Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for most viral infections

by Tristian Braun Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

For most viral infections, treatments can only help with symptoms while you wait for your immune system to fight off the virus. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. There are antiviral medicines to treat some viral infections. Vaccines can help prevent you from getting many viral diseases.

Most viruses clear up without antiviral medications. Healthcare providers prescribe antivirals to treat chronic or life-threatening viral infections, including: Coronaviruses like COVID-19.May 11, 2021

Full Answer

What is the best home remedy for a viral infection?

Home Remedies to Cure Viral Infection. Chicken soup: Chicken soup helps reduce the symptoms of viral infection. Inhale the vapour from chicken soup to clear the respiratory tract. Chicken soup is not only good for the soul, but also for preventing respiratory infection.

What is the best medication for a viral infection?

,

  • Chamomile: Chamomile is safe for children and has anti-viral properties. ...
  • Oregano: Oregano is also safe for children (but make it as a weak tea) and has antiviral properties. ...
  • Thyme: Thyme is safe for children (as a weak tea) and has antiviral properties. ...
  • Olive leaf: This is safe for children (as a weak tea) and has antiviral properties.

More items...

How do you cure a viral infection?

There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS. Study 1489 and Study 1490 are Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled studies. For 144 weeks, treatment-naïve participants were blinded to receive either Biktarvy (n=634) or a dolutegravir-containing triple therapy (n=640).

How to cure viruses naturally?

  • Medicare to provide up to 8 free tests per month. ...
  • Walensky: 'Stealth omicron' slightly more infectious, but no worse than original. ...
  • Avoiding COVID before Winter Games takes 'a huge mental toll' on athletes. ...
  • 'I was wrong': Young, unvaccinated Texan spent 164 days in hospital with COVID. ...

More items...

image

What is the most common treatment for viral diseases?

Prescription medications used to treat viral diseasesAntiretroviral medications, which can help people with HIV/AIDS lead longer lives. ... Antiviral drugs, which minimize the severity and length of some viral infections, such as the flu and shingles, especially in people who are at a high risk for serious complications.

How do you get rid of a viral infection fast?

Here are 12 tips to help you recover more quickly.Stay home. Your body needs time and energy to fight off the flu virus, which means that your daily routine should be put on the backburner. ... Hydrate. ... Sleep as much as possible. ... Ease your breathing. ... Eat healthy foods. ... Add moisture to the air. ... Take OTC medications. ... Try elderberry.More items...

What antibiotics treat viral infections?

Antibiotics DO NOT work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, or COVID-19. Antibiotics also are not needed for many sinus infections and some ear infections. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and the side effects could still cause harm.

What are 3 common viral infections?

Some of the most common viral infections include:Common cold.Influenza (flu)Herpes.Chickenpox.Mumps.Human papillomavirus (HPV)Measles.Rubella.More items...•

Target: Virus

Most antiviral drugs prevent infected cells from making more viruses. They work by disrupting an essential step in the viral replication cycle. A few antiviral drugs block viruses from getting into cells.

Target: The Immune System

The immune system is complicated. It’s made up of organs, cells, and molecules both large and small. Signaling molecules released from the site of infection travel in the bloodstream and throughout the body, with widespread effects. Yet scientists have learned a lot about how the immune system works.

Target: Symptoms

Another category of treatments is aimed at relieving symptoms while the immune system works on clearing the virus. This category is very broad. It includes home remedies, medical interventions that are usually delivered at hospitals, and emotional support. Some of these treatments are directed at the specific effects of a virus.

How to cure viral infection?

To cure a viral infection with home remedies, try eating foods that are known to help fight infection. For example, foods high in Vitamin C, like berries, watermelon, and oranges, can fight infections and lower fevers. Foods high in zinc can also help to fight colds, like beef, chicken, yogurt, and beans.

What to use for sinus infection?

Use a diffuser. This method can be very useful, especially if more than one member of your family has a sinus infection or respiratory infection. Choose your oils from among chamomile, elderberry, licorice root, Echinacea, olive root, thyme and oregano. Or, you can make your own unique mixture.

What foods can help with colds?

