Available Treatments
If necessary, there are medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Children and teenagers with flu symptoms (particularly fever) should avoid taking aspirin during an influenza infection (especially influenza type B), because doing so can lead to Reye's syndrome. Since a virus causes influenza, antibiotics have no effect on the infection, unless prescribed for secondary infections such as bacterial pneumonia. Antiviral medication may be effective, but some components of influenza can show resistance to the standard antiviral drugs and there is concern about the quality of the research.
The two types of antiviral drugs used against influenza are neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir), although the benefits of neuraminidase inhibitors in those who are otherwise healthy do not appear to be greater than the risks. There does not appear to be any benefit in those with other health problems. In those believed to have the flu they decreased the length of time symptoms are present by slightly less than a day but do not appear to affect the risk of complications such as needing hospitalisation or pneumonia. The other class of antiviral drug is M2 protein inhibitors (adamantane derivatives). The antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine block a viral ion channel and prevent the virus from infecting cells. These drugs are sometimes effective against influenza A if given early in the infection but are ineffective against influenza B viruses, which lack the M2 drug target.
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People with the flu are advised to get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
The two types of antiviral drugs used against influenza are neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir), although the benefits of neuraminidase inhibitors in those who are otherwise healthy do not appear to be greater than the risks. There does not appear to be any benefit in those with other health problems. In those believed to have the flu they decreased the length of time symptoms are present by slightly less than a day but do not appear to affect the risk of complications such as needing hospitalisation or pneumonia. The other class of antiviral drug is M2 protein inhibitors (adamantane derivatives). The antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine block a viral ion channel and prevent the virus from infecting cells. These drugs are sometimes effective against influenza A if given early in the infection but are ineffective against influenza B viruses, which lack the M2 drug target.
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People with the flu are advised to get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco.