Description of the common cold
Простуда – инфекция, which affects the upper respiratory tract (Nose and throat).
Causes of colds
A cold is caused by a virus. There are more 200 various viruses, which can cause A cold, including:
- Rynovyrus;
- Coronavirus;
- Adenovirus;
- Coxek virus;
- Paramyxovirus;
- Parainfluenza;
- Respiratory virus sintsitialynыy.
Risk factors
Factors, which increase the likelihood of a cold:
- Finding a cold near a patient;
- Touching the nose, mouth or eyes with contaminated fingers;
- Have allergies (lengthens the duration of the cold);
- Smoking or inhalation of cigarette smoke (reduces resistance);
- Stress (reduces the resistance of the cold);
- Paul: female (especially during the period of menstruation).
Symptoms of colds
Symptoms include:
- Pain or sore throat;
- Nasal congestion (It is difficult to breathe through the nose);
- Cold;
- Sneezing;
- Itch, stagnation in the ears;
- Watery eyes;
- Slight cough;
- Headache;
- Malaise;
- Low activity (slackness);
- Low-grade fever.
Diagnosis of colds
The cold is diagnosed on the basis of the manifestation of symptoms.
Treatment of colds
The cold usually lasts about 10 days, And there are no drugs against her. But there are treatment methods, that can relieve symptoms.
Home Crembus Treatment
- You need to consume a lot of liquids. Warm drinks, Such as tea, chicken bully help reduce the symptoms of colds;
- It is necessary to use a humidifier, which will help maintain the nasal paths wet and reduce the accumulation of mucus and congestion;
- Half up the throat with warm salty water will help alleviate the sore throat.
Medication
Painkillers
With pain, as well as fever, you can take the following drugs:
- Acetaminophen (tylenol);
- Ibuprofen;
- Aspirin. Aspirin is not recommended for children and teens with a current or recent viral infection due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. We need to ask the doctor, what medications are safe for baby.
Decongestants
Tablets or nasal sprays can reduce the congestion of the nasal tract and reduce the amount of mucus. Назальные спреи должны использоваться только в течение 2-3 days. With a greater duration of use, it is possible to increase the congestion after the cessation of their reception.
The use of drugs for babies or children is not recommended for less than two years, Due to the risk of side effects:
- Tachycardia;
- Convulsions;
- Reducing the level of consciousness;
- Death.
Funds against cough and colds include:
- Decongestants;
- Expectants;
- Antihistamines;
- Antitratus agents (coughing).
Other cold products
- Солевые назальные спреи – эти немедикаментозным спреи могут уменьшить скопление слизи в носовых проходах и уменьшить симптомы простуды без использования лекарственных средств;
- Леденцы – их необходимо принимать каждые два часа, To alleviate the sore throat and reduce the cough;
- Испарительные препараты – это мази, containing camphor, menthol, Eucalyptus and oils. Drugs are applied to the neck and chest. They can alleviate the night symptoms of colds in children over two years old.
Alternative methods of treating colds
Many people use alternative treatment methods, To alleviate the symptoms of a cold. Some of the most popular methods include:
- Витамин С – прием дополнительных доз витамина С в начале заболевания простудой не оказал какой либо существенной пользы. Accepting 1000 MG daily throughout the high -risk season can reduce symptoms or shorten the duration of the disease;
- Цинковые таблетки – больные, which take zinc tablets at the beginning of a cold can reduce its symptoms;
- Эхинацея – ее прием может помочь больным быстрее восстановиться после простуды. But there is little evidence of that, that she can prevent a cold, If accepted in advance;
- Мед – хотя не было доказано его влияние на уменьшение тяжести или продолжительности простудных заболеваний, It can reduce the night cough, Sleep disorders in children. You can not give honey to children younger 12 months due to the risk of children's botulism.
Other plant preparations include:
- Pelargonia (Pelargonium sidoides) – это растение может уменьшить симптомы и ускорить выздоровление. This is the main ingredient in Umkalor medicines, Zucol;
- Andrografis (Andrographis paniculata) – это растение может уменьшить симптомы и ускорить выздоровление. It is contained in Kalmcold and Kan Jang tablets.
Some plants cannot be clean and can interact with medical drugs. We must talk to your doctor, If it is planned to use herbal products to treat a cold.
Creation prevention
Главный способ профилактики заболевания или распространения простуды – частое мытье рук. Other ways to prevent colds:
- Minimum touches with your hands to the nose, mouth and eyes;
- Minimum contacts with sick colds;
- You must quit smoking;
- We need to ask the doctor, Will the use of zinc drugs be useful. They can reduce the likelihood of a cold;
- You can also take vitamin C, To protect yourself from a cold.