An infectious disease in which viruses primarily affect the nasal mucosa is called a rhinovirus infection. We will analyze the symptoms and treatment of this disease in the article.
General information
The disease, as a rule, is accompanied by mild signs of general intoxication of the body. Rhinoviruses are a group of picornaviruses contained in RNA. Today, science knows more than 100 serotypes of rhinoviruses. They do not have a common antigen, therefore, each of the serotypes has a personal complement-binding and virus-neutralizing antigen. Viruses are rather unstable in the environment, in dry air the main part of the infection is lost after a few minutes, at a temperature of 50 º, inactivation of viruses occurs for 10 minutes.
In temperate climates, rhinovirus infection can occur throughout the year. The peak incidence falls in the autumn and spring. 20-25% of all acute respiratory infections are caused by rhinoviruses.
Penetration into the body
As mentioned above, rhinovirus infection (the symptoms and treatment of the disease will be discussed below), mainly manifests itself in the wet and cold season and most often develops in small groups and closed groups (families, kindergartens and other educational institutions). Rhinoviruses enter the human body through the respiratory tract. Clinical manifestations develop depending on the location of the virus. If the nasopharynx is the route of penetration, then the patient develops acute respiratory infections. In adults, the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed; in children, inflammation is observed in the larynx and bronchi. If bacterial flora joins, then pneumonia develops. The causative agent of infection multiplies, as a rule, in the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, which leads to the appearance of a local inflammatory reaction, a sharp swelling, swelling, and profuse secretion.
Rhinovirus infection: symptoms of the disease
The incubation period of the disease is 1-6 days. Signs of the disease are mild. General malaise, heaviness in the head, muscle weakness - this is how rhinovirus infection manifests itself. Symptoms are accompanied by normal or subfebrile temperature. At the same time, a catarrhal syndrome occurs : a sensation of itching in the throat, sneezing, difficulty in nasal breathing, nasal congestion.
Rhinovirus infection, primarily manifested by a runny nose and copious serous discharge, which in the first days of the disease have a watery character, later the discharge becomes mucous. Also appears dry cough, hyperemia of the eyelids, lacrimation. Runny nose lasts 6-7 days, but can last up to 14 days. The ailment is accompanied by a strong feeling of heaviness in the nose, stuffy ears, a decrease in taste, hearing, smell. Young children are more likely to tolerate the disease, since their manifestations of the disease are more pronounced. Complications occur in very rare cases.
Diagnostics
Rhinovirus infection can be diagnosed in several ways, depending on the manifestations of this ailment. With severe rhinitis, the doctor will diagnose on the basis of a survey and examination of the patient. To diagnose the disease at the initial stage (up to 5 days), the virological method is used: a flush is taken from the nasal cavity and the pathogen is detected in the obtained biological material. Also, in order to determine the type of pathogen and the opposing factors (antitoxins and antibodies), serological methods of research are used.
In addition, general tests (OAC and OAM) may be required for diagnosis. However, it is believed that they are not sufficiently informative and only reveal the presence of an inflammation process or indicate possible complications from the renal pelvis system.
Rhinovirus infection: treatment of the disease
Manifestations of rhinitis are similar to signs of other acute respiratory viral infections, so therapy is based on the use of drugs with a wide spectrum of action. For any respiratory illness (flu, adenovirus, enterovirus or rhinovirus infection), the treatment includes:
Etiotropic therapy aimed at combating the causative agent of the disease. For this purpose, usually prescribed drugs "Arbidol", "Ribavirin", "Isoprinosine". In addition, local remedies are prescribed: “Lockeron”, “Bonaphton”.
Reception of immunomodulators. Interferons are recommended to be preferred, since they inhibit the reproduction of viruses and support the body's defenses. Such medicines include Viferon suppositories and Grippferon drops.
The use of immunostimulants. Most often prescribed tablets "Cycloferon", an alternative for small patients (under 4 years old) is the drug "Anaferon".
Symptomatic treatment. For this purpose, the use of antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive drugs is recommended. It is also advisable to rinse your nose with a weak saline solution or use drops of "Aquamaris". Medicines such as Pinosol and Xylen will help eliminate puffiness.
If within 3 days of treatment positive dynamics are not observed and body temperature tends to critical figures, treatment of rhinovirus infection in adults should be supplemented with antibiotics. As for children, the use of potent drugs, if possible, is recommended to be avoided. Naturally, if the condition worsens, you may need to take antibiotics, but only a doctor should prescribe them.
Alternative medicine
With this ailment, it is not necessary to immediately resort to the use of medications. This is especially true for situations when rhinovirus infection develops during pregnancy. During this period, the most important thing is not to harm the baby, but it is also necessary to fight the disease. In this case, recipes of alternative medicine will come to the rescue.
A decoction of sage, chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula, eucalyptus have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The same effect gives the use of garlic, onions, raspberries, blackberries. Echinacea has a strong antibacterial property.
Antipyretic effect will have a decoction of linden, coltsfoot, tea from raspberries. You can get rid of chest spasm in the bronchi with the help of breast collection No. 1, as well as a decoction of chamomile and dill. Decoction of sputum is facilitated by decoctions of coltsfoot, quince, licorice.
The most effective folk recipes
Grind the fruits of lingonberry or viburnum, mix with honey or sugar, add a small amount of warm water. Take the drug three times a day for ½ cup.
Grind onions or garlic, put in a high container and take deep breaths over it for 1-2 minutes.
Mix fresh onion juice and honey, take a tablespoon three times a day.
Combine honey (tablespoon), melted lard (30 g), hot milk (¾ cup). Stir well and take it at the initial stage of the disease 2-3 times a day.
Add a tablespoon of sage to a glass of milk, put on fire, bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 10 minutes, then strain and bring to a boil again. Drink a slightly cooled broth before bedtime.
Rhinovirus infection in children
From birth to 6 months, the child has passive immunity. Children older than six months are predisposed to the development of respiratory diseases. Most often, rhinovirus infection occurs in babies attending kindergartens.
In childhood, the incubation period lasts an average of 3 days. As a rule, at an early stage of the disease, the child feels unwell, chills, body temperature rises to 37.5 º. Also, the disease is manifested by sneezing and nasal congestion, coughing.
Treatment of rhinovirus infection in babies has its own characteristics, since many medicines are contraindicated in childhood. Therefore, with symptoms of the disease, you must contact a specialist. The doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe appropriate therapeutic procedures.
Rhinovirus infection in cats
Cats can also get this viral disease, which is manifested by nasal and ocular discharge of a serous nature, sneezing, depression, loss of appetite or refusal to feed. In addition, calciviral rhinotracheitis, this is what rhinovirus infection in cats is called (we will consider the treatment below), accompanied by the appearance of ulcers on the tongue, lips, palate, middle gap of the nostrils. The source of infection is sick animals or virus carriers that secrete the virus for several months after the disease.
The treatment of this disease in cats involves the improvement of conditions and providing the animal with a complete feed of soft consistency. Semisynthetic penicillins (Oxacillin, Ampicillin) are used and desensitizing therapy is carried out. Antiseptics are used to irrigate the oral cavity. In case of refusal of food, isotonic saline , glucose solution, vitamins A and C are administered intravenously twice a day.