If a child is sick with influenza or ARVI and cannot be shown to the doctor for any reason immediately, in this case, you can start treatment on your own so that time is not wasted and the disease does not turn into a more severe form. If folk remedies do not help, the child should be given an antiviral drug. It is best if it is specifically designed for children.
Antiviral drugs that should not be given to children
It is not uncommon for a pharmacy clerk to recommend (unknowingly or by mistake) a drug for adults that is not suitable for a child at all. These medicines have various contraindications and can cause side effects in the child. Thus, they can not only not bring relief, but also harm the child's body. Therefore, it is best to consult with your local pediatrician.
Remember, the following medications are categorically contraindicated for children:
- highly toxic drugs "Tiloron" ("Tilaxin", "Lavomax", "Amiksin");
- "Bromhexin", "Ambrohexal" and other phlegm-thinning drugs for coughs (not to be given to babies);
- antiviral drugs, as well as immunomodulators that have not undergone proper clinical trials.
Such funds are not considered safe. The most common of them are: "Cycloferon", "Timogen", "Proteflazid", "Polyoxidonium", "Panavir", "Neovir", "Likopid", "Isoprinosin", "Groprinosin".
What antiviral drugs can be given to a child
With a severe course of influenza, drugs of two groups will be most effective: M-channel blockers (for example, "Remantadin", "Amantadine") and neuraminidase inhibitors ("Tamiflu", "Relenza").
In case of bronchitis in infants, it is recommended to use the inhaled Ribavirin. For children with heart problems and a weakened body, use "Synagis".
The following drugs are considered the most effective drugs for treating influenza in children:
- "Relenza";
- "Tamiflu" (allowed for children aged 1 and older);
- "Arbidol" (it is allowed to take children over 3 years old);
- tablets for ARVI and influenza "Kagocel" (can be taken by children from 3 years old);
- "Remantandine", which helps to cope with the flu at the earliest stage, but it is not effective in ARVI and should not be given to children under 7 years of age;
- "Interferon", which is used to prepare a solution (can be used at any age);
- "Interferon alpha 2b", or "Viferon" (suppositories used rectally can be used at any age);
- antiviral homeopathic medicines "Otsillococcinum", "Aflubin", "Anaferon" are really safe, but their effectiveness is questioned by doctors.
In addition, Nimesulide, Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol are used as non-steroidal antipyretic drugs. There are many negative reviews among doctors about some of these drugs. Some doctors do not advise giving them to children, and some prescribe only such drugs. For example, earlier, aspirin was used to lower the temperature in children, but now many doctors strongly discourage it, because it has many side effects and is unsafe for the child.
