Is It COVID-19, The Flu, A Cold Or Allergies?

As flu season approaches, it might be difficult to determine whether you have a case of the flu or COVID-19. Although they share certain symptoms, COVID-19 is more contagious and more dangerous, says Sean Drake, M.D., an internal medicine doctor with Henry Ford Health System.    

“While the flu may mutate from year to year, this year’s flu is still a cousin to last year’s flu,” says Dr. Drake. “That means we have some natural immunity to it, along with effective therapy and vaccines to prevent and treat it. But our immune systems are not equipped to deal with COVID-19 because we haven’t seen it before. And unfortunately, because it’s new, we don’t yet have a vaccine.”

That’s why everyone should take precautions—wear masks in public, wash your hands frequently, and practice social distancing. (Doing so will not only lessen your chances of contracting COVID-19, but also the flu, colds, and other viruses.) It’s also important to get your flu shot this season, to protect both yourself and those who are vulnerable.  

But if you feel like you’re coming down with something, take note of your symptoms. Although viruses like COVID-19 can range in severity and affect people differently, Dr. Drake shares symptoms that are most typical for the novel coronavirus, influenza, the common cold and allergies.

COVID-19

• High fever (around 102 or 103 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Cough (sometimes it can be identified as a deep, dry cough)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Headache and body aches
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea

The Flu

• High fever (around 102 or 103 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Headache and/or body aches
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea

The Common Cold

• Sinus congestion
• Stuffy nose
• Post-nasal drip
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Moderate temperature (around 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

Allergies

• Itchy, watery eyes (usually a defining characteristic of allergies)
• Runny nose
• Ears feeling plugged up
• Tickle in back of throat
• Sneezing
• Seasonal symptoms (if you have the same symptoms every fall and spring, it’s probably not COVID-19, it’s probably allergies)

While the above symptoms are those that are most common, especially in COVID-19, they can vary. “We’ve learned ‘never to say never’ when it comes to COVID-19,” says Dr. Drake. “Some people have classic symptoms, some can remain asymptomatic the entire time, some can have mild cases.”

The period of time someone with COVID-19 would see symptoms is two to 14 days after exposure. If you are worried, the best thing to do is to get tested and self isolate until receiving your results.

“A combination swab test that goes to the back of the nose can test for both the flu and COVID-19,” says Dr. Drake. “It’s the best way to determine your illness.”

If you have symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested.  

Subscribe today to receive weekly updates on tips for staying healthy and living well through the pandemic. 

To ensure social distancing at our facilities, Henry Ford is not offering walk-in flu shots this year. To make a flu shot appointment online, visit henryford.com/flu. 

Find a doctor near you at henryford.com. Call 1-800-436-7936 if you are in southeast Michigan or 1-888-862-DOCS if you are in the Jackson area or south central Michigan. 

Dr. Sean Drake is an internal medicine physician seeing patients at Henry Ford Medical Center in Sterling Heights.

What is COVID-19 | VCU Health

What is COVID-19? What are the symptoms?

Compare the symptoms of COVID-19 to flu and allergies.

4/28/2020 12:00:00 AM

April 28, 2020

Updated April 28, 2020

The latest strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, is a respiratory illness that, until December 2019, had not been seen in humans. The illness was first detected in China and has since spread around the world. The first cases of the new coronavirus in Virginia were reported in early March.

What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus?

COVID-19 causes symptoms much like the common cold or flu. Symptoms include fever, a worsening cough and shortness of breath. COVID-19 symptoms are more severe than those of the common cold and may last longer.  

If you were sick, how would you know if it was COVID-19 or something else, like the flu?

View our infographic, which compares symptoms of COVID-19, the flu and allergies. As with any illness, exact symptoms can vary from person to person.

The sections below describe the symptoms and incubation period of COVID-19, flu and allergies. 

COVID-19 (Incubation period: 1-14 days)

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Flu (Incubation period: 1-4 days)

Common symptoms:

• Fever/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Sometimes:

Allergies (Incubation period: n/a)

Common symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy/watery eyes

Allergy symptoms typically only affect parts of the head and are not accompanied by fever.

Practice prevention

With COVID-19 you can share germs before you start to experience symptoms. Symptoms may start to appear anywhere from 1-14 days after exposure — or perhaps even more. This is why infection prevention measures — including social distancing, hand hygiene, regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces and cough/sneeze etiquette – are so important.

When to call your doctor

It’s important to call your primary care doctor or your child’s pediatrician if you have specific concerns or your symptoms seem to be getting worse. Your doctor will want to know is if you’ve traveled to an area where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred, such as China, or if you’ve been in contact with someone within the past 14 days who has a confirmed case of the disease. If either of these is true, and you display symptoms linked to COVID-19, your doctor may choose to test you for the virus.

Call our general information hotline

For general questions about COVID-19, call our hotline at (804) 628-7425. Please continue to check our website for updates and new content pertaining to COVID-19.

Check for COVID-19 symptoms

Updated April 28, 2020

The latest strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, is a respiratory illness that, until December 2019, had not been seen in humans. The illness was first detected in China and has since spread around the world. The first cases of the new coronavirus in Virginia were reported in early March.

What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus?

COVID-19 causes symptoms much like the common cold or flu. Symptoms include fever, a worsening cough and shortness of breath. COVID-19 symptoms are more severe than those of the common cold and may last longer.  

If you were sick, how would you know if it was COVID-19 or something else, like the flu?

View our infographic, which compares symptoms of COVID-19, the flu and allergies. As with any illness, exact symptoms can vary from person to person.

The sections below describe the symptoms and incubation period of COVID-19, flu and allergies. 

COVID-19 (Incubation period: 1-14 days)

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Flu (Incubation period: 1-4 days)

Common symptoms:

• Fever/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Sometimes:

Allergies (Incubation period: n/a)

Common symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy/watery eyes

Allergy symptoms typically only affect parts of the head and are not accompanied by fever.

Practice prevention

With COVID-19 you can share germs before you start to experience symptoms. Symptoms may start to appear anywhere from 1-14 days after exposure — or perhaps even more. This is why infection prevention measures — including social distancing, hand hygiene, regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces and cough/sneeze etiquette – are so important.

