A common viral disease. What is immunity? Frequent colds are constant viral attacks

Cold - common name diseases of the upper respiratory tract infectious origin. It often manifests itself as a consequence of hypothermia and seasonal immunodeficiencies. Viruses cause fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, and others characteristic symptoms. However, they are constantly present in the inhaled air. The body copes with them thanks to the production of specific immune cells, and a decrease in their number causes another exacerbation.

Frequent colds are dangerous to your health. If you do not immediately treat and get rid of the infection completely, it will periodically cause new attacks of the disease. Microorganisms can also migrate to the mucous membrane of the lower respiratory tract, causing chronic bronchitis or even pneumonia. The right decision- after the first symptoms appear, take a course of medications, observing bed rest.

Infectious diseases are highly contagious. Viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets and by contact, and bacteria can also remain on objects environment. Their type can only be determined by the results laboratory tests blood and other material (nasal discharge).

The clinical picture of the disease does not develop in everyone and differs in level of severity. This is due to the functioning of the immune system and its ability to inactivate pathogenic microflora.

Infection can occur within incubation period(the first 2 days after infection, sometimes more). Even if the patient has not yet shown the first signs of a cold, he poses a danger to others.

The role of immunity

There are several levels of infection control. The first of these are phagocytes - blood cells that capture and then mechanically destroy microscopic pathogens. Then turn on humoral factors- immunoglobulins (antibodies). They react with microbial antigens, neutralizing them. If pathogenic bacteria or viruses get inside healthy cells, the production of another immunity factor begins - interferons (they are found in some medications).

Why does the body weaken its protective functions?

Normally, an infection, even if it penetrates the skin or mucous membranes, does not cause a cold. The immune system successfully distinguishes microorganisms and fights them all available methods. Acute course with severe symptoms can be provoked by the following factors:

weather conditions: low air temperature combined with high humidity;
sleep disturbance;
poor nutrition, deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
concomitant pathologies, including chronic diseases gastro- intestinal tract;
stressful situations: some experts believe that it is psychological state is responsible for defense mechanisms.

When immunity decreases, a person will often get sick. Autumn and winter are the most favorable period for the development of pathogenic infection. At this time, cases of infection with acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, sore throat and other contagious diseases, which spread rapidly throughout the population.

Possible complications

At untimely treatment a common cold can develop into dangerous forms. Most often, it is caused by a viral infection that causes inflammatory reactions on the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs. However, over time, bacteria can join it - their presence is accompanied by the release purulent exudate from the nose, and you can only get rid of them with antibiotics.

Dangerous complications of a cold - chronic bronchitis or pneumonia (pneumonia). These diseases occur when infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract. Constant voltage protective systems organism may cause autoimmune or allergic diseases. These include bronchial asthma, sclerosis, Crohn's enteritis, systemic lupus erythematosus.

Signs of low immunity

The first symptoms can be detected on your own. A person becomes less active, problems with sleep appear, and the condition of the skin and hair worsens. All chronic diseases are exacerbated, including fungus or herpes. If these signs appear, you should contact for a more detailed examination.

The doctor pays attention to the following complaints:

constant low-grade fever body - it stays at 37 degrees;
frequent cases of colds (for adults - more than 4 times a year);
infectious diseases last longer than 2 weeks, often recur;
insomnia.

The patient suffers simultaneously from many manifestations of immunodeficiency. Even if you are completely treated for another acute respiratory infection, it quickly develops again. The only way infection prevention - strengthen the body's defense mechanisms.

What tests should I take and which doctor should I see?

If you have a cold, you should visit your local physician. After initial examination he can give a referral for consultation with an otolaryngologist (ENT), immunologist or other doctors. During diagnosis, it is important to determine which factor provoked the clinical picture of the disease. To do this, culture the exudate of the nasal passages is done to detect bacteria. Viruses can be identified by characteristic data from blood tests.

Expert opinion

Valery Sinelnikov

Leading specialist in the field of psychosomatics.

“Any illness is a consequence of lack of harmony with inner world. A runny nose indicates low self-esteem, anxiety, and disappointment. To get rid of it, it’s enough to establish relationships with loved ones and decide on life goals.”

