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A good inexpensive antiviral product for children. The best and most effective antiviral drugs for adults and children. Symptoms and course of viral diseases in children: how to distinguish a virus from a bacterium

A well-chosen antiviral drug will help reduce the duration of the disease by several days. For children, you need to buy safe medicines - there are on sale whole list the necessary funds.

Antiviral drugs - types, principles of therapy

Not a single known antiviral agent for children and adults is able to completely kill the virus - the body copes with this task itself. Therefore, with good immunity in children from 7 years old, the main symptoms of the disease begin to subside after 3-5 days, and after that the baby recovers. But in a huge number of children, the immune system fails, and the flu, colds and SARS end in complications:

Taking pills or syrups with an antiviral effect will reduce the rate of infection. This will lead to a reduction in symptoms, a faster recovery, and prevent complications.

The most important rule of treatment is to start taking antiviral tablets in the first 2 days.

Also, the drugs will help as a prophylactic - they can be taken during the epidemiological season or in contact with a sick person. The main types of antiviral drugs are:

Only a doctor can prescribe drugs of this type to children, who will determine the type of disease and select the appropriate pharmaceutical. For infants under 1 year of age, the list is very limited - most often, interferon preparations in candles are prescribed at 1-12 months. Homeopathic pills are also suitable for babies. From a year to 2-3 years old, modern medicines based on direct antiviral substances (rimantadine, oseltamivir) can already be used against influenza, Tsitovir-3, Isoprinosine are used for ARVI. Children from 4-5 years of age and older are shown taking stronger tablets - Arbidol, Cycloferon and many others.

Medicines based on ready-made antibodies and homeopathy

One of the most popular drugs among pediatricians is Ergoferon. Given antiviral agent for children, inexpensive and effective - the price of the course is about 350 rubles, it is used against many viral infections. It contains ready-made antibodies to human interferon gamma, histamine and others, so it starts working immediately after it enters the body. Its actions are:

Ergoferon - medicine a wide range action, it works against influenza A and B, parainfluenza, coronavirus, adenovirus, herpes viruses different types, rotavirus, enterovirus and many others. Ergoferon is given to children from 6 months, dissolving in water, from 1.5 years old they are asked to dissolve the tablets. The course of treatment is usually 5-7 days. A more inexpensive analogue is Anaferon (250 rubles), but it includes only antibodies to interferon gamma. Anaferon is available in tablets and nasal drops.

Homeopathy can also be used for viruses. Aflubin (spray, drops, tablets) contains extracts of gentian, aconite, bryony, removes viruses, improves immunity. The drug Engystol (tablets) is indicated for any type of viral infection as an adjunct treatment.

Interferon preparations

Interferon is a protein that is produced in the body during a viral attack. Interferon-alpha changes the structure of viral cells, preventing their reproduction, activates the immune response. The drug Viferon in suppositories is prescribed even for newborns, this is the only allowed antiviral for babies of this age.

Children from birth to 7 years old are given 1 suppository twice a day for 5 days.

Viferon acts on all RNA, DNA-containing viruses, therefore it will be effective against influenza, SARS, intrauterine infections in the fetus, and intestinal infections. Even with tonsillitis and pneumonia, suppositories are prescribed to enhance immunity, although these diseases are not caused by viruses. Genferon-light has a similar composition and action, it is also put on 2 suppositories per day.

Less convenient to use is leukocyte interferon in powders. It is packaged in ampoules, which must be diluted in water. After the solution is injected into the nose, 5 drops twice a day. Another solution can be used for inhalation for babies from a year old.

Local antiviral drugs

Almost all topical agents (ointments, nose drops) are based on the same alpha-interferon, which is part of the described preparations. It should be borne in mind that such drugs are more of an auxiliary effect or are used to prevent infection. Most often they are used to protect against viruses during the season of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza in schoolchildren, children visiting the garden.

Viferon ointment is popular. In addition to alpha-interferon, it contains peach oil, vitamin E, which enhances antiviral protection, relieves inflammation and softens the mucous membrane. The features of the drug are:

An analogue are drops and spray Grippferon - depending on age, it is injected into the nose 1-3 drops (doses) up to 6 times / day. The medicine serves as a good antiviral agent for non-severe acute respiratory viral infections, while with influenza it is worth choosing a stronger one with proven anti-influenza activity.

Among the local medicines, Derinat is also worth noting. These drops are quite cheap (220 rubles) and contain sodium deoxyribonucleate. Increase general and local immunity, activate phagocytes, accelerate metabolism. You should start using Derinat from the first day of illness, it is indicated for children from the first day of life.