When to call your doctor

It’s important to call your primary care doctor or your child’s pediatrician if you have specific concerns or your symptoms seem to be getting worse. Your doctor will want to know is if you’ve traveled to an area where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred, such as China, or if you’ve been in contact with someone within the past 14 days who has a confirmed case of the disease. If either of these is true, and you display symptoms linked to COVID-19, your doctor may choose to test you for the virus.

Call our general information hotline

For general questions about COVID-19, call our hotline at (804) 628-7425. Please continue to check our website for updates and new content pertaining to COVID-19.

Check for COVID-19 symptoms

The difference between a cold and the flu

Both colds and influenza are caused by viruses, however the flu can be much more severe and lead to potentially life-threatening complications.

Colds and influenza (flu) are both viral respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Both of these illnesses can have similar symptoms and at first it can be difficult to tell the difference.

While neither virus is pleasant to catch, the flu can be much more severe than a cold and lead to potentially life-threatening complications, so it’s important to know what to do when you are sick and how to limit the virus from spreading to others.

In general, the symptoms of influenza are more severe and last longer than those of a cold. The symptoms of flu can include fever (or feeling feverish/having chills), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches and pains, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). Although some adults will also experience vomiting and diarrhoea these symptoms are more common in children.

See the table below for a breakdown of cold and flu symptoms. Keep in mind that symptoms and their severity may vary with age and health status.

Treatment for colds and flu

Antibiotics don’t work against a cold or flu because they target bacteria rather than viruses.

Instead, you can treat yourself at home by:

• getting plenty of rest and sleep (this means staying home from work or school)
• drinking plenty of fluids (particularly water)
• and if you have a sore throat, eating soft foods that are easy to swallow.

If you don’t experience any complications, or have high risk factors for complications, treatment of the flu requires no prescription medication. Over-the-counter medication is available to help relieve headaches, muscles aches and fever, and while these won’t cure your illness, they may  make you feel more comfortable.

In certain cases, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine to reduce the duration and severity of your symptoms. This type of medication is most effective when taken at the onset of an infection.

See your doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if you have a cough and high fever (38°C or more) that is not improving, trouble breathing, chest pain, or if you have any other concerns about your symptoms.

Stop the spread

If you have the flu, it’s really important that you take steps to minimise your risk of spreading the virus to others, especially those who are high risk of serious complications from influenza. People at high risk include the elderly, young children, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with existing medical conditions such as heart or lung diseases and diabetes.

Follow the steps below to reduce the risk of spreading flu or cold viruses:

• get vaccinated
• cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away immediately after use, or cover a cough or sneeze with your elbow
• wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after you sneeze, blow your nose or cough
• wash your hands before handling food or drinks
• and stay at home as soon as you notice symptoms of the flu.

Unless otherwise advised by a doctor, home is the best place to be while you have the flu or a cold. By staying at home, you limit contact with other people and reduce transmission of the virus.

You can greatly reduce your risk of contracting the flu by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Find more information about influenza from Queensland Health influenza factsheet.

Is It a Cold, the Flu, or COVID-19?

Top COVID-19 Symptoms

COVID-19 can bring on the same symptoms as a cold (congestion, headache, body aches, sore throat) and the flu (fever, cough, overall malaise, and muscles aches).

“But there are also outside-the-box symptoms that you may not see with the common cold or flu,” says Dr. Nori.

COVID-19 symptoms include:

• A lack of ability to smell or taste, particularly at the onset, when there are no other symptoms present
• Diarrhea — “We generally don’t think of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms as something that occurs with influenza in adults,” says Nori. “But with COVID, diarrhea can occasionally be the only symptom, along with profound fatigue.”
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness
• Rash — “Young children with COVID may get a rash on their fingers and toes,” says Nori. “And, rarely, we’ve seen something called multisystem inflammatory disorder in children [multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C], which is similar to Kawasaki disease, and is not something we see with the flu.”
• Chest pain or heaviness in the chest

RELATED: Breakthrough COVID-19: What’s the Real Risk?

Getting a Diagnosis

The overlap in symptoms between the cold, the flu, and COVID-19 means that the only way to diagnose the illness is testing.

“If we don’t test people, we’re merely guessing at things,” Loria says. “If someone reaches out with fever or any respiratory symptoms, I’d make sure to get them tested for both the flu and COVID.”

Loria adds, “[In the past], if a patient had flu-like symptoms, I’d be likely to give them Tamiflu [a flu medication] without testing. But [now] those symptoms could be COVID. That’s why trying to get people tested for both COVID-19 and the flu is our number one recommendation.”

The benefit to testing for COVID-19 is obvious by now: If you are found to be infected with the novel coronavirus, “the sooner you take yourself out of circulation and isolate yourself, the sooner you’ll be on the path to doing the right thing for the people around you,” says Nori.

There are also more treatments available for COVID-19 than in the beginning of the pandemic, she adds.

Monoclonal antibody drugs, for instance, can help people with mild or moderate symptoms who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 because of their age (65 and over) or underlying medical conditions. For treatment to be effective, however, it must begin early — within 10 days of the onset of symptoms.

For the small percentage of people who end up requiring hospitalization for COVID-19, remdesivir, “if given early enough, can act to block the virus from entering immune cells and the respiratory tract, and shorten the time to recovery,” Nori adds.

Colds

Is this your child’s symptom?

• Runny nose and sore throat caused by a virus
• You think your child has a cold. Reason: Other family members, friends or classmates have same symptoms.
• Also called an Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

Symptoms of a Cold

• Runny or stuffy nose
• The nasal discharge starts clear but changes to gray. It can also be yellow or green.
• Most children have a fever at the start.
• A sore throat can be the first sign
• At times, the child may also have a cough and hoarse voice. Sometimes, watery eyes and swollen lymph nodes in the neck also occur.