Ways to strengthen immunity

Instead of regularly catching colds or constantly taking pills during the cold season, it is better to prepare the body for stress. This way, his fight against infection will be more productive, and the risk of contracting viruses from any contact with them will disappear. You don't have to take it for this. expensive medications. Sometimes it is enough to pay attention to your lifestyle, normalize your diet, and adjust your sleep and wakefulness patterns. Immunomodulation is a set of procedures that consist of simple rules performed regularly. Any therapist can advise you on methods of preventing colds.

Hardening

Pouring cold water, getting used to low temperatures air - it is better to start doing these exercises in the summer. They are useful for weak immunity And frequent colds Oh. In order to understand the importance of hardening, it is worth understanding the mechanism of its action. Cold irritates areas of the skin and stimulates blood circulation (to warm these areas).

At first, do not strive to show record results - a slight temperature difference is enough;
Perform procedures daily - a missed session may affect the results already achieved;
The effect must be secured by rubbing with a towel or other means of warming up.

If an unprepared person gets wet ice water, it will end with a cold. To achieve the opposite result, do not rush to reduce the temperature of the liquid and increase the procedure time.

Keeping the body in good shape means increasing the respiratory volume of the lungs, strengthening the heart, improving blood circulation and activating immune protection. However, exercises should also be treated wisely. Thus, frequent walks and jogs are good for health, and daily strength training quickly deplete the body's reserves. It is also worth considering age and individual characteristics: The regime for pensioners and pregnant women will be different.

Cardio exercises are more useful for preventing colds. These include running, swimming, cycling and other activities that involve constant movement. They improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, so that all tissues have a sufficient amount of oxygen, vitamins and microelements.

Proper nutrition

With food, a person receives substances necessary for the functioning of the body at the cellular level. In the gastrointestinal tract they are crushed into simple compounds and used for chemical reactions with the release of energy. It is not the quantity, but the quality of food that is important. Fried foods and animal fats are the main source bad cholesterol. It is deposited in the blood vessels and causes noticeable deterioration in health. The diet should be based on cereals, plant food, meat and fish, dairy products. It is recommended to take this food raw or boiled, at least 4-5 times a day in small portions.

It's difficult to eat right in cold weather. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are not available, so get required quantity useful substances almost impossible. For this purpose, pharmacies sell special vitamin complexes. They are created taking into account the needs of the body in patients of different genders and ages, as well as many diseases.

Medicines to prevent frequent colds

The drug method is used only in extreme cases when strengthening the immune system in simple ways ineffective. Medicines are available in tablet form and are intended to be taken in a course. They include active ingredients in low concentrations. When it enters the bloodstream, the immune system is activated and intensive production of protective cells occurs.

Medicines to boost immunity for adults with frequent colds may include:

interferons: Arbidol, Cycloferon, Amiksin;
herbal ingredients: ginseng root, eleutherococcus, Rhodiola rosea, echinacea;
components of animal origin: thymalin, T-activin, immunofan;
microbial products: Pyrogenal, Imudon, Bronchomunal and others.

You should not try to find a medicine yourself. At various diseases different options will do. So, for a mild cold, the lightest herbal-based tablets are optimal, but for advanced forms, you will have to take interferons.

Traditional medicine

Treatment according to old recipes does not lose popularity even with an abundance of capsules and powders. However, their naturalness does not always mean safety and effectiveness. Action medicinal herbs directly depends on immunity, presence allergic reactions, chronic failure kidneys and liver. There are medications that can be recommended at any age and condition. It is useful to add lemon, ginger, fresh or frozen raspberries, viburnum or rowan berries to hot drinks. There is also a way to boil ginger root, mix it with honey and lemon and take it every day. Onions and garlic are no less useful - they are considered one of the first natural antibiotics.

Frequent manifestations cold infection is a disease that can be fought. To do this, it is enough to lead healthy image life, give up bad habits, toughen up and play sports.

A person who suffers from a runny nose, flu and other acute respiratory viral infections 6 times a year or more is considered to be frequently ill. The reasons for this phenomenon almost always lie in a viral infection.

However, as you get older, frequent colds no longer bother you every month. According to the norms, an adult can get sick no more than twice a year

Moreover, the causes of such diseases should be a seasonal cold epidemic.

