Colds in adults

The common cold is usually referred to as acute inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, which are accompanied by a runny nose, pain and sore throat, and sometimes fever. We will tell you how this disease usually proceeds in adults

What is a cold

The common cold is commonly referred to as a malaise that is accompanied by fever, runny nose, cough and headache. Sometimes a cold is even called a rash under the influence of the herpes virus on the lips, which is fundamentally wrong.

What is a cold? To begin with, this is not a medical term at all. Moreover, a cold cannot be called a disease – rather, it is a set of specific symptoms. Most often, the common cold is associated with acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. That is, it is a respiratory infection that involves the nose, throat, larynx and sinuses in the process, proceeding in a fairly mild form.

Causes of a cold

Often the cause of a cold is an acute viral illness.¹. To date, ARVI affecting mainly the upper or lower respiratory tract can cause about 200 types of respiratory viruses.

If the virus enters the upper respiratory tract, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and rhinitis develop. When viruses enter the lower respiratory tract, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia can develop.

Less commonly, colds or respiratory infections can be caused by bacteria or fungi that enter the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract through airborne droplets, for example, when a sick person sneezes or coughs. Activation of one’s own microflora may also occur against the background of other adverse factors, such as:

hypothermia;
low immunity;
prolonged stress and overwork.

How can you get a cold

The most common route of infection with colds is airborne. Sick people in the first hours and days of illness excrete billions of bacteria with particles of saliva and nasopharyngeal mucus. These droplets of infected mucus when coughing, talking, screaming, sneezing are carried within a meter from a person. In addition, pathogens can be transmitted through contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with infected droplets – these are objects, door handles, dishes, etc. From there, with dirty hands, they are brought into the nose, mouth and mucous membranes of the eyes.

The most favorable conditions for infection are created in crowded places and enclosed spaces where there is no ventilation and free air circulation – offices, apartments, shops, shopping centers. An increase in incidence usually occurs during the off-season, when temperatures change, or during the cold season.

Signs and symptoms of a cold in adults

The first symptoms of a cold include weakness, malaise, muscle pain, body aches, and joint pain. A little later, they are joined by a runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever.

Typical symptoms of a cold include¹:

cough, sore throat, hoarseness, runny nose, sneezing;
headache;
redness and swelling of the mucous membrane of the throat;
symptoms of intoxication (weakness, feeling of weakness).

How to tell a cold from the flu

The onset of a common cold and flu is different.

Influenza is characterized by an acute onset, a sharp rise in temperature to 39 ° C and above. Symptoms of intoxication, weakness, headache, body aches, redness of the eyes are characteristic. Cough, runny nose in the throat in the first days of the disease are absent and may appear the next day¹.

Other respiratory infections have a more gradual onset. The temperature rises to 38 °C. From the first days, a runny nose, lacrimation, pain and sore throat are characteristic. Depending on the type of virus, laryngitis, pharyngitis, otitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, etc. can develop.

Cold	Flu
Cause	Rhinovirus, adenovirus, reovirus	Flu virus
Disease onset	gradual, pronounced symptoms from 2-3 days	rapid onset, symptoms appear immediately
Body temperature	37,5-38,5˚C for 2-3 days	39-40 ˚C for more than three days
sick time	onset 1-2 days, peak on 2-4 days, duration – 7-10 days	start in the first 3-4 hours, peak – 2-4 days, duration – 5-10 days

Main symptoms	Cold	Flu
Feeling worse	gradually	sharp
Body temperature	37,5-38 °C (７７°F)	39-40 °C (７７°F)
high temperature period	2-3 days	more 3 days
Intoxication	not expressed or expressed weakly	chills, headache, photophobia, body aches, fatigue
Runny nose	at once	after 2-3 days
Sneezing	Yes	no
Sore throat and cough	in a day	in a day

Treatment

In uncomplicated and mild cases, the treatment of a cold is carried out at home.². It is highly discouraged to carry a cold on your feet and go to work, spreading the infection. During the acute period (the first 2-3 days), it is worth staying at home to give the body the strength to fight the disease and protect others from infection.

Diagnostics

Usually, the doctor makes a diagnosis based on the history (how the disease began) and typical complaints. In addition, examination data helps – the presence of nasal congestion, discharge and redness of the pharynx, pallor, temperature.

Additional diagnostic methods are prescribed for suspected complications or an atypical course of a cold.

