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Treatment of the flu starts with prevention. Preventive measures include covering your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you sneeze or cough and washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. You can also use antibacterial cleaners to clean hands and surfaces. It is also important to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, which can transmit the virus from your hands into your body.
Getting a yearly flu shot is also critical to avoiding the flu and its complications. Although influenza type C virus is a stable virus, Influenza type A virus and influenza type B virus are viruses that can change and produce new strains of viruses that can overcome the immunity a person might have developed to a particular strain of the flu in a previous flu season. This is why it is necessary to get a new flu shot every year to protect against the newly emerging strain of flu.
Getting a flu shot is especially important for people who are at risk for contracting the flu or serious complications, such as children, those over 50 years of age, and those with compromised immune systems or chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
There is currently no cure for the flu. Once the disease is contracted, treatment includes measures to help relieve symptoms so that one is comfortable enough to get the rest needed to keep up strength and recover without developing complications. Treatment includes rest and over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed to ease body aches and fever. Good care also includes drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Chicken soup is a time-tested home remedy can help to break up congestion and provides easy-to-digest nutrients to help keep up strength.
Antibiotics are not prescribed for the flu because they are ineffective against the viruses that cause the flu. However, antibiotics may be prescribed if a person develops a secondary bacterial infection as a complication of the flu, such as bacterial pneumonia, acute bronchitis, or encephalitis.
There are also antiviral medications available that can limit the length of the flu. These include oseltamivir and zanamivir, which can have side effects and are not appropriate or necessary for all people with the flu. Antiviral drugs may be prescribed only to people who are at a high risk of developing life-threatening complications of the flu, such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis.
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Flu includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Flu may include:
The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Flu may include:
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Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Flu include:
The following are some of the latest treatments for Flu:
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In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new drugs to fight the flu: zanamivir (Relenza®) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), the first of a new class of antiviral drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. (Source: excerpt from New Flu Drugs Neuraminidase Inhibitors, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Zanamivir is approved
only for treating uncomplicated influenza virus
infection in people 7 years of age and older who have not had
symptoms for more than two days.
Oseltamivir is approved for
treating uncomplicated influenza virus infection in
people 18 years of age or older who have not had symptoms for more
than two days. A liquid suspension of oseltamivir is approved for
treating acute illness in children who are 1 year
of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than two
days. Oseltamivir also is approved for preventing
influenza A and B in people 13 years and older.
Currently,
oseltamivir is the only neuraminidase inhibitor approved to
prevent the flu. (Source: excerpt from New Flu Drugs Neuraminidase Inhibitors, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Many people treat their flu infections by simply
The flu shot is the primary method of preventing and controlling the flu. However, four drugs have been approved to treat people who get the flu: amantadine (Symmetrel), rimantadine (Flumadine), zanamivir (Relenza), and oseltamivir (Tamiflu). When taken within 48 hours after the onset of illness, these drugs reduce the duration of fever and other symptoms. These drugs are available only by prescription. (Source: excerpt from Shots for Safety - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
If you get the flu, rest in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and take medication such as aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve fever and discomfort. (Source: excerpt from What to Do About the Flu - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Antibiotics are not effective against flu viruses. However, four drugs have been approved to treat people who get the flu:
When taken within 48 hours after the onset of illness, these drugs reduce the duration of fever and other symptoms. These drugs are only available by prescription (Source: excerpt from What to Do About the Flu - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Flu.
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
If you detect a fever higher than 106° F, take the patient’s other vital signs and determine his level of consciousness (LOC). Administer an antipyretic and begin rapid cooling measures: Apply ice packs to the axillae and groin, give tepid sponge baths, or apply a cooling blanket. These methods may evoke a cooling response; to prevent this, constantly monitor the patient’s rectal temperature.
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Treatment of uncomplicated influenza includes bed rest, adequate fluid intake, aspirin or acetaminophen (in children) to relieve fever and muscle pain, and dextromethorphan or another antitussive to relieve nonproductive coughing. Prophylactic antibiotics aren't recommended because they have no effect on the influenza virus.
Amantadine and rimantadine (antiviral agents) have proven to be effective in reducing the duration of signs and symptoms of influenza A infection.Oseltamivir and zanamivir are effective against influenza A and B infection. In influenza complicated by pneumonia, supportive care (fluid and electrolyte supplements, oxygen, and assisted ventilation) and treatment of bacterial superinfection with appropriate antibiotics are necessary. No specific therapy exists for cardiac, central nervous system, or other complications.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
H. influenzae infections usually respond to a course of ampicillin, cefotaxime, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, or ceftriaxone as an initial treatment, although resistant strains are becoming more common. As an alternative, a combination of chloramphenicol and ampicillin is prescribed. If the strain proves susceptible to ampicillin, chloramphenicol is discontinued.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
After correct removal of the tick, supportive treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, combating secondary infection, and maintaining fluid balance. Colorado tick fever needs to be differentiated from Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Treatment of Lassa fever includes I.V. ribavirin, I.V. colloids for shock, analgesics for pain, and antipyretics for fever. Infusion of immune plasma from patients who have recovered from Lassa fever may be useful, but test results on the benefit of this type of therapy are inconclusive.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Doxycycline or erythromycin is the treatment of choice and should continue for 4 to 5 days. In cases of drug allergy or resistance, penicillin G may be administered as an alternative. However, neither drug should be given at the height of a severe febrile attack because it may cause Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, resulting in malaise, rigors, leukopenia, flushing, fever, tachycardia, rising respiration rate, and hypotension. This reaction, which is caused by toxic by-products from massive spirochete destruction, can mimic septic shock and may prove fatal. Antimicrobial therapy should be postponed until the fever subsides. Until then, supportive therapy (consisting of parenteral fluids and electrolytes) should be given.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Effective management eradicates the streptococcal infection, relieves symptoms, and prevents recurrence, reducing the chance of permanent cardiac damage. During the acute phase, treatment includes penicillin, sulfadiazine, or erythromycin. Salicylates such as aspirin relieve fever and minimize joint swelling and pain; if carditis is present or salicylates fail to relieve pain and inflammation, corticosteroids may be used. Supportive treatment requires strict bed rest for about 5 weeks during the acute phase with active carditis, followed by a progressive increase in physical activity, depending on clinical and laboratory findings and the response to treatment.
