Multiple cold symptoms at the same time. How can I manage it quickly?

The common cold is a common name for acute respiratory diseases (ARDS), which are more often viral in nature. Contrary to popular belief, hypothermia is not the cause of the disease, but one of the predisposing factors for its development. In the cold season, the body is weakened, exhausted, which creates a predisposition to diseases.

How infection occurs

The main route of transmission of the pathogen is airborne. When talking, coughing, or even breathing, a huge number of viruses or bacteria from an infected person spread into the air, which cause diseases.

When sneezing, viral particles together with an aerosol of saliva and other secretions of the oral cavity and nasopharynx spread to a distance of up to 7.5 meters. [1]

If such particles are inhaled by a healthy person, infection may occur. The infection is fixed on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which is the entrance gate. However, the disease does not always develop.

If the concentration of particles in the air is small, and the mucous membrane is highly resistant, then the pathogen is neutralized by the immune system in this area. However, viruses that cause acute respiratory viral infections are contagious, that is, contagious.

Less often, infection occurs by contact, for example, through a towel, cutlery, if you use them immediately after an infected or sick person.

Causes of the common cold

Hundreds of viruses that belong to the group of rhino -, adeno -, reoviruses, etc. can provoke a cold. For example, rhinoviruses are responsible for more than 80% of SARS cases during the autumn epidemic. [2]

Adenoviruses cause the disease only in 10% of cases. About 70% of pharyngitis is caused by coronaviruses, adenoviruses, as well as influenza and parainfluenza viruses, rhinoviruses. [2]

Laryngitis is an inflammatory process that affects the entire laryngeal region, more often provoked by pneumococci, hemophilic bacillus, and various types of streptococci, staphylococci, and Neisseria are often sown during the examination. The role of atypical pathogens — chlamydia and mycoplasma-is becoming increasingly relevant. [3]

Every day, the immune system comes into contact with a huge number of different viruses and bacteria that cause diseases. Sooner or later, the immune system may fail, and the disease develops.

If we consider SARS, then another important provoking factor is the lack of sufficient humidity in the air. As a result, the mucosa dries up and its protective functions are reduced. It is easier for viruses or bacteria to gain a foothold and multiply.

Therefore, one of the preventive measures is to maintain humidity, often ventilate the room, especially if there are a lot of people in it.

Another factor that weakens the body is bad habits, such as smoking, including electronic cigarettes, and alcohol abuse.

A high prevalence of acute respiratory viral infections is recorded in patients living in ecologically disadvantaged regions. [4] After all, suspensions of xenobiotics that are in the air irritate the mucous membrane and make a person susceptible to infections.

How does a cold manifest itself?

Acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory infections are characterized by an acute onset of the disease, that is, the severity of symptoms quickly increases. The first symptoms may be weakness, drowsiness, decreased performance. There is a tickling in the throat, which quickly turns into pain.

After infection, the first symptoms of the disease may appear in a few hours or days, it all depends on the pathogen, individual condition, and even age.

On average, the incubation period of acute respiratory viral infections is about 2 days. During this period, there are no signs of the disease, but the sick person himself poses a threat to others.

For example, when infected with the flu virus, the incubation period can last up to 1.5-2 days, rhinoviruses — up to 3. [5]

The main signs of a cold include:

• Increased body temperature and chills.
• Headache.
• Aches in the body, muscles and joints.
• Decreased appetite.
• Sleep disorders or, conversely, drowsiness.
• Nasal congestion and rhinitis.
• Sneezing, followed by a dry cough.
• Dryness of the nasal mucosa.
• Sore throat.
• Hoarseness of voice.

All the characteristic symptoms develop gradually and sometimes replace each other. In some cases, the cold is not accompanied by an increase in temperature, or it remains subfebrile — within 37.5 degrees Celsius.

In children, a cold can be accompanied by a significant increase in temperature, in some cases even with signs of intestinal disorder.

Cold Treatment

If signs of a cold appear, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe treatment after the examination.

General recommendations for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections include compliance with bed rest.

Specific treatment is prescribed depending on the condition of the patient, age, clinical picture and, of course, the causative agent of the disease.

In most cases, a cold requires only symptomatic treatment, which is aimed at quickly relieving the condition.

However, more than 80% of people experience multiple cold symptoms at the same time. Therefore, the treatment is complicated, but there is a solution.

Johnson&Johnson Consumer Health offers a comprehensive treatment, medications that will help to cope with all the main symptoms of the common cold, whether it’s a sore throat or runny nose, cough, fever, etc.