All people, both adults and children, are prone to colds and infectious diseases. In this case, you can hear from the doctor such a term as catarrhal phenomena. These are processes associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, and they are manifested by cough, runny nose, swelling.
Where do catarrhal phenomena come from?
The causative agents of infectious diseases enter the human body through the air and settle on the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. They provoke the well-known flu, tonsillitis, measles, acute respiratory viral infections, rhinitis and other diseases. Such inflammatory processes are mainly affected by people with reduced immunity, and especially children. Infectious diseases are almost always accompanied by mucous discharge from the organs of the upper respiratory tract. The so-called catarrhal symptoms are a runny nose, sputum produced during coughing, swelling and sore throat. This is the result of the body's defensive reaction to the microorganisms attacking it. Such symptoms must be treated, otherwise serious complications may occur in the future.
Catarrhal sore throat
The cause may be infection with staphylococcus or streptococcus, less commonly other microorganisms. Favorable factors for the development of the disease are overwork, lack of sleep, weak immunity, stress, hypothermia. The main symptoms are a sharp sore throat, especially when swallowing, redness, swelling, perspiration, and dry mouth.
It is usually accompanied by an increased temperature from 37.2 to 39. For treatment, local antimicrobials are used, for example, Biseptol or Streptocid, antipyretic (but only at a temperature of 38 degrees and above), such as Paracetomol, as well antihistamines It will be good to use local analgesic and antimicrobial drugs for throat irrigation. Bed rest is indicated for faster recovery and reduced risk of complications. Immunostimulants are recommended, for example, echinacea extract has a good effect. The doctor is likely to prescribe antibiotics, only on his recommendation you need to take them.
Measles
This is an infectious disease with vivid symptoms. In addition, the patient exhibits catarrhal phenomena in the upper respiratory tract, his eyes also become inflamed, a red rash appears on the skin. The virus affects mainly children, is transmitted through particles of sputum or saliva when the patient sneezes and coughs. You can get this infection only once, then a stable immunity is formed for life.
The disease lasts for a long time, the incubation period alone can take more than two weeks. The first signs of an incipient disease are catarrhal phenomena. This is the initial period, its duration is 3-4 days. Gradually, the symptoms intensify, the temperature rises, a rash appears on the skin. Red spots may appear on the throat mucosa. Pigmentation on the skin remains for approximately 10 days.
ARVI
The most common disease in the autumn-winter period, when the human body is weakened. Often called colds in everyday life. It manifests itself as fever, sore throat, dry cough, lacrimation, runny nose.
The disease begins rapidly, catarrhal phenomena can occur earlier than other symptoms. Often there is an increase in the mandibular lymph nodes. Cough and runny nose are the main signs of the disease, so ARVI without catarrhal phenomena is a rather rare case.
Flu
It can be called the most dangerous type of viral infection, as it often causes complications. Therefore, treatment should be started quickly, carried out correctly and under the supervision of a doctor. The main treatment is heavy drinking and bed rest. Medicines are prescribed by a doctor. This is a serious virus, during treatment you need peace, you can not carry it on your legs. By the way, flu without catarrhal phenomena sometimes occurs and is manifested only by fever and weakness.
Children often get sick due to immature immunity. Cough and runny nose are common in babies. But it also happens that a child has a high fever without catarrhal phenomena. In children, this symptom does not always mean a viral infection, there are other reasons for this. Teething, overheating in hot weather, an allergic reaction, stress, a reaction to medications or vaccinations, a violation of thermoregulation - all these factors can cause temperature without a cough or runny nose.
What is a cough?
This is a protective reaction of the body when it enters the respiratory tract of a foreign body or the accumulation of mucus in them. In the second case, these will be catarrhal phenomena (catarrh in medicine is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract). Mucus is formed as a result of the body's resistance to infections transmitted by airborne droplets. Coughing is a reflex act of cleansing the mucosa with a sharp release of air. It can be dry and wet, barking, depending on the nature of the disease. It can be a consequence of both a common cold and more serious respiratory diseases. This is tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, tuberculosis. In such cases, the doctor, if necessary, can prescribe antibiotics, as well as drugs that facilitate the removal of sputum from the lungs - "ACC", "Ambrobene", "Mukaltin." It happens that a cough does not go away for a long time without a fever. This is an occasion to consult a doctor, as it can be the cause of a latent form of the disease, for example, pneumonia.
Catarrhal rhinitis
Frequent acute respiratory viral infections, weak immunity, high air pollution - all this can cause catarrhal rhinitis. This is a non-purulent inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Its manifestation is catarrhal phenomena. This is a runny nose, swelling of the sinuses.
The result is shortness of breath, lack of smell, sometimes snoring. Treatment of catarrhal rhinitis consists in the use of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, washing the nose, and physiotherapy.
Catarrhal phenomena often manifest themselves, they are perceived by people as a normal situation with a cold and does not cause much concern. But they must be treated, in order to avoid serious complications.