Autumn and winter are the period of colds and the spread of viral infections. It is during this time that the incidence rate increases significantly. For some people, distinguishing the flu from a cold can be difficult. Although these two diseases are similar in symptoms, course and even cause, treatment for the flu and colds can be very different. And incorrectly prescribed medications can only worsen the situation.
How to distinguish the flu from a cold - we'll figure it out in this article.
How is the flu different from a cold?
- Onset of the disease . Flu symptoms develop rapidly. And it progresses quickly in the body.
The source of influenza is sick people during the incubation period or the height of the disease. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets when sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, and also through dirty food (it has not been thermally processed enough). The infection begins to manifest itself in the period from 4 hours to 3 days. In general, the disease goes away in 5-7 days.
A cold is a disease of the body associated with hypothermia. A cold develops gradually, progressively, and painful symptoms appear within a day or two. It is usually easy to treat. But in advanced forms it can develop into other more severe diseases.
- Temperature . With the flu, there is a high body temperature, which can reach 39-40 degrees. With a cold, the temperature usually remains at the standard level.
- Weakness . People with a cold often ignore symptoms such as cough and runny nose, thinking that it will “go away on its own” with time. A cold can be carried on your feet, although it is undesirable.
But during the flu, the patient immediately realizes that he is sick; often he cannot even have the strength to get out of bed. Aches all over the body, severe headache, fever - these symptoms cannot be confused with anything else.
- Cough and runny nose . During the flu, these symptoms do not appear immediately (only after 5 days), and may not appear at all. With a cold, a debilitating cough, sore throat when swallowing and a runny nose are noted.
- Red eyes, itching and watery eyes . The picture of the flu is complemented by red eyes, severe weakness, fever, and bursting blood vessels in the nose. And in severe forms, even convulsions, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and lack of air are possible.
When you have a cold, your eyes do not turn red or water, and if this happens, it is more likely to indicate a bacterial infection.
Blood pressure standards for colds
Everyone knows the optimal pressure value - 120/80 mmHg. It can vary by several units depending on the individual characteristics of the organism. Some people have 110/70 mmHg. And in this case the person feels great. This is a normal human value.
The upper limit of normal values is 130-140/85 mmHg. This is not critical and the person may be fine. Symptoms of arterial hypertension develop when the level rises to 140/90 mmHg. The patient complains of a headache and notices a number of other symptoms that worsen his condition.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between these diseases?
The group of people with weakened immune systems includes pensioners and children, people with chronic diseases. This means that their immune system is most susceptible to attack by pathogens. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to deterioration in the functioning of the entire body and incorrect treatment.
Due to influenza, the natural functions of the immune system are weakened, against the background of this, other infections can join and develop. These are mainly respiratory tract infections: the lungs are affected by streptococcal or staphylococcal flora. This contributes to the development of pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage, and edema.
Influenza in adults can be complicated by the development of sinusitis, sinusitis, pericarditis and acute cardiovascular failure. Influenza in children is complicated by otitis media, focal pneumonia, and bronchitis.
Symptoms of high blood pressure during a cold
Colds are closely related to blood pressure. Sometimes a person may not even realize that their body is undergoing changes. General health deteriorates so much that symptoms are ignored. In this case, the patient may experience:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- regular headaches;
- weakness.
An essential sign of changes in blood pressure is a feeling of swelling in the back of the head. If a person encounters this phenomenon often, it is recommended to have a blood pressure monitor at home. With its help, you can measure your blood pressure and thus find out its value. This allows you to monitor the state of the body and respond in time in critical situations.
Diagnosis of flu and colds
If you suspect a disease, you should seek help from a doctor. For adults - a therapist, for children - a pediatrician. The consultation takes place in several stages.
- Initial examination. The doctor will ask you questions about your health, review your medical history, and refer you for tests and diagnostics. After a private consultation, the therapist prescribes an ultrasound of internal organs and laboratory tests to detect viruses and infections.