Tamiflu and other flu medicines

New developments have made it possible to create very strong medicines for influenza, which are indicated precisely for this severe viral disease. One of the best is Tamiflu, it is shown to children from the age of one. In some cases, reduced dosages are prescribed even for babies 8-9 months old, but only in a hospital.

Tamiflu has a number of structural analogues - Oseltamivir, Nomides.

After entering the body, the active substance oseltamivir inhibits the influenza virus enzyme neuraminidase, as a result, the spread of the virus is disrupted. Tamiflu and analogues do not act on ARVI viruses that do not contain such an enzyme, so it should not be taken at any temperature increase. Among the side effects in some children, vomiting and nausea occur, and abdominal pain is less common. Usually, all symptoms go away on their own.

The zanamivir-based medicine Relenza is used in children from the age of 5 years and works similarly to Tamiflu. It is available in a convenient aerosol form - 2 injections twice a day for a course of 5 days are enough for treatment. Of the drugs of past generations have not lost popularity:


Both medicines contain rimantadine, but the first in the form of tablets is allowed from the age of 7, and the second in the form of a syrup - from the year. Rimantadine acts mainly on the influenza virus, but also helps to fight the herpes virus, in complex therapy - with tick-borne encephalitis.

Immunomodulators and interferon inducers

This group of drugs is the most extensive, it includes a large number of drugs that increase immune defenses and speed up the production of interferons. When you start taking it on the first day, the course of the disease is reduced - by 1.5-2 days out of the usual 5-7. List of the best medicines:

The preparations Isoprinosine, Amizon, which are allowed for babies from 3 years old, also help well against ARVI.

What other antivirals are there?

From the age of 2, often with ARVI, they are prescribed to take Arbidol. It is effective, directly acts on viruses, inhibiting their reproduction. The drug is safe, non-toxic, gives a minimum of side effects. It is allowed to combine it with the intake of interferon inducers, for example, with Cycloferon, which will only strengthen the immune defense.

In addition to those listed, pediatricians may prescribe other means:


The course of treatment with Ingavirin will cost 450 rubles, Hyporamine - 220 rubles.

Antiviral remedies for herpes

Herpes in children is no less common infection than SARS. Having become infected, the baby gets exacerbations during any decrease in immunity, and the manifestations of herpes “crawl out” on the lips and nose.

Usually, the treatment of herpes with local antiviral ointments and gels is enough.

Most often, inexpensive Acyclovir is used in the form of an ointment, it is applied to the affected area three times / day for 3-5 days. After the skin area can be lubricated with ointments based on interferon. To prevent relapse, children are prescribed Acyclovir, Famvir, Alpizarin tablets, in parallel, they must take interferon inducers or put Viferon suppositories, give vitamin complexes. This will prevent the recurrence of the disease and strengthen children's immunity.

Modern antiviral drugs will help the child's body to overcome a viral infection in a few days and quickly recover from an illness.

Every mother wants her baby to always remain healthy. But, unfortunately, weak children's immunity cannot resist many viral diseases.

Therefore, kids get sick so often, and their parents do not know how to help and often experiment with medicines, trying to find a miracle pill for all childhood diseases. However, this approach can only harm the already undermined health of the baby.



Experiments with antiviral drugs can harm the health of the child

In order for an antiviral agent to help the child's body cope with the disease, you need to responsibly approach the choice of the drug.

Antiviral drugs for children - a list

At the first symptoms of a child’s illness, you need to show the doctor as soon as possible. But if you can’t do this in the near future, you can support the baby’s body and prevent the disease from “playing out” with the help of an antiviral drug.



Also, antiviral agents are given to children for prevention during adaptation in kindergarten, during periods of an epidemic of colds, after contact with patients.



For children, antiviral drugs from the groups are used:

  • homeopathy ( Aflubin, Vibrukol, Oscillococcinum, Influcid) - medicines, the effectiveness of which may be unpredictable in each individual case


Aflubin is a homeopathic antiviral remedy.

IMPORTANT: If a homeopathic antiviral remedy does not bring relief to the child within a day, you need to stop the drug and choose a medicine from another group.

  • interferons ( Interferon, Laferobion, Kipferon, Viferon, Gippferon, Nazoferon, Anaferon) - are available in the form of tablets, suppositories, drops in the nose. Able to cope with a viral disease in 3 days or significantly alleviate it
  • immunostimulating ( Immunal, Riboxin, Bronchomunal, IRS-19, Ribomunil, Isoprenosine, Imudon) - are used for chronic adenoiditis, tonsillitis, to restore immunity after illness, for the prevention of SARS
  • drugs of chemical origin ( rimantadine, orvirem, arbidol, tamiflu, ribavirin, aciclovir) - drugs with a narrow spectrum of action, are used only as directed by a doctor


Arbidol is an antiviral drug of chemical origin

Video: Antivirals

Video: Interferons

Antiviral drugs for children under one year old

The child's body is very vulnerable and sensitive to drugs taken orally. Therefore, when choosing an antiviral for a child under one year old, you must definitely read the instructions and make sure that the medicine is recommended for the treatment of children in this age group.