After the acute phase subsides, low-dose antibiotics may be used to prevent recurrence. Such preventive treatment usually continues for 5 years or until age 21 (whichever is longer). Heart failure necessitates continued bed rest and diuretics. Severe mitral or aortic valve dysfunction that causes persistent heart failure requires corrective valvular surgery, including commissurotomy (separation of the adherent, thickened leaflets of the mitral valve), valvuloplasty (inflation of a balloon within a valve), or valve replacement (with prosthetic valve). Such surgery is seldom necessary before late adolescence.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Treatment requires careful removal of the tick and administration of antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol or tetracycline (preferably doxycycline), until 3 days after the fever subsides. Treatment also includes symptomatic measures and, in DIC, heparin and platelet transfusion.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
If you detect a fever higher than 106° F (41.1° C), take the patient’s other vital signs and determine his level of consciousness (LOC). Administer an antipyretic and begin rapid cooling measures: Apply ice packs to the axillae and groin, give tepid sponge baths, or apply a cooling blanket. These methods may evoke a cooling response; to prevent this, constantly monitor the patient’s rectal temperature.
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Uncomplicated influenza is treated with bed rest, adequate fluid intake, aspirin or acetaminophen (in children) to relieve fever and muscle pain, and guaifenesin or another expectorant to relieve nonproductive coughing. Prophylactic antibiotics aren’t recommended because they have no effect on the influenza virus.
Amantadine and rimantadine (antiviral drugs) have proven effective in reducing the duration of signs and symptoms in influenza A infection. The neuramidase inhibitors zamivir and oseltamivir are available for influenza A and B. If influenza is complicated by pneumonia, supportive care (fluid and electrolyte supplements, oxygen, and assisted ventilation) and treatment of bacterial superinfection with appropriate antibiotics are necessary. No specific therapy exists for cardiac, central nervous system, or other complications.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
H. influenzae infections usually respond to a 2-week course of ampicillin, but 30% of strains are resistant. Ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, or chloramphenicol is used concurrently until sensitivities are identified.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Effective management eradicates the streptococcal infection, relieves symptoms, and prevents recurrence, reducing the chance of permanent cardiac damage.
During the acute phase, treatment includes low doses of antibiotics, such as penicillin, sulfadiazine, or erythro-mycin. Salicylates, such as aspirin, can help relieve fever and minimize joint swelling and pain; if carditis is present or the salicylate fails to relieve pain and inflammation, corticosteroids may be used.
Supportive treatment requires strict bed rest for about 5 weeks during the acute phase with active carditis, followed by a progressive increase in physical activity, depending on clinical and laboratory findings and the patient’s response to treatment.
After the acute phase subsides, the patient is maintained on low-dose antibiotic therapy, especially during the first 3 to 5 years after the initial episode of rheumatic fever, to prevent recurrence. Such preventive treatment usually continues for 5 to 10 years.
Heart failure necessitates continued bed rest and diuretic therapy. Severe mitral or aortic valvular dysfunction causing persistent heart failure requires corrective valvular surgery, including commissurotomy (separation of the adherent, thickened leaflets of the mitral valve), valvuloplasty (inflation of a balloon within a valve), or valve replacement (with a prosthetic valve). Corrective valvular surgery is rarely necessary before late adolescence.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Regularly monitor the patient’s temperature, and record it on a chart for easy follow-up of the temperature curve. Provide increased fluid and nutritional intake. When administering a prescribed antipyretic, minimize resultant chills and diaphoresis by following a regular dosage schedule. Promote patient comfort by maintaining a stable room temperature and providing frequent changes of bedding and clothing. Prepare the patient for laboratory tests, such as complete blood count and cultures of blood, urine, sputum, and wound drainage.
If the patient hasn’t been admitted to the facility, ask him to measure his oral temperature at home and record the time and value. Explain that fever is a response to an underlying condition that plays an important role in fighting infection. For this reason, advise him not to take an antipyretic until his body temperature reaches 101° F (38.3° C). Discuss signs and symptoms related to dehydration and when to notify the physician.
Source: Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series, 2007
If you detect a fever higher than 106° F (41.1° C), take the patient’s other vital signs and determine his level of consciousness (LOC). Administer an antipyretic and begin rapid cooling measures: Apply ice packs to the axillae and groin, give tepid sponge baths, or apply a hypothermia blanket. These methods may evoke a cooling response; to prevent this, constantly monitor the patient’s rectal temperature.
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
▪ Regularly monitor and record the patient's temperature.
▪ Provide increased fluid and nutritional intake.
▪ When administering a prescribed antipyretic, minimize chills and diaphoresis by following a regular dosage schedule.
▪ Promote patient comfort by maintaining a stable room temperature and providing frequent changes of bedding and clothing.
▪ For high fevers, initiate treatment with a hypothermia blanket.
▪ Prepare the patient for laboratory tests, such as complete blood count and cultures of blood, urine, sputum, and wound drainage.
▪ Instruct the patient about the proper way to take an oral temperature at home.
▪ Emphasize the importance of increased fluid intake.
▪ Discuss the proper use of antipyretics and antibiotics.
▪ Teach signs and symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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