A cold is the cooling of individual parts or the entire body, which is considered the cause of various diseases. To catch a cold in Dahl’s dictionary is to inflict a cold illness. The common cold contributes to various pathologies. Hippocrates also wrote that everything cold is very unhealthy. When diseases caused by viruses occur, along with infections, hypothermia is also crucial, which reduces the body's resistance to resistance to microorganisms. A cold is not an independent disease, but it provokes other ailments, most often ARVI, and the temperature with a cold is one of its symptoms.
What is a cold?
A cold means several diseases (flu, SARS, pharyngitis, laryngitis, herpes simplex) that are caused by various viruses. The opinion that a cold is necessarily associated with a cold is wrong. The cause of the disease is viruses, and in cold weather favorable conditions develop for them: poorly ventilated rooms, hypothermia, drying of the mucous membranes associated with the inclusion of the heating system.
The main causative agents of the disease are reoviruses, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses and many other microorganisms, of which there are about three hundred. Getting into the body of an individual through the upper respiratory tract, they cause various diseases. All of them are characterized by the same symptoms: chills, sore throat, runny nose, aching, and, of course, fever with a cold. Viruses use the human body as an incubator for reproduction. Eating the contents of the body’s cells, they weaken them, reducing the protection of the immune system.
As a result, the common cold is often complicated by bacterial infections. Mild nausea in the disease appears as a result of intoxication from the decay products of dying cells damaged by viruses. A severe runny nose occurs due to the abundant secretion of mucus, with the help of which the body tries to free itself from infection.
What is the difference between ARVI and ARI and influenza?
All individuals are susceptible to colds, only some rarely become infected, and others often. According to medical statistics, each person annually about three times suffers from these ailments. In fact, as already mentioned, the common cold is not a disease, but a strong cooling of the body, contributing to the rapid multiplication of microorganisms. A cold is one of the causes of ARVI or ARI. Everyone is used to the fact that in the autumn-spring season, the doctor often makes one of these diagnoses. SARS is a fairly large group of ailments that are caused by different viruses. They all have the same symptoms. Patients complain of a cold with a runny nose, fever, cough, sore throat.
In acute respiratory infections, the temperature rarely rises above 38 degrees, catarrhal phenomena predominate . The doctor, as a rule, does not specify the virus that provoked the disease, and makes a general diagnosis of SARS. It should be noted that treatment for all viruses is the same. Medicines help strengthen immunity and act to eliminate existing symptoms. Since there are a lot of viruses that cause the disease, a person is able to get sick several times a year. In addition, after the disease, long-term immunity is often not developed, therefore, the same virus can be infected more than once a year.
A doctor diagnoses ARI when he is unable to determine what caused the symptoms of a cold: cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, and other phenomena. Acute respiratory diseases mean exacerbation of chronic diseases of the nasopharynx, viral infections, bacterial complications that arose after acute respiratory viral infections. Therefore, ARI is just a special medical term, not the name of the disease.
One of the worst colds is the flu. This ailment, like ARVI, causes the virus, but the course of the disease goes differently, and dangerous complications often arise after it. Therefore, with influenza, bed rest is necessary . A distinctive feature of this common cold is a high fever, a sudden onset of the disease and poor health. Catarrhal phenomena are poorly expressed.
Factors affecting the occurrence of the common cold
There are many different factors that affect the occurrence of colds, but the following are considered the main ones:
- Inadequate nutrition is one of the main factors provoking diseases. SARS and flu are seasonal ailments when the diet is poor in vitamins and minerals. Particular attention should be paid to food, include more plant foods on the menu, and consume fruits and vegetables constantly.
- Subcooling - it is required to dress according to the weather, so that there is no sudden change in temperature and to feel comfortable in clothes.
- Stresses - any stressful situations weaken the immune system and contribute to the disease.
- Lack of fresh air - in unventilated rooms where sick people may be, the infection quickly spreads by airborne droplets.