Cause of Colds

• Colds are caused by many respiratory viruses. Healthy children get about 6 colds a year.
• Influenza virus causes a bad cold with more fever and muscle aches.
• Colds are not serious. With a cold, about 5 and 10% of children develop another health problem. Most often, this is an ear or sinus infection. These are caused by a bacteria.

Colds: Normal Viral Symptoms

• Colds can cause a runny nose, sore throat, hoarse voice, a cough or croup. They can also cause stuffiness of the nose, sinus or ear. Red watery eyes can also occur. Colds are the most common reason for calls to the doctor. This is because of all the symptoms that occur with colds.
• Cold symptoms are also the number one reason for office and ER visits. Hopefully, this information will save you time and money. It can help you to avoid some needless trips to the doctor. The cold symptoms listed below are normal. These children don’t need to be seen:
  • Fever up to 3 days (unless it goes above 104° F or 40° C)
  • Sore throat up to 5 days (with other cold symptoms)
  • Nasal discharge and congestion up to 2 weeks
  • Coughs up to 3 weeks

Colds: Symptoms of Secondary Bacterial Infections (other health problems)

Using this guide, you can decide if your child has developed another health problem. This happens in about 5 to 10% of children who have a cold. Many will have an ear infection or sinus infection. Look for these symptoms:

• Earache or ear discharge
• Sinus pain not relieved by nasal washes
• Lots of pus in the eyes (Eyelids stuck together after naps)
• Trouble breathing or rapid breathing (could have pneumonia)
• Fever lasts over 3 days
• Fever that goes away for 24 hours and then returns
• Sore throat lasts over 5 days (may have Strep throat)
• Nasal discharge lasts over 2 weeks
• Cough lasts over 3 weeks

Trouble Breathing: How to Tell

Trouble breathing is a reason to see a doctor right away. Respiratory distress is the medical name for trouble breathing. Here are symptoms to worry about:

• Struggling for each breath or shortness of breath
• Tight breathing so that your child can barely speak or cry
• Ribs are pulling in with each breath (called retractions)
• Breathing has become noisy (such as wheezes)
• Breathing is much faster than normal
• Lips or face turn a blue color

When to Call for Colds

Call 911 Now

• Severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath, can barely speak or cry)
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Trouble breathing, but not severe. Exception: gone after cleaning out the nose.
• Wheezing (high-pitched purring or whistling sound when breathing out)
• Breathing is much faster than normal
• Trouble swallowing and new onset drooling
• High-risk child (such as cystic fibrosis or other chronic lung disease)
• Weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids.
• Fever over 104° F (40° C)
• Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Age less than 6 months old
• Earache or ear drainage
• Yellow or green pus from eyes
• Sinus pain (not just congestion) around cheekbone or eyes
• Fever lasts more than 3 days
• Fever returns after being gone more than 24 hours
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Blocked nose wakes up from sleep
• Yellow scabs around the nasal openings. Use an antibiotic ointment.
• Sore throat lasts more than 5 days
• Sinus congestion and fullness lasts more than 14 days
• Nasal discharge lasts more than 2 weeks
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Mild cold with no other problems

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Care Advice for a Cold

1. What You Should Know About Colds:
   • It’s normal for healthy children to get at least 6 colds a year. This is because there are so many viruses that cause colds. With each new cold, your child’s body builds up immunity to that virus.
   • Most parents know when their child has a cold. Sometimes, they have it too or other children in school have it. Most often, you don’t need to call or see your child’s doctor. You do need to call your child’s doctor if your child develops a complication. Examples are an earache or if the symptoms last too long.
   • The normal cold lasts about 2 weeks. There are no drugs to make it go away sooner.
   • But, there are good ways to help many of the symptoms. With most colds, the starting symptom is a runny nose. This is followed in 3 or 4 days by a stuffy nose. The treatment for each symptom is different.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. For a Runny Nose with Lots of Discharge: Blow or Suction the Nose
   • The nasal mucus and discharge is washing germs out of the nose and sinuses.
   • Blowing the nose is all that’s needed. Teach your child how to blow the nose at age 2 or 3.
   • For younger children, gently suction the nose with a suction bulb.
   • Put petroleum jelly on the skin under the nose. Wash the skin first with warm water. This will help to protect the nostrils from any redness.
3. Nasal Saline to Open a Blocked Nose:
   • Use saline (salt water) nose spray to loosen up the dried mucus. If you don’t have saline, you can use a few drops of water. Use distilled water, bottled water or boiled tap water.
   • Step 1. Put 3 drops in each nostril. If under 1 year old, use 1 drop.
   • Step 2. Blow (or suction) each nostril out while closing off the other nostril. Then, do the other side.
   • Step 3. Repeat nose drops and blowing (or suctioning) until the discharge is clear.
   • How Often. Do nasal saline rinses when your child can’t breathe through the nose.
   • Limit. If under 1 year old, no more than 4 times per day or before every feeding.
   • Saline nose drops or spray can be bought in any drugstore. No prescription is needed.
   • Saline nose drops can also be made at home. Use ½ teaspoon (2 mL) of table salt. Stir the salt into 1 cup (8 ounces or 240 mL) of warm water. Use bottled water or boiled water to make saline nose drops.
   • Reason for nose drops: suction or blowing alone can’t remove dried or sticky mucus. Also, babies can’t nurse or drink from a bottle unless the nose is open.
   • Other option: use a warm shower to loosen mucus. Breathe in the moist air, then blow each nostril.
   • For young children, can also use a wet cotton swab to remove sticky mucus.
4. Fluids – Offer More:
   • Try to get your child to drink lots of fluids.
   • Goal: keep your child well hydrated.
   • It also will thin out the mucus discharge from the nose.
   • It also loosens up any phlegm in the lungs. Then it’s easier to cough up.
5. Humidifier:
   • If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier.
   • Reason: dry air makes nasal mucus thicker.
6. Medicines for Colds:
   • Cold Medicines. Don’t give any drugstore cold or cough medicines to young children. They are not approved by the FDA under 6 years. Reasons: not safe and can cause serious side effects. Also, they are not helpful. They can’t remove dried mucus from the nose. Nasal saline works best.
   • Allergy Medicines. They are not helpful, unless your child also has nasal allergies. They can also help an allergic cough.
   • No Antibiotics. Antibiotics are not helpful for colds. Antibiotics may be used if your child gets an ear or sinus infection.
7. Other Symptoms of Colds – Treatment:
   • Pain or Fever. Use acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) to treat muscle aches, sore throat or headaches. Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). You can also use these medicines for fever above 102° F (39° C).
   • Sore Throat. If over 6 years of age, your child can also suck on hard candy. For children over 1 year old, sip warm chicken broth. Some children prefer cold foods, such as popsicles or ice cream.
   • Cough. For children over 1 year old, give honey ½ to 1 teaspoon (2 to 5 mL). Caution: do not use honey until 1 year old. If over 6 years of age, you can also use cough drops. Avoid cough drops before 6 years. Reason: risk of choking.
   • Red Eyes. Rinse eyelids often with wet cotton balls.
8. Return to School:
   • Your child can go back to school after the fever is gone. Your child should also feel well enough to join in normal activities.
   • For practical purposes, the spread of colds can’t be prevented.
9. What to Expect:
   • Fever can last 2-3 days
   • Nasal drainage can last 7-14 days
   • Cough can last 2-3 weeks
10. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Trouble breathing occurs
    • Earache occurs
    • Fever lasts more than 3 days or goes above 104° F (40° C)
    • Any fever if under 12 weeks old
    • Nasal discharge lasts more than 14 days
    • Cough lasts more than 3 weeks
    • You think your child needs to be seen
    • Your child becomes worse
11. Extra Advice – Air Travel with Colds:
    • It’s safe to fly when your child has a cold.
    • He could get some mild ear congestion or even a brief earache while flying. Most often, that can be prevented. (See # 12).
    • Flying will not cause an ear infection.
12. Extra Advice – Prevent Ear Congestion During Air Travel:
    • Most symptoms happen when the airplane is coming down in altitude. This is the descent of the plane during the 15 minutes before landing.
    • Keep your child awake during takeoff and descent.
    • Swallow during descent using fluids or a pacifier.
    • Children over age 4 can chew gum during descent.
    • Yawning during descent also can open the middle ear.
    • Drink lots of fluids throughout the flight. This will prevent the nasal secretions from drying out.

