Pediatr. praxi. 2022;23(5):361-366 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2022.066

Some options for preventing and treating flu-like illness

MUDr. Jan Boženský¹, prof. MUDr. František Kopřiva, Ph.D.², PharmDr. Lucie Kotlářová³, MUDr. Pavel Kostiuk, CSc.⁴, PharmDr. Zdeněk Procházka⁴

¹ Dětské oddělení, Nemocnice Agel Ostrava-Vítkovice

² Dětská klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc

³ InPharm Clinic, Jesenice u Prahy

⁴ Edukafarm, Jesenice u Prahy

Influenza is currently classified in a broader group known as influenza-like illness (ILI). It is a group of viral inflammations of the upper respiratory tract, which can (depending on individual reactivity) manifest a clinical picture similar to true influenza ("influenza syndrome" - mainly high temperature, cough, sore throat). In addition to the flu virus, a number of other viruses can cause these symptoms. The treatment of these diseases (except for antiviral drugs that can be used for "true" flu) is symptomatic. Stimulation of immunity plays vital role in the prevention and treatment of influenza-like ilness. The classic method of immunostimulation against influenza is vaccination. However, the effectiveness of vaccines is limited due to antigenic changes of influenza virus, moreover, it does not affect the occurrence of other viral diseases of this group. Therefore, it is advisable to use other possibilities of immunostimulating prevention of influenza-like ilness. The article deals with some possibilities of prevention and treatment of this group of diseases, based primarily on the support of the immune system.

Keywords: influenza, influenza-like illness, prevention, therapy, immunostimulation.

Published: October 11, 2022  Show citation