But not every person has one strong immunity, because according to statistics, the average adult experiences the flu and runny nose 3-4 times a year. And for residents of megacities, colds can occur every month, so they are forced to almost constantly take medicines. All this happens due to weakened immunity, which is facilitated by many reasons.

The immune system is protective barrier The human body, in particular, is a complex reaction that protects it from harmful agents:

The invasion of the body by an antigen provokes an immune cellular response, manifested by the synthesis of phagocytes - special cells that capture and neutralize foreign materials.

There is also humoral immunity, according to which antigen neutralizes antibodies (chemically active molecules). They are serum blood proteins, also called immunoglobulins.

Third line protective functions which every organism has - nonspecific immunity. It is a barrier created by mucous membranes, skin, enzymes, and specific destructive organisms.

If the virus does enter the cell, then in an adult with good immune function as a response, interferon (a special cellular protein) will begin to be produced. This condition is always accompanied by a very high temperature.

So, there are several ways to protect the body from aggressive bacterial and viral infections. But unfortunately, today few people have strong immunity.

Why does this happen and what reasons contribute to this?

Why do the body's protective functions deteriorate?

The most global factor in weakening protective forces is the conduct wrong image life. So, immunity can decrease even if a person:

overeats;
consumes refined fatty foods;
eats carcinogenic foods (fried and smoked foods) and simple carbohydrates.

Frequent, may develop from deficiency physical activity. Human body must move, because its mechanisms and systems can function normally only with sufficient physical exertion, and most people lead an infantile lifestyle, which causes a runny nose or flu, which has to be treated using potent drugs.

In addition, flu and runny nose can occur if a person constantly inhales polluted air. This reason is very relevant, because harmful impurities: smog, household chemicals, chlorinated water, nitrates and other harmful elements attack the body every day.

A constant noise And electromagnetic radiation- This is another factor that answers the question of why people often get colds.

More frequent colds appear if a person constantly worries and experiences severe stress, so he needs to drink sedatives. In addition, a decrease in immunity is observed due to chronic lack of sleep or fatigue, against which flu, runny nose and other colds develop.

Also, a person often gets sick due to bad habits. These include overuse alcohol and smoking.

Moreover, scientists have concluded that negative impact on immune system provide conditions of increased sterility. This could be boiling dishes, using antibacterial soap, or applying antimicrobials for minor symptoms of a cold.

Such factors do not allow the defense forces to train in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms. In this case, the immune system is weakened, which results in a person’s refined life. In addition, the condition can worsen even if you constantly dress too warmly and spend most of the time in a well-heated room.

The immune system is also interconnected with the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, a deficiency of lacto- and bifidum bacteria can lead to a runny nose, flu or allergies.

How to determine that immunity has dropped?

Signs of poor activity of the body's protective functions include:

frequent colds;
irritability, constant stress, aggressiveness;
exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
poor condition skin(presence of inflammatory foci, dryness, acne, peeling);
disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (weak stools, constipation, bloating);
malaise, drowsiness, fatigue.

The presence of one of these factors or their combination requires a review of lifestyle and appropriate measures. Today there are many ways in which you can increase protective forces body. They are divided into two groups:

physiological;
pharmacological.

In the diet of a healthy person, plant and animal proteins must predominate; if they are not available, then immune cells will begin to function poorly.

In addition, food should be plentiful essential minerals and vitamins (B, E, A, C).

Healthy proteins can be found in nuts, meat, legumes, eggs and fish. The following foods are rich in vitamin B:

nuts;
meat;
seeds;
liver;
bran;
raw yolks;
wholemeal flour;
dairy products.

Vitamin E is abundant in wheat grains, avocados and vegetable oils. Vitamin A is found in fruits and vegetables that have bright color– pumpkin, carrots, apricots, bell pepper tomatoes. In addition, this valuable microelement found in liver, eggs and butter.

Located in:

rosehip;
citrus fruits;
cranberries;
kiwi;
sauerkraut.

It is worth noting that strengthening the immune system depends on how much the body is enriched with these vitamins. In addition, preventing the occurrence of colds is to regularly consume fermented milk products, which will support the intestinal microflora.

So that you do not have to treat the flu or runny nose by taking antiviral drugs, must be observed correct mode day and do exercises. For full functioning, the body needs a healthy eight-hour sleep, walks fresh air, a normal work schedule and, of course, physical activity.

