When the cold season comes, no one is left behind. Each patient begins immediately to independently diagnose and begin treatment, but not everything is as simple as it might seem from the outside. In order for the therapy to be effective, it is necessary to understand what the diagnosis is and what distinguishes the common cold from the virus. Each violation requires a special approach, therefore, specialist advice is needed.
A cold does not spare anyone: neither adults nor children. It differs from viral infections, has certain signs and methods of elimination. In order not to suffer from diseases of different etiologies, it is recommended to carry out prophylaxis, as well as pay attention to vaccination, which is carried out every year at a time of increased risk.
Cold or virus: what's the difference?
If you ask a specialist what ARI and ARVI are, then he will clearly answer that these are two different diseases. And for patients it is one and the same, and treatment in this situation requires the same, but only in their opinion. To achieve a positive result from therapy, you need to clearly distinguish between these two concepts.
So how to distinguish a cold from a virus? The main distinguishing features include the fact that the flu is not long in coming. The patient can feel fine all day, and within an hour a runny nose appears, a cough, and the temperature rises. As for the common cold, the signs of the disease appear gradually and thus the patient manages to provide the body with first aid.
How to distinguish a cold from a virus in an adult? The first symptoms of influenza include pain in the throat, eyes, muscle tissue, chills, and sweat is plentiful. The patient may complain of increased weakness, dizziness, cephalalgia, body aches, a sharp increase in temperature (39-40 degrees). As for the common cold, this pathology begins with a feeling of stuffiness in the nose, pain in the throat. Temperature limits do not exceed 38.5 degrees.
How else do they differ?
Influenza is never accompanied by sneezing. In case of flu, an abrupt, dry cough occurs immediately, causes considerable discomfort, especially at night, and with a cold, it is observed on the second or third day of the disease, accompanied by a runny nose and pain in the throat.
How to distinguish a virus from a cold in a child? With influenza, the patient suffers from intoxication, since there is a breakdown of viruses and defensive cells in the body. It is dangerous for its complications, for example, pneumonia, damage to the cardiovascular and nervous system.
As for the recovery period, with a cold the patient needs only seven days to fully return to normal. With a viral infection, this is not the case. This period may take several weeks. The patient requires constant bed rest due to severe weakness in the body, if this is not done, then the flu can repeatedly "cover with the head."
It can be seen from the foregoing that the difference between the virus and the common cold is significant, the main thing is to notice it in a timely manner and start treatment.
Causes
These two diseases arise as a result of the penetration of various viruses, bacteria and other pathogens into the body. In modern medicine, more than 300 types of infections are provocateurs. As for the flu, it develops in the body under the influence of:
- rhinovirus infection;
- coronoviruses;
- flu virus;
- enteroviruses;
- adenoviruses and so on.
Regarding the common cold, pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, mycoplasmas and hemophilic bacillus can act as provocateurs. But this applies to the bacterial type of disease, which is diagnosed in 5% of the population.
You can also become infected with these pathologies by airborne droplets, through dirty hands, unwashed vegetables and fruits (nausea, vomiting, and intestinal upset will be observed in parallel). Therefore, it is recommended that safety precautions and preventive measures be taken.
What is the difference between a virus and a cold? Signs
The rate of development of diseases is the main distinguishing symptom. A cold is necessarily accompanied by fever, runny nose, sneezing and pain in the throat. After which the patient develops a cough that lasts no more than 2-3 days. The patient may simultaneously complain of weakness, cephalalgia. The peak falls on the first two days.
How to understand a virus or a cold? As for a viral infection, flu, it is necessarily accompanied by a dry cough, which can lead to vomiting. Attacks occur at any time of the day, but most often at night. Mucus is difficult to leave, and without drugs it is almost impossible. In the very first hours of the development of influenza, the patient’s body temperature rises sharply, as a result he complains of cephalgia, increased weakness, pain in the back and throat. A runny nose occurs after a few days, at first normal nasal congestion is noted.
Effects
What is the difference between a cold and a virus yet? If the therapy is not carried out in a timely manner, various kinds of complications may occur, especially with the flu. Therefore, at the first signs of illness, it is worth contacting the clinic for qualified help to exclude negative consequences.
With poor-quality treatment of viral infections, the "second wave" may begin. The patient will again notice an increase in temperature, and the condition becomes much worse than the first time. Experts explain this by the fact that a bacterial infection has also joined the virus, and the disease itself has grown into complications.