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases - undermines the immune system and a weakened body, interferes with the fight against infection.
All these factors predispose to the disease, but do not serve as its cause.
Symptoms of the common cold
Each individual almost every year encounters colds several times. Therefore, you need to know how SARS and the flu are, and how much the temperature holds during a cold. The manifestation of symptoms always depends on the individual characteristics of the body, its immune system, chronic diseases, age, type of virus. Influenza has similar symptoms with SARS, but it also has its own characteristics. The most common signs of a cold are:
- General weakness - intoxication of the body leads to intolerance to bright light, sharp odors, decreased performance, drowsiness, sleep disturbance, mood spoils, irritability appears.
- Elevated body temperature - it signals the body's fight against infection. With SARS, it ranges from 37 to 38.5 degrees, with influenza, the main symptom of a cold is a temperature that often rises to 40 degrees. Intoxication of the body lasts about six days. A longer period of fever indicates a complication has begun.
- Headache - observed in the forehead, is more often moderate. In severe cases of the disease, the pain can intensify, cramps, fainting, and loss of consciousness are possible.
- Changes in the mucosa - redness, dry throat and soreness are observed. With SARS, a runny nose appears immediately, and with influenza on the second or third day of illness, in an adult, nose discharge continues for two weeks.
- Changes in the respiratory system - a dry cough appears, chest pains are possible.
Causes of the common cold
There are only two causes of colds, these are:
- Viruses - most often acute respiratory viral infections is caused by parainfluenza, influenza, rhino-syncytial, adenovirus viruses. These ailments have an acute course, significant infectiousness and seasonality. A few days from the onset of the disease, complications caused by bacteria are possible when the temperature during a cold lasts a long period.
- Bacteria - acute respiratory infections can provoke staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, opportunistic bacteria, pneumococci. All bacterial colds with improper treatment or its absence turn into a chronic form.
Cold treatment
The common cold is an insidious affliction and always starts unexpectedly. The invasion of viruses depends little on health status, time of year and weather.
When signs of a cold occur, the following recommendations must be followed:
- Bed rest. Treatment will be ineffective if the patient, with malaise, continues to pursue an active lifestyle. During this period, the body directs all forces to fight the virus, and if they are not enough, then the disease takes a long time and complications are possible. In the early days of treating a cold with a high temperature, bed rest is mandatory. With an improvement in well-being, doctors are allowed to walk and even take short walks in the fresh air. Before a full recovery, it is necessary to abandon heavy loads, exercise, and also avoid stress.
- Drink plenty. It is very important to drink more fluids, about two liters per day. This will help remove toxins, decay products and infection from the body. You can use just pure drinking water or take drinks with medicinal herbs, berries and fruits. Tea with chamomile will reduce pain in the throat, a rosehip decoction will help strengthen immunity, infusions of ginger and cinnamon destroy viruses and bacteria. If you are not allergic to honey, it is useful to add it to any drink.
- Breathe fresh air. The dry and stagnant atmosphere in the room maintains the viability of viruses for up to two days. It is recommended to ventilate the room more often, opening the windows for a quarter of an hour, and for this time to leave the room. When, after treating a cold, the fever subsides and you feel better, short walks away from the carriageway are allowed.
- Flushing the nose. The procedure cleanses the nasal passages, freeing them from mucus, helps to reduce swelling, and facilitates breathing. It is recommended to use weak saline solutions.
- Gargling. Held to disinfect and soften the nasopharynx, relieve sore throat and dry cough.
- Reception of vitamin complexes. It has a beneficial effect on the body and helps it cope with viruses.
Medicines for the treatment of colds with fever
It is difficult to treat the disease, because often its pathogen is unknown and only symptomatic treatment is used. To do this, use the following drugs:
- Antiviral - prevent the development of microorganisms, which contributes to recovery, use: "Remantadine", "Cycloferon", "Arbidol", "Amiksin".
