Today, the pharmaceutical market has a huge amount of antiviral drugs that differ in price, mechanism of action and effectiveness. But when choosing a "childish" means you need to be very careful, and you should not also engage in self-medication.
What is a virus, how to combat it
A virus is a microorganism that consists of a capsid, a genetic material, but such microorganisms do not have organelles, which prevents them from multiplying outside the host organism. For replication, the virus needs to enter the cell, where it begins to use its organelles for reproduction, which leads to cell death.
This process is divided into several stages:
- The secretion of enzymes that damage the cell wall occurs, after which the microorganism penetrates, takes root into the cell's DNA and reprograms its work. As a result, human cells begin to work on the virus, ceasing to perform their functional duties.
- The emergence of child viruses is synthesized. Microorganisms fill the cell until it dies, after which they move to new cells and infect them.
In a healthy person, the immune system successfully copes with such microorganisms due to:
interferons - proteins that are synthesized when an inflammatory process appears in the body. It is interferons that inhibit the virus, interfering with its penetration into the body;- macrophages and lymphocytes, which work as "snoops": they look for alien microorganisms, absorb and digest them;
- cytotoxic lymphocytes responsible for the destruction of those cells that are already affected by the virus;
- antibodies to the virus that are synthesized by b-lymphocytes.
interferons - proteins that are synthesized when an inflammatory process appears in the body. It is interferons that inhibit the virus, interfering with its penetration into the body;And to help the body, which is far from always able to cope with the protection, special drugs that affect the immune system were developed: inducers, vaccines, etc.
Should antivirals be used for children?
Most experts agree that antiviral drugs (especially those that contain interferon) should be prescribed only after an examination. Such drugs affect the immune system, can lead to its failure, especially in children, which can, in turn, cause serious autoimmune diseases.
Therefore, if the child has a cold, you should not hurry to the pharmacy - first observe its condition.
If the body temperature is not too high, the child is active, eats normally, you can safely do without medication.
In addition, these drugs are not recommended to be used more often than once every six months, and it is generally forbidden to self-medicate with them, because only the doctor can choose the appropriate remedy depending on the child's age, prescribe the correct regimen and dosage regimen.
If we talk about how to properly take these medicines, then it should be remembered that the use will be effective if they are assigned a maximum of 72 hours in the first 72 hours, because later on they will not bring any result. And the famous pediatrician Komarovsky generally believes that such drugs should be prescribed only to those children who have a weak immunity - they themselves will not be able to cope with the virus.
If you want to drink away any means as a preventive measure, for example, in the fall or spring, when the risk of viral diseases increases, it is best to choose herbal medicines that have a minimal number of side effects and contraindications.
Classification of antiviral drugs
Such agents, depending on the effect on certain viruses, are divided into the following groups:
- Anti-flu. The most famous: rimantadine and amantadine. Reception contributes to the destruction of the virus.
- Aimed at fighting herpes. Stop the reproduction of viruses.
- Preparations of a wide spectrum of action, for example, Anferon and Arbidol. They are also used for rotavirus infection, and for the defeat of herpes.
Let's look at the most effective and safe ones.
For newborns:
- Aflubin;
- Viferon;
- Grippferon
For children from six months to two years:
- Anaferon;
- Viburcol;
- Nazoferon;
- Ergoferon;
- Immunal;
- Oseltamivir;
- Tsitovir-3.
From three years:
- Arbidol;
- Kagocel
From 4 to 7 years:
- Ingavirin 60;
- Remantadin.
TOP 5 most effective antiviral drugs
Let's look at the most effective and safe means presented in pharmacy chains.
Viferon
This is a combined immunomodulator with antioxidant action. Its components negatively affect viruses, increasing the activity of T-lymphocytes and accelerating the maturation of B-lymphocytes. Consists of human recombinant alpha-2-interferon, also contains E and C vitamins.
The use of this tool in therapy reduces the treatment time and increases the effectiveness of other drugs.
The tool is available in the following forms:
- rectal suppositories;
- ointment and gel.