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 11/28/2021

Last Revised: 10/21/2021

Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Cold vs. Flu vs. COVID-19

Information about the symptoms of COVID-19 coronavirus are prevalent in the tradition and social media, so it’s important to look at the differences between the COVID-19, flu, and common cold.

Flu season is still in full force, affecting millions of Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that flu activity is high and is expected to continue for several more weeks.

The common cold, flu, and coronavirus are all infectious viruses that affect the respiratory tract. All three are spread person-to-person and through direct contact with droplets either in the air or from hard surfaces. Rarely does the common cold have serious complications; however, the flu and coronavirus can.

How the body is affected

The seasonal flu is highly contagious and is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and, at times, the lungs. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect people differently. Fortunately, we have a seasonal flu vaccine which is the best way to protect against the flu. For those who receive the flu vaccine and get the flu, symptoms tend to be less severe for shorter periods of time compared to those who choose not to receive the vaccine.

Recently, a new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, was identified and has resulted in the current pandemic. There are actually many types of coronaviruses that cause a variety of illnesses from the common cold to other severe diseases that you may have heard of such as MERS and SARS. COVID-19 is a contagious virus that mainly infects the lungs. While some people have only minor symptoms, others may develop pneumonia or severe lung damage. It’s important to note that the flu also can also lead to viral pneumonia.

According to the CDC’s risk assessment for COVID-19, those at a higher-risk include:

• People in communities where ongoing community spread of coronavirus has been reported
• Healthcare workers caring for patients with coronavirus
• Those with close contact to a person with coronavirus
• Travelers returning from affected international locations with community spread

Differences in onset and symptoms

Common cold symptoms have a gradual or slow onset and generally include: runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat. Less common symptoms include: low-grade fever, and headache, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Flu Symptoms appear abruptly to include: fever/chills, dry cough, fatigue, headaches, muscle or body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat. Less common symptoms include: vomiting and diarrhea

Coronavirus COVID-19, on the other hand, can have a longer window between exposure and showing symptoms compared to the flu and common cold, which is currently thought to be anywhere from 2- 14 days. Symptoms may have a gradual onset and then suddenly escalate in severity.

The CDC reports that COVID-19 coronavirus symptoms appear suddenly and mostly affect the respiratory tract to include: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath. Complications of the coronavirus can be life-threatening symptoms such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death.

Symptom Comparison for Cold, Flu, and COVID-19

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately.

Emergency warning signs include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

For more information, please visit:

12 cold remedies (and what to do if they don’t work)

Try these strategies to get rid of that stuffy nose—and visit a healthcare provider if they don’t work

A cold can sneak up on you at any time of the year, and when it does, you’ll want to attack it head-on with the right remedies. Even though most people recover from the common cold in about seven to 10 days, reducing symptom severity is key to staying comfortable while the virus runs its course. 

If you’re experiencing a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, body aches, stuffy nose, or a scratchy throat, you might be wondering what you can do to start feeling better right away. 

The good news? There are plenty of cold remedies like an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant nasal spray, neti pot, or a humidifier that can provide immediate relief and kickstart the healing process. Plus, it’s easy to add several of these remedies to an overall wellness routine.

Here, we take a deep dive into how to treat a cold, remedies you can try at home—including 12 natural cold remedies and four over-the-counter and prescription medication treatments—and when to see a healthcare provider for cold symptoms.

12 home remedies for cold symptoms 

Several respiratory viruses, including rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, and human parainfluenza virus, cause the common cold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you’re dealing with a cold virus, consider trying one or more of the following home remedies. 

1. Drink plenty of fluids 

“Staying well-hydrated helps thin out mucus and makes it easier to clear nasal congestion or cough up sputum,” says Julia Blank, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. She recommends water, juice, tea, or broth, but make sure you avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you. 

