Kids are especially vulnerable to viral infections of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Modern antiviral drugs for children help prevent and treat acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, chickenpox, and herpes. Interferons help increase resistance to pathogenic microorganisms, as a result, the child tolerates an infectious disease more easily.
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Types and classification of antiviral agents
Vaccines are a separate group of antiviral agents. Vaccinations that are given to the baby immediately after birth protect against many infections. The next group is drugs for the etiotropic treatment of viral diseases. Such agents block the propagation of viruses until they penetrate the cell membrane and after new virions exit the dead cell of the human body.
Among drugs for etiotropic therapy, anti-influenza and anti-herpetic drugs are isolated. In addition, there are protease inhibitors, antiretrovirals that act against HIV. Another group is drugs with a wide range of antiviral activity. These are mainly interferons and inducers of interferon synthesis.
The effectiveness of homeopathic antiviral drugs (Anaferon, Ergoferon), plant extracts (Immunal) is considered insufficiently proven. However, these funds continue to be prescribed by pediatricians.There are many reviews on the effectiveness of their use in the treatment of infectious diseases.
M2 channel blockers
Drugs in this group inhibit the proliferation of viral particles before they enter the cell or after its destruction. The most famous M-2 blocker is rimantadine (rimantadine). The tool is used to treat and prevent flu, to prevent certain forms of tick-borne encephalitis. The drug is usually not prescribed for acute respiratory viral infections.
The price of "Remantadin", "Rimantadin Aveksima" and "Actitab" for the treatment of influenza - from 30 to 110 rubles for 20 tablets.
"Orvirem" is a syrup for children, the active ingredient of which is rimantadine. The cost in the pharmacy is from 260 to 340 rubles.
These are inexpensive antiviral drugs compared to Tamiflu.
Thanks to the use of antiviral agents, fewer complications appear, the death rate from influenza and the risk of bacterial superinfection are reduced.
Neuraminidase Inhibitors
In this group of drugs oseltamivir ("Tamiflu" and "Nomides"), zanamivir ("Relenza"). They prevent reproduction, but do not kill viruses. Used to treat and prevent flu. Neuraminidase inhibitors are recommended for use during the seasonal epidemic. “Tamiflu” refers to expensive antiviral agents. The cost of packaging 10 capsules - from 1250 rubles.
Medications with a wide range of antiviral activity
This group includes interferons and interferon inducers, lamivudine ("Zeffix"), ribavirin ("Vero-Ribavirin"). The effect of group drugs is to increase the body's defenses. The protective protein is directly introduced or its formation is stimulated by the body's cells. Interferon helps cells become immune to virus attacks and inhibits the incorporation of the genetic material of the pathogen.
Properties of interferons: antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating.
Antiviral, immunomodulating agents prescribed for children with influenza and SARS:
- Cycloferon;
- Tsitovir-3;
- Viferon;
- "Arbidol";
- "Imudon";
- "Kagocel".
Among the drugs of the group, you can choose various dosage forms, cheap and effective drugs for the treatment of children of different ages.
- The cost of rectal suppositories "Viferon" is 295 rubles.
- The price of nose drops "Grippferon" - 300 rubles.
- Infagel cream for the prevention of herpes, SARS and influenza (lubricate the nasal passages) costs 125 rubles.
- Solution for instillation and inhalation Interferon leukocyte - 133 rubles.
"Kagocel" contains an interferon inducer. As a therapeutic and prophylactic agent, it is used for herpes and flu.
"Arbidol" is an antiviral, immunomodulating drug. It is prescribed for influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, herpes.
"Tsitovir-3" is a combination drug, in addition to the interferon inducer, contains ascorbic acid.
Antiherpetic drugs
These are the drugs “Acyclovir”, “Zovirax”, “Valacyclovir”, “Vivorax”, “Cyclovir”. The price of tablets is from 27 to 460 rubles (depending on the manufacturer). The cost of the antiherpetic drugs Famvir and Familar (10 tablets) is from 1,500 rubles. The drug "Allokin-alpha" is used for herpes, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus infection. The price of packaging (6 ampoules) is 7450 rubles.
Protease inhibitors
A relatively new group of drugs with a direct antiviral effect. These include daclatasvir (“Ducklins”), sofosbuvir (“Sovaldi”), simeprevir, ombitasvir. To date, they are the most effective drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C. Together with them, it is not necessary to use interferons.
