengthen the body. Measures should also be aimed at eliminating the possibility of infection with 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 is sick in the family, then contact with him should be of the most minimal nature. Contact with him in all precautions should only be in cases of emergency.
2. Before approaching the epidemic, vitamins will be useful.
3. Do not be shy about constantly wearing a cotton-gauze dressing. There should be absolutely no complexes on this subject. Many do not wear it due to the fact that, in their opinion, at that moment they look simply ridiculous. But you should remember that health is the most expensive. The mask prevents the entry of viruses into the nasopharynx.
4. The virus multiplies well in the presence of warm, dry air. Therefore, the room must be ventilated as often as possible. It does not harm, 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. Those around must wear a cotton-gauze bandage. When carrying out wet cleaning, disinfectants should be added. The patient is given separate dishes and hygiene items, including a separate towel. Cleaning is carried out not only in the room where the patient is, but throughout the apartment.
6. You should not be allowed to work or study sick people with influenza. They should be convinced of the need to take sick leave. Not only does the patient run the risk of complications by transferring the disease “on his feet”, he will also infect others.
7. If you have a disease, do not go to the clinic to infect others. Better call a doctor at home.

Taking medications

When the first symptoms of the disease make themselves known, it is necessary to immediately seek medical help. Do not self-medicate. Only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe therapeutic corrective measures.

Wrong is the one who, having become ill with the flu, hastily begins to take antibiotics. 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, taking antibiotics for the medical correction of any disease of bacterial etiology will be simply useless.

An effective tool is ascorbic acid. Its use can really strengthen the immune system, which will be a reliable help in the fight against infection.

The use of interferon, immunal, aflubin is shown. All of them will help fight infection. A proven tool is oxalin ointment. Its composition contains a powerful antiviral component. She is lubricated by the wings of the nose and sinuses. In addition, a greasy base will help to delay viruses entering the mucosa.

Herbal teas will help strengthen immunity. To do this, use linden flowers, dried raspberries, currants, lemon, oregano.

Video: 5 Ways to Avoid Flu