ARVI( acute respiratory viral infection) is a huge group of diseases that are caused by various DNA and RNA-containing viruses( there are about 200 of them).
They affect the respiratory system and are easily transmitted by airborne droplets. The disease always arises sharply and proceeds with pronounced symptoms of the common cold.
This is one of the most common diseases: schoolchildren in 80% of cases miss classes due to the incidence of ARVI, and adults for the same reason lose almost half of their working hours. Today we will discuss ARVI - symptoms and treatment of this infection.
Reasons for
The main reasons for the development of viral respiratory infections are about two hundred different viruses:
- influenza and parainfluenza, avian and swine flu;
- adenovirus, PC virus;
- rhinovirus, picornavirus;
- coronavirus, bocarvirus, etc.
The source of infection is a patient in the incubation period and in the prodromal period, when the concentration of viruses in his biological secrets is maximal. The path of transmission of infection is airborne, with sneezing, coughing, talking, screaming with small particles of mucus and saliva.
Infection can be through common utensils and household items, through dirty hands in children and through food contaminated with viruses. Susceptibility to viral infection is different - people with strong immunity can not catch or carry the disease in mild form.
Promotes the development of respiratory infection factors such as:
- stress;
- poor nutrition;
- subcooling;
- chronic infections;
- adverse ecology.
Signs of the disease
The first signs of acute respiratory viral infection in adults and children include:
- fever;
- sore throat;
- runny nose;
- headache;
- sneezing;
- weakness, malaise;
- bronchitis and / or tracheitis.
Symptoms of acute respiratory viral infection in adults
ARVI occur usually in stages, the incubation period from the moment of infection to the manifestation of the first symptoms is different, ranging from several hours to 3-7 days.
In the period of clinical manifestations, all SARS have similar manifestations of one or another degree of severity:
- nasal congestion, runny nose, discharge from the nose to lean and plentiful and watery, sneezing and itching in the nose,
- sore throat, discomfort, swallowing pain, rednessin the throat,
- cough( dry or wet),
- fever from moderate( 37.5-38 degrees) to severe( 38.5-40 degrees),
- general malaise, refusal to eat, headaches, drowsiness,
- redness of the eyes, burning, lacrimation,
- disorders of the digestive systemwith a relaxed stool,
- is rarely a reaction of the lymph nodes in the region of the jaw and neck, in the form of an increase with mild soreness.
Symptoms of acute respiratory viral infection in adults depend on the specific type of virus, and can range from a minor cold and coughing to severe fever and toxic effects. On average, manifestations last from 2-3 to seven or more days, the febrile period lasts up to 2-3 days.
The main sign of acute respiratory viral infection is high infectiousness for others, the timing of which depends on the type of virus. The average infectious patient is the last days of the incubation period and the first 2-3 days of clinical manifestations, gradually the number of viruses decreases and the patient becomes not dangerous in terms of spreading the infection.
In young children, often a symptom of ARVI is a disorder of the stool - diarrhea. Toddlers often complain of pain in the abdomen in the first stage of the disease, then a frustration and then a sudden increase in temperature. There may be a rash on the child's body. Cough and runny nose can appear later - sometimes even every other day. Therefore, we need to closely monitor the condition of the babies, and monitor the appearance of new symptoms.
How and what to treat ARVI at the appearance of the first symptoms, we will consider a little lower.
How many days does the temperature last?
Inflammation in the throat and sneezing appear in the early stages of the disease. And usually go through 3-6 days.
- The low-grade temperature of ( mild fever) and muscle pains usually accompany the initial symptoms, the temperature at the orvi is kept around the week, says Dr. Komarovsky.
- Nasal congestion, nasal sinuses, sinuses - common symptoms, usually persist for the first week. In about 30% of all patients, these symptoms persist for two weeks, although all of these symptoms usually go away in 7-10 days.
- Usually the first few days of nasal sinuses are not blocked, the nose is emitted abundant watery mucus, but after a time the mucus becomes thicker, acquires a color( green or yellow).Changing the color of the secretions does not automatically indicate a bacterial infection, in most cases the condition passes through 5-7 days.
- Cough appears in most cases of ARVI, and is usually more productive than with influenza. Sputum ranges from clear to yellow-green and usually go through 2-3 weeks.
Although a prolonged dry cough can persist for 4 weeks in 25% of all infectious diseases.
Symptoms of the flu
The flu virus is not for nothing excluded by most experts from the ARD group. Its differences from usual colds are in lightning development, increased severity of the disease, as well as in complex treatment and an increased mortality rate.