IMPORTANT: Symptoms of a cold in infants are considered frequent sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, fever.

Babies under one year old in the treatment of SARS are often prescribed drugs: gripferon, anaferon, laferabion, kipferon. These and other interferon-based drugs will help the child's body quickly overcome the virus and prevent the addition of a bacterial infection.

Immunoflazid and Imupred- herbal medicines approved for use in children from birth. You can offer them to your child, making sure that the baby is not allergic to the components of the drugs.

Also for children from birth, the use is allowed Aflubin (in drops), Oscillococcinum, Acyclovir.

IMPORTANT: Treatment of viral diseases in children under 1 year old is carried out only under the supervision of a pediatrician. If the disease is accompanied by high fever, convulsions or vomiting, the child and mother are sent for further treatment to the infectious diseases department.



Oscillococcinum - antiviral homeopathic remedy approved for the treatment of infants

Antiviral drugs for children 2 years

The body of a two-year-old child is ready to receive more "serious" antiviral drugs. Unlike babies under one year old, two-year-olds also tolerate SARS and colds more easily.



The most popular drugs for the treatment of children from 2 years old are:

  • Groprinosin(tablets) - low toxic antiviral and immunostimulating agent
  • Anaferon(tablets) - an interferon-based drug that helps the body quickly cope with the disease, if taken strictly according to the instructions, from the moment its first symptoms appear
  • Aflubin(drops, tablets) - antiviral homeopathic remedy. Apply three times a day from the first day of illness
  • Influcid(tablets, syrup) is a highly effective antiviral homeopathic preparation. Shows excellent results as a prophylactic and as the main drug in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and colds
  • Viburkol(candles) - anti-inflammatory antispasmodic complex effect, homeopathy
  • Laferobion(candles) - a drug based on interferon. Facilitates the course of colds and SARS in children
  • Oscillococcinum(tablets) - another homeopathic remedy. When choosing it as an antiviral agent for a child, you need to be prepared for the fact that the agent may not work at all
  • Immunoflazid, Imupret, Flavozid, Proteflazid(syrups) - immunostimulating drugs based on medicinal plants

IMPORTANT: The pediatrician may prescribe an antiviral from the list in combination with other drugs, for example, Panadol or Nurofen from temperature, Ambroxol or Lazolvan against cough, Nazoferon, Rinazolin, Otrivin from a runny nose.



Children's Panadol will help reduce the child's fever during treatment

Antiviral drugs for children from 3 years

At the same time than older child, the more opportunities for treatment appear, since many antiviral drugs have strict age restrictions.



The older the child, the greater the choice of antiviral drugs for his treatment

So, from 3 years old, the use is allowed Arbidola and Kagocela which are very effective in fighting the flu.

Antivirals for children over 6 years of age

Children older than 6 years of age are prescribed antiviral drugs less often than children younger age. The fact is that a healthy body of an adult child can already cope with the virus itself. Active production of interferon in the body occurs at 38 - 38.5 ° C, so do not rush to bring down this temperature.

IMPORTANT: To alleviate the condition of a child over 6 years old with ARVI, it is enough to provide him with regular warm fortified drinks and maintain the air temperature in the room no higher than 21 ° C.



If, nevertheless, there is a need for antiviral agents for a child over 6 years old, then you can choose any children's drug and give it to the patient from the first days of the disease, strictly observing the dosage.

Antiviral drugs for children with SARS

The appearance of the first symptoms of SARS in a child should alert parents. Don't wait further development illness, hoping for "maybe". The timely start of taking an antiviral drug guarantees a quick recovery and recovery of the child.



Most modern antiviral agents have a wide spectrum of action. Therefore, choosing one of the drugs for a child, you can not worry that the medicine will not work:

  • Amiksin
  • Aflubin
  • Anaferon
  • Viferon
  • Gippferon
  • Influcid
  • Kagocel
  • Laferobion
  • Oscillococcinum
  • Ridostin
  • Cycloferon
  • Ergoferon
  • Engystol

IMPORTANT: When choosing homeopathy as an antiviral agent, you need to be sure that the child's body is "responsive" to the effects of this group of drugs.