2. Use a cool-mist humidifier

Another useful remedy is to moisturize the air with a cool-mist humidifier, which can clear nasal passages and help loosen congestion, says Dr. Blank. Whenever possible, use distilled water instead of tap water, set the unit to 30% to 50% humidity, and always follow the directions that come with the unit. 

3. Eat chicken noodle soup 

Chicken noodle soup might be good for the soul, but it’s also an excellent home remedy for a simple cold. “Chicken soup helps with hydration, the warm fluid can help soothe a sore throat, and cysteine—an amino acid in chicken soup—may help thin mucus and ease congestion,” explains Dr. Blank. 

4. Ramp up your rest  

Getting plenty of rest when you’re sick is important for your immune system to be able to fight off cold viruses. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night as well as naps during the day. Kids need nine to 12 hours and teens should get eight to 10 hours each night. 

5. Soothe a sore throat with lozenges 

To help temporarily soothe a sore throat, Dr. Blank recommends throat lozenges. “Menthol lozenges can temporarily clear nasal passages and soothe a sore throat.” 

6. Gargle with salt water 

If you’re dealing with a sore and scratchy throat, consider gargling with salt water. Dr. Blank says this old-school home remedy can help to temporarily relieve throat discomfort. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Take a drink, but do not swallow, and gargle in the back of your throat for 10 to 30 seconds. Spit it out when done. 

7. Drink warm fluids 

“You want to thin the mucus in the throat and nose, and warm fluids help do that,” says Payel Gupta, MD, a triple board-certified doctor in pediatrics, allergy and immunology, and internal medicine. Plus, warm drinks are soothing. Warm lemon water, clear broth, and warm tea are all good choices. 

8. Have some honey 

Coughing at night interrupts sleep and makes it difficult to get any rest. If you’ve already taken an OTC cough or cold medicine but still need some relief, try a spoonful of honey. Not only does honey help soothe a sore throat, but Dr. Blank says it also temporarily eases a cough. 

9. Breathe in some steam 

Dr. Gupta recommends steam when battling a cold. Use a vaporizer or make a tent out of a towel as you sit over a bowl of hot water and breathe in the steam, which is soothing and helps loosen mucus and phlegm. “Just make sure you’re not sitting too close to the bowl, and the steam isn’t burning delicate mucus membranes,” Dr. Gupta advises.

10. Use a neti pot

Neti pots are generally considered safe to use for sinus issues such as the common cold. Also called a nasal irrigation device, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using distilled or sterile water, boiled and cooled tap water, or water passed through a filter. They also say to add a saline solution to the water, which helps minimize irritation as the water passes through the nasal passages. Dr. Gupta recommends using a neti-pot to irrigate the sinuses about once a day. “This will lessen post-nasal drip, which causes coughs and irritates the throat,” she says. Just make sure you disinfect the neti pot every time you use it. 

11. Take an elderberry supplement

Elderberry supplements may help to reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms. However, Dr. Blank points out that the mechanism of action is not clear. It may play a role in the body’s immune reaction to cold and flu viruses. According to a 2016 randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, air travelers using elderberry 10 days before travel until four to five days after arriving at their destination experienced a two-day shorter duration of the cold and also noticed a reduction in cold symptoms. 

12. Consume zinc

Results from a 2012 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that zinc formulations such as lozenges, tablets, or syrup may reduce the duration of a cold by about one day, especially when taken within 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms. 

Cold remedies that don’t work 

There are many time-tested and proven remedies for treating cold symptoms. However, there are also several that lack evidence or expert support to warrant using them when dealing with a cold. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has a long list of health benefits, but unfortunately, says Blank, treating a cold is not one of them. “Most studies show no benefit in taking vitamin C after the onset of cold symptoms,” she says. However, Dr. Blank does point out that taking vitamin C before cold symptoms start may help shorten the duration of the illness. “This may benefit people who are at high risk because of frequent exposure, such as children in daycare or adults who work with small children,” she says. 

RELATED: Common superstitions about your health

Antibiotics 

“Antibiotics are for fighting bacteria, not viruses that cause colds,” says Dr. Blank. In fact, she points out that antibiotics won’t help you get well faster and can cause side effects. Inappropriate use of antibiotics leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 

How to treat a cold when natural remedies don’t work 

When natural remedies fail to curb cold symptoms, it might be time to try an OTC product or prescription medication for the common cold. While not an exhaustive list, here are four treatments to consider.  

1. Ask your doctor about Atrovent 

Dr. Blank says Atrovent (ipratropium) nasal spray can help to reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms. Parents of young children or pregnant women should talk to their doctor about the safety of Atrovent. 

2. Pain relievers to the rescue 

OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) are often recommended when dealing with cold symptoms like fever or pain. Both types of pain relievers are safe for children to take. Make sure to follow the instructions for age and weight and consult your healthcare provider if you have questions. If you’re pregnant, the FDA recommends avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, especially at 20 weeks and beyond. 

3. OTC cough and cold medicine 

There are several over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for adults and children 12 and over. Dr. Blank says if your child is under 12, you should consult with your pediatrician on what to take. Additionally, if you have underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, heart disease, or anxiety, or you’re on any prescription medication, she says to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any OTC medication. With that in mind, Blank says the following OTC cough and cold medicines can help relieve symptoms: 

• Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine can help with nasal congestion. 
• Mucus-thinning medications that contain guaifenesin (a cough expectorant) can temporarily ease nasal and chest congestion and make it easier to clear secretions. 
• Antihistamines like Claritin or Zyrtec can help runny nose and sneezing by drying nasal passages and secretions. 

Some OTC cough and cold medicines are safe to take while pregnant. These include the decongestant Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) after the first trimester, the cough suppressant Robitussin (dextromethorphan), and the antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Always consult with your healthcare provider before taking any OTC medication while pregnant. 

RELATED: What to do if you get the flu while pregnant

4. Treat your nose to a nasal spray 

“Nasal saline spray can help loosen secretions and temporarily relieve nasal congestion,” says Dr. Blank. Follow the directions that come with the product. Using a spray the right way increases its effectiveness. 

