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Signs, symptoms and causes of common cold

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What is the flu?

The flu is a generic term to define a number of uncomplicated infections of the respiratory tract, causing inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. But in this context, the term is used by people far from medicine.

If we turn to the dictionaries looking for the definition of the word, in most cases, you may find that a cold is called a disease which is caused by hypothermia, but not viral infections. In order to get cold enough to get your feet wet in a puddle, nipped by the frost at the bus stop waiting for the bus or, for example, drink a cold juice. But usually, when people utter the phrase "I'm sick", in most case we are talking about a banal viral infection. Therefore, in the context of this article, the word cold will be considered as a synonym of SARS.

Of the common cold, there are a great many more than 250. Therefore, to develop a comprehensive vaccine from them, scientists have not yet succeeded. The most common is the rhinoviruses, they primarily affect the mucous membranes of the nose and are a common cause of colds. To avoid them is almost impossible, that is why there are no people who have succeeded in their life to avoid colds. But understanding the causes of problems in the body, you can help him to quickly deal with the disease and to distinguish from more serious diseases, such as influenza.


Signs and symptoms of the common cold

It can be quite difficult to distinguish what disease struck the body – the common cold or flu. But if you go to the doctor is not possible, symptoms should be examined thoroughly:

  • The first and most obvious feature of all SARS is difficult nasal breathing. If there is a possibility that cause swelling can be allergic, you should pay attention to the accompanying signs of disease;

  • Pain and sore throat are also the constant companions of cold;

  • A small increasebody temperature: the maximum mark for colds – the 38.2 – 38.5 degrees;

  • After the first day to this unpleasant companions of the disease is added to cough and runny nose.

The first sign of a cold

Nasal congestion is not only the first, but almost the main symptom of colds, which can be used to distinguish, for example, from a sore throat. In the first days of disease progression secret detachable transparent and liquid. Selection is abundant, often cause sneezing and itchy nose with red eyes.

24 hours after the beginning of SARS the secret becomes more thick and viscous. Its color darkens. You shouldn't be afraid, this color change does not mean that, joined by a bacterial infection and indicates the beginning of recovery. The body is actively fighting the infection in the nose killed the main enemies of all the viruses trapped in his white blood cells. They give the mucous secretions of the darker color. Therefore, the antibiotics in this situation should not be used.

It is important to know the differences of allergies from colds, as, in fact, and in another case there are abundant nasal discharge, sneezing and itching. But while the Allergy lasts much longer, sometimes up to several months, and the cold symptoms disappear on the 8th day of treatment. Edema of the mucosa in contact with allergen manifests instantly, while in catarrhal disease begins to develop gradually, with a progressive worsening of the condition. The main distinguishing symptom of allergies from SARS – with a cold always raises the temperature, even in the small range, if you are allergic this is not happening ever. Naturally, these diseases are treated differently.

High fever without signs of a cold

The indicators on the thermometer above the level of 38.5 must alert the person. If such values are not accompanied by the characteristic signs of a cold, then a doctor should be contacted as soon as possible. The flu is one of the common causes of rise in body temperature to similar values, it is accompanied by symptoms such as body aches, and joints, General weakness, pain in the eyes, chills.

Raising the temperature to high values can occur due to many other diseases, not only because of the ingestion of the flu virus.

Itinflammation like:

It is because raising the temperature to high values without the accession of the symptoms of colds – this is a very terrible sign, to go to the doctor is mandatory.

More details: high temperature warning with no symptoms


The main causes of cold

If we talk about the cold in the context of SARS, the only cause is a virus and other variants here cannot be. But it is quite another thing that the virus begins its activity is not in every cell, but only in that which does not provide him a decent resistance.

Therefore, as indirect factors that can influence the frequency of appearance of human colds are the following:

  • Hypothermia. It is dangerous both in cold and in hot weather. Sometimes it is enough to get your feet wet, ice cream or to stand up in the draft, as a few hours all signs of a cold are "obvious". Vessels unprepared person does not have time to adjust and to react to changes in temperature, as a result there is a runny nose, red throat, etc.;
  • Stress can also be an indirect culprit of frequent colds. Most people refer to this reason as undeserving of attention, however, it is not so. Stress adversely affects the immune system, no less than hypothermia. But so as to avoid stress is impossible, you should learn to control your emotions and to take a natural sedative;

  • Any chronic disease in the acute phase disrupts the normal balance of the body and reduces immunity. Quite common are cases when the background of the manifestations of peptic ulcer disease or diabetes person begins to suffer frequent colds;

  • Wrong food, poisoning, alcohol and Smoking, of course, negatively affect the immune status. If you eliminate these factors, and colds will start to avoid.

