When it's cold season, no one is left behind. Each sick person immediately begins to independently diagnose and begin treatment, but not everything is as simple as it might seem from the outside. For therapy to be effective, it is necessary to understand what the diagnosis is and how a cold differs from a virus. Each violation requires a special approach, so you need to consult a specialist.
The cold spares no one: neither adults nor children. It differs from viral infections, has certain signs and methods of elimination. In order not to suffer from diseases of various etiologies, it is recommended to carry out prevention, as well as pay attention to vaccination, which is carried out every year during the period of increased risk.
Cold vs virus: what's the difference?
If you ask a specialist what ARI and SARS are, he will clearly answer that these are twodifferent diseases. And for patients, this is the same thing, and the treatment in this situation is the same, but only in their opinion. To achieve a positive result from therapy, you need to clearly distinguish between these two concepts.
So how do you tell a cold from a virus? The main distinguishing features include the fact that the flu does not keep you waiting. The patient can feel great all day long, and within an hour a runny nose, cough and fever immediately appear. As for the cold, the symptoms of the disease appear gradually and thus the patient has time to provide first aid to the body.
How to distinguish a cold from a virus in an adult? The first symptoms of influenza include pain in the throat, eyes, muscle tissue, chills occur, and profuse sweating is observed. The patient may complain of increased weakness, dizziness, cephalgia, body aches, a sharp increase in temperature (39-40 degrees). As for the common cold, this pathology begins with a feeling of congestion in the nose, pain in the throat. Temperature limits do not exceed 38.5 degrees.
How else are they different?
The flu is never accompanied by a sneeze. With the flu, a jerky, dry cough occurs immediately, causes considerable discomfort, especially at night, and with a cold, it is observed on the second or third day of the disease, accompanied by a runny nose and sore throat.
How to distinguish a virus from a cold in a child? With influenza, the patient suffers from intoxication,as there is a breakdown of viruses and cells-defenders in the body. It is dangerous for its complications, such as pneumonia, damage to the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
As for the recovery period, with a cold, the patient only needs seven days to fully return to normal. With a viral infection, the situation is different. This period may take several weeks. The patient requires constant bed rest due to severe weakness in the body, if this is not done, then the flu can again “cover with the head.”
From the above it is clear that the difference between a virus and a cold is significant, the main thing is to notice it in time and start therapy.
Reasons
These two diseases occur as a result of the penetration of various viruses, bacteria and other pathogens into the body. In modern medicine, more than 300 types of provocative infections are distinguished. As for the flu, it develops in the body under the influence of:
- rhinovirus infection;
- coronaviruses;
- flu virus;
- enteroviruses;
- adenoviruses and so on.
Regarding the common cold, pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, mycoplasmas and Haemophilus influenzae can act as provocateurs. But this applies to the bacterial type of the disease, which is diagnosed in 5% of the population.
You can also become infected with these pathologies by airborne droplets, through dirty hands, unwashed vegetables and fruits (nausea, vomiting and work disruption will be observed in parallelintestines). Therefore, it is recommended to take precautions and take preventive measures.
What is the difference between a virus and a cold? Signs
The rate of development of diseases is the main distinguishing symptom. A cold is necessarily accompanied by fever, runny nose, sneezing and pain in the throat. After that, the patient develops a cough that lasts no more than 2-3 days. The patient in parallel may complain of weakness, cephalgia. The peak falls on the first two days.
How do you know if it's a virus or a cold? As for a viral infection, influenza, it is necessarily accompanied by a dry cough, which can lead to vomiting. Attacks occur at any time of the day, but most often at night. Mucus is difficult to pass, and without drugs it is almost impossible. In the very first hours of the development of influenza, the patient's body temperature rises sharply, as a result, he complains of cephalgia, increased weakness, pain in the back, throat. A runny nose occurs after a few days, the usual nasal congestion is noted first.
Consequences
What is the difference between a cold and a virus yet? If therapy is not carried out in a timely manner, then various complications may occur, especially with influenza. Therefore, at the first signs of illness, you should contact the clinic for qualified help in order to exclude negative consequences.
With poor-quality treatment of viral infections, a “second wave” may begin. patient againwill notice an increase in temperature, and the condition becomes much worse than the first time. Experts explain this by the fact that a bacterial infection has also joined the virus, and the disease itself has developed into complications.
