The doctor told about the difference between flu and acute respiratory infections

Unlike acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), influenza starts suddenly. Andrei Pozdnyakov, infectious disease specialist, head of the clinical diagnostic laboratory of Invitro-Siberia LLC, told about it on September 24.

"Classical flu has a rather different symptom complex from other infections," he said in a conversation with RIA Novosti.

According to him, at the initial stage of the disease, a person can indicate the time of the onset of the disease with accuracy up to an hour. Also among the symptoms, the specialist called high fever, pronounced intoxication and pain in the head, muscles and joints.

The infectious disease specialist emphasized that on the part of the respiratory tract symptoms manifest themselves later. According to him, coughing manifests itself on the second or third day from the onset of influenza. He also noted that at first the cough is simple, and then becomes frequent.

Pozdnyakov divides flu complications into early and late complications. Among the early ones he named lung damage, primary influenza pneumonia, marked intoxication, as well as the possible development of lesions of the central nervous system.

To the late complications, the specialist referred secondary bacterial complications from the respiratory tract - sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis. In addition, after influenza in a survivor can be observed unstable temperature, fatigue and marked sweating.

Pozdnyakov noted that in the initial stages of influenza to avoid complications can be used special antiviral therapy, and the reception of antibiotics should be carried out only on the advice of a doctor.

Earlier, on September 20, pediatrician Ekaterina Morozova told how to protect the child from diseases during the school period. According to her, one of the key factors is hardening, as well as an active lifestyle and frequent appearance in the fresh air. In addition, she pointed out the importance of choosing clothes according to the season.

Before that, on September 12, therapist Svetlana Burnatskaya told how to prepare the body for changing weather conditions. She recommended getting a preventive flu shot to protect against viral diseases, and also advised to take immunomodulators and medicines to strengthen the body, if necessary.