Food sources of zinc include seafood (oysters, king crab, lobster), beef, chicken (dark meat), yogurt, beans and nuts (cashews, almonds).

What fruits are good for fever?

Focus on fresh fruit rich in vitamin C. Eat plenty of fresh fruit such as berries, watermelon, oranges and cantaloupe. These fruit are also rich in vitamin C, which can help fight infections and lower fevers. ...

How long does a fever last?

If the fever is sustained at over 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C) or higher for more than 12 to 24 hours, consider calling a physician.

Is a virus a live organism?

While there is controversy in the scientific and medical worlds over whether viruses are even live organisms, there is no controversy that viral infections cause a wide variety of diseases, chronic conditions, cancer, long-term illness, suffering and death.

Can viruses be cured?

There are many viruses that survive in human cells with long-term and chronic consequences and most viruses are difficult to treat because they are protected by the host’s own cells. , , , [3]

How do viruses make you sick?

They invade living, normal cells and use those cells to multiply and produce other viruses like themselves. This can kill, damage, or change the cells and make you sick. Different viruses attack certain cells in your body such as your liver, respiratory system, or blood.

What are viruses made of?

Viruses are very tiny germs. They are made of genetic material inside of a protein coating. Viruses cause familiar infectious diseases such as the common cold, flu and warts. They also cause severe illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19.

Can you fight off a viral infection?

Your immune system may be able to fight it off. For most viral infections, treatments can only help with symptoms while you wait for your immune system to fight off the virus. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. There are antiviral medicines to treat some viral infections.

How to help a fever with a virus?

Your healthcare provider might recommend the following to relieve symptoms and support your body’s natural defenses: Taking medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever. Drinking water or receiving intravenous fluids to stay hydrated. Getting plenty of rest to help the body fight the virus.

How do antiviral medications affect the immune system?

Antiviral medications reduce the ability of the virus to multiply and spread through the body. Reducing an overactive immune response. In patients with severe COVID-19, the body’s immune system may overreact to the threat of the virus, worsening the disease. This can cause damage to the body’s organs and tissues.

Can you get investigational treatment for a virus?

Your healthcare provider might recommend that you receive investigational treatment. For people at high risk of disease progression. The FDA has issued EUAs for a number of investigational monoclonal antibodies that can attach to parts of the virus.

What is the best medicine for influenza?

Prescription Medications. Oseltamivir and Zanamivir. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are used in adults and children to prevent or treat infections with types A and B influenza viruses. Oseltamivir and zanamivir interfere with specific viral chemical processes.

What is the best medicine for a sore throat?

Throat lozenges may be able to reduce the pain caused by a sore throat and may decrease how long it lasts. Lozenges with amylmetacresol and dichlorobenzyl alcohol may be helpful.

What is the name of the medication that reduces swelling in the nose?

Oxymetazoline. Decongestants are all related to adrenaline (epinephrine). Some are available topically (nose sprays and eye drops), and others are taken by mouth. Decongestants constrict blood vessels, thereby reducing swelling in inflamed tissues like the nose.

Can antibiotics cure the common cold?

Antibiotics, though generally safe, have side effects and are not as harmless as the common cold. Antibiotics do not cure influenza or the common cold since both are caused by viruses. They only work against bacterial infections. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics has caused a worldwide crisis—the emergence of resistant bacteria.

Can you take antibiotics for the common cold?

In general, uncomplicated influenza and the common cold should not be treated with antibiotics for several reasons: Antibiotics, though generally safe, have side effects and are not as harmless as the common cold.

Is antibiotic overuse a problem?

Misuse and overuse of antibiotics has caused a worldwide crisis—the emergence of resistant bacteria. Some infections are now resistant to every known antibiotic. On the other hand, many over the counter (OTC) remedies are available to help minimize your symptoms.

Does amantadine cure the flu?

Amantadine and rimantadine affect only influenza A viruses. They are used for treatment, as well as for prevention in high-risk people during an epidemic. These medicines do not cure the flu, but may shorten the duration of illness if taken within 48 hours of when symptoms first appear.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9