Head of the Center for Personalized Medicine, therapist, cardiologist
The common cold refers to several mild forms of respiratory diseases of the upper respiratory tract (nose, nasopharynx, mouth, throat and larynx).
The first symptoms of a cold
There is no definition of colds in the international classification of diseases, so all patients who have signs of colds are diagnosed with acute respiratory infections (acute respiratory infection) or acute respiratory viral infections, as well as their subtypes: pharyngitis, tracheitis, rhinitis, nasopharyngitis.
The common cold is spread from person to person by airborne droplets, through contact with infected surfaces, or through handshakes.
The first manifestations most often occur on the first or second day after infection with a virus or bacteria. A person is concerned about:
headache, joint pain, myalgia (pain syndrome in muscles, ligaments, tendons), discomfort in the throat (tingling, pain, hoarseness), sleep disorders (drowsiness or insomnia), cough, sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion.
In the absence of negative provoking factors, the painful condition disappears within six to seven days.
Among other symptoms, some patients report stool discomfort and swollen cervical lymph nodes. Body temperature does not rise above 38 ° C, it is usually in the subfebrile range (from 37 ° C to 37.9 ° C). In children and adults, colds occur with about the same symptoms, but children are somewhat more likely to have disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
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How to distinguish cold symptoms from other illnesses
The common cold is characterized by a mild course and not by the rapid development of symptoms. The affected areas, as a rule, are the nasopharynx and oropharynx, while complications are extremely rare. The trigger for development is hypothermia, severe stress or any other circumstance that leads to a decrease in immunity.
The weaker the protective functions of the body, the more susceptible a person is to bacterial and viral infections, which means that the likelihood of infection increases. In addition, a man or woman with weak immune defenses needs a small amount of viral particles to become infected, so the risk of developing a cold increases.
The flu differs from the common cold by a sharp increase in symptoms, fever (body temperature from 38 ° C to 40 ° C), runny nose may appear on the second or third day after the onset of the disease, sneezing is usually absent or appears a few days after the onset of pathology, sore throat and cough usually occur on the second day of the illness.
Influenza infection is accompanied by a severe, sometimes excruciating headache, and body aches, chills, decreased appetite, nausea, redness of the eyes. Premature treatment leads to complications in the form of otitis media (ear disease), pneumonia (lung disease), bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial mucosa), myocarditis (damage to the heart muscle), glomerulonephritis (kidney disease).
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Coronavirus infection is also characterized by an acute onset of the disease, while the disease in most cases is manifested by dry cough, shortness of breath, heaviness in the chest, high fever and severe weakness.
Very rarely, patients have runny nose and sneezing. Many people who have suffered a severe form of covid have complications. The pulmonary system and central nervous system are most often affected, and pathologies of the heart, digestive tract and thyroid gland are also detected in the post-COVID period.
What to do if you have a fever without cold symptoms?
therapist, family doctor of VSK Digital Clinic
Occasionally, people may experience a fever without other obvious cold symptoms. In such cases, we recommend that you do the following:
Measure the temperature with a thermometer to make sure the readings are accurate. If it is really above 37 degrees Celsius, see to a doctor for advice in order to identify possible causes.
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It’s important to get enough rest and make sure you get enough sleep. Maintain water balance and drink enough fluids to calculate your individual rate: you need to multiply 30 ml by body weight in kilograms.
At temperatures above 38 ° C, it is usually recommended to take over-the-counter antipyretic drugs. However, you should consult your doctor before using them to make sure there are no testimonials.
How to Relieve Cold Symptoms
At the first symptoms of a cold, such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat and mild fever, the following measures can be taken:
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and facilitate mucus secretion; Therefore, you need to make sure of a normal humidity in the room (about 70%), for example, use a humidifier, wet towels or containers with water; rest and make sure you get enough sleep to support the immune system; use nasal drops or sprays based on saline solutions to relieve nasal congestion and improve breathing; Avoid contact with other people so as not to transmit the infection.
Read also:
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What to do about cold symptoms in children
Colds in children can be manifested by the following symptoms:
runny nose with abundant mucus, nasal congestion and shortness of breath, sneezing and coughing, sore throat and difficulty swallowing, moderate fever, fatigue, and irritability.
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If your child has these symptoms, it is recommended to provide comfort, rest, drink plenty of water, and consult a pediatrician for additional advice and advice.
It’s important to remember that everyone can react to a cold in different ways. If your cold symptoms do not improve or worsen within a few days, or if you develop new or disturbing symptoms, it is recommended that you see your doctor for professional medical advice and an evaluation of the condition.
Read also:
Scientists have named a product that can cure a cold in a day. Doctor’s opinion
A cold can be an unpleasant condition, but with the right approach, most people recover completely without complications. It is important to take precautions to prevent the spread of infection and seek medical attention if symptoms become severe or continue for a long time.
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