In particular, you can quickly boost your immunity if you engage in swimming and winter sports. In this case, the room must be constantly ventilated and sleep with the window open.

But best prevention the development of colds is hardening. Today there are many methods of hardening. This can be wiping with a wet towel, dousing with cold water, or you can simply do foot baths in cool water.

However, in order not to harm the body, it is better to start carrying out such procedures in the summer, and lower the water temperature every month. This in turn will allow you to avoid the occurrence of diseases such as runny nose and flu.

In addition, even if a cold occurs, it will occur in mild form, which will allow you not to take medications that have a lot of side effects.

Cold prevention involves taking adaptogenic drugs every 3 months:

Aloe;
Eleutherococcus;
Echinacea tincture;
Golden Root;
Ginseng.

These natural antivirals should be taken in the evening and morning. Moreover, if there are stress disorders, then before going to bed you need to drink decoctions of motherwort and lemon balm.

In addition, prevention of colds, in particular during its epidemic, involves taking homeopathic medicines. Three more times a year for one month you need to drink probitii (Bifidumbacterin, Linex, etc.).

A list that includes popular antiviral drugs that prevent the development of diseases such as flu and runny nose:

Oxolinic ointment;
Panavir (suppositories);
Arbidol (capsules);
Viferon (candles);
Milife (powder);
Genferon (suppositories) and others.

If you catch a cold more than six times a year, you can safely count yourself among the group of people who get sick often. Adult healthy person should not get sick more than twice a year, and this should occur during seasonal epidemics of ARVI and.

Colds are infectious and are caused by hypothermia.

However, In addition to hypothermia, factors contributing to a cold are also weakened immunity, draft, rain and a number of other reasons. Regardless of this, if you think colds bother you often, for example, more than once a quarter, consult a doctor.

For colds diseases other than influenza and ARVI, include, nasopharyngitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, herpes simplex, acute bronchi.

Frequent colds weaken the body, for two reasons and they are interrelated. These are deterioration of immunity and allergies. Allergies provoke decreased immunity, and decreased immunity initiates the development of allergies.

Actually, this list is a hint on what to do if you have a weakened immune system and are plagued by colds. The first steps for warnings of frequent colds are diagnostics of immunity and allergies.

The first symptoms of decreased immunity are frequent colds, decreased performance, drowsiness, depression, fungal diseases , brittle hair and nails, dry skin, rashes, “women’s” diseases and digestive disorders. However, for correct diagnosis It is better to visit an immunologist-allergist.

It is necessary to identify allergens that affect decreased immunity and deterioration of the body as a whole. The easiest way to solve this issue is to carry out skin tests and identify allergies. After treatment is prescribed, measures to increase immunity begin.

To this end vitamins, physiotherapy, restorative procedures are used, walks in the fresh air. They often help sedatives from among herbal medicines.

Immunity may also be closely related to the state of the intestinal microflora. In case of deficiency of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, immunity is necessarily reduced, which leads to frequent acute respiratory viral infections and allergic pathologies.

To improve immunity, nutrition must be possess animals and vegetable proteins , without which the cells of the immune system function very poorly. In addition, the entire spectrum of minerals and vitamins is necessary, especially vitamins C, A, E and group B.

Squirrels can be found in fish, meat, eggs, legumes, nuts. Vitamins of the group appear not only in meat and liver, but also in dairy products, raw yolks, bran and wholemeal bread, nuts and seeds. Vitamin E - vegetable oil, sprouted wheat grains, avocado. Vitamin A - in bright vegetables and fruits, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin, apricots, paprika. There is a lot of this substance in eggs, butter, and liver.

Vitamin C - in sauerkraut, citrus fruits, kiwi, rose hips, cranberries.

Don't forget about your daily routine, physical activity and hardening, and techniques physical development and hardening on the Internet you can find a lot of mono.

There are also pharmacological methods boosting immunity. For preventive purposes, it should be consumed up to three times a year. natural adaptogens. This is golden root, eleutherococcus, ginseng, aloe, echinacea. You must follow the dosage that is on the package; use these tinctures in the morning and evening. In the evening you should brew lemon balm or motherwort to reduce the effects of stress on the immune system.

