If I have the flu, what drugs can I use, and why do I feel that the flu has become worse now?

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-02-27

In today's society, with the change of the environment and the acceleration of the pace of life, people are paying more and more attention to their health. Influenza, as a common respiratory infectious disease, has a significant impact. In recent years, many people have lamented that the effects of influenza seem to be more severe than in previous years, and the reasons behind this are worth investigating. Influenza viruses are highly variable and can quickly adapt to environmental changes, leading to increased transmissibility and infectivity of the disease. At the same time, changes in human immunity also affect the infection rate and severity of the course of influenza to a certain extent.

In the face of the challenge of influenza, scientific and rational medication is an important means to resist diseases and restore health. However, there are many kinds of drugs on the market, and the mechanism of action, indications and possible *** of each drug are different, which undoubtedly increases the difficulty of choosing for non-professionals. Therefore, this article will delve into the characteristics of influenza viruses, analyze the reasons why influenza has become more robust at present, and introduce several common and effective anti-influenza drugs based on the principles of influenza. Through scientific analysis, it aims to provide the public with a clear and feasible medication guide to help everyone better protect the health of themselves and their families during the flu season. This introductory part aims to attract the reader's attention and arouse interest in the causes of influenza changes and the rational use of medicines, which not only involves the variability of influenza viruses, but also touches on the role of human immunity, and finally transitions to the main theme of the article - the rational choice of influenza.

Influenza viruses are known for their high degree of variability, which is achieved through two main mechanisms: antigenic drift and antigenic transfer. Antigenic drift refers to small mutations in viral surface proteins, such as hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which make it difficult for the body's immune system to recognize new strains of the virus, increasing the likelihood of infection. Antigen transfer, on the other hand, is the recombination of genetic material between different strains of the virus to produce virus strains with completely new characteristics, which can lead to large-scale epidemics. These mutations not only increase the transmissibility of influenza viruses, but also increase the severity of the disease. The mutated virus may cause an overreaction of the immune system, exacerbating the condition. In addition, the mutation also provides the virus with the ability to evade vaccine protection, which explains why the annual flu vaccine needs to be updated to cover the most common circulating strains.

For influenza, antiviral drugs are currently relied upon, which can inhibit viral replication, reduce symptoms, and shorten the duration of the disease. The main anti-influenza drugs include neuraminidase inhibitors (such as oseltamivir and zanamivir) and M2 protein inhibitors (such as amastatin). Neuraminidase inhibitors inhibit the spread of the virus by blocking key proteins on the surface of the virus, preventing the release of the virus from infected cells. M2 protein inhibitors inhibit viral replication by interfering with the function of ion channels during viral replication. When choosing the right anti-influenza drug, the type of virus strain, the patient's health status, and the drug*** For example, oseltamivir is suitable for most people, including pregnant women and children, but it is necessary to pay attention to its possible *** such as nausea and vomiting when using it.

The increase in the severity of influenza is related to a variety of factors. First, the mutation of the virus increases its ability to evade the immune system, making it possible for even individuals who have had the flu in the past to be reinfected. Secondly, modern lifestyles, such as increased indoor activities and dense crowds, also provide favorable conditions for the spread of influenza viruses. In addition, global climate change may also have affected the activity patterns of influenza viruses to some extent, making influenza season even more inaccessible**.

In addition to**, flu prevention is also crucial. Getting a flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent the flu. The vaccine activates the immune system to produce antibodies against the influenza virus, which can greatly reduce the severity of the disease, even if the vaccine does not completely prevent infection. In addition, maintaining good personal hygiene habits, such as washing hands frequently, wearing masks, and avoiding crowded places, are also effective measures to prevent influenza. Through the above analysis, we not only understand the characteristics of the influenza virus and the selection principles of the first drug, but also the possible causes of the increase in the severity of influenza and preventive measures. Hopefully, this information will help you stay healthy during flu season and effectively prevent the spread of influenza.

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