The autumn-winter period is traditionally considered the period of colds and acute respiratory infections. Diseases spread rapidly in children's groups, some regions are forced to close schools and kindergartens in order to reduce the increase in incidence. The incubation period of acute respiratory infections is not detected immediately, and this is a dangerous disease.
What is ARI
ARI is an acute respiratory illness that a child or adult can get. ARVI is an acute respiratory viral infection. Children due to unformed immunity get sick more often than adults. Kids who just started attending preschool can get sick every two weeks. Only infants are partially protected from the virus thanks to the antibodies that mom passes to them with milk.
This disease is spread all over the world. The erased incubation period of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections does not allow timely detection of the disease and completely prevent the spread.
The main difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections is that the diagnosis of acute respiratory infections is made when it is not clear what caused the disease - viruses or bacteria. With ARVI, everything becomes a little clearer, in this case it is known that viruses attacked the body. What kind of virus went through the defense of the body, tests will show. But they are not always made, so colds were given the name SARS and ARI.
Symptoms of the disease
ARI begins with the incubation period. A person does not suspect that he is sick, but already infects other people. The main symptoms of acute respiratory infections are:
- fever;
- runny nose;
- cough;
- sneezing
- a sore throat;
- weakness;
- headache.
Depending on the virus, additional symptoms of the disease may appear. So, for example, with the influenza virus, aches in the body appear.
The temperature increase starts at 37 ° C and reaches the highest levels. Weakness is exacerbated by intoxication with the waste products of viruses. Runny nose changes during the course of the illness. First, there are mucous discharge from the nose, then it becomes difficult for a person to breathe. After 7 days, nose problems end. However, with the flu, a runny nose may not start. ARI is difficult for 3-4 days, then the symptoms subside and the person recovers.
If within 5 days the condition has not improved or continues to worsen, then a physician consultation is necessary. Symptoms of acute respiratory infections are similar to other diseases. In order not to miss a serious illness, you must consult a doctor.
The incubation period in children
The incubation period of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections in children lasts 1-3 days. In rare cases, the disease occurs several hours after infection. The reason for this is the immature immunity of the baby. The body does not have time to respond to viruses.
A feature of adenovirus infection is the incubation period of 7-11 days. Such viruses in children's groups have long been reminiscent of themselves. A child is a virus carrier for a week. During this time, the others manage to get sick.
Rhinovirus does not appear in the body of a child up to 5 days. The first signs are sneezing and itching in the nose. Headache and weakness are added later.
The most insidious influenza virus has an incubation period of 1-3 days. The disease develops rapidly, sometimes in a matter of hours. A sore throat appears, the temperature rises to 38 ° C, body aches, weakness appear. Children become moody, refuse to eat.
Regardless of how long the incubation period for acute respiratory infections lasts, the first symptoms of the disease appear a little earlier. The child becomes less active, capricious, tired of active activities.
The incubation period in adults
The duration of the incubation period of acute respiratory infections in adults reaches 14 days. Symptoms appear immediately or gradually. Sometimes the body manages itself until the first signs appear, and the disease does not occur. During this period, a person may feel a little worse, weakness appears.
During the incubation period of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections in adults, it is impractical to use medications for treatment. You can only use means to maintain immunity. Hypothermia and stress contribute to the development of the disease. In winter, one should not be cold and avoid crowds.
What determines the incubation period
The duration of the incubation period of acute respiratory infections depends on human immunity. How many days will it take for the virus to develop in the body, no one will say for sure. Factors that shorten the incubation period:
- chronic diseases;
- smoking;
- alcoholism;
- immune deficiency;
- stress;
- poor environmental conditions;
- hypothermia;
- overheat.
Children get sick more often, because the formation of immunity occurs by 7 years. Up to this point, the body learns to fight viruses, remembers them. When meeting with a virus that is familiar to immune cells, recovery will occur faster, the incubation period will increase.
Fever
An increase in body temperature occurs at the end of the incubation period of ARI. The virus penetrates the cells of the body, multiplies. The body's immune cells begin to work, so the temperature rises.
Among all the symptoms, a temperature above 38 ° C scares patients the most. Bringing temperatures below 38.5 ° C is not recommended. Thus, the body creates new "fighters" with the virus. But there is an exception to this rule. The temperature should be brought down in the following cases:
- if the baby is several months old;
- with subfebrile seizures seen earlier;
- if a person feels very bad at a low temperature.
How to help the body
The virus during the incubation period of acute respiratory infections begins to actively develop. Drowsiness, lacrimation, fatigue indicate a struggle of the body with acute respiratory infections. During this period, it is necessary to begin treatment.