— the diagnosis is not fatal, but terribly annoying. Being sick is unpleasant, being sick is inconvenient, especially if a person works. In addition to the fact that the victim does not feel well, he also infects his colleagues, and if he takes out a sick leave, he immediately becomes disliked by his superiors.

Contrary to the opinion of the employer, it is considered acceptable if a person gets colds 2-4 times a year, during seasonal epidemics. But when this happens “not according to plan” and much more often, you need to act!

Reduced immunity and frequent colds

First of all, the cause of frequent colds is associated with weakened immunity. The body simply loses the ability to defend itself against aggressive foreign agents - viruses, toxins, and in some cases even its own cells changed due to disease.

The reason for a decrease in immunity can be anything: stress, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and even excessive attention to hygiene, which completely relaxes the immune system and deprives it of its primary task - to protect the body from foreign agents.

In this case, the correct tactic would be, namely:

consumption of a complex of vitamins and minerals;
hardening;
physical training (fitness, yoga, etc.);
proper nutrition;
adherence to sleep and wakefulness;
avoiding contact with infection, especially during the spread of viral diseases.

Stress and frequent colds

Colds are often caught by people who are in... And if ARVI usually lasts about a week and can go away even without treatment, then it is able nervous tension independent recovery may not occur or may be delayed.

As a rule, in this case diseases of organs and systems are also associated. Here it is necessary medical examination and doctor's recommendations.

In this case, the following will help get rid of frequent colds:

avoidance of stressful situations;
complete rest;
nutrition;
healthy sleep.

Poor nutrition and gastrointestinal diseases

Loss of ability to resist viral infection is possible due to poor nutrition: large quantity simple carbohydrates, fatty and refined foods, carcinogens (smoked and fried foods).

When the body does not receive the necessary nutrients, vitamins (especially C, A, E, D, group B), minerals, not only worsens general condition, but the ability to resist viral infection is also lost.

Therefore it is important balanced diet With sufficient quantity proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals.

Useful in the fight against frequent colds, peppermint, oranges, lemon, grapefruit, parsley, celery, onion, garlic, cauliflower, products containing zinc, as well as water, natural juices, teas and infusions of medicinal herbs.

Drinking fluids prevents dry throat and nose and also removes toxins from the body.

For diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, pancreatitis, helminthic infestations etc.) are necessary medications treatment.

Quitting bad habits

In the fight against frequent colds, it is worth reconsidering your habits and taste preferences. It is known that smoking, alcohol, and drugs weaken the body’s immune system and suppress the functions of organs and systems. It's worth remembering that passive smoking just as harmful.

Electromagnetic radiation (mobile devices, computers), harmful noises also have a negative impact on health. Therefore, they should be eliminated whenever possible.

Medicines to prevent frequent colds

Natural adaptogens - eleutherococcus, ginseng, golden root, aloe, echinacea - allow you to avoid viral infections. It is enough to use them in courses 2 times a year.

You also need to take a course 2 times a year complex vitamins and probiotics.

In conditions of stress, you can use means to maintain your neuropsychic state - lemon balm or motherwort. And during seasonal epidemics, take homeopathic remedies to improve immunity.

The use of immunomodulators, which is also effective in the fight against common colds, is possible only after the recommendation of a doctor.

Cold is a collective name large group acute respiratory infections, manifested by catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and very diverse symptoms. If a person has enough good health And good immunity, he gets sick extremely rarely. And an organism with a weakened immune system is a constant source of infection with infected microbes.

In this article we will look at how a cold occurs, what the first signs and symptoms are, as well as what treatment is most effective for adults.

What is a cold?

A cold is a viral infectious disease that affects the upper respiratory tract. Let us immediately note that the term is colloquial, while infectious diseases are hidden under it - ARVI (), rarely -.

Infection occurs through airborne droplets or household contact, therefore, it is advisable to stay close to the infected person medical mask and disinfect all surfaces in the room daily.

According to WHO, an adult gets sick with colds three times a year, a schoolchild – about 4 times a year, and a preschooler – up to 6 times a year.

Five percent of those who picked it up viral infection get a cold and only 75 percent experience symptoms. The same pathogen can cause only a slight headache in some people, while in others it can cause a severe runny nose and cough.