Video: Treatment of SARS in a child

Flu antivirals for children

Flu- a dangerous, "cruel" viral disease that requires a serious approach to treatment. The severe course of the disease often leads to complications.

The doctor should choose an antiviral agent for the treatment of influenza, having previously determined the type of disease and noting the general condition of the patient. Usually, one of the following drugs is prescribed for treatment:

  • Remantadine, Amantadine- prevent the reproduction of influenza viruses by blocking the channels
  • Oseltamivir, Zanamivir- weaken viruses
  • Tamiflu, Oseltamivir- deprives influenza viruses of the ability to penetrate into cells

IMPORTANT: Anti-influenza drugs have serious side effects and are not used in the treatment of SARS.



Antiviral drugs for children for prevention

The need to prevent viral diseases for a child arises in several cases:

  • sick family member
  • baby getting ready for first visit kindergarten
  • the child has been in contact with the patient
  • seasonal increase in the incidence of SARS and influenza

IMPORTANT: There is no special medicine for prevention. In order to prevent the occurrence and development of a viral disease, the same drugs are used as for its treatment.

Preventive regimens are indicated in the instructions for any antiviral drug. For example, in the instructions for Influcidus it is said about the need for a child to take the drug three times a day in order to prevent viral diseases in him during a seasonal epidemic.

Prophylactic doses of antiviral drugs are usually 2 to 3 times lower than the doses recommended for treatment.



Doctors recommend prevention of SARS in children before visiting kindergarten

Antivirals for children are inexpensive

For example, analog Immunala, costing about 250 rubles. is the usual echinacea purpurea tincture(50 rubles), and expensive Anaferon, Laferobion, Gipferon, Nazoferon and others with the same success will replace Interferon in ampoules.

The available anti-influenza agent is Remantadine. Its price in pharmacies does not exceed 70 rubles.



Echinacea tincture is one of the cheapest antivirals.

Antiviral drugs for children

The use of antiviral drugs in the form of suppositories (suppositories) is very convenient in the treatment of young children. If the baby refuses to take a pill or syrup, candles come to the aid of parents.

In the form of candles, such children's antiviral agents are produced:

  • Laferobion(dosage 150,000 and 500,000 for the treatment of children from birth to 1 year and from 1 year to 7 years, respectively) - are used to treat acute respiratory viral infections 2 times a day for 5 to 7 days. Interferon-based drug
  • Viburkol- a homeopathic remedy used in the complex treatment of acute respiratory viral infections in children
  • Viferon- an interferon-based drug used to treat acute respiratory viral infections and influenza
  • Genferon- analogue of Viferon
  • Kipferon- an expensive drug based on interferon with the addition of donor blood components. Used to treat viral diseases in children accompanied by severe dysbacteriosis


Kipferon - suppositories based on interferon with the addition of donor blood components

IMPORTANT: The candle should be placed on the child only after a bowel movement. In order for it to painlessly penetrate the rectum, the anus of the child should be lightly lubricated with baby cream before the drug is administered.

An effective antiviral drug for children

Parents who, with each SARS, will look for the most effective antiviral drug for their child, will go the wrong way. Unfortunately, pills for all diseases have not yet been invented. Any antiviral agent can be both very effective and completely useless.

Many children do well with harmless homeopathic remedies. At the same time, the parents of other sick kids say that they “threw money down the drain” when they purchased homeopathy for the treatment of SARS.



A healthy lifestyle is the most effective remedy against viruses

The most effective remedy against SARS in children is hardening and healthy lifestyle life. If the baby is used to fresh air, active physical activity and simple food, then no viral diseases can greatly harm his health.

Video: Antiviral agents - School of Dr. Komarovsky

AT cold period year, when the number of ARVI and colds increases, everyone thinks about the means of preventing and treating viral infections. Antivirals are inexpensive, but effective means that help prevent the disease or reduce the severity of its manifestation.

The peculiarity of viruses is that, when they enter the human body, they penetrate into the cells of the tropic organ.

For respiratory infections, this respiratory system. In the course of their vital activity, viruses destroy cells, thereby causing characteristic symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose).

Therefore, antiviral drugs for colds and flu must be effective and not damage the cells of the affected organ.

All antiviral drugs can be divided into four groups:
antiviral chemotherapy drugs;
exogenous (coming from outside) interferons;
inductors (contributing to the production) of endogenous (formed in the body itself) interferon;
immunomodulators (regulate the immune defense of the body).

Antiviral chemotherapy drugs

modern medicine in its arsenal has a sufficient number of medicines capable of destroying viruses. These are chemical drugs that destroy the DNA or RNA of a microorganism without damaging the cells of the organ.

