People with influenza A often have symptoms of high fever, muscle pain, cough, fatigue, dehydration, and little urination. This makes many people wonder if they can get an IV if they have influenza A? Is this a safe and effective way to improve the condition?
What happens if you get an IV when you have a fever due to the flu virus?
Many people believe that when they have a fever due to the flu virus, they need to have an IV to quickly reduce the fever. This is a misconception, said Dr. Pham Thai Anh (Bac Thang Long Hospital). IV has many benefits but can also cause many dangerous complications for the patient.
Common types of infusion solutions are glucose solution (5%, 10%), saline (sea water with sodium chloride ratio of 9/1,000), and multi-electrolyte solutions.
What happens if you get an IV when you have a fever due to the flu virus?
Normally, if 1 liter of 5% glucose is infused, only 50ml can be absorbed into the body. Meanwhile, if the patient drinks water - especially lemon juice or orange juice, more glucose can be absorbed.
There is a rule that salt and sugar should not be infused during viral fever, because these substances entering the body will increase pressure on the skull, increase cerebral edema, and worsen the disease.
Infection at the injection site and other side effects can also occur if the IV is not performed in a sterile environment or is not closely monitored by a doctor.
And so far, there has been no medical confirmation that clearly defines the effect of IV fluids in reducing fever and improving health conditions for people with influenza. IV fluids should only be used in cases of high fever or persistent vomiting. At this time, patients should be prescribed IV fluids and the IV procedures should be observed and monitored by specialized doctors. Patients should not arbitrarily buy IV fluids and IV at home. Or if they suspect the risk of influenza A, patients should go to medical facilities for timely examination and treatment.
Doctors always warn that all drugs introduced into the body have side effects and this risk increases when the body absorbs them directly. Infusion can cause infections, spread infectious diseases, hepatitis... Therefore, the doctor's advice is that if you have a fever due to the flu virus but still eat well, you should not receive intravenous fluids, but should instead be nourished through food.
Use medicine to treat flu
If you have a mild flu, no fever or fever below 38 degrees Celsius, you can treat it at home by drinking plenty of water, gargling with salt water, using saline nose drops, combining a reasonable diet and rest, without needing to take medication.
Flu patients need to remember that antibiotics are not effective in preventing and treating the flu virus (except in cases of secondary infection). In particular, drinking plenty of water, especially fruit juices rich in vitamin C, will help shorten the treatment process. Or patients can supplement vitamin C through tablets according to the instructions for use.
If the flu patient has a high fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius, it is necessary to use paracetamol and ibuprofen in the prescribed dosage. However, if during the flu phase, the patient coughs a lot, has chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and a high fever, it is necessary to go to the hospital for timely treatment, because it is very possible that the patient has a secondary infection of respiratory bacteria. This condition is common in young children, the elderly, people with chronic diseases, and people who work at high intensity. Common secondary infections are respiratory infections such as pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia, which prolong the illness and make treatment more complicated and expensive.
In case of secondary infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics depending on the condition of each case. For patients with high fever and diarrhea (more than 5-7 times/day), it is necessary to supplement oserol solution orally or be prescribed intravenous fluids when necessary.
Doctor's advice for preventing viral flu
To prevent influenza caused by viruses, you should increase your water intake, especially fruit juices rich in vitamin C (orange, tangerine, guava, etc.). In addition, you should build a diet that ensures adequate nutrition to improve your resistance against influenza viruses. In addition, you should gargle with diluted salt water several times a day to prevent viruses and bacteria from entering your body; wear a mask when exposed to dusty, polluted environments, crowded places, and wash your hands thoroughly before meals and after going to the toilet to avoid infection.
Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/nguoi-mac-cum-a-co-nen-truyen-dich-khong-172250212071058585.htm
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