Influenza A is coming! In addition to oseltamivir, these 5 drugs are also very effective

During the cold winter season, the weather cools down and various parts of the country enter the peak influenza season. The pediatric, emergency and respiratory departments of hospitals are overcrowded, and there is even a situation where it is difficult to get an appointment.

The "Four Heavenly Kings" of influenza (hereinafter referred to as flu) viruses correspond to influenza A, influenza B, influenza C and influenza D. Among them, influenza A (hereinafter referred to as H1N1) virus is the most contagious and has a higher mutation rate, and is more prone to pandemics. Compared with influenza B, H1N1 has a longer course of disease and more severe clinical manifestations.

Therefore, pharmacies were once short of supply of oseltamivir phosphate granules and oseltamivir capsules for treating influenza A, and even sold out. How to use anti-influenza virus drugs correctly? How to prevent influenza? It has become a hot topic of concern to everyone. For this reason, Kangxun.com has prepared a guide to influenza A medication for your reference.

First of all, we must correctly distinguish between the common cold and influenza A!

The common cold is mainly caused by rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, etc. with weak pathogenicity. It can occur all year round and is weakly contagious. Generally, the upper respiratory tract symptoms are obvious while the systemic symptoms are mild.

Compared with the common cold, influenza A is more contagious and has more severe symptoms. If there are no complications, the common cold can heal itself within a week and rarely endangers life. Although influenza A is mostly self-limiting, some patients may develop into severe cases due to serious complications or worsening of underlying diseases. Compared with the new coronavirus infection, the clinical symptoms of the two are more similar, but the proportion of decreased or lost sense of smell and taste caused by influenza is lower.

The difference between influenza A and the common cold

Secondly, these five groups of people are at high risk of severe influenza, so they must pay close attention and take good protection!

①Children under 5 years old (children under 2 years old are more likely to develop serious complications);

② Elderly people aged ≥ 65 years;

③Patients with chronic diseases;

④ Obese people (BMI＞30);

⑤ Pregnant and perinatal women. Deaths of children caused by influenza are more common in children with underlying diseases, including neurological diseases (such as neurodevelopmental abnormalities, neuromuscular diseases), respiratory diseases (such as asthma), and cardiovascular diseases (congenital heart disease).

Protective measures include but are not limited to:

① Wash your hands frequently, using soap or hand sanitizer;

② Ventilate more to keep the indoor environment clean and well-ventilated;

③ Maintain good hygiene habits. When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief, tissue or the inside of your sleeve to avoid contaminating others with droplets. Wash your hands immediately after coughing or sneezing, and try to avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose;

④ Try to reduce activities in crowded places. During the peak season of influenza, try to avoid going to shopping malls, markets and other crowded places with poor ventilation. If you must go, it is best to wear a mask;

⑤ Pay attention to adding or removing clothes in time and keep warm;

⑥ Enhance physical fitness and immunity, exercise moderately, eat a balanced diet, ensure adequate sleep and avoid excessive fatigue;

⑦ Influenza vaccination is an effective means of preventing influenza. Influenza vaccine is safe and effective. Therefore, people aged 6 months and above without contraindications can receive influenza vaccine.

Finally, in addition to the well-known oseltamivir that can be used for the prevention and treatment of influenza A, the following medicines can also be kept at home!

01Zanamivir​

Indications: For the treatment of influenza A and B in adults and children aged 7 years and above.

Common adverse reactions: headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, cough, sinusitis, etc.

Note: It is not recommended for patients with respiratory diseases (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

02Peramivir​

Indications: Mainly used for common influenza and influenza A caused by influenza virus. It can also be used for severe influenza that cannot be controlled by oseltamivir.

Adverse reactions: mainly diarrhea, vomiting, proteinuria, increased blood sugar, abnormal liver function, etc. In addition, adverse reactions of the central nervous system may also occur (including dizziness, headache, insomnia, fatigue, abnormal mental behavior, etc.).

Note: Attention should be paid to the patient's abnormal mental and neurological behaviors during medication.

03 Mabaloxavir

Indications: Suitable for adults and patients aged 5 years and above with simple influenza A and B, including patients aged 12 years and above who are at high risk of influenza complications. The biggest feature of this drug is that it only needs to be used once for the entire course of treatment, which greatly improves the compliance of children with influenza to take the drug.

Common adverse reactions: diarrhea, bronchitis, nausea, sinusitis and headache.

Precautions: Avoid concurrent use with dairy products, calcium-fortified beverages, laxatives containing polyvalent cations, antacids, or oral supplements (e.g., calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc supplements).

04Favipiravir​

Indications: For the treatment of new or re-emerging influenza in adults (only for use when other anti-influenza virus drugs are ineffective or ineffective).

Common adverse reactions: increased blood uric acid, triglycerides, transaminase, diarrhea, neutropenia, etc.

Note: It is forbidden for women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

05Abidol​

Indications: It can treat upper respiratory tract infections caused by influenza A and B viruses.

Common adverse reactions: nausea, diarrhea, dizziness and increased transaminase.

Note: Use with caution in patients with sinus node disease or dysfunction.

06Oseltamivir​

Indications: It can be used for the treatment of influenza A and B in adults and children aged ≥1 year, and for the prevention of influenza A and B in adults and adolescents aged ≥13 years. In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration approved its use in babies over 14 days old. The benefits of using oseltamivir for pregnant and lactating patients outweigh the risks of influenza complications.

Common adverse reactions: Oseltamivir has good overall safety. The most common adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc. Rashes and nosebleeds are rare. Occasionally, neurological adverse reactions such as delusions, hallucinations, and delirium are seen. Neurological adverse reactions mostly occur in children aged 16 years and under, and are more frequent in males. Neurological adverse reactions generally occur within 48 hours of starting treatment. Parents are advised to closely observe whether their children have abnormal behavior after taking oseltamivir.

Note: Food does not affect the efficacy of the drug. If stomach discomfort occurs after taking the drug, the drug can be taken with food; Oseltamivir can inhibit the replication of the live attenuated influenza vaccine virus, thereby weakening the efficacy of the vaccine. Live attenuated influenza vaccine should be avoided within 2 weeks before starting oseltamivir or within 48 hours after stopping this drug. There is no time limit for vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine and it is not affected by oseltamivir; Oseltamivir is only effective for influenza treatment and is completely ineffective for the common cold. Infants, the elderly, pregnant and lactating women, patients with chronic diseases, patients with hypertension, patients with diabetes, etc. need to take anti-influenza virus drugs under the guidance of a doctor.

Other drugs, such as M2 ion channel blockers (such as adamantane and rimantadine), have extremely high drug resistance rates and are therefore not recommended for the prevention and treatment of influenza A.

Note: The above drugs are most effective when used in the early stage, and their effects decrease after 48 hours. The above commonly used anti-influenza virus drugs are highly sensitive to the currently popular influenza A and B viruses, but they are all prescription drugs and need to be used reasonably under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.