While the duration of your symptoms may vary, many people wonder how to cure a cold in 24 hours or even overnight. The best way to tame a cold fast is to stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, gargle with salt water, take an OTC medication, and humidify the air. 

RELATED: More common cold treatments and medications

When to see a healthcare provider for cold symptoms 

Most mild to moderate cold symptoms are treatable with home remedies. However, there are times when seeing a healthcare provider is warranted. “Some people are at increased risk of developing complications such as secondary bacterial infections after getting a cold,” says Dr. Blank. This includes smokers, people with asthma or COPD, and anyone with a compromised immune system. If you fall into a high-risk category, she recommends seeing your healthcare provider if symptoms are more severe or last longer than you’d expect from a cold. 

She also says to see a healthcare provider if you develop symptoms that suggest something more serious than a cold, like COVID-19, such as: 

• High fever
• Shortness of breath
• Severe headache
• Rash
• Symptoms lasting longer than 10 days—especially if they are not getting better

Additionally, moderate to severe cold symptoms in young children are best treated by a medical provider specializing in pediatrics.

It’s also important to know how to identify flu symptoms—especially during flu season—so that you can get timely medical treatment. While most respiratory infections like a cold typically subside within seven to 10 days, infectious diseases like the flu can cause serious health problems.

Some of the more common signs of the flu to be aware of include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, body aches, dry cough, and fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your healthcare provider immediately so they can treat and recommend various flu remedies.  

90,000 How to distinguish coronavirus from the common cold

In this difficult time, it often seems that all other viral diseases have disappeared, and if you have a cough, weakness or fever, this is definitely a coronavirus. But how can you tell COVID-19 from colds, SARS, or seasonal allergies?

TO TOPIC:

The doctor of medicine, the former head of the Ministry of Health Ulyana Suprun helps to understand this.She collected the symptoms and characteristics of the most common diseases that can be confused with the coronavirus.

COVID-19

Coronavirus

Photo: Shutterstock

The World Health Organization has ranked symptoms based on analyzes performed. According to research by doctors from around the world, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• fever – in 88% of all patients
• dry cough – in 67% of patients
• weakness – 38% of cases
• shortness of breath – 18% of cases
• sore throat – 13% of cases
• headache – 13% of cases
• muscle pain, chills, nausea and vomiting – 5-10% of cases.

Specific symptoms that almost immediately indicate coronavirus disease are loss of sense of taste and smell. Most often, this symptom is observed in young patients.

Some people have very mild symptoms or are asymptomatic at all infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, they are also contagious and can transmit the dangerous virus to others.

Risk groups:

COVID-19 is harder for people over 60 years old or people of any age who have lung, heart, diabetes or diseases that affect the immune system.

Influenza

Disease

Photo: Shutterstock

Both influenza and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory diseases. But they arise through different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and influenza A, B or C viruses cause influenza. Influenza can be contracted at any time, but it spreads most during the flu and cold season, from fall to spring. Both COVID-19 and the flu have a lot in common.

Symptoms that can relate to both diseases:

• high fever, chills
• cough
• shortness of breath or shortness of breath
• get tired
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle pain or body aches
• vomiting, diarrhea (more often in children)

The distinguishing feature of COVID-19 from influenza is the loss of sense of taste and smell.Experts also note that the flu usually does not cause shortness of breath.

Since influenza and COVID-19 have many symptoms in common, it is rash to diagnose these diseases on the basis of symptoms alone. Testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis. A and B flu test can be bought at a pharmacy or done at a hospital in 5 minutes.

Unlike COVID-19, there are vaccines against influenza , and therefore much more protection. The flu vaccine is not 100% guaranteed to avoid illness.But even if you get sick with the flu, thanks to the vaccine, you will survive the illness without serious complications, including hospitalization and even death. This year, with two deadly viruses circulating during the epidemic season, everyone should get flu shots.

However, there are risk groups who are fatally dangerous to be without vaccination:

• children under 8 years old

90,017 elderly people

• pregnant
• people with weakened immune systems

90,017 people with chronic diseases

About how, when and why you need to get a flu shot, we wrote HERE.

Cold

Disease

Photo: Shutterstock

There are hundreds of viruses that can cause colds. Fortunately, the disease is easily tolerated and resolves within 1-2 weeks.

Unlike the flu, which starts suddenly – with a high fever and body aches – the symptoms of a cold develop gradually. These include:

• stuffy nose
• runny nose
• headache
• muscle pain
• cough
• sneeze
• increased body temperature (usually remains at 37-37.5 degrees).

A runny nose may cause breathing difficulties or no smell or taste. But with COVID-19, these symptoms are not associated with a stuffy nose.

Unlike COVID-19 , a cold does not cause shortness of breath, body aches, chills or loss of appetite, and does not usually cause a significant increase in body temperature.

In addition to viral diseases, there are other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to COVID-19.

Seasonal allergy

Runny nose

Photo: Shutterstock

Seasonal allergies are not caused by viruses, but rather innocent substances, such as tree pollen.It’s just that the immune system of allergy sufferers reacts to these substances as a danger. Hence, unpleasant symptoms appear. Many of them are similar to the symptoms that arise through COVID-19, these are:

• cough
• shortness of breath or shortness of breath
• headache
• sore throat
• fatigue
• nasal congestion and runny nose

But there are key differences: COVID-19 can cause high body temperature, which is usually not a symptom of seasonal allergies.Also, allergies do not cause diarrhea, muscle pain and body aches, nausea and vomiting. But itching and tearfulness in the eyes, as well as sneezing are more characteristic signs of allergies.

Asthma

Asthma

Photo: Shutterstock

Asthma is a serious chronic illness. The airway narrows and this can make breathing difficult and cause coughing, wheezing sounds (wheezing) during inhalation, and shortness of breath.

Severe asthma attacks can cause sudden, extreme shortness of breath, chest tightness, rapid heart rate, sweating, and bluish discoloration of the lips and nails.

Only Unlike COVID-19, asthma does not cause fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, nasal congestion, loss of taste or smell, runny nose, chills, headache or loss of appetite.

