A comprehensive treatment plan combines therapeutic actions with preventive measures. Observations indicate that individuals who get more rest and suspend work during illness tend to recover quicker and suffer fewer complications. This insight was shared by BestDoctor therapist Daria Miftakhova in discussions with socialbites.ca.
Rest is a core element of both treatment and prevention. It is typically the first recommendation given alongside symptom management for acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) with fever. Elevated body temperature can strain the cardiovascular system, so minimizing physical stress and ensuring adequate rest are especially important during this period. Skipping rest during flu or ARVI can raise the risk of complications affecting the primary illness, such as sinusitis, pneumonia, otitis media, bronchitis, or tonsillitis, and can also worsen existing cardiovascular conditions, according to the physician.
Adhering to a rest regimen during ARVI also helps limit the spread of the virus to others.
For uncomplicated ARVI, isolation is advised for the first five to seven days. Returning to normal activity is appropriate when health and fever have returned to baseline. When ARVI is complicated, the duration of isolation depends on the length of treatment and the resolution of key symptoms. Residual effects like a lingering cough or runny nose may persist for up to four weeks; this lingering phase does not indicate ongoing contagiousness and should not prevent rejoining normal activities, the doctor noted.
The consultant also pointed out that bed rest can lead to physical deconditioning, which may manifest as shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, sweating, and a general sense of weakness once activity resumes. Building back fitness gradually is essential.
Early, appropriate physical activity can mitigate these symptoms. The guidance suggests starting with low-intensity, horizontal movements such as using a stationary bike or gentle mat exercises, then progressively increasing activity to vertical movements over time. When is it reasonable to resume gym training? The standard advice is that mild ARVI allows a return to regular workouts after about five days of recovery, while a severe ARVI accompanied by fever may require up to three weeks before resuming training, the physician concluded.
Earlier guidance from the Ministry of Health highlighted factors associated with a longer ARVI course in Russia, emphasizing the influence of initial illness severity and timely management on recovery duration. (Attribution: Ministry of Health statements and clinical guidance cited by BestDoctor.)