- Establishing diagnosis. After collecting anamnesis, the specialist will identify the disease based on the results obtained. He will tell you about the causes of your condition, prescribe treatment with various methods and drugs, or refer you for hospitalization.
- If necessary, the therapist will refer you to a specialist for further examination.
As for the examination of the child by the pediatrician, parents must be present. This helps the doctor quickly find a common language with the patient. Initially, the pediatrician listens to the lungs, measures the child’s body temperature, and examines the throat for inflammation.
The specialist listens to parents' complaints about the child's health. After this, it is necessary to undergo an examination to diagnose the disease. The pediatrician will order a blood/urine test, as well as additional tests if necessary (scraping, x-ray, bronchoscopy). At a follow-up consultation, the specialist will make a diagnosis, prescribe medication, or refer you to a specialized specialist.
ARVI or flu
Despite the fact that influenza is part of the group of acute respiratory viral infections (acute respiratory viral diseases) and their symptoms are very similar, the manifestations of influenza are more pronounced.
If the symptoms of a cold are accompanied by a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, low-grade fever, cough and general malaise, then with the flu there is a sudden onset of illness, high temperature, and fever.
With influenza, the risk of developing bacterial complications, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and otitis media, is many times higher than with regular acute respiratory viral infections.
How are colds and flu treated?
Hospital mode
The first thing the doctor will prescribe for such a disease is bed rest. Carrying an illness on your feet is extremely dangerous for both you and those around you. The influenza virus is highly contagious. Everyone you come into contact with will also get sick. You, in turn, risk getting a bacterial complication of the flu.
It is also necessary to adhere to a certain diet: try to drink as much warm drink as possible (herbal teas, milk with honey, berry fruit drinks, water), do not eat heavy fried foods. If you or your child suffering from a disease does not want to eat, there is no need to force it. Decreased appetite is a common symptom of the disease.
Drug therapy
First of all, antiviral drugs are prescribed for influenza and colds , which inhibit the vital activity and spread of the virus inside the human body. Such medications are prescribed for severe or moderate severity of the disease. The drug is most effective in the first days of the disease.
Antipyretics are used only at very high temperatures to help the body cope with the fever and prevent complications from developing. These drugs also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Antibiotics for colds are taken only after a doctor's prescription. When, against the background of the development of influenza, an acute bacterial infection appears that the body cannot cope with on its own. Important: if you start taking antibiotics, the course cannot be interrupted.
Antihistamines relieve the unpleasant consequences of the disease, such as redness, itching, lacrimation, swelling of the nasopharynx and nasal discharge.
Immunostimulants help strengthen the body's defenses and help the immune system independently repel attacks from viruses and bacteria.
Drops for a runny nose relieve swelling of the mucous membrane, allow the nose to breathe normally and prevent the occurrence of microbial complications. However, the drug should not be taken for more than 5 days, because there is a risk of chronic swelling of the mucous membrane.
Causes of low blood pressure during a cold
The blood pressure index may not always increase. Low blood pressure due to a cold makes itself felt with a gag reflex and general weakness. In this case, there is no need for special treatment. It is enough to take antiviral drugs.
If your blood pressure drops during a cold, it means the amount of hemoglobin in your blood has decreased. This situation is easy to fix. After proper rest, the patient will feel a surge of strength and energy. And taking No-shpa or nicotinic acid will only improve your well-being. Low blood pressure is a common reaction of the body to a cold.
Prevention of flu and colds
The most reliable way to prevent influenza is vaccination. The flu shot is effective, but does not provide long-term immune protection, so vaccination should be done annually. Regular flu vaccination increases the production of antibodies to the virus.
The vaccine has no side effects, and the improved composition protects against mutated strains of the virus. Timely vaccination prevents infection. Even if infected, the disease will be mild.
