We are officially in the middle of flu season, announce the specialists who come in this regard with alarming figures: in the last week of December, more than 4,000 cases of illness were registered, and since the beginning of the cold season until now, we have already had four deaths. Vaccination, doctors say, is the only solution to prevent the disease. But how do we proceed if we have not been immunized, and now we present the first symptoms? Are we staying at home? Are we doctoring ourselves by ear? Or do we go to the doctor? Dr. Sandra Alexiu, president of the Bucharest-Ilfov Association of Family Physicians, explained to “Adevărul” what to do in such cases, how antiviral medication works and how much we should believe in the effectiveness of food supplements.
More than 4,000 cases of influenza have been recorded since the beginning of the season. Archive
“The number of illnesses will continue to increase, because the population is not sufficiently immunized”, the doctor explained what was to happen in the coming months. “It will most likely be declared an epidemic and we will have two peaks: one this month, one in February.” continues the specialist. And the flu, unlike a common cold, cannot be carried away, as many believe or hope.
“It’s really not a joke. We are not talking about some cold. The flu puts you to bed, affecting the whole body. It usually presents with high fever and severe muscle pain. Even in adults, the fever can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, the muscle pains can become unbearable, and the patient rightly feels like he was hit by a train”, the specialist explains the most common symptoms.
However, many patients prefer to stay at home and be treated by relatives instead of going to the hospital. Which, says doctor Sandra Alexiu, is not really a good idea. “Influenza it is a virus that normally goes away in 7-10 days. This is thanks to our immune system, which fights the virus. And this battle is usually won by people who have a good immune system. But we cannot generalize. Because, on the other hand, there are people with a strong immune system who, however, develop serious forms of the disease, they even end up being intubated. The flu is caused by a virus that takes you by surprise, it is an unpredictable disease. You never know how the body will react from one day to the next.”
This is why once you experience symptoms, you should see your doctor. “It would be better not to get here. If you understand that it is a serious disease, which can kill you in a few days, you realize that it is better to prevent it, and the only preventive solution is neither lemon, nor cabbage, nor tea or mulled wine, but vaccination that is done starting with age 6 months”, draws the doctor’s attention. However, those who choose not to vaccinate and get sick should know what they have to do to get over the illness episode. “First, you need to recognize the symptoms and relate them to a specific epidemiological context. Let’s say you went to a party, and then the guests complained that they didn’t feel well. It is clear that a contagious virus was circulating there. And if we are in flu season, it is most likely this flu virus. And then you will have to go to the doctor”.
The reason? The symptoms can be kept under control and even improved by the medication he prescribes. “That doesn’t mean you get better. Not. It means you no longer have those annoying, nagging symptoms. Once you take the antiviral, within the first 24-48 hours after the symptoms start, they will go away. You will no longer have fever, muscle aches and headaches.” also specifies dr. Alexius.
The antiviral drug interrupts the development of the virus in the body, continues the specialist. “We feel very bad when the virus multiplies. Once this phenomenon is stopped, the associated symptoms also disappear within a few hours. But the risk of developing complications does not disappear and we are still contagious”. The antiviral, on the other hand, comes with possible side effects and also has contraindications. “It is, for example, toxic to the liver. Which is why, most of the time, it is prescribed only to people with a very high risk. It is not advisable to take everyone”.
Baby remedies that actually work
Dr. Sandra Alexiu specified that feba, for example, can be combated using medicinal spirit or vinegar. “How our parents did when we, as children, had a fever, it’s not really wrong” consider the specialist. “Socks soaked in vinegar or alcohol help bring down a fever. And that’s because the alcohol evaporates quickly, and this process cools the skin. So are wet towel wraps or cold compresses.” However, the doctor draws attention, those who resort to such remedies should use alcohol and not vinegar because it is very acidic, and in the case of small children, it affects the skin. Then, parents must know that the wraps are not made for children under one year old. “May trigger convulsions. Instead, it is recommended to take him in your arms and take him in the shower.”
What were our grandparents or parents doing? They gave us tea with lemon and honey. “It is scientifically proven that honey relieves cough and improves the immune system and helps with respiratory infections. So, honey, we actually have evidence. On the other hand, vitamin C is also extremely useful. But, we need to know where to get it”, warns the specialist.
Where do we get our vitamins? Natural sources vs. natural supplements
Dr. Sandra Alexiu stated that vitamins will help our immune system only if they have a high bioavailability. “This means that the entire amount you administer must remain in the body to have its effect. For example, if you take a lemon and squeeze it, you get, say, a gram of vitamin C, amount that is not eliminated from the body. On the other hand, if you take the same amount of vitamin C but not from the fruit, but from food supplements, 90% of the substance will be eliminated from the body. You only want to stay with 10%, a tiny amount. This means very low bioavailability. And it doesn’t help us much.”
When we choose to take vitamins or food supplements, we must therefore do so knowingly. “We’ll nod. We should not listen to all kinds of advertisements that do not help us, but rather try products from natural sources.” doctor Sandra Alexiu also pointed out.
