Is Shuanghuanglian effective against influenza A?

Generally, the dosage forms of Shuanghuanglian include oral liquid, granules, tablets, etc., while "Jia Liu" refers to influenza A. Shuanghuanglian may have certain effectiveness against influenza A; however, it is recommended to use it under the guidance of a physician. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Shuanghuanglian mainly consists of honeysuckle, baical skullcap, and forsythia. It has a broad-spectrum antiviral effect, can inhibit the replication and proliferation of various viruses such as the influenza virus, and can act on multiple stages of viral infection, including blocking viral adsorption and cell invasion. At the same time, Shuanghuanglian also has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and immune-enhancing effects. It can alleviate the inflammatory response caused by influenza A infection and relieve symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough.

However, influenza A is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza A virus. For the treatment of influenza A, it is still recommended to use antiviral drugs such as neuraminidase inhibitors—for example, oseltamivir phosphate capsules. Shuanghuanglian can generally be used as an adjunctive treatment drug, combined with other antiviral medications, which helps improve treatment outcomes, alleviate clinical symptoms, and promote patient recovery.

In daily life, one should develop the good habit of washing hands frequently. Use soap or hand sanitizer and thoroughly wash hands following the seven-step handwashing technique, especially after touching public items, before meals, and after using the toilet. When coughing or sneezing, cover the mouth and nose with a tissue or the elbow to prevent spreading the virus to others via droplets.