- Vasoconstrictors - facilitate breathing: Farmazolin, Naftizin, Knoxspray.
- Antipyretic. The temperature associated with a cold in an adult does not go astray if it does not exceed 39 degrees for five days and provided that the patient feels satisfactory, otherwise they are given Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
- Antitussive - for thinning sputum and removing it from the respiratory tract - “ACC”, “Ascoril”, “Tussin” syrup.
- Painkillers - relieve headaches - "Aspirin", "Askofen."
- Sedatives - help from insomnia: “Luminal”, “Barbamil”.
- Antibiotics - only a doctor prescribes them, if a complication or ARI occurs, they use a group of cephalosporins, penicillins, macrolides.
Low-grade fever
There is still no vaccine for the common cold except flu. But this vaccine does not give a one hundred percent guarantee. What to do if you get sick? If you have symptoms of SARS or influenza, you should consult a doctor, but if there is no such opportunity to do this right away, then you need to go to bed. Everyone wants to take a pill and bring down the temperature. But if the thermometer has a temperature of 37 with a cold, then this indicates that the body's defenses began to work. He himself fights viruses and does not need to bother him. Temperature 37 is an average. Some people tolerate it normally and do not feel any discomfort, while others, on the contrary, feel inconvenience. Lowering the temperature using pills does not mean getting rid of a cold. Some medical professionals say that with a cold, a temperature of 38.5 should also not be brought down if the patient is feeling well. But, if the fever increases, it is necessary to use medications - “Paracetamol” or “Ibuprofen” to alleviate the condition.
Treatment of colds in a child
Pediatricians always recommend that for colds, seek help at a clinic. Very similar symptoms of diseases cause confusion in parents, and only a doctor is able to prescribe the necessary drugs to eliminate colds.
Therapy is primarily aimed at alleviating the symptoms of the disease - sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever. If the child has a cold with a temperature of 38 degrees and he feels satisfactory, it should not be knocked down. His body itself fights viruses, as soon as they die at high temperature. Some children do not tolerate temperature well, or in cases where it rises above 38.5, antipyretic drugs are required. Nasal congestion is eliminated by washing with salt water and vasoconstrictor drops.
For the treatment of sore throats, sprays and rinses with antiseptic solutions are used. Cough, depending on whether it is dry or wet, is treated with antitussive drugs of different effects. It depends on whether bed rest and all doctor's prescriptions are respected correctly, what temperature during a cold will rise in a child. It is very important during the illness to feed the child with light and healthy products so that extra forces are not wasted on digesting heavy food. And you must definitely follow the drinking regimen. The child should receive a plentiful drink so that dehydration does not occur and viruses and their waste products are excreted from the body with urine. To do this, use berry fruit drinks, fruit compotes, infusions of herbs.
When to call an ambulance for a child?
Often, colds in a child are treated at home under the supervision of a doctor. But there are situations when medical care is needed immediately:
- The baby suffers from severe headaches, in addition, they are accompanied by vomiting. Perhaps he had a complication - meningitis.
- The rapid development of colds, temperature 39 lasts for several hours and "Paracetamol" does not go astray. Most likely, the child has the flu.
- There was a dry barking cough, the child was having difficulty breathing. This is a sign of false croup, if you do not urgently help, it can suffocate.
- When breathing, there is not enough air, blood impurities are noticeable in the sputum produced by coughing. Symptoms indicate pulmonary edema.
Parents need to be very careful about their child’s health in order not to miss an emergency and help him in time.
The manifestation of the common cold during pregnancy
One of the first symptoms of a cold in pregnant women is constant fatigue, malaise, and headaches. The condition can quickly worsen: appetite disappears, snot starts to leak, pain and sore throat are felt, cough appears. And of course, it is accompanied by a cold in pregnant women with a temperature. The most difficult are the first three days. With timely treatment, the symptoms begin to recede on the fourth day. Most importantly, do not self-medicate, it is dangerous for both the mother herself and the unborn child.