Antiviral drugs are inexpensive, but effective for adults and children are often used during epidemics of acute respiratory infections.
Medicines with antiviral action are effective, but have a serious drawback.

With frequent use of chemotherapy drugs, viruses develop resistance. Nevertheless, their correct intake helps to quickly get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of SARS, prevent and reduce the spread of the disease.

An antiviral drug that is directed against influenza, coronaviruses.
Produced in tablet form.
It is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of SARS. Possessing moderate immunomodulatory activity, Arbidol is prescribed for immunodeficiency states, pneumonia (), herpesvirus infection.

Its effectiveness lies in reducing the severity of clinical phenomena, intoxication (high temperature, lethargy, loss of appetite, drowsiness,), the risk of complications, shortening the duration of the disease.
Arbidol is considered a relatively safe medicine if taken according to the instructions. Side effects may occur as an allergy. It is prescribed for adults, children from 3 years. Not recommended for use by pregnant, lactating women.

Tamiflu



Produced in the form of capsules, powder, for suspension. It is effective against the flu. The active substance Tamiflu blocks the enzyme of the virus, neurominidase, which is responsible for its spread through the respiratory mucosa.
It is advisable to start therapy with this drug at the first signs of the disease. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should use Tamiflu with caution, only as directed by a doctor.

Side effects can be expressed by the appearance of nausea, vomiting, headaches, weakness, insomnia, cough, dizziness, sore throat.

Caring parents always try to complete a home or travel first aid kit with remedies for the flu, SARS and colds for a child. Indeed, sometimes the disease catches by surprise - on weekends, but at night, away from home. And I want to have at hand the most necessary drugs that will not harm the baby and alleviate his condition before the doctor arrives. In this article, we will look at what funds should be included in the first aid kit and in what cases they should be given.

Flu, colds and SARS - what do they have in common?

The common cold is commonly referred to as nothing more than a variety of viral diseases. SARS and influenza are also viral infections. The difference between them is that they are caused by different pathogens. It can be not only influenza virus, but also adenovirus infection, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial infection, parainfluenza virus. In total, there are more than 300 viruses that can "visit" your child, and it is not possible to determine which virus exactly caused unpleasant symptoms at home.

Various disease viruses have much in common in symptoms. As a rule, the disease in a child always proceeds exclusively in an acute form. It begins with a rise in high temperature, the appearance of respiratory catarrhal symptoms - dry and unproductive cough, runny nose, sometimes - rhinorrhea (running from the nose), headache, muscle aches, chills.

The virus in the child's body "rages" for 3-5 to 7 days, depending on the type of virus, and then immunity by producing specific antibodies to the pathogen takes over, the disease recedes.

Surprisingly, with or without drugs, the virus in the child's body will live exactly as long as it is able to live. Your immune system will take care of it anyway. However, some drugs will help the child's body cope with the disease more easily, as well as prevent serious complications that are fraught with all viral infections, especially the flu.

General principles of treatment

Before you go to the pharmacy to choose drugs, you should clearly understand what and why are treated for influenza or SARS. There is no universal cure for viral diseases. The exception is some very few antiviral drugs that have a destructive effect exclusively on the influenza virus.

Since there is no cure for the virus, drugs for ARVI are prescribed for symptomatic treatment in order to alleviate the course of the disease in anticipation of a completely natural recovery on its own. If a child suddenly falls ill, parents should take action from the first minutes right action for his recovery - to provide him with bed rest in a cool and well-ventilated room, plenty of warm drink, light clothing so that the baby does not sweat.

You should call a doctor, and if the child is not a year old, then an ambulance.

It is up to the doctor to decide which medicines to treat the child, but parents can simplify the doctor's task by having medicines in the home medicine cabinet for any "cold" case. The called specialist will certainly appreciate the efforts and prescribe a treatment regimen from what is already available. In addition, many drugs can be useful at the pre-medical stage.

There are two big dangers in viral infections - high fever and dehydration. A fever above 38.5 degrees for children under 3 years of age and over 40 degrees for older children can lead to the development of febrile seizures in babies, hyperthermia, development kidney failure, as well as to the occurrence of heart problems and violation of the integrity of blood vessels.

Intoxication in the child's body causes the penetration of the virus into the bloodstream. This may manifest itself in different ways. Most often - severe pain in the muscles and joints, often also vomiting and diarrhea against the backdrop of high fever. And therein lies the second danger - dehydration. How younger child, the faster it loses fluid reserves, the bill can go to the clock.

It is to prevent dehydration and overheating that the main treatment for influenza, SARS and all types of viral infections, which are commonly called "colds", will be directed.