You should be alert if symptoms persist for seven to nine days, get worse, and the temperature remains elevated. In such a situation, it is recommended to undergo a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia, an inflammatory process in the lung tissue. This complication, if not treated, can be fatal. Therefore, such patients are hospitalized and intensively treated.
Pneumonia is not the only complication of viral infections. The patient may also experience pathologies such as tonsillitis, otitis media, meningitis and others. The virus can also provoke the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus, glomeulonephritis, in the patient's body.
How to prevent colds?
Regardless of a cold or a viral infection, you need to adhere to bed rest, because with these pathologies the body is very weakened and there is no need to waste extra energy. The patient is advised to stay warm, avoid drafts. The water regime must be observed. To overcome the infection, you need to create the appropriate conditions for the sick body. For the period of an epidemic outbreak, it is worth avoiding crowded places, wearing a mask.
What is the difference between a cold and a virus? There are enough differences between these two diseases, but whatthat no one is safe from them, that's for sure. Vaccines won't even save you, but patients vaccinated against the flu are less likely to get viral infections, and colds are always easier, and as a result, there is a greater chance of suffering the pathology without complications.
The only reliable way to prevent influenza is to reduce contact with sick patients. During the epidemic, it is better to establish a quarantine regime, eat right, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink enough water, and ventilate the room more often.
Spreading the common cold
What is the difference between a cold and a virus yet? These diseases also differ in how they spread. In modern medicine, there are two versions. According to the first, the virus enters the body through mechanical contact with the surface of the eye or nose. As for the second option, the infection penetrates through the respiratory tract along with the air. From this we can conclude how to protect yourself during the cold season.
Special care is recommended for patients with chronic heart and lung diseases, so as not to provoke serious complications. Do not touch your nose or eyes with unwashed hands, just rinse them with warm running water. With a cold, it is best to use disposable paper handkerchiefs. Our immune system is unable to defend against a cold forever.
What not to do
Previously it was said how to identify a virus or a cold in a patient, and now let's figure out what not to do whencold. Experts do not recommend:
- Antibiotics. They should only be used with a doctor's prescription. They are suitable for treating bacterial infection.
- Immunomodulators. They are not useful for colds, but only harm the body.
- Call an ambulance if you have a high temperature that goes down for a while after taking an antipyretic. This is a normal condition, as the body fights pathogens. It is worth contacting a specialist for help if the patient has a fever for 5-6 days, convulsions and dehydration are noted in parallel.
Specialist consultation required if breathing is difficult or wheezing is heard.
Traditional medicine
To start troubleshooting, you need to know how to distinguish a cold from a virus. After making an accurate diagnosis, the specialist prescribes treatment, which involves an integrated approach. As for alternative therapy, it is effective, but together with medications. For colds and viral infections, at elevated temperatures, it is best to drink as many teas with raspberries, honey and lemon as possible. These products are only recommended for patients who are not allergic to them.
You can also prepare an infusion of wild rose, which has bactericidal, disinfectant properties. It promotes intense sweating, urine excretion, helps the body cope with pathogens. For prevention, it is recommended to chew the root.calamus. Spruce resin can be burned in the patient's room, which perfectly disinfects the air. Do not forget about the decoction of raisins, black currants.
Vaccination
This method of protection is considered quite effective. Influenza vaccinations are recommended before the onset of the epidemic. They have practically no contraindications and are carried out in every hospital free of charge. Particles of an infectious agent are introduced into the patient's body, which helps stimulate the production of special antibodies that prevent the reproduction and spread of pathogens.
Vaccines reduce the risk of getting sick by 75%, even if infected, a cold is easily tolerated and without visible complications. As for immunity, it is formed on average three weeks, and lasts for 8-10 months.
Prevention measures
In addition to vaccination, it is worth paying attention to other precautionary methods that involve careful personal hygiene, the exclusion of communication with the patient. It is recommended to constantly ventilate the room, especially during the cold season. Every day you need to carry out wet cleaning. Do not forget about the mask, which protects the body from pathogenic particles.
To strengthen the immune system, it is advised to harden, but gradually. This method is considered a good way to prevent colds. During an illness, it is not recommended to urgently take vitamins without consulting a specialist, as this can only do harm.
