Dr. Komarovsky on remedies for ARVI for children

Many parents now turn to renowned pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky as a reliable source of advice. His advice is clear-cut and pragmatic when it comes to treating ARVI (acute respiratory viral infections) in children; it frequently avoids the use of needless drugs in favor of easy-to-follow fixes.

Knowing how to help a child with ARVI can be confusing for parents because there are so many over-the-counter products available. Dr. Komarovsky notes that supportive care is recommended to aid the body’s natural defenses against viruses, rather than prescription drugs, for the majority of viral infections in children.

This post will go over Dr. Komarovsky’s suggestions for treating children’s ARVI symptoms, emphasizing simple and safe methods to help kids feel better while they’re sick. Parents who wish to steer clear of pointless treatments and concentrate on what really helps can find clarity in his guidance.

Dossier

The Kharkov region’s own Dr. Evgeny Komarovsky rose to fame as a result of a number of parenting books and publications. He was among the first medical professionals to effectively and comprehensibly explain to parents the causes of pediatric illnesses and the best ways to treat them. Within the medical community, Komarovsky is well-known for advocating for a less conventional basic medical school; occasionally, his views diverge from the Ministry of Health’s official stance. He already has a granddaughter and a grandson after raising two sons. On television, there is the "School of Dr. Komarovsky" program and the headline "Russian Radio."

Dr. Komarovsky stresses that the majority of drugs marketed for ARVI in children are either unnecessary or ineffective, and that there is no miracle treatment for the condition. Rather, he advises concentrating on straightforward but efficient strategies like offering an ample amount of fluids, making sure that adequate rest is obtained, keeping the air damp, and preserving a comfortable temperature. He emphasizes that the body can usually fight the infection on its own with supportive care, and cautions against overusing antibiotics or antiviral medications.

Antivirus drugs through the eyes of Komarovsky

Although there is controversy surrounding Evgeny Olegovich’s antiviral medications, most contemporary pediatricians now agree with him. Komarovsky believes that the most significant finding is that antiviral medications are essentially useless. For the great majority of well-known medications, the clinical benefit has not been established. As a result, parents who attempt to give their child these medications first aid their own condition.

Instead, they claim to be doing this to reassure themselves—after all, the tablet was given, and the child received assistance. This is a "bear service," in actuality. Ultimately, antiviral medications that function as immunostimulants and immunomodulators "lazy" the developing infant’s immune system during the early years of life. This explains why children who receive antiviral medication from their parents, whether on purpose or not, tend to get sick more frequently and with greater severity than other children.

And here’s Doctor Komarovsky, who will tell us all about children’s antiviral medications during the program cycle.

In support of his claims, Komarovsky cites international pediatric practice, which states that a child getting a cold up to twelve times a year is not abnormal. The standards are different in Russia and the former Soviet republics; a child is deemed weak and ill if they get a cold five or six times a year. He is placed on a dispensary register, given close observation, attended to, and an increasing number of new prescriptions are chosen for him.

Naturally, this benefits pharmacies and the businesses that make pharmaceuticals. They make billions of dollars in fees during times of increased incidence, not giving much thought to what will happen to kids who are made to throw away pills and syrups at the behest of their parents and some of the more established doctors. As a result, sick and frail children raised by parents and medical professionals themselves become unhealthy adults. How should one proceed?

Homeopathic medicine is a preferred treatment option for parents. In any case, they do not harm people, and drug usage instructions do not discuss negative effects or overdose precautions. However, Komarovsky claims that they are in no way effective. Due to the extremely tiny active ingredient particles in homeopathic remedies, research on the efficacy of such medications is not done. Because of this, their impact cannot be clinically identified in a lab setting.

Thus, the choice of whether or not to treat a child with homeopathy rests with the parents. Komarovsky states that a homeopathic medication would be preferable in this situation if moms and kids require a "magic" tablet. No matter how hard drugstore chemists and pharmacists try to persuade parents to the contrary, the "placebo" effect is largely responsible for its action.

Treatment of viral diseases according to Komarovsky

Although it is difficult, you can determine the type of infection a child has on your own, according to Komarovsky. The doctor says the most likely cause of the baby’s symptoms, which include a sore throat, elevated temperature, and a dry, non-stuffy nose with cold symptoms, is a bacterial illness (tonsillitis, etc.). You may suspect a viral infection if, as they say, the snot is pouring, the eyes are watering, and the temperature is rising quickly.

Is it time to call the doctor? Indeed. Should I use antiviral medication? According to Komarovsky, only in severe circumstances and upon a pediatrician’s advice. This is particularly true for young children, ages one to three; for them, the intoxication that accompanies the virus is more concerning than the horrible viral infection.

The following is how a renowned physician suggests treating a child who has acute respiratory viral infections and the flu:

• At any cost, leave the child at home. You should not take him to kindergarten or take him across the city by transport to grandma"s, even if at first it seems that it is impossible to ask for time off from work and there is no one to leave the baby with. All this increases the risk of further spread of the viral infection. Therefore, it is better to find time for your own child. It is optimal if, in the first hours at the first symptoms of acute respiratory viral infection or flu, parents can provide him with bed rest at home.
• You need to dress the baby warmly, but do not wrap him up too much so that the baby does not sweat.
• It is imperative to create the “right” conditions in the room so that the child’s immunity can cope with the virus on its own. Air temperature – 18-20 degrees, humidity more than 50%, but not exceeding 70%. If there is no special device that humidifies the air, you can hang wet towels or sheets in the room.
• Observe the drinking regime. So that the baby can sweat, phlegm and discharge from the nose are not viscous, thick and are easier to remove, the child’s body should have a lot of fluid. Therefore, the patient should be given a large amount of tea, compote, decoctions, fruit drinks. But at the same time, you need to be careful with additives such as raspberries, honey.
• Don"t force the child to eat. This is the most common mistake parents make. Caring mothers try to feed the child at any cost, motivating their actions by the fact that "the child will not have the strength to recover".

Komarovsky takes a categorical stance on this: these acts are illegal! During the illness, it is normal for the baby to lose some weight. After he feels better, though, he ought to request food on his own. After the illness starts, appetite usually returns a few days later. The rate of recuperation is unaffected by the quantity consumed.

Dr. Komarovsky stresses that there isn’t a miracle treatment for pediatric ARVI. He cautions against depending solely on antiviral or antibiotic drugs because they are ineffective against viral infections. Rather, he concentrates on providing adequate care and easy-to-do at-home treatments to aid in a child’s healing.

The most crucial things to do to help your child manage ARVI symptoms are to make sure they drink plenty of water, get plenty of sleep, and breathe in cool, humid air. Komarovsky also emphasizes how crucial it is to refrain from taking needless drugs and to take your time bringing down a low fever because doing so will aid the body in fighting the infection.

His method focuses on supporting the body’s inherent ability to heal through appropriate care and having faith in it. Even though ARVI can be uncomfortable, by taking these precautions, you can lessen symptoms and guarantee a quicker recovery.

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