Viral infections: how to treat yourself?

In case of nasopharyngitis, flu, acute bronchitis and the majority of ear infections and tonsillitis… with or without antibiotics, you will not recover any faster from these infections linked to viruses! In the majority of cases, these infections disappear naturally within one to two weeks. The body has the necessary resources to fight alone against these viruses that are common in winter, you just need to give it time to react.

– Nasopharyngitis, or coldis systematically caused by a virus. The fever (often below 39°C) lasts 2 to 3 days. The nose runs (whitish, yellow or green discharge) and is blocked for 7 to 12 days, while the cough can persist for up to 3 weeks.

– The fluan exclusively viral infection, causes fever and body aches for 2 to 4 days. It causes a cough that lasts 2 to 3 weeks and prolonged fatigue that can last for several weeks.

– Viral angina represents approximately 80% of angina cases. Angina is an inflammation of the tonsils located at the back of the throat. It is possible to identify bacterial angina using the rapid diagnostic test looking for streptococcus bacteria (Trod angina or rapid diagnostic orientation test), carried out by the doctor before any prescription. Since this summer, pharmacists can dispense antibiotics in cases of angina, provided that this test is carried out beforehand. In a few minutes it is possible to know whether the person is suffering from bacterial tonsillitis requiring an antibiotic or a viral infection which does not require one.

Viral tonsillitis causes a fever for 2 to 3 days and a sore throat lasting about 7 days.

– Acute bronchitis, inflammation of the bronchi, is almost always viral. Fatty coughs with yellow or greenish secretions are part of the natural course of the disease. The fever lasts 2 to 3 days and a cough can last up to 3 weeks.

– Acute otitis mediaafter the age of 2 years, usually heals without antibiotics, pain and fever disappear in 3 to 4 days. It is caused by a bacteria in 60 to 70% of cases (Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcus, etc.) and by a virus in the other cases (respiratory syncytial virus, para-influenza virus, rhinovirus, etc.). If symptoms worsen within 2 to 3 days of the onset of symptoms, you will need to see or see a doctor who may decide to initiate antibiotic therapy.

– Gastroenteritis. Acute diarrhea with or without vomiting is most often of viral origin and does not require antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment is only justified if the bacterial cause of the diarrhea has been established by laboratory stool examination (stool culture). Anti-parasitic treatment is prescribed if the diarrhea is due to a parasite (for example, giardiasis).

Fever, cough, headaches, digestive problems, body aches… These symptoms are often linked to viral infections, against which antibiotics are ineffective. To relieve them:

– hydrate yourself: drink enough not to feel thirsty;

– adapt your physical activity: it promotes the recovery of your body;

– relieve fever, pain, aches: treatments such as paracetamol can be used.

If you have persistent fever (temperature above 38.5°C for more than three days), new symptoms appear, or no improvement in your condition, consult your doctor.

By taking an antibiotic only when necessary, we help prevent the appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Recent figures from Public Health France announced at the beginning of November 2024 show an encouraging trend: after a rebound in the use of antibiotics post-Covid-19, a slight decline seems to be looming in community medicine. “ If we analyze the evolution from 2013 to 2023, excluding the exceptional period of 2020-2022 linked to the pandemic, the curve shows a very (too) slow decreasepoints out Dr Alexandre Charmillon, infectious disease specialist at the Grand Est Regional Antibiotherapy Center and Nancy University Hospital and co-coordinator of the group on the proper use of antimicrobials of the SPILF (French-speaking society of infectious pathology). This decrease is more modest than desired, but it demonstrates, I hope, the beginnings of awareness among prescribers and the general public. Because today, France maintains one of the highest antibiotic prescription rates in Europe: 13% above the average for European countries. This is why we need the mobilization of all. »

Source: Ministry of Health and Prevention website https://sante.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/fiche_d_ordre_de_non-prescription.pdf; Interview with Dr Alexandre Charmillon, infectious disease specialist at the Grand Est Regional Antibiotherapy Center and Nancy CHRU (November 2024); ameli website