All these circumstances have a negative impact on the body and become the reason that the viruses become more active to attack the unprotected cells. The weaker the immune system, the less power of resistance to infections a person has and the more it hurts.

Causes of frequent colds

To have had a cold 2 times a year for an adult is absolutely not bad. But when disease overtakes more than 5 times, and still accompanied by various complications, then it's time to worry about your health.

Signs that tell about the weakening of protective forces of an organism:

  • Frequent colds;
  • Exacerbation of chronic diseases;
  • Weakness, sleep disturbances and excessive fatigue;
  • Unmotivated aggression;
  • Failures of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • Visible changes in the condition of skin – dryness, peeling, etc.

In order not to chill overtook every 2 – 3 months is necessary to raise immunity in various ways. Physiological can be attributed to nutrition, with the mandatory inclusion of protein foods, dairy products and vitamins, exercise and good daily routine, as well as hardening. To pharmacological methods of enhance the body's resistance to viruses, are the use of natural adaptogens, for example, Echinacea and ginseng, and prebiotics and homeopathic remedies. Regarding immunomodulators, before taking the advice of a doctor is required.

Possible complications after a cold

As a rule, any cold lasts about a week and completely goes away. But sometimes, after the disease, there are complications.

Often after a cold may develop sinusitis. The disease is expressed in inflammationparanasal sinuses, clogged ducts, as a result, they are filled with mucus, the pain occurs in the face and eyes, fever.

A cold may be complicated by bronchitis. For this disease characterized by cough with separation of viscous yellow sputum. Most often the human body itself cope with the disease. But if shortness of breath, then no medical treatment is necessary.

A cold may be complicated by tonsillitis. While this primarily affects the tonsils that are in the throat are called tonsils. On them appears white coating, and there are painful sensation when swallowing. The most severe cases accompanied by fever and a complete rejection of eating.

Often cold is accompanied by otitis media, i.e. middle ear infection. The symptoms are pronounced – it's a pain in the ears, sleep disturbance, break eardrums appear discharge and fever.

The flu can worsen pre-existing chronic diseases and worsen their course. This applies to diabetes, HIV, emphysema, and others.

A few reasons to go to the doctor after suffering colds:

  • Pain in ears or sinuses, with pressure on eyes or tilt;
  • Temperature above 38.5°C;
  • Prolonged cough with sputum and shortness of breath;
  • The common cold does not pass after 2 weeks, and her symptoms worsen.

Keeps the temperature of 37 after a cold – what to do?

Quite often after transferred colds may see a slight increase in temperature to 37,2 degrees.

Upon detection of such values on the thermometer should pay attention to such indicators as:

  • Violated overall health;
  • Whether after two weeks or more residual signs of a cold;
  • If there are symptoms pointing to the occurrence of complications after a cold.

Many doctors are inclined to believe that, after certain infections of the respiratory tract, passing severe form, fever may be observed for another 2 weeks.

No drugs thus should not be accepted, it is advisable to observe the following recommendations:

  • To stay home, get rest, and not to load youra diet of fatty foods and drink plenty of fluids;

  • If return to work is inevitable, it should avoid high physical stress, as it can have a negative impact on the operations of the heart and blood vessels;

  • You can support your body by eating inside a variety of herbal teas and decoctions.

These methods are effective in terms of the temperature not exceeding the threshold at 37.2 degrees, and if the overall condition is not violated. If you feel unwell, you must seek the advice of a doctor, who will conduct the inspection and make the appropriate appointment. As a rule, General clinical blood analysis in such cases are very informative and allow you to define and prevent possible complications.

So, colds affects all people. Symptoms may be more or less pronounced, but always characteristic of SARS: runny nose, sore throat and slight fever. The reason for the appearance of the disease is caught in the body of the virus. Under the guise of the common cold can hide other, more serious diseases such as the flu. Therefore, the symptoms of SARS vital to know. On the background of a number of factors weakened immunity, colds may occur more often than usual. This state threatening complications and require medical assistance.

Understanding what happens to the body at the time of a cold, you can always provide him with adequate help in the fight against infection.