Preparations for symptomatic treatment and first aid

Depending on certain symptoms, the degree of their severity, all drugs should be conditionally divided into several large groups. So it will be easier for parents to navigate what and when a child may need.

From temperature

The temperature in case of a viral illness is necessary for the child so that the immune system can quickly develop antibodies to the virus. But if the thermometer has risen to 39 degrees, and in children under 3 years old - 38 degrees, you need to start taking antipyretic drugs. This group of cold and flu medicines should always be on hand. Most often, the temperature rises in children at night, and not everyone and not always will be able to go to the pharmacy on duty.

Choosing among a great variety of antipyretics, you should focus on drugs that contain paracetamol. It is this substance that is considered the safest and most effective for childhood. Starting from the age of 16, you can also take drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid (for example, one of the forms of Aspirin).

But children acetylsalicylic acid is categorically contraindicated. It can cause the death of a child due to severe liver damage (Reye's or Reye's syndrome).

So, in a pharmacy for a child under 16 years of age, drugs based on paracetamol should be purchased. A baby from -3 years old will use a remedy in syrup - Panadol, Nurofen.

Newborns and children under one year old can be given rectal suppositories (candles) - Paracetamol, Cefekon D. Children from -8 years old can be offered "Paracetamol" in tablets. An effective cure for fever for colds and flu is Ibuprofen. This drug belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The medicine costs mere pennies, so get it and keep it in the medicine cabinet just in case.

The medicine in the age dosage (indicated in the instructions for use) can be given to the child if the temperature is difficult to reduce with drugs with paracetamol.

From a cold

If the baby has a disease accompanied by a runny nose (current snot), nothing is required to drip and smear in the nose. Rhinorrhea is a protective mechanism that allows the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract to partially get rid of the virus that has penetrated into them. On the contrary, you should wash your nose, irrigate it abundantly with saline or preparations based on sea water, for example, Aquamaris.

If the snot has become thicker, nasal breathing is very difficult, vasoconstrictor drugs - "Nazivin", "Nazol" will come to the aid of parents, children's forms of these drugs - "Nazivin Sensitive" and "Nazol Baby" are suitable for babies. One drop in each nostril is enough to restore nasal breathing for several hours.

In no case should these drops be abused, because vasoconstrictor drugs contribute to the development of persistent drug addiction. For more than 4-5 days in a row, vasoconstrictor nasal drops should not be used.

If the snot has become not only thick, but also saturated yellow, green with a bad smell, you should immediately call a doctor, since such discharge from the nose is a sign of an attached bacterial infection. The child needs drops with antibiotics, which the doctor will prescribe. They can be purchased at a pharmacy with a doctor's prescription.

Against cough

The onset of viral diseases is characterized by a dry cough. The task of parents is to quickly and effectively contribute to the thinning of sputum so that the cough becomes wet and productive. Therefore, in addition to a plentiful warm drink, the child is given mucolytic drugs - "Mukaltin", "Codelac Broncho", "Lazolvan". Most of these drugs are produced in easy-to-take forms - in the form of syrups with a pleasant fruity smell and taste.

As soon as sputum begins to form and the cough becomes wet, the child should absolutely not be given antitussives that suppress the work of the cough center in the brain. He needs to cough so that sputum does not stagnate in the bronchi, so that there is no inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

From vomiting and diarrhea, from intoxication

If a child has a viral illness with symptoms of intoxication, it is important to drink as much fluid as possible room temperature. This will help avoid dehydration. True, the water-salt balance lost with vomiting or diarrhea cannot be restored with water alone. Therefore, in the first aid kit there should be means for oral rehydration - Smekta, Humana Electrolyte, Regidron.

These dry mixes are packaged in sachets, they are easy to dissolve in the amount of water required according to the instructions and give this mixture to the child in large quantities. If you can't drink, you should call an ambulance. Doctors will hospitalize the baby and will give him rehydration agents intravenously.

This means that at best they contain only a few molecules of the active substance, which are clearly not enough to defeat the virus. Only a few influenza drugs have proven effectiveness - Tamiflu (do not confuse with Teraflu), Oseltamivir. These funds should be used strictly according to the doctor's indications, since they have a lot of side effects that can be more dangerous than the flu virus itself. Such anti-influenza drugs are most often used to treat children in an infectious diseases hospital, where the child is under round-the-clock medical supervision.

Doctors will prescribe antivirals, even homeopathic ones, not because they will necessarily help the child, but because the parents demand that they be prescribed something. And 99% of antiviral agents will not harm at least. The rest will be done by your own immunity. And after five days of taking Anaferon, not a single parent will say that the child has recovered on his own. He will have a persistent illusion that it was Anaferon who helped the baby to recover.