Reasons

The common cold is a highly contagious infection that easily spreads between people through even minimum quantity pathogens that enter the integumentary membranes of the respiratory tract. This contagiousness is explained by the tropism (affinity) of the viral agent for the tissues of the human body.

Among the most common causes of colds are viruses - rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), reoviruses, enteroviruses (), influenza and parainfluenza viruses.

To contract a cold or ARVI, two basic rules must be followed:

weakened immune system
entry into infection.

Weakening of the immune system can occur not only during hypothermia, but also in other situations:

Severe stress. Nervous shock and anxiety reduce the body's ability to defend itself, so they can lead to serious illness.
Constant overwork. Lack of sleep, excessive loads during operation they also reduce resistance.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Correct regular meals not only helps control weight, but also helps protect against colds.

Source of infection: more often it is a patient with cold symptoms, sometimes a carrier of a virus (adenovirus, etc.) or bacteria (pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, etc.). The maximum contagiousness is in the first days of the disease, however, the contagious period can begin 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms and lasts 1.5-2, and sometimes more than weeks (for example, adenoviral infection).

By type of infection:

Viral infection It is transmitted only from person to person. That is, before the disease there must have been contact with a sick person.
Bacterial infection can be transmitted not only from person to person. Bacteria are everywhere around us. Sometimes even an acute respiratory disease is caused by those bacteria that have previously lived peacefully inside the body. But the immune system weakened as a result of hypothermia, and an ordinary bacterium caused the disease.

Incubation period of a cold(from infection to the mucous membrane until the first signs appear) is about 2 days.

First signs

Colds rarely start suddenly high temperature body and weakness that “knocks you down.” Usually begins suddenly with a sore throat, followed by other symptoms:

Watery nasal discharge
Sneezing
Increased fatigue and weakness
Cough – dry or wet

Malaise increases gradually, temperature increases during the first day after the onset of cold symptoms. Muscle and joint pain may occur.

Cold symptoms in adults

So, general list The symptoms for any type of cold are:

General weakness, malaise;
Aches in muscles and joints;
Sore and sore throat, redness of the throat;
Cough;
Pain in the eyes, tearing;
Headaches;
Increased body temperature up to 38.5°C;
Increased sweating, chills;
Lack of appetite;
Insomnia;
Increase lymph nodes.

During a cold, the functioning of the glands responsible for the separation of protective mucus, which is stored in several cavities of the skull, is disrupted. When the immune system begins to fight viruses, a lot of “waste” is created - toxins that need to be flushed out of the body. As a result, the amount of mucous secretions increases several times, but the glands cannot regulate them normally, so the fluid stagnates in the nasal sinuses.

This is why colds are characterized by both severe runny nose, with the help of which the body seeks to get rid of infection.

In the table, we will look in more detail at each of the symptoms.

	Symptoms
Temperature	Fever during a cold is one of the main signs of the disease. Depending on the size of the numbers, it is customary to distinguish: subfebrile values (37.1-38.0°C), febrile (38.1-39.0°C), pyretic (39.1-40.0°C) and hyperpyretic (above 40.0°C). The temperature reaction depends on the functioning of the human immune system. In one case, it may practically not rise, and in another, it may “jump” sharply already in the first hours of illness.
Intoxication	A symptom caused by exposure of organs and tissues to toxins of pathogens or their own substances produced to fight infection. Intoxication manifests itself in the form of: myalgia (muscle pain), dizziness, weaknesses, nausea, sleep disturbance.
Cough	A cough is rarely the first sign of a cold. Most often, it begins some time after the appearance of a runny nose, sore throat and fever.
Sore throat	Painful sensations can vary in intensity - from tolerable to very strong, making it difficult to swallow food and speak. Patients are also concerned about a sore throat and coughing.
Runny nose	Nasal congestion is not only the first, but perhaps the main symptom colds, by which it can be distinguished, for example, from. On the first day of disease progression, the secretion is clear and liquid. The discharge is profuse, quite often causing sneezing, as well as itching in the nose with redness of the eyes. If symptoms such as: Pain to the right and left of the nose, in the bridge of the nose; Nasal voice; Nasal congestion does not go away even after taking medications. This means that an ordinary runny nose has turned into serious complication– sinusitis, etc. in this case, antibiotics must be prescribed.
Headache	It can be constant and intensify with increasing temperature. Excruciating headache is characteristic of exacerbation and is one of the typical symptoms.