You need to be wary if the symptoms do not go away within seven to nine days, it gets worse, and the temperature remains at the level of elevated indicators. In such a situation, it is recommended to undergo a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia - an inflammatory process in the lung tissue. This complication, with refusal of therapy, can lead to death. Therefore, such patients are hospitalized and intensive treatment is prescribed.
Pneumonia is not the only complication of viral infections. The patient may also experience such pathologies as tonsillitis, otitis media, meningitis and others. Also, the virus is able to provoke the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus, glomeulonephritis in the patient’s body.
How to prevent colds?
Regardless, a cold or a viral infection, you need to adhere to bed rest, since with these pathologies the body is very weak and there is no need to spend extra energy. The patient is recommended to be warm, to exclude a draft. Water regime must be observed. To overcome the infection, you need to create the appropriate conditions for the sick body. For the period of an epidemic outbreak, places of mass congestion should be avoided, wear a mask.
What is the difference between a cold and a virus? The differences between these two diseases are enough, but the fact that no one is safe from them is for sure. Vaccines won’t even save, but patients vaccinated against the flu are less likely to get viral infections, and the common cold is always easier, and as a result, there is a greater likelihood of suffering a pathology without complications.
The only reliable way to prevent influenza is to reduce contact with sick patients. During an epidemic, it is better to establish a quarantine regime, eat right, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink enough water, and often ventilate the room.
Cold Spread
What is the difference between a cold and a virus yet? These diseases also differ in the methods of distribution. In modern medicine, two versions are distinguished. According to the first, the virus enters the body through mechanical contact with the surface of the eye or nose. As for the second option, the infection penetrates through the respiratory tract along with air. From this we can conclude how to protect yourself in the cold season.
Particular care is recommended for patients with chronic heart and lung diseases, so as not to provoke serious complications. Do not touch your nose or eyes with your hands not washed, just cover them with warm running water. For colds, disposable paper scarves are best. Our immune system is not able to protect itself from the common cold forever.
What can not be done
It was previously said how to identify a virus or a cold in a patient, but now we’ll figure out what should not be done with a cold. Experts do not recommend:
- Antibiotics. They should be used only with the appointment of a doctor. They are suitable for treating a bacterial infection.
- Immunomodulators. They are not useful for colds, but only harm the body.
- Call an ambulance if there is a high temperature, which decreases for a while after taking an antipyretic. This is a normal condition, as the body is struggling with pathogens. A specialist should seek help if fever is observed in the patient for 5-6 days, convulsions and dehydration are noted in parallel.
Specialized consultation is required if difficulty breathing or wheezing is heard.
ethnoscience
To begin to fix the problem, you need to know how to distinguish a cold from a virus. After making an accurate diagnosis, the specialist prescribes treatment, which implies an integrated approach. As for alternative therapy, it is effective, but along with medications. For colds and viral infections, at elevated temperatures, it is best to drink as many teas with raspberries, honey and lemon as possible. These products are recommended only for those patients who do not suffer from an allergic reaction to them.
You can also prepare an infusion of wild rose, which has bactericidal, disinfecting properties. It promotes intense sweat secretion, urine excretion, and helps the body cope with pathogens. For prevention, it is recommended to chew calamus root. Spruce resin can be burned into the patient’s room, which perfectly disinfects the air. Do not forget about the decoction of raisins, black currants.
Vaccination
This method of protection is considered quite effective. Flu shots are recommended before the start of the epidemic. They have practically no contraindications and are carried out in each hospital for free. Particles of an infectious agent are introduced into the patient's body, which helps to stimulate the production of special antibodies that prevent the multiplication and spread of pathogens.
Vaccines reduce the risk of getting sick by 75%, even in case of infection, a cold is easily tolerated and without visible complications. As for immunity, it forms on average three weeks, and lasts for 8-10 months.
Preventive actions
In addition to vaccination, attention should be paid to other precautionary methods, which include thorough personal hygiene, the exclusion of communication with the patient. It is recommended to constantly ventilate the room, especially during the cold season. Every day you need to carry out wet cleaning. Do not forget about the mask, which protects the body from the ingress of pathogenic particles.
To strengthen immunity, it is advised to conduct hardening, but gradually. This method is considered a good way to prevent colds. During the disease, it is not recommended to take vitamins urgently without consulting a specialist, as this can only do harm.