Česky
5.12.2008
We often see flu medicines in advertisements, on leaflets in our doctor's office and ask for them in pharmacies. However, not everyone realises that so-called flu medicines are in the vast majority only medicines for flu symptoms or for the symptoms of the common cold.
Are we being misled by advertising?
It is not that the manufacturers of medicines are deceiving us, they are just playing with words, as is common in advertising. The symptoms of the flu and the 'common' cold are largely the same, but with the flu we are a lot sicker, more tired and have higher temperatures. It also takes longer to recover, and because the flu has a negative effect on immunity, it can be followed by another flu, this time a bacterial infection. This is also why many doctors prescribe antibiotics for the flu, even though these, of course, can have no effect on the flu virus.
Which flu medicine to choose?
Most of the medicines we know from advertising and from pharmacies are aimed at these symptoms of flu and colds, which are the same in both diseases. These medicines are so-called symptomatic and do not address the cause of the illness itself. On the other hand, there are also drugs developed and targeted specifically against the influenza virus, so-called neuraminidase inhibitors. As their name suggests, these drugs work by preventing one of the important components of the virus from working properly, thus preventing further multiplication of the virus in the body. These are so far the only known drugs developed specifically for influenza, i.e. true 'flu cures'. Of course, apart from vaccination, but that is another matter.
How to treat yourself well...
Although "flu cures" are usually not for the flu at all, it would be foolish to deny their benefits. What do we have? First and foremost, we encounter a plethora of immune-boosting products in pharmacies to help us get over the flu as soon as possible. Here we can say that immunity needs to be strengthened all year round (and preferably through a healthy lifestyle in general), and ordinary vitamin C is very good for supporting the body during illness.
The antiseptic and antibacterial effects of...
We also have products with antiseptic and antibacterial effects, often in the form of suckable tablets and candies. In this case, it is useful if they are combined with some topical analgesic. Medicines for general pain control and fever reduction are now commonplace in every home medicine cabinet, but this does not mean that they are completely harmless. Finally, when visiting the pharmacy, do not forget about nasal drops, a suitable herbal tea and a preparation for expectoration and mucus release.
For real medicine, see a doctor...
Above all, we must remember that only a doctor can prescribe real flu medicine. Medicine is a double-edged weapon - the more effective it is, the more dangerous it can be. And the reverse is also true - attractive products in colourful boxes, which are freely available in pharmacies, will not save humanity from an epidemic.
Source:
U Lékaře.cz