What treatments are effective

At a temperature, doctors do not recommend taking antipyretics for adults if it does not exceed 38 – 38,5 ° C. Due to the increased temperature, the body protects itself from infection and activates its defenses. Reception of antipyretics, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, Rinza, Ibuklin, in adult patients is recommended when the temperature rises to 38,5 ° C and above.

With a runny nose, it is possible to use vasoconstrictors in the form of nasal sprays (Tizin, Otrivin, Nazol, Xilen, Xymelin). However, using these products too often can dry out the nasal mucosa and allow the virus to enter. In this regard, it is recommended to rinse the nasal cavity with a saline solution, for example, with special preparations based on sea water (Aquamaris, Marimer, Aqualor, Aquamore).

For pain and sore throat, it is recommended to dissolve antiseptic lozenges, for example, Strepsils, Doctor Mom, Septolete, etc., as well as gargling with saline or decoctions of chamomile, sage, calendula³.

With a dry, irritating cough, it is necessary to soften it with the help of drinking plenty of water and taking mucolytic agents. These include potions and tinctures – cough syrup Doctor MOM, Lazolvan, Ambrobene, Sinupret, etc. These drugs not only thin the sputum, but also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

In the treatment of SARS, you should take more liquid, which will facilitate the general condition.³, and with a dry cough, it will help make it more humid. As a drink, it is recommended to take mineral water without gas, tea, compote, fruit drink, jelly or just warm water.

Antibiotics for colds

Taking antibiotics and other antibacterial drugs for ARVI is contraindicated. This class of drugs acts on bacteria and is completely inactive against viruses. Moreover, the unjustified prescription of antibiotics for ARVI can bring additional harm to the body. They can depress the immune system, already weakened by a viral infection. A person can wait for the effect of an antibiotic, and at this time, viruses actively multiply, release toxins and infect more and more cells and tissues. Thus, the patient loses precious time, which, on the contrary, should be directed to a quick recovery.

It should be noted that the spontaneous and improper use of antibiotics leads to the formation of resistance to these drugs, and the next justified appointment, they may be ineffective.

How to treat a cold at home

Ideally, you should treat a cold under the guidance of a doctor, using a minimum of drugs and stimulating the activity of the immune system in the fight against viruses. With malaise and fever, bed rest, plenty of fluids, light meals, maximum rest are indicated. As the condition improves, the regime expands, walks in the fresh air, and activity are useful.

Folk remedies for colds

The use of folk remedies for colds is quite popular and is fully justified due to the benefits that they can bring. Let’s look at which of the grandmother’s recipes for colds are really justified and which are not.

Raspberry jam. Raspberries do contain salicylates, which help reduce fever. However, their number is not so large in order to replace antipyretics. Raspberries also contain vitamins C, PP, B vitamins, which are useful for maintaining and strengthening the body, weakened by a viral infection.

Med. Honey has antiseptic properties and can help with a bacterial infection of the throat, however, for a viral infection, its benefit is minimal. In some people, honey can trigger allergies and worsen the condition.

Onion and garlic. There is an opinion about the benefits of instillation of onion and garlic juice into the nose. However, the caustic juice can irritate the nasal mucosa and cause swelling and even a slight burn.

Alcohol. Despite popular belief about the bactericidal properties of alcoholic beverages, they do not help treat the common cold. Alcohol weakens the immune system, prevents the liver from detoxifying and fighting infection, constricts blood vessels, and causes headaches. The bactericidal properties of alcohol are not enough for any noticeable effect, and viruses are not afraid of it.

Cold prevention for adults

In order to avoid colds, you must follow a few simple rules:

Avoid places with a large crowd of people, especially during the period of increased incidence of SARS and epidemics;
Dress according to the weather. When hypothermia, the body is more susceptible to microbes and viruses;
To wash hands. This simple rule protects us from a large number of bacteria and viruses that cause colds;
Take vitamins. Vitamins help to strengthen the immune system. With a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains, you can get the right dose of vitamins B, C, D and A.
Lead a healthy lifestyle. People who exercise regularly and do not have bad habits are much less likely to catch a cold.
Use respiratory masks. This is the simplest and most affordable method that allows you to protect yourself from infection in the company of a sick person. Efficiency will increase if the sick person also uses a mask, changing it every 2 hours.

Popular questions and answers

We spoke with doctor-therapist of the highest category Mikhail Lystsov about the complications of a cold, treatment options, and ways to recover.

What are the possible complications of a cold?