Asthma is an incurable disease. However, the course of the disease and the manifestation of symptoms can be controlled.Read more about asthma HERE.

Note – this information is not a universal instruction, and cannot be the only source for making decisions about health. If you have any suspicious symptoms, consult your family doctor and work out a plan of action together.

Be healthy!

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AND THIS WAS:

September 11, 19:46

September 7, 12:53

90,000 How to distinguish COVID-19, SARS and influenza?

According to Rospotrebnadzor, in parallel with the increase in the incidence of COVID-19 among the adult population and children from seven to 14 years old, the weekly thresholds for the incidence of ARVI are exceeded.Experts give advice on how to distinguish these infections and the flu from each other.

“The flu is characterized by a very high temperature – 39-40 degrees – and a cough with discomfort behind the breastbone. There are rhinoviruses – pouring from the nose, low temperature, a person sneezes. There are adenoviruses – a sore throat clinic, sore throat, swelling of the lymph nodes. For coronaviruses, in principle, the characteristic is in the form of temperature in the 37-38 corridor, cough, sore throat and the phenomenon of catarrhal sinusitis with a decrease in smell.This is typical for all viral infections, but coronaviruses seem to give it out more often, ”says therapist Ivan Skorokhodov.

According to the therapist of the family medicine center Varvara Veretyuk, temporary loss of smell occurs only in a third of cases. Heavy nasal discharge is usually not common for coronavirus infection, although nasal congestion is present. She also stressed that COVID-19 is not characterized by a cough with buzzing and whistling, which is more common with ARVI.

“It is possible to single out those symptoms that will help to suspect COVID-19: the most pathognomonic symptom is loss of smell and part of taste, prolonged and obsessive cough, shortness of breath, various rashes that appear almost simultaneously with respiratory symptoms.In addition, there may be severe symptoms of intoxication that do not go away for more than two or three days, pain in muscles and joints, ”said infectious disease specialist Andrei Pozdnyakov.

Therapist Ivan Skorokhodov, among the alarming symptoms, names a temperature that does not pass for a long time. According to him, most viral infections “keep” the temperature for a maximum of three to five days. COVID-19 can have fever for up to a week. But focus only on her, lack of smell or coughing is not necessary.

“It all depends on the level at which the respiratory tract is affected. If at the level of the larynx, the cough will be rough, barking, there will be a sore throat. If this is the trachea, the cough will be with discomfort behind the sternum, scanty sputum, people say that it hurts in the chest. There is a bronchitis cough — with copious expectoration, with wheezing on breathing. But who caused these laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis: flu or covid? It’s hard to say. Therefore, only a set of signs can indicate the presence of a virus, and if we really want to get a clear answer, we must take a PCR test, ”he explained.

It is necessary to know the main symptoms of diseases, but at the same time, experts do not recommend self-diagnosis. For any ailment, you should see a doctor. Further, he will prescribe additional studies: if a coronavirus is suspected – PCR tests, which can be supplemented with a blood test for early antibodies and computed tomography of the lungs. After that, if necessary, special treatment is selected.

90,000 Runny nose in adults – causes, symptoms, types, treatment

A runny nose, the symptoms of which are known to everyone, is a consequence of inflammation of the nasal mucosa.There is a common myth that this disease does not need to be treated, and it will go away on its own in one to two weeks.

A runny nose, the symptoms of which are known to everyone, is a consequence of inflammation of the nasal mucosa. There is a common myth that this disease does not need to be treated, and it will go away on its own in one to two weeks. However, it is not. The disease must be properly treated, otherwise there is a risk of complications.

The choice of drugs for the treatment of rhinitis should be carried out depending on the type of rhinitis, symptoms, characteristics of the body and the course of the disease.

Causes of the common cold in adults

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa, accompanied by sinus discharge, is caused by various causes, these are:

• Hypothermia (colds).
• Penetration of infection (viruses, bacteria) into the body.
• Exposure to allergen (household dust, pollen, animal dander, chemicals, etc.)
• Hormonal diseases, etc.

Rhinitis is a common symptom of seasonal colds.At this time, you should be more careful about your health, use high-quality modern drugs for nasal congestion and for the treatment of a cold and prevent the development of a chronic form of the disease.

Symptoms

The disease has two stages. In the initial period, dryness, itching, and burning are felt in the nose. The patient sneezes, his voice becomes hoarse, but there is still no discharge. In the second stage, first liquid and transparent snot appear, then thick snot, which can acquire a yellow-green tint and a characteristic odor.

The main symptom of rhinitis is mucous (clear, thin, thick or purulent) discharge from the sinuses. The patient also has nasal and ear congestion, sneezing, deterioration / loss of smell, itching, burning sensation in the nasal cavity. The rest of the symptoms depends on the cause of the runny nose.

Types of rhinitis and its classification includes the disease:

1. Cold.
2. Infectious.
3. Traumatic.
4. Allergic origin.

Rhinitis can become chronic.

Some types of rhinitis and its symptoms are presented in table

Atrophic rhinitis with partial or significant atrophy of mucosal areas is a serious hazard.

Complications of the disease

Prolonged acute illness leads to a transition to a chronic form.

Chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa is the cause of complications: atrophic rhinitis, sinusitis, sinusitis and some neurological pathologies, many of which are hazardous to health.

Remedies for the common cold

Preparations for the treatment of rhinitis are used depending on the diagnosis, age, stage of the disease and other factors. A large group of medications is intended for the ambulance of the patient in order to facilitate nasal breathing (drugs for nasal congestion, vasoconstrictor drops, sprays, etc.)

Also developed are effective preparations for moisturizing and softening mucous membranes, acting mildly, delicately. Many of them, especially those based on natural sea water, are great for preventing colds and flu in the season.

Prevention of rhinitis

Preventive measures are extremely important. For acute rhinitis, this means hardening the body, playing sports and an active lifestyle, staying in the fresh air, balanced nutrition, taking vitamin complexes, competent and timely treatment of any diseases.

Preventive measures are aimed at increasing nonspecific immunity. Allergic rhinitis, like some other forms of the common cold, is treated with special medications prescribed by your doctor.

