The autumn-winter period is traditionally considered the period of colds and acute respiratory infections. Diseases are spreading rapidly in children's groups, some regions are forced to close schools and kindergartens in order to reduce the increase in the incidence. The incubation period of acute respiratory infections is not detected immediately, this is the dangerous disease.
What is ORZ
ARI is an acute respiratory disease that can affect a child or an adult. SARS is an acute respiratory viral infection. Children due to immature immunity get sick more often than adults. Toddlers who have just started attending preschools can get sick every two weeks. Only babies are partially protected from the virus thanks to the antibodies that their mother passes on to them with milk.
This disease is spread all over the world. The erased incubation period of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections does not allow timely detection of the disease and completely preventing the spread.
The main difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory infections is that the diagnosis of acute respiratory infections is made when it is not entirely clear what caused the disease - viruses or bacteria. WithARVI is becoming a little clearer, in this case it is known that the body was attacked by viruses. What kind of virus passed through the body's defenses, tests will show. But they are not always made, so colds were given the name ARVI and ARI.
Symptoms of disease
ARI starts from the incubation period. A person does not suspect that he is sick, but he is already infecting other people. The main symptoms of ARI are:
- high body temperature;
- runny nose;
- cough;
- sneeze;
- sore throat;
- weakness;
- headache.
Depending on the virus, additional symptoms of the disease may appear. So, for example, with the flu virus, body aches appear.
The temperature rise starts at 37°C and reaches its highest levels. Weakness is aggravated by intoxication with the waste products of viruses. The runny nose changes during the course of the illness. First, there is mucous discharge from the nose, then it becomes difficult for a person to breathe. After 7 days, problems with the nose end. However, with the flu, a runny nose may not start. ARI is severe for 3-4 days, then the symptoms subside and the person recovers.
If within 5 days the condition has not improved or continues to worsen, then a therapist's consultation is necessary. Symptoms of ARI are similar to other diseases. In order not to miss a serious illness, you need to see a doctor.
Incubation period in children
The incubation period for acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections in children lasts 1-3 days. In rare cases, the diseaseoccurs several hours after infection. The reason for this is the unformed immunity of the baby. The body does not have time to respond to the ingress of viruses.
A feature of adenovirus infection is the incubation period of 7-11 days. Such viruses in children's groups remind of themselves for a long time. The child is a carrier of the virus for a week. During this time, the others manage to get sick.
Rhinovirus does not appear in the body of a child until 5 days old. The first signs are sneezing and itching in the nose. Headache and weakness are added later.
The most insidious influenza virus has an incubation period of 1-3 days. The disease develops rapidly, sometimes in a matter of hours. There is a sore throat, the temperature rises to 38 ° C, body aches, weakness appear. Children become cranky, refuse to eat.
Regardless of how long the incubation period for acute respiratory infections lasts, the first symptoms of the disease appear a little earlier. The child becomes less active, moody, tired of active activities.
Incubation period in adults
The duration of the incubation period for acute respiratory infections in adults reaches 14 days. Symptoms appear immediately or come on gradually. Sometimes the body copes by itself before the first signs appear, and the disease does not occur. During this period, a person may feel a little worse, weakness appears.
During the incubation period of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections in adults, it is not advisable to use medications for treatment. You can only use funds to maintain immunity. hypothermia andstress contributes to the development of the disease. In winter, you should not overcool and avoid crowds.
What determines the incubation period
The duration of the incubation period of acute respiratory infections depends on human immunity. How many days it will take the virus to develop in the body, no one can say for sure. Factors that shorten the incubation period:
- chronic diseases;
- smoking;
- alcoholism;
- immune deficiency;
- stress;
- poor environmental situation;
- hypothermia;
- overheating.
Children get sick more often because the formation of immunity occurs by the age of 7. Up to this point, the body learns to fight viruses, remembers them. If you encounter a virus that is familiar to immune cells, recovery will be faster, the incubation period will increase.
Increased body temperature
The increase in body temperature occurs at the end of the incubation period of acute respiratory infections. The virus enters the cells of the body, multiplies. The body's immune cells begin to work, so the temperature rises.
Among all the symptoms, a temperature above 38 °C scares patients the most. Bringing down the temperature below 38.5 ° C is not recommended. Thus, the body creates new "fighters" with the virus. But there is an exception to this rule. The temperature should be brought down in the following cases:
- if the baby is a few months old;
- for low-grade seizures seen earlier;
- if a personlow temperature feels very bad.
How to help the body
The virus during the incubation period of acute respiratory infections begins to develop actively. Drowsiness, lacrimation, fatigue indicate the body's struggle with acute respiratory infections. During this period, it is necessary to begin treatment.