Antiviral drugs for newborns
Only a pediatrician prescribes and cancels babies immediately after birth. It is considered acceptable to use interferons and some homeopathic medicines for the treatment of newborns to strengthen the body's still weak immune system.
Viferon suppositories contain human recombinant interferon alfa with immunomodulatory activity. The effect of the drug lasts up to 12 hours. In the case of a cold, SARS, and flu, it is recommended that a newborn child be given 1 suppository every 12 hours for 5 days. For the treatment of the youngest group of patients should choose a drug with a dosage of 150 thousand IU.
Funds for children up to 1 year old
The list of antiviral drugs for children under 1 year old should also begin with Viferon. Candles are used for acute respiratory viral infections, herpetic and urogenital infections. Children under 12 are administered one suppository with a dosage of 150 thousand IU for 12 hours, only 2 per day. The treatment lasts 5 days.
The human recombinant interferon alpha in the composition of the nasal drops "Grippferon" also helps to avoid complications of viral infections of the respiratory system. Instilled dropwise into each nasal passage of the baby 5 times a day.
Any antivirus products should be prescribed by a specialist. Such drugs can have an undesirable effect on a growing organism.
The use of Tamiflu in suspension is approved only from the age of 12 months. Pediatricians can prescribe the drug for children up to a year. The medicine should be taken twice a day for 5 days. Children under 3 months are given 12 mg, from 3 to 5 months - 20 mg, from 6 to 11 months - 25 mg.
For children from 1 year to 3 years
In addition to the medicine, which is used before the age of 12 months (Viferon), other agents can be used. For acute respiratory viral infections, viral tonsillitis, and flu, “Tamiflu”, “Tsitovir-3”, “Orvire”, nasal drops “Grippferon” are prescribed.
The incubation period of respiratory syncytial viruses, adenoviruses, influenza, parainfluenza is relatively short. The use of antiviral agents, such as Viferon, Grippferon, Arbidol, is most effective in the first 48 hours after the onset of the disease. After 5 days, it makes little sense to use this group of drugs. Medicines do not penetrate the cells where virus propagation occurs.
For children from 3 to 6 years old
To fight infections, mainly with acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, children over 3 years of age are prescribed one of the antiviral syrups - Arbidol, Tamiflu, Orvirem or Tsitovir-3 inside. Grippferon solution is used for instillation into the nose. Also, children over 3 years old can take Kagocel, after 4 years - Cycloferon tablets.
Children over 3 years of age can be given the Immudon tablets to dissolve with pharyngitis and tonsillitis. This is a drug based on bacterial lysates that increase the production of endogenous interferon.
Effective antiviral drugs for children from 6 years old
Preschoolers and schoolchildren can take the medicines listed above. Children over 6 years old do not have difficulty swallowing or absorbing the tablets. Therefore, you can choose this dosage form (syrups and suspensions are more expensive).
At 5 years of age, influenza A and B can be treated with zanamivir. The trade name of the drug is Relenza. The medicine is administered by inhalation; it helps better in the early days of the disease. Zanamivir inhibits the activity of viral particles "ejected" from target cells after reproduction in the intercellular space.
Remantadine in the form of a syrup can be given to children from 1 year to 14 years for the prevention and early treatment of influenza. Patients older than 7 years can take Remantadin tablets and analogues in composition.
Modern medicine does not lack antiviral agents. However, for most patients with typical symptoms of a respiratory infection, doctors prescribe symptomatic treatment - antipyretic, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, local antiseptics and painkillers. There are several reasons for this situation.
Many antiviral agents are effective in the very first days of an illness. Then the objects on which they must act penetrate the cells, become inaccessible.In addition, the properties of a number of antiviral agents are not well understood, with the use of others associated undesirable effects on the body.
A strong immune system copes with infection. Antibodies are produced in the body, lymphocytes destroy cells already infected with viruses.
Parents who are in search of the most effective immunomodulating and antiviral drugs for their children should consider the findings of experts. Experts say that with syrups, tablets or suppositories alone you can’t increase your immune defense.
Immunity is gradually formed from birth for at least 5 to 7 years under the influence of many factors, including good nutrition, tempering, intake of vitamin and mineral complexes. "Arbidol", "Imudon" and other immunomodulatory drugs will help, but you should be aware of the side effects of antiviral treatment.