Treating colds during pregnancy
As mentioned earlier, some diseases have similar symptoms, therefore, having felt a malaise, a pregnant woman should immediately call a doctor and after visiting him clearly follow all his instructions:
- Observe bed rest. For several days it is undesirable to do any homework and go outside. If the condition worsens, call a doctor again.
- Proper balanced nutrition. Eat foods that are easy to digest: stewed vegetables, broths, cereals, dairy products, fruits.
- Observe the water-drinking balance. Drinking water, fruit drinks, fruit drinks help cleanse the body of viruses and their toxins, and also reduce the temperature during colds. But at the same time, you should not abuse fluids, so as not to cause swelling.
- Fresh air. The room must be often ventilated, but drafts should be avoided.
- Flushing the nose and gargling. To do this, use a weak saline solution and perform the procedure several times a day.
- Vitamin complexes. To maintain the body, take vitamins, after consulting with your doctor.
If the condition worsens, the attending doctor will prescribe drugs in addition to this treatment, taking into account the gestational age and individual characteristics of the woman.
What to do at high temperature during pregnancy?
What is the temperature with a cold that can rise in a pregnant woman? As a rule, all colds are accompanied by a body temperature of up to 38.5 degrees. The most dangerous cold in pregnant women in the first trimester, when the formation of the baby’s organs occurs. . , . , 38,5 . , . .
But if the temperature is 39 with a cold, then it must be reduced. The most harmless antipyretic for pregnant women is Paracetamol. Take it is allowed only as directed by a doctor. Elevated temperature is also a threat in the third trimester, it can provoke detachment of the placenta. Therefore, when the first signs of a cold appear: a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough, you should consult a doctor. Suppose that in this case there is only a slight temperature of 37. With a cold, all actions will be coordinated with the attending doctor.
Weakness after a cold
After a cold illness, people feel weakness, which manifests itself in the form of:
- Physical - there is a constant feeling of tiredness and even rest and prolonged sleep do not restore strength.
- Psychological - the functioning of the nervous system is disrupted. Apathy appears, negative thoughts arise, a desire to retire.
Often weakness provokes distraction and carelessness. It is difficult for an individual to concentrate, it is difficult to fulfill mental stress, and at the same time there is not enough strength for a long time to engage in physical labor. Often the appetite disappears, the skin becomes pale, dizziness appears. With a cold, the body temperature rises, but even after recovery, it can take subfebrile values for two weeks, and muscle aches are also possible.
A feeling of weakness after an illness is normal. It will take no more than two weeks to restore strength and all body systems.
How to recover from a cold?
To restore health after an illness, it is necessary to strengthen the condition:
- Physical - do exercises to invigorate and revitalize the body. Water procedures relieve stress, stimulate blood circulation, strengthen the immune system; massage restores weakened muscles.
- Mental - use herbal medicine, consuming various teas and infusions of herbs. Take sun baths, through which it produces melanin and serotonin to improve mood. Fresh air saturates the body with oxygen and restores the nervous system.
In addition, it is recommended to pay special attention to the diet. It should include foods containing vitamins and minerals. Eat lean meat and fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seafood, legumes, spinach, liver, greens, dairy products. Be sure to use vitamin complexes and do not forget about the sufficient intake of fluids in the form of water, decoctions, fruit drinks, herbal teas, and fruit drinks. These recommendations in a short time will help restore health and cope with malaise and weakness.
Conclusion
For the prevention of colds, the most effective way is to strengthen the body's defenses. All activities that enhance the immune status enhance the body's resistance to infections. It is necessary to lead the right way of life: eat well, exercise your body daily with physical work or sports, more likely to be in the fresh air, take time for active rest. All this will help during the period of attacks of seasonal viruses to maintain their health, and not to lie in bed with a temperature with a cold.