- The flu comes unexpectedly and in a matter of hours completely captures your body;
- Influenza is characterized by a sharp increase in temperature( in some cases up to 40.5 degrees), increased sensitivity to light, aches in the whole body, as well as pain: head and muscle;
- In the first day of the flu, you are protected from the common cold, which is peculiar only to this virus;
- The most active phase of influenza occurs on the third or fifth day of the disease, and the final recovery occurs on the 8-10th day.
- Given that influenza infection affects the vessels, it is for this reason that hemorrhages are possible: gingival and nasal;
- After the flu, you can catch another disease within the next 3 weeks, these diseases are most often very painful and can result in death.
Prevention of acute respiratory infections
To date, there are no really effective measures for specific prevention of ARVI.It is recommended strict adherence to the sanitary-hygienic regime in the outbreak area. This is a regular wet cleaning and ventilation of premises, thorough washing of dishes and personal hygiene products, wearing cotton-gauze dressings, frequent hand washing, etc.
It is important to increase the resistance of children to the virus by hardening, receiving immunomodulators. Vaccination against influenza is also considered a method of prevention.
During the epidemic, it is necessary to avoid places of congestion, walk in the open air more often, take multivitamin complexes or preparations of ascorbic acid. It is recommended at home to eat onion and garlic every day.
How to treat ARVI?
Treatment of acute respiratory viral infections in adults with a standard course of the disease is usually performed in the patient's home. Required bed rest, plentiful drink, drugs to combat the symptoms of the disease, light, but useful and nutrient-rich food, warming up procedures and inhalation, taking vitamins.
Many of us know that the temperature is good, because this is how the body "fights" with the invaders. The temperature can be brought down only if it has risen above 38 degrees, because after this mark there is a threat to the state of the brain and the heart of the patient.
It is also necessary to remember that antibiotics for ARVI are not used, since they are indicated for acute respiratory infections of exclusively bacterial origin( eg, angina), and ARVI is caused by viruses.
- Antiviral drugs are prescribed for immediate control of the pathogens: Remantadine( age limit from the age of seven), Amantadine, Oseltamivir, Amizon, Arbidol( age limit from two years), Amiks
- NSAIDs : paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac. These drugs have anti-inflammatory effect, reduce body temperature, reduce pain. It is possible to take these drugs in the composition of medicinal powders such as Coldrex, Tera - flu, etc. It should be remembered that it is not necessary to reduce the temperature below 38 ° C, because it is at this body temperature that defenses against infection are activated. Exceptions are sick, prone to convulsions, and small children.
- Cough medicine. The main goal of cough treatment is to make the phlegm liquid enough for the cough. This is greatly helped by the drinking regime, as the consumption of warm liquid dilutes sputum. If there are difficulties in expectoration, you can use expectorants mukaltin, ACTS, broncholitin, etc. Self-prescribing drugs that reduce cough reflex should not, as this can lead to dangerous consequences.
- The intake of vitamin C can accelerate the recovery from ARVI and alleviate the condition, but it does not prevent the development of the disease.
- For treatment of the common cold and improvement of nasal breathing, vasoconstrictive medications( Phenylephrine, Oxymethasone, Xylometazoline, Nafazoline, Indazolamine, Tetrizolin, etc.) are indicated and, if longer use is recommended, preparations containing essential oils( Pinosol, Cameton, Eucazolin,).
- reception of immunomodulators , for example preparation Imupret will be a good help in fighting the organism with infection. It increases immunity and has an anti-inflammatory effect, significantly reducing the period of acute respiratory infections. This is exactly the remedy that is shown for both prevention and treatment of colds.
- For considerable pain and inflammation in the throat, is recommended rinsing with solutions of antiseptics, for example, furacilin( 1: 5000) or herbal infusions( calendula, chamomile, etc.).
Be sure to call a doctor if you or your child has any of the following symptoms: a temperature higher than 38.5 C;Strong headache;tear in the eyes from the light;chest pain;shortness of breath, noisy or frequent breathing, difficulty in breathing;rash on the skin;pallor of the skin or appearance of spots on it;vomiting;difficulty in waking up in the morning or unusual drowsiness;constant coughing or aching muscles.
Antibiotics for orvi
Antibiotics of ARVI are not treated. They are completely helpless against viruses, they are used only in the event of bacterial complications.
Therefore, antibiotics should not be used without prescribing a physician. These are unsafe for the body preparations. In addition, uncontrolled use of antibiotics leads to the emergence of resistant to them forms of bacteria.