You can increase the amount of fluid you drink. Herbal preparations are perfect:
- rosehip;
- chamomile;
- melissa;
- linden.
The use of vitamin C improves the protective properties of the body. Foods Rich in Vitamin C:
- rosehip;
- lemon;
- bell pepper;
- cranberry.
When the temperature rises, drink plenty of water, which increases sweating. To lower the temperature, berries or raspberry leaves are suitable. To sweat out of the body, you need to drink 2-3 liters of water per day. This will help avoid complications in SARS.
The body gives off excess heat better in a cool room. In case of illness, the room should be ventilated and warm clothing should be worn. Humidity in the patient's room should be 40-70%. Dry air contributes to the development of bronchitis.
Also drink plenty of fluids when coughing. Thus, sputum liquefies faster and is excreted from the body. It is impossible to drink cough medicines with acute respiratory infections. They block the cough center, and the sputum that accumulates in the lungs cannot be excreted. This leads to the development of obstructive bronchitis and pneumonia.
Drinking plenty of water will prevent the nasal mucosa from drying out, which meansreduces the risk of bacterial infection.
Drug treatment of acute respiratory infections
Treatment with medicines is symptomatic, which begins after the incubation period of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections. Fever is reduced with Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. Acetylsalicylic acid should not be given to children. At a temperature of 40 ° C, which cannot be brought down, an ambulance is required, especially for children.
Rinse the nose to combat a runny nose, this procedure can be performed at any age. To do this, you need a solution of sea water for washing the nasal cavity or saline, bought at a pharmacy. Toddlers need to pump out excess mucus with a pear or nasal aspirator. In case of nasal congestion, the doctor prescribes vasoconstrictor drops, they are used in accordance with the instructions, but not longer than 7 days.
If you have a strong cough, the doctor will prescribe a drug that will improve sputum discharge. Different medicines are used for dry and wet coughs. Dry should initially be converted to wet, and then reduce the viscosity of sputum. Cough in an adult goes away in 7 days. In children, the course of the disease may be delayed due to weak cough shocks. The older the child, the better he clears his throat.
Possible Complications
The flu virus is the most common culprit. The main way to avoid the disease is timely vaccination. Complications do not occur during the incubation period of ARI. The virus must enter the body and weaken it. Complicationsappear due to the penetration and reproduction of bacteria. Diseases that occur after a viral infection:
- bronchitis/obstructive bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- sinusitis;
- sinusitis;
- otitis media
In some cases, with acute respiratory infections, the heart, brain, and joints suffer.
If a runny nose does not go away in 7 days, there is no improvement, headaches, heaviness in the forehead, then you should visit a specialist to correct the diagnosis. Probably, bacterial inflammation of the sinuses has begun and antibiotic therapy is required.
Whistling when breathing, shortness of breath indicates a complication in the lungs. The child should be taken to the hospital immediately. An adult needs to visit the hospital on the same or next day.
If you have pain in your ear, you should consult an otolaryngologist. Often, after a viral infection with improper nasal toilet, children develop otitis media. Improper treatment can damage the eardrum. Therefore, specialist advice is necessary. It is also strictly forbidden to warm the sore ear. This method can lead to rapid growth of bacteria and deterioration.
How to avoid the consequences of ARI
Any respiratory disease reduces the body's defenses. After the incubation period of acute respiratory infections and the manifestation of the first symptoms, in order to avoid possible complications, the following conditions should be observed:
- take medications according to the manufacturer's instructions;
- to observe bed rest at high temperature and severe weakness;
- do not lower the temperatureup to 38 °C;
- do not get cold;
- regularly humidify the air;
- wet clean (if possible);
- strengthen immunity.
Prevention of ARI
To reduce the risk of disease during the development of viral infections, preventive measures should be taken. The conditions should also be observed during the incubation period of acute respiratory infections in children. Key preventive measures:
- avoid crowded areas;
- use medical masks when visiting public places;
- rinsing the nasal cavity after returning home;
- lubricate the nasal passages with oxolin ointment;
- wash hands for at least 20 seconds after using the toilet, before eating, entering the room from the street;
- wet clean the room;
- wash common items, children's toys;
- reduce the number of places that contribute to the accumulation of dust;
- ventilate rooms regularly, viruses do not multiply in cold moving air;
- get the flu shot on time;
- during the period of mass ARVI diseases, take vitamin complexes, herbal decoctions to maintain immunity;
- do not touch your face in a public place;
- sleep at least 8 hours at night;
- eat right and varied;
- avoid dieting or overeating.