– If a person is in good enough health, a cold occurs without any consequences. With low immunity, complications from the ENT organs may occur. Most often, viral rhinosinusitis or inflammation of the middle ear – otitis media – develops. Less commonly, as a consequence of a cold, pharyngitis or conjunctivitis may occur. If streptococci or staphylococci are in the focus of infection, signs of a sore throat may appear.

Less commonly, complications include pneumonia, myocarditis, or pericarditis. However, with proper and timely treatment, the risk of complications is minimal.

Can a cold pass without symptoms?

– The disease cannot be completely asymptomatic. It is logical that the absence of symptoms, in most cases, indicates the absence of the disease. As for the common cold, the main symptom may be a slight increase in body temperature up to 37-37,5 ° C. But this temperature is not always a sign of the disease. We are used to referring to the “normal” temperature as 36,6 ° C, but this is not so. The normal body temperature is considered to be in the range of 36,1 and 37,2 ° C. If the body temperature goes beyond these limits for a long time, this is a reason to see a doctor.

What is the temperature with a cold?

– As mentioned above, body temperature during a cold can fluctuate within the normal range. With its classic course and in the absence of complications, the body temperature rises to 38-38,5 ° C and stays at these levels for 2-3 days. Later, the temperature decreases and comes within the normal range. A longer rise in temperature indicates the occurrence of complications. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

How long does a cold last in an adult?

– The average duration of the disease is 7-10 days. After that, the main symptoms gradually fade and disappear completely. With a pronounced course of a cold, residual effects can persist for up to three weeks, depending on the type of pathogen, compliance with the prescribed treatment, age and the presence of other diseases. With proper treatment, all symptoms disappear without a trace, without harming our body.

When to see a doctor for a cold?

– Seek medical attention in any case when symptoms appear. Do not self-medicate. However, most people are used to enduring a cold “on their feet” and fighting it with folk methods.

When should you definitely consult a doctor? First, an increase in temperature to 39 ° C and above if the high temperature lasts more than 3 days and there is no sign of improvement. Secondly, it is advisable to consult a doctor in the aggressive course of the disease.

It is worth consulting a doctor if atypical cold symptoms appear: chest pain when coughing and breathing, severe malaise, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. If you feel dizzy, clouded consciousness, rashes appear on your body, call your doctor immediately.

Can you eat ice cream with a cold?

As they say, how many people, so many opinions. The fact is that a cold is caused by a virus entering the body and has nothing to do with a specific hypothermia. There are no medical contraindications to eating ice cream for a cold. In some cases, ice cream can constrict the vessels in the throat and temporarily relieve pain. However, do not forget that the cold is in any case a stress factor. The reaction to it depends on the immune system and the general condition of the body. If you cannot resist a serving of ice cream, eat it slowly and in small portions – this will not affect the course of the disease in any way. But I advise you to refrain from ice cream during the acute period of a cold. Hardening should be done against the background of general health.

How to recover after a cold?

There is no need to recover from a cold. If the disease proceeded classically and without complications, it will pass without a trace, without causing any harm to health. Another thing is complications. In this case, treatment and recovery are necessary. In any case, this is the competence of your doctor.

What is a cold sore?

– “Cold on the lips” – a popular expression that has nothing to do with the classic cold. Rashes on the lips, mucous membranes of the nose or mouth in the form of several bubbles are herpes. These symptoms are caused by the “dormant” herpes virus type I in the organisms of 90% of the population. Once, having entered the human body, the virus is introduced into the genome of the cell and remains there forever. Basically, he “sleeps”, but sometimes, under the influence of provoking factors, it can affect skin cells. The reason for this is a decrease in immunity, hypothermia or overheating, stress, pregnancy, infectious diseases and much more.

Sources of:

“Characteristics of pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections and the importance of disinfection measures in preventing their spread” L.V. Ubis. Children’s infections, 2018. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324203976_CHARACTERISTICS_OF_THE_CAUSATIVE_AGENTS_OF_ACUTE_RESPIRATORY_VIRAL_INFECTIONS_AND_THE_IMPORTANCE_OF_DISINFECTION_MEASURES_IN_PREVENTING_THEIR_SPREAD
Rational therapy of acute respiratory diseases and influenza. EAT. Ovsyannikov. Medical Council, 2015. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/ratsionalnaya-terapiya-ostryh-respiratornyh-infektsiy-i-grippa/viewer
Topical issues in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections D.M. Mustafaev. Klinitsist, M., 2013. https://klinitsist.abvpress.ru/Klin/article/viewFile/21/33