On the second or third day, the symptoms begin to subside, and the patient begins to feel better. On the third day, the person with a cold begins to recover. For complete recovery from the moment of illness, it takes 5-7 days, depending on the degree, state of the immune system and the approach to treating the disease.

So, to summarize all of the above, reason to see a doctor if you have a cold should serve:

early childhood patient (up to 3 years, especially infants);
uncontrollable temperature above 38° for more than 3 days;
unbearable headache, throbbing local headache;
the appearance of a rash on the torso and limbs;
the appearance of a bacterial component of the discharge (yellowish and greenish color mucus from the nose, phlegm, severe sore throat), barking cough;
the appearance of severe weakness and pain in chest when coughing;
elderly patients over 65 years of age;
persons with chronic bacterial foci (sinusitis and others);
people with concomitant diseases(oncology, hematological patients, liver, kidney pathology).

Complications

Colds are diseases full recovery in which it occurs in the vast majority of cases, but complications still occur. The most common is a lingering cold, which means symptoms persist after two weeks.

Possible complications of colds in adults:

Appearance severe pain in one or both ears, hearing loss, increased temperature indicates. Symptoms mean that the infection has spread from the nasal cavity to the ear cavity.
Inflammation paranasal sinuses nose (sinusitis, frontal sinusitis) is another complication of a cold. At the same time, the person experiences severe nasal congestion; the runny nose does not go away for a long time, but only worsens. The voice becomes nasal, pain appears at the location of the disease (in the forehead and bridge of the nose, on the left or right side nose).
A cough that worsens at night is typical as a consequence of a cold. It may be dry and rough at first, but then it becomes moist and mucus begins to form. With bronchitis, in contrast to and, rough, whistling and buzzing dry wheezing appears, hard breathing, as well as large bubble moist rales.
Complications of a cold include inflammation of the lymph nodes - lymphadenitis. The lymph nodes in the neck are most often affected.

Diagnostics

If you have or only suspect the development of a cold, you should immediately seek advice from doctors such as a general practitioner. A doctor usually diagnoses a cold based on descriptions of symptoms and findings during a physical examination.

Laboratory tests are generally not performed unless there are concerns about another health condition, such as bacterial disease or potential complications.

Treating a cold at home

Actually healthy body he himself is able to cope with the disease, so all the patient must do is help his body cope with the disease. It is necessary to ensure bed rest, excluding serious physical activity.

There are several rules that should not be broken when treating a cold:

Bed and semi-bed rest. This is necessary for the body to accumulate strength to fight infection, as well as to prevent a secondary infection from joining the person. Also this is preventive measure to prevent the spread of pathogenic microflora in places where the patient frequents;
If going back to work is inevitable, you should beware of increased physical activity, since this can negatively affect the activity of the heart and blood vessels;
Drink plenty of warm drinks– green or black tea, herbal infusions– promotes the removal of toxins from the body;
Rational nutrition with an increase in the amount of vitamins, giving up alcohol, spicy, fatty, fried foods. The cooking method is also important - in order not to injure a sore throat, it is better to choose broths, soft foods of moderate temperature that will not irritate the mucous membrane;
You cannot lower the temperature if it has not reached 38 degrees. Although its increase is associated with chills and other unpleasant sensations, it is with its help that the body fights bacteria and viruses. During chills, the body produces interferon, a protein that effectively resists infection. The higher the temperature, the more of it, and the faster body cope with the disease;
In case severe congestion nose and cough It is important to position your head higher during the night, that is, sleep in a half-sitting position. With this position of the body, mucus from the nose and cough are much less annoying.

Medicines for treatment

On pharmacy shelves there are antiviral drugs prescribed for colds:

Amizon;
Anaferon;
Arbidol;
Ingavirin;
Influcid;
Kagocel;
Oseltamivir;
Rimantadine;
Tamiflu.

We constantly monitor the temperature during a cold, if it does not rise above 38 and you feel normal, do not take antipyretic drugs, heat destroys viruses and microbes. It is necessary to resort to antipyretic medications to treat colds only in cases where the temperature is above 38°C

Common and effective means to lower the temperature are soluble drugs based on paracetamol:

Coldrex;
Theraflu;
Fervex;
Pharmacitron.