Therefore, antiviral agents in the home medicine cabinet may not be available. Considering that they are not cheap, but they have no efficiency at all. Folk remedies(if they are reasonable and correct) and with symptomatic treatment, parents will be able to achieve exactly the same result, in exactly the same timeframe, as with taking expensive, “good” antiviral drugs.

Preparations for prevention

There are no drugs for the prevention of viral diseases. Influenza vaccination is carried out, it should not be neglected. Taking antiviral drugs to prevent colds is a waste of money. The probability of getting sick does not depend on how much "Anaferon" the mother has "fed" to the child since the beginning of autumn.

The flu and the common cold are not the same disease. In the first case we are talking about a viral infection, which, having penetrated into the body, began to progress rapidly. Among the main symptoms of the flu, doctors distinguish:

  • high body temperature;
  • muscle and headaches.

A cold is always caused by a general hypothermia of the body, due to which it becomes unable to resist respiratory viruses. It progresses not as fast as the flu - at first the patient has a runny nose, a sore throat begins. And only later can the body temperature rise, cough join.

A sick child should be seen by a doctor

If you can do with a cold bed rest, drinking plenty of water and taking drugs aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms, then with the flu it is important to use antiviral agents.

What are the best cold remedies for kids?

If a child with a cold has a temperature above 38.5 ° C, he must be given an antipyretic. Suitable:

  • Paracetamol;
  • Panadol;
  • Efferalgan;
  • ibuprofen;
  • Motrin;
  • Viburkol;
  • Nurofen;
  • Ibufen.

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should never be given to children. It is only allowed to be taken by patients over the age of 16. This cold medicine can cause Reine's syndrome in babies, a disorder in which the blood supply to certain parts of the body is reduced. It can lead to severe damage to the liver and brain.

Helping a child with a sore throat

For sore throats, the child will be helped by Geksoral, Ingalipt, Oracept, Iodinol solution.

If the patient knows how to gargle, a decoction of chamomile, a weak solution of Rotokan or Chlorophyllipt should be prepared for him.

General strengthening of immunity

To improve performance immune system(which is a guarantee of a speedy recovery of the crumbs), you need to use antiviral agents and interferon inducers, for example:
  • candles Viferon (can be used even for diseases of newborns);
  • Cycloferon (for children over 4 years old);
  • Remantadine (indicated in patients over the age of 7 years);
  • Laferon (allowable for the treatment of newborns), etc.


Suppositories Viferon

Perfectly stimulates the immune system such a herbal remedy for colds, like Immunal. In the form of a solution, it is prescribed to children from one year old, in the form of tablets - starting from 4 years old.

Treatment of a runny nose with a cold

If the child's nose is stuffed up, the baby cannot sleep peacefully at night, parents should consult a pediatrician about the appointment of nasal vasoconstrictor drops:

  • Nazivina (can be used if the child is 1 month old);
  • Tizina (from 3 years old);
  • Pinosola (from 3 years old);
  • Galazolina (from 6 years old);
  • Xilina (from 2 years old) or other

It is not worth using children's vasoconstrictor drops and sprays without urgent need. The maximum course duration should not exceed 5-7 days.

Cough medicines

With a wet cough, the pediatrician can prescribe Mukaltin, syrup with licorice root, marshmallow, Bromhexine, ACC, Lazolvan to a small cold patient. If a child suffers from bouts of dry cough, he is shown Pertussin, Libeksin.

Breast herbal collection has proven itself well. It can be purchased at a pharmacy. But experts do not advise children under the age of three to be treated with herbs because of the high risk of developing an allergic reaction.

Why are antihistamines prescribed for a cold?

Pediatricians often prescribe antihistamine tablets for cold children, for example, Suprastin, Loratadin, Parlazin, Zodak. As you know, you need to take them for allergies. What does this group of drugs have to do with the common cold?


Allergy pills are often prescribed for colds

Everything is simple. Firstly, they provide prevention of an allergic reaction in a child, which is very important. Secondly, they relieve swelling in the upper respiratory tract, which speeds up recovery.

Antibiotics for colds - necessary or not?

Since the common cold is a viral disease, its treatment does not imply the mandatory use of antibiotics. But still, doctors sometimes prescribe antibacterial agents for such a diagnosis. Why?

Antibiotics are necessary if, against the background of a cold, a complication has developed in the form of bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media. For the purpose of prevention, they should not be given to a cold child in any case, as this will negatively affect the functioning of his immune system, and can provoke the occurrence of candidiasis, dysbacteriosis.

