The need for a blood test for the flu

All types of influenza belong to the category of acute infectious diseases. It is therefore extremely important to take a blood test for the flu, allowing to determine the nature of occurrence of the disease. Such information will help physicians to correctly pick up the necessary medicines.

The main symptoms of flu

Unlike colds, the flu strikes the person suddenly. In this patient will exhibit the following symptoms:

• increased body temperature;
• pain spasms in the joints;
• strong weakness;
• dry cough.

In addition, will be redness of the skin, wet branches from the nose and severe headache that causes tearing. Will also cause disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The disease manifests itself after 1-3 days after a person is infected. The communication with him for others becomes a danger already for 20-30 hours before the first symptoms of the disease. Such a factor is easily spread the infection even before the introduction of quarantine measures.

The flu always immediately manifested in the acute form, i.e. in humans is rapidly increasing temperature. A similar figure is expected to reach 39 degrees and above. Also the start of fever, the duration of which may be 3-5 days.

Flu infections have very irregular structure, which may change from year to year and to adapt to environmental factors. Therefore, it is most effectively to prevent their occurrence through vaccination of the population. Such measures help to strengthen the immune system and protect the body to defeat his illness.

Moreover, such prevention to avoid serious complications that can cause infection in the human body. You must always remember that to prevent the development of disease much easier, than then to treat.

Viruses and bacteria

Analysis of influenza allows to determine the nature of the origin of the disease. This is very important because influenza may be masked under other diseases. That is, when the incorrect diagnosis will be assigned to ineffective treatment, which can only worsen the state of human health.

As already mentioned, influenza is infectious (viral) nature of origin. He is much more dangerous bacterial diseases. This is because many bacteria are in the human body (the mucous membranethe shell, in the intestines, etc.). In small amounts they are harmless to human health. To harm the bacteria can only with the weakening of the protective functions of the body or the failure of his immune system.

But viral infections differ from bacterial nature lesions and are classified as parasites. They can't reproduce outside cells. So the penetration of viruses into the cell structure, they force the cells to reproduce a similar copy.

Having caught the flu, the cells activate their protective mechanisms. This is expressed in the development of interferon into contact with a healthy cell tissue and which includes the mechanism of stimulating the immune system. This action programs the body to fight various viruses.

In certain cases, some viruses remain in the human body quite a long period of time, even to the end of his life. They can remain in a passive state and become active only when the right conditions arise. In this state, viruses are not destroyed yourself with the help of the immune system.

Indicators of blood

In that case, when the patient discovered a viral infection (influenza, etc.), the leukocyte count in the blood will remain within acceptable limits. Sometimes there may be a slight deviation of this value up or down. Such changes due to increase/reduction of the number of neutrophils.

Reduction in the number of neutrophils due to their transition to the inflamed lesion and increased production of cortisol, because of the disease the organism is experiencing stress. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is slightly elevated. If the nature of the disease has running form, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate usually is very high.

In the first 2-3 days of disease, patients develop leukocytosis, accompanied by a band shift.

The disease anemia in most people, there is a sharp decrease in lymphocytes in the bloodstream, especially for 12-16 hours before the onset of the disease. A characteristic indicator of the presence of influenza is an absolute lymphopenia, which was observed throughout the disease. The level of hemoglobin and hematocrit during influenza diseases will remain within acceptable limits.

The process of treatment of influenza

Because the influenza virus undergoes mutations, annual, receiving a narrow specificdrugs ineffective. It is better to use a comprehensive therapy which can not only eliminate symptoms (headache, fever, weakness, aching joints, etc.), but also to neutralize the release of toxins while increasing immunity.

Often such therapy is performed at home under the supervision of a physician. Hospitalization of the patient occurs in rare cases where the disease has moved into severe stage. During treatment it is necessary to accept preparations containing the active substance. This should take into account the individual tolerance of the drug to the patient did not experience any allergic reactions or other side effects.

In that case, if you selected the correct drug, 5-7 days after start of treatment should be celebrated a positive trend. This will be reflected in improving overall health and reducing the temperature. Also lost muscle spasms, retreat cough and runny nose will end.

During treatment it is important to comply with bed rest, not to cause side effects on the body, which can lead to undesirable complications. Among such complications can be identified such as the disruption of the cardiovascular system, lungs, liver and kidneys.

In addition, the patient's room should be regularly ventilated (2-3 times a day). It is recommended to take plenty of fluids rich in vitamin C, which helps remove toxins. Among such drinks can distinguish cranberry fruit drinks and tea with lemon.

To reduce the likelihood of recurrence, should be avoided hypothermia and normalize sleep and stick to a healthy diet. Such actions will help a person to always stay in shape and easily withstand various viral infections. In addition, in the off-season (autumn and spring) should take vitamins that stimulate internal reserves of the body.

It's impossible to forgo the annual vaccination as modern medicine has a large number of antiviral drugs can stop the majority of infectious diseases.