Nazol – a convenient spray, used 2-3 times a day;
Nazol Advance - convenience in the form of a spray, contains essential oils, applies 2 rubles/day;
Nazivin – convenient forms for adults, babies;
Tizin - drops containing essential oils, effective for viscous nasal discharge.
Lazolvan nasal spray (thin the nasal mucus).
Pinosol ( oil solution) drops and spray.

Reception feature vasoconstrictor drops in the nose: the course should not exceed 5-7 days, otherwise the drugs will stop working, and the nasal mucosa will atrophy.

Antihistamines are medications used to treat allergies. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, therefore they relieve signs of inflammation: swelling of the mucous membranes, nasal congestion. New generation drugs such as Semprex (Claritin), Zyrtec, Fenistil do not cause drowsiness.

Cough. For a severe dry cough, use: “Codelac”, “Sinekod”. To liquefy sputum - “Ascoril”, “ACC” (ACC). To remove phlegm from the respiratory tract - plantain syrup, "Tussin".

Antibiotics are used only when bacterial complications , in relation to viruses they are absolutely useless. Therefore, they are not prescribed during a cold.

The fact is that antibiotics suppress the immune system, destroy beneficial microflora intestines, so only a specialist can decide whether the expected benefit from the use of antibiotics exceeds the harm they cause.

Nasal rinsing for colds

Isotonic (saline) solution. The dosage should be 0.5-1 teaspoon per 200 ml boiled water. Salt prevents the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, thins mucus and promotes its removal.
Soda or iodine-soda solution. Prepared in a similar concentration. Soda creates an alkaline environment in the nasal cavity, unfavorable for the growth of colonies of pathogenic microorganisms.

Gargling

To gargle for a cold at home, you can use:

Saline, soda solutions;
Breast preparations prepared independently or purchased at a pharmacy;
Propolis tincture;
Gargle with hydrogen peroxide. It needs to be diluted by taking 2 teaspoons per 50 ml warm water. You need to use the product 3-5 times a day until you feel relief.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for colds are almost always included in the treatment regimen respiratory diseases, thanks to its beneficial properties.

At the first symptoms, it is useful to prepare for treatment carrot juice and stir in the pulp of 3-5 cloves of garlic. Take the medicine half a glass 3-4 times a day an hour before meals for five days.
Foot baths. If the disease is accompanied by no fever, then mustard can be added to the water. To do this, add one tablespoon of dry powder per 7 liters. Place your feet in the water and hold until the water begins to cool. After this, dry them well and put woolen socks on your feet.
Mix 30 g sea buckthorn oil , 20 g fresh calendula juice, 15 g melted cocoa butter, 10 g honey, 5 g propolis. If you have a runny nose, soak a cotton swab in this mixture and insert it into your nose for 20 minutes.
Pour 1 teaspoon dry crushed dandelion roots with 1 cup of boiling water, leave in a sealed container in a boiling water bath for half an hour, cool, strain. Take in the same way as the infusion for a cold.
Viburnum berry is able to provide unique therapeutic effect. To receive positive effect You can make a decoction from the product using a spoonful of berries in a glass of water. It is advisable to drink the resulting fruit drink warm and with honey.
For a runny nose, instill 3-5 drops of aloe into each nostril 4-5 times a day, tilting your head back and massaging the wings of the nose after instillation.
Relieve sore throat Linden flowers will help get rid of cough. Linden tea: two teaspoons of linden blossom per mug of water.

How to protect yourself from colds?

A cold is the result of a temporary decrease in immunity and contact with infection. Accordingly, prevention is aimed at preventing these risk factors.

What can you do to avoid catching a cold?

Avoid crowded places where the risk of infection is much higher.
If possible, stay away from people with colds.
Do not touch your nose or eyes after you have been in physical contact with a person who is sick.
Wash your hands thoroughly, especially when you have a runny nose.
Ventilate your room well.

If treatment for a cold is not started in time, there is a risk of complications, which over time can develop into chronic diseases. Therefore, take care of yourself, start helping your body at the first symptoms and generally monitor your health all year round.