Why you can not immediately bring down the temperature: Rospotrebnadzor dispelled 12 main myths about the treatment of influenza

With the onset of autumn coolness, the incidence of respiratory infections inevitably goes up. Among all seasonal viruses, the greatest danger is influenza - an insidious disease fraught with severe complications and exacerbation of chronic pathologies. However, around this infection, there are still many dangerous misconceptions: from useless antibiotic treatment to blind trust in folk remedies like garlic and lemons. To help residents of the region to distinguish truth from fiction and preserve health, specialists of the Rospotrebnadzor Office in the Kaliningrad region debunked the main myths about influenza.

Temperature, runny nose and traditional medicine

The popular belief that the flu is always accompanied by excessively high fever is wrong. Although the classical picture of the disease begins with a sharp 38.5-39.0 ° C, in some patients the disease proceeds with slightly elevated indicators or at all at normal body temperature. Do not focus on the absence of a cold: if nasal congestion is characteristic of the first days, then abundant discharge on the third or fourth day usually indicates the addition of a secondary bacterial infection against the background of weakened immunity.

Many also mistakenly believe that to protect against the virus, it is enough to eat more onions, garlic, sauerkraut and lemons.

- emphasize in the sanitary department.

Experts added that the flu virus is absolutely not afraid of frost and can persist at zero temperature for up to a month. But it is easily destroyed by ordinary soap, ultraviolet light and heating above 60 ° C.

Mistakes in treatment and the danger of antibiotics

One of the most dangerous misconceptions is trying to bring down any temperature and treat viruses with antibiotics. Normal or slightly elevated temperature creates a fertile environment for the reproduction of infection. With relatively normal health, it is recommended to take antipyretics for adults only at a temperature above 38 ° C, and for children - above 38-39 ° C.

It is strictly impossible to drink antibiotics without a doctor's prescription at the first sign of a cold.

— warn Rospotrebnadzor specialists in the Kaliningrad region.

The department reminds: to consider the flu a harmless cold is deadly. The disease can lead to death or cause a serious blow to the cardiovascular system, reducing life expectancy by several years.

Vaccination and protection of infants

If a nursing mother is sick, it is impossible to wean the child from the breast in any case. Mother's milk contains ready-made antibodies transmitted to the baby, which serves as the best prevention and an important component of treatment for the baby.

The main means of protection for children and adults is timely vaccination. It reduces the risk of the disease by 80-90% and almost completely eliminates the severe course of infection.

- summarized in the supervisory authority.

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