After getting a flu shot, your temperature may rise to 37.5℃, you may experience chills, sweating, a general feeling of weakness and poor appetite. Redness, slight swelling, itching and pain may be observed at the injection site. This is an indication that your body is developing immunity to the flu. After vaccination, it is strictly forbidden to visit a bathhouse/sauna, swim in open water, engage in tiring physical activity, or drink alcohol.
How often do children get sick?
Children under 5 years old experience up to 8 episodes of ARVI per year1. In kindergartens, the morbidity rate is especially high in the first and second year of attendance - 10-15% higher than at other times.
The number of visits to pediatricians with ARVI increases from September to April, and the peak incidence occurs from February to March. In the summer months, the incidence decreases by approximately 3-5 times.
Children are especially vulnerable to influenza. The reason for this is insufficiently developed immunity. The spread of the virus in children's groups (in schools, kindergartens, boarding schools) is occurring rapidly.
Contraindications to the flu vaccine
- at least 6 months have not passed since the last vaccination;
- bronchial asthma;
- allergic reactions;
- iron deficiency;
- diseases of the respiratory system in acute or chronic form;
- allergic reaction to chicken protein;
- heart failure;
- endocrine diseases;
- blood pathologies;
- first trimester of pregnancy;
- severe renal failure;
- period of exacerbation of chronic diseases.
To prevent flu and colds, follow a few simple rules:
- Strengthen your immune system. Exercise more often or give your body light exercise. Take a walk in the fresh air, this will saturate your lungs with oxygen.
- Avoid hypothermia. This occurs due to a sharp temperature change and the action of the air conditioner.
- Use antibacterial agents, especially during cold season.
- Eat a balanced diet. This will provide the body with the necessary microelements.
Immunity in children. Why do children get sick more often?
The immune system of children develops throughout childhood.
The immunity of infants is imperfect and this feature is a special mechanism that protects the body from too violent immune reactions to infections.
In the first weeks of life, the baby is protected by the antibodies that he received from his mother and then continues to receive them through breast milk. But such protection is sometimes not enough.
Moreover, while immunity is just developing, periods of maximum risk of developing infectious diseases arise; they are called critical periods:
First critical period
This is a period of vulnerability for newborns, which occurs in the first 28 days of life. During this period of time, the child’s body is protected only thanks to antibodies received from the mother through the placenta and breast milk. The risk of contracting bacterial and viral infections during this period is very high. Premature newborns are a special risk group.
Second critical period
Lasts from 4 to 6 months of life and is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of maternal antibodies.
Due to some mechanisms, which are also still poorly developed, the child’s own antibodies are produced, but they are not yet sufficient to protect the baby. Therefore, the body’s susceptibility to airborne and intestinal infections during this period is also high. Thus, in children under one year of age, all the basic mechanisms of the body’s defense against bacteria and viruses are weakened.
Third critical period
Occurs in the 2nd year of life. It is from this age that the child begins to have more and more contact with the outside world and various infections. The child's sensitivity to respiratory and intestinal infections is still high. The baby's immune defense mechanisms are not yet fully developed.
Fourth critical period
Appears at 6-7 years of age. Children of this age are also prone to infectious diseases, as some indicators of the immune system change.
Fifth critical period
Adolescence from 12-15 years, and the age may vary slightly for boys and girls. This is due to an increase in the secretion of sex hormones, which slightly weakens the immune system. Children of this age are characterized by high sensitivity to viral infections.2
Where to get diagnosed and treated for flu and colds in Krasnoyarsk?
This can be done at the Medunion private medical clinic.
Is a child or an elderly person sick? Then do not wait to see a doctor, but simply call a specialist at home. It's not only fast, but also very convenient! The specialist will examine the patient in a familiar environment, prescribe tests, and prescribe the necessary treatment. And the nurse will take samples or vaccinate you.
Sign up for a medical appointment and take care of the health of your loved ones. You can do this in any way convenient for you - online or by phone on the website. The cost of an initial consultation with a doctor starts from 1100 rubles.