Flu medicines for children

Conventionally, flu medicines for children can be classified into several groups:

  • ion channel blockers;
  • neuraminidase inhibitors;
  • specific GA chaperone;
  • NP inhibitors.

Also excellent for influenza are agents containing interferon (Viferon, Interferon, Grippferon, Kipferon) and stimulating its production (Amiksin, Kagocel, Tsitovir 3, Cycloferon).

Ion channel blockers

Flu preparations for children belonging to this group do not allow viruses to attach to cells. Due to this, infection does not occur at all if the medicine was used for the purpose of prevention, or recovery occurs much faster.

Children over 7 years old can take Remantadine for influenza, an antiviral medicine, as a result of which the number of active viruses that have entered the body begins to rapidly decrease.


You need to give your child an antiviral according to the scheme indicated by the doctor.

Also, ion channel blockers include Orvirem syrup, designed for small patients older than 1 year. In order for the remedy to work as quickly as possible, its first dose should be taken no later than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms of the disease.

Neuraminidase inhibitors

Inhibitors of neuraminidase - an enzyme that can integrate into the shell of the virus - are Relenza, Tamiflu. These antiviral agents for the treatment of influenza types A and B in children effectively suppress the spread of infectious agents.

The active ingredient in Relenz is zanamivir. Children over the age of 5 years can use the medicine. But if there is a history of bronchospasm, it is impossible to do inhalations with this solution.

Tamiflu contains oseltamivir phosphate. It is allowed to take children older than 1 year. As a result of its use, the growth of viruses slows down, their spread through the mucous membranes is blocked.


Arbidol is an effective antiviral

Specific HA chaperone

This category includes the remedy for influenza in children Arbidol. Its active substance takes part in the work of the immune system, qualitatively protects the body from negative viral influences.

Arbidol is indicated for children over 3 years old.

NP-protein inhibitors

Ingavirin is considered a high-quality NP-protein inhibitor. It is active against influenza viruses A and B, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial infections, parainfluenza.

Due to the intake of an NP-protein inhibitor into the body of a sick child, the reproduction of infectious agents stops at the nuclear stage. This means that the newly synthesized NP agents are unable to penetrate into the cell nucleus from the cytoplasm.

In addition, Ingavirin increases the amount of interferons, has a pronounced antiviral effect. The instructions for the drug indicate that only people over the age of 18 can take it. Sometimes doctors make an exception and prescribe this medicine to children, but parents should not do this on their own.

Drugs that enhance the production of interferon

For increased production of interferons - proteins that are produced by the body in response to the invasion of the virus - drugs are responsible:

  • Amiksin. Refers to broad-spectrum influenza drugs. Contains tilorone. It is indicated for sick children over the age of 7 years.
  • Kagocel. For medicinal purposes, children from 3 to 6 years old take it 1 tablet 2 times a day during the first two days of illness, and then reduce the dose by 2 times. If the patient is already 6 years old, the pediatrician will prescribe a different dose - 1 tablet 3 times a day for the first two days of treatment, and then 1-2 tablets.
  • Tsitovir 3. Can be given to children older than 1 year. But the syrup is contraindicated if the baby has high muscle tone, diabetes, increased blood clotting.
  • Cycloferon. Approved for use by children over 4 years of age. The child should take the medicine once a day.


Additional remedies for the treatment of influenza

Although antiviral drugs are considered the mainstay of influenza therapy, we must not forget the importance of symptomatic therapy. So, if a child has a high body temperature (which is usually observed with such a diagnosis), he needs to be given an antipyretic. The dosage is important to calculate taking into account the weight of the crumbs.

Runny nose, sore throat and cough should also not be ignored. The same drugs that were listed in the section of this article "What cold remedies are best for children" can be used here.

Immunomodulators for flu and colds

If a cold or flu has dragged on, the pediatrician may decide to prescribe an immunomodulator. But ideally, drugs of this group should be taken for the purpose of prevention (so as not to get sick) or when the disease has already receded (to raise immunity).
Well proven:

  • IRS 19. Drug based on bacterial lysates. Qualitatively increases nonspecific and specific immunity. Spray it on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. IRS 19 is safe and suitable even for the treatment of babies from the age of 3 months.
  • Imudon. An immunostimulant widely used in ENT practice. Recommended for children over 3 years old who often suffer from tonsillitis, pharyngitis, stomatitis.
  • Broncho-munal. Designed to increase immunity in children older than 6 months, prone to diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
  • Immunal. The main active ingredient of the drug is the herb Echinacea purpurea.


It must be understood that only an immunologist can prescribe an immunomodulator to a child, taking into account the individual characteristics of the orgasm of a small patient, his tendency to certain diseases, and the presence of allergic reactions to certain substances.