You can increase the amount of fluid you drink. Herbal preparations are perfect:
- rosehip;
- chamomile;
- Melissa;
- Linden.
The use of vitamin C improves the protective properties of the body. Vitamin C rich foods:
- rosehip;
- lemon;
- bell pepper;
- cranberry.
When the temperature rises, a plentiful drink is required, which increases sweating. To reduce the temperature, berries or raspberry leaves are suitable. To sweat out of the body, you need to drink 2-3 liters of water per day. This will help to avoid complications with SARS.
The body better gives off excess heat in a cool room. In case of illness, the room should be ventilated and put on warm clothes. Humidity in the patient's room should be 40-70%. Dry air contributes to the development of bronchitis.
When coughing, you should also drink plenty of fluids. Thus, sputum liquefies faster and is excreted from the body. You can not drink cough medicine with ARI. They block the cough center, and sputum that accumulates in the lungs cannot be excreted. This leads to the development of obstructive bronchitis and pneumonia.
A heavy drink will not allow the nasal mucosa to dry out, which means it reduces the risk of bacterial infection.
Drug treatment for acute respiratory infections
Treatment with drugs is symptomatic, which begins after the incubation period of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections. Elevated temperature is reduced by Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. Acetylsalicylic acid is forbidden to give to children. At a temperature of 40 ° C, which cannot be brought down, emergency care is required, especially for children.
To combat the common cold, nose washing is used, this procedure can be performed at any age. To do this, you need a solution of sea water for washing the nasal cavity or saline, bought in a pharmacy. Kids need to pump out excess mucus with a pear or nasal aspirator. With nasal congestion, the doctor prescribes vasoconstrictive drops, they are used in accordance with the instructions, but not longer than 7 days.
With a strong cough, the doctor will prescribe a drug that will improve sputum discharge. Different medicines are used for dry and wet coughs. Dry should initially be converted to wet, and then reduce the viscosity of sputum. An adult coughs in 7 days. In children, the course of the disease may be delayed due to weak coughing tremors. The older the child, the better he clears his throat.
Possible complications
The most common cause of complications is the flu virus. The main way to avoid the disease is timely vaccination. Complications do not occur during the incubation period of ARI. The virus must penetrate the body and weaken it. Complications appear due to the penetration and reproduction of bacteria. Diseases that occur after a viral infection:
- bronchitis / obstructive bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- sinusitis;
- sinusitis;
- otitis.
In some cases, ARI affects the heart, brain, and joints.
If a runny nose does not go away in 7 days, there is no improvement, headaches, heaviness in the forehead, then a specialist should be visited to adjust the diagnosis. Probably, bacterial inflammation of the sinuses began and antibiotic therapy is required.
Whistling when breathing, shortness of breath indicates a complication in the lungs. The child should be taken to the hospital immediately. An adult needs to visit the hospital on the same or the next day.
For pain in the ear, consult an otolaryngologist. Often after a viral infection with an incorrect nose, children develop otitis media. Incorrect treatment can damage the eardrum. Therefore, specialist advice is necessary. It is also strictly forbidden to warm the sore ear. This method can lead to rapid bacterial growth and deterioration.
How to avoid the effects of acute respiratory infections
Any respiratory illness reduces the body’s defense. After the incubation period of ARI and the manifestation of the first symptoms, in order to avoid possible complications, the following conditions should be observed:
- take drugs according to the manufacturer's instructions;
- observe bed rest at high temperature and severe weakness;
- do not lower the temperature to 38 ° C;
- do not supercool;
- regularly moisten the air;
- carry out wet cleaning (if possible);
- strengthen immunity.
ARI Prevention
To reduce the risk of disease during the development of viral infections, preventive measures should be taken. Observe the conditions also during the incubation period of acute respiratory infections in children. The main methods of prevention:
- avoid crowded areas;
- use medical masks when visiting public places;
- rinse the nasal cavity after returning home;
- lubricate the nasal passages with oxolinic ointment;
- wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after visiting the toilet, before eating, going into the room from the street;
- carry out wet cleaning of the room;
- wash common items, children's toys;
- reduce the number of places that contribute to the accumulation of dust;
- regularly ventilate the premises, viruses do not multiply in cold moving air;
- timely vaccination against influenza;
- during the period of mass illness of acute respiratory viral infections take vitamin complexes, decoctions of herbs to maintain immunity;
- Do not touch the face in a public place;
- sleep at night for at least 8 hours;
- eat right and varied;
- avoid diets or overeating.