It is prescribed for acute respiratory viral infections, inflammation, sepsis, viral hepatitis, as well as in complex therapy for enterovirus. The ointment is used for herpes or papillomavirus.
Dose:
- 1 candle twice a day for full-term newborns;
- 1 candle every 8 hours prematurely.
The treatment period is no more than five days. Side effects include the appearance of skin allergies (itching, dermatitis).
Contraindications include:
- hypersensitivity;
- autoimmune diseases.
Cost: from 250 rubles for suppositories and 150 rubles - ointment.
Anaferon
Anaferon is an inexpensive and fairly effective homeopathic antiviral agent. Its main component is purified antibodies to gamma interferon. Available in pill form. Prescribed for acute respiratory viral infections, flu, herpes, prescribed for prevention.
Reception scheme:
- With a cold, it is absorbed under the tongue until completely dissolved according to the following scheme: on the first day, take a pill every half hour for two hours and three more times 1 tablet at equal intervals of time. From the second day they dissolve one tablet three times a day. Children older than six months is best to dissolve the tablet in milk.
- As a prophylactic agent, you need to give 1 tablet once a day for three months.
Side effects include the appearance of allergies. Contraindications: you can not take children up to six months. Packing cost - 200 rubles.
Nazoferon
It is an interferon, adversely affects viruses, boosts immunity, reduces inflammation. Available in the form of spray and nasal drops. It is used for acute respiratory viral infections, flu, frequent colds, for prevention.
Dosage:
- Children up to one year: one drop in each nostril 5 times a day;
- children from 1 to three years: two drops 4-5 times a day;
- children from 4 years and adolescents up to 14 years: two doses (drops) 4-5 times a day.
In order to prevent: one drop twice a day for 7 days.
Contraindications: allergy to the components of the drug. Average cost of drops: 400 rubles.
Arbidol
Arbidol is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. It blocks the penetration of the virus and retrovirus. The active ingredient is umifenovir, which has an immunomodulatory effect. Release form: capsules.
The indications include:
- SARS, influenza virus;
- bronchitis;
- herpes;
- rotavirus infection;
- treatment of secondary immunodeficiency.
You need to take the following scheme:
- children from 3 to 6 years: 1 tablet (50 mg) 4 times a day;
- Children 6-12 years old: 1 tablet (100 mg) 4 times a day;
- adolescents 12-14 years: 2 tablets (100 mg) 4 times a day.
The course is 5 days.
Side effects include the manifestation of allergy to the drug. Among the contraindications intolerance of individual components.
The cost of the medicine: 250 rubles per pack of Arbidol 50 mg, 450 rubles - 100 mg.
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
It is an effective antiviral drug that is widely used in the treatment of influenza. Its timely use will reduce symptoms, prevent the occurrence of complications. Can also be used as a preventive measure.
The dosage is as follows:
- up to 15 kg - 30 mg of the drug twice a day;
- 15-25 kg - 45 mg twice a day;
- 25-40 kg - 60 mg twice a day;
- from 40 kg and more - 150 mg divided into two doses.
For children up to 12 years old, only suspension is used. The course of treatment is 5 days.
Side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting - from the gastrointestinal tract.
- Headache and sleep problems - from the central nervous system.
- Cough - from the respiratory system.
- Allergy.
Contraindications:
- component intolerance;
- age about one year.
Average cost - 700 rubles.
There are a lot of drugs for children, but do not self-medicate, because this can cause serious complications.
Reviews
I have two children: one goes to kindergarten, the eldest goes to school. And, of course, they constantly get sick: either a cold, or an acute respiratory viral infection, last year they even managed to catch the flu. Our local pediatrician prescribed child Anaferon for prophylactic purposes. As a result, in recent years, only the youngest in the garden caught up with the cold; True, it will be effective only in the first few days after the disease. But I am glad that the doctor advised - now the children get sick less.
Olga, 35 years old
For her child, she chose Viferon, and the tool is quite effective - but it is important to take it in the first 72 hours, after which it will not act. I give candles when I get sick, but I also use gel as a prophylactic agent if someone in the house is sick.
Irina, 27 years old