In this case, the patient must follow the recommendations of a specialist in order to prevent exacerbations of the disease.

In the social network of pharmacies Stolichki there is a wide range of drugs for the treatment of rhinitis at affordable prices.

90,000 The main thing about the new coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic. What to do and what to expect?

SARS-CoV-2 is spread with tiny droplets of mucus. It is believed that the main route of transmission is directly from person to person: one coughed, sneezed, or just said something – and the virus, along with saliva, got into another’s mouth, nose or eyes.To reduce your risk, there are four rules to follow.

First, stand at least one or two meters from people, and from everyone, since the absence of symptoms does not mean anything yet. This distance is indicated in the official guidelines. But a recent scientific article by the physicist Lydia Buruiba of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that when you sneeze, droplets of mucus scatter seven to eight meters. Fortunately, COVID-19 patients sneeze relatively rarely, and it is not known whether enough viral particles can enter the body from such a distance.

Second, wash your hands and face more often and thoroughly. Regular soap is no worse than antibacterial soap. For the virus to collapse, you need to wait at least 20 seconds. It is also worth keeping an alcohol-based disinfectant with you. Official recommendations state that the concentration of alcohol should be 60-70%, but the experiments of Swiss scientists have shown that 30% ethanol or propanol is enough.

Soap and alcohol dry the skin, because of this, wounds can form on it, where not SARS-CoV-2, but something else will get.This is not in the official recommendations, but it seems reasonable to use a cream before going to bed (at night nothing will stick to the skin).

Third, don’t touch your face. This is the hardest part. Try to keep your hands busy with something like a pencil. Another trick is to smear the brush with something odorous: the smell will help you come to your senses in time. And as a last resort, you can wear rubber gloves: they discourage touching yourself.

Fourth, do not shake hands, do not hug or kiss when you meet.It is generally better to postpone meetings until better times.

Don’t worry about looking stupid. There is an epidemic around, and there are already enough sad stories about people who chose to behave as if nothing had happened and paid for it.

It is also possible that you can become infected if you touch a dirty doorknob or some other thing, and then touch your face. It is known that SARS-CoV-2 remains on surfaces (especially for a long time – on plastic and stainless steel), but how dangerous it is at the same time is unclear.It is believed that the risk is low, but still exists, so it is worth touching objects as little as possible and wiping your hands with a disinfectant outside the home.

Treatment of diseases of the nose in Yekaterinburg – CMT Clinic

For many , the runny nose has already become a common occurrence, often occurring during the cold season. A pack of nasal drops, a pack of handkerchiefs and the confidence that “it will pass by itself” – this is the standard set for dealing with a cold. But sometimes the unpleasant sensation of nasal congestion does not go away, but only gets worse, breathing becomes difficult, and the voice changes.This means that an ordinary runny nose has developed into a more serious disease, which can only be cured by an otolaryngologist.

The most common pathologies in the field of nasal diseases are rhinitis and sinusitis.

Rhinitis is essentially the medical name for the common cold. There are eight types of rhinitis, most of which are characterized by symptoms such as nasal congestion , swelling and redness of the nasal mucosa, dryness or, on the contrary, profuse nasal discharge, shortness of breath, decreased sense of smell, frequent sneezing.In some cases, there is also a headache, fever, and the smell of pus from the nose. Rhinitis is especially unpleasant during pregnancy , since it requires the most gentle and gentle, but at the same time effective treatment.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, or sinuses. One of the most common forms of sinusitis is sinusitis, in which the inflammatory process occurs in the maxillary pauses. With sinusitis and sinusitis, the patient feels pain near the nose , pressure and discomfort in this area, sometimes in the forehead, cheekbones and temples.Difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, fever are also noted.

Diseases of the nose can become chronic, so timely treatment is very important. If you have a permanently stuffy nose – it is not difficult to solve this problem and permanently get rid of unpleasant symptoms, it is enough to consult an otolaryngologist.

Snoring

Also, an ENT doctor will help get rid of such an unpleasant phenomenon as snoring, which can sometimes become a real problem and a cause for family conflict.The cause of snoring can be a curvature of the nasal septum, an altered state of the tonsils and even malignant formations in the nasopharynx. Therefore, with regular snoring, it is necessary to consult a specialist who will establish the cause, prescribe treatment and advise how to get rid of snoring.

It is important to remember that advanced diseases of the ear, nose and throat can lead to serious consequences requiring long-term and expensive treatment. Timely consultation of an otolaryngologist will help to identify the symptoms of the disease and to carry out competent therapy in time

Sore throat and runny nose

An unpleasant tickling in the throat, along with coughing fits, is an unpleasant symptom.It can appear unexpectedly: during a conversation, after eating, at night. There is a desire to drink water, cough. Sucking on a cough lozenge can provide quick, noticeable relief.

Causes of a runny nose and sore throat

Perspiration along with dry cough is caused by internal and external factors. External – dusty dirty air, exhaust gases, dry indoor climate. A common cause of constant irritation of the mucous membranes is smoking.

Factors provoking perspiration and runny nose:

• Inflammatory and infectious diseases of the respiratory tract – laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, others.The throat is usually red, pain when swallowing, hoarseness may appear. Treatment should be specific, so see your doctor.
• Acute respiratory viral infections are the scourge of the autumn and winter periods. The group includes parainfluenza, influenza, and other viruses that affect the respiratory tract. Routes of infection – airborne, contact.
• Allergies are a common cause of perspiration and discomfort, dry cough attacks. It develops as a result of contact with allergens, itching, runny nose, lacrimation are possible.
• Damage to the pharynx by mechanical, thermal irritants occurs as a result of exposure to hard, scratching food pieces. In addition to perspiration, there is no discomfort.
• Dusty dry air in the room – if you constantly sit in a room with an unfavorable microclimate, the throat will turn red, and it will begin to tickle. The mucous membrane becomes more susceptible to the effects of infectious agents.

To get rid of the symptoms, to permanently improve your well-being, you need to find out the causes of the problem and eliminate them.With a runny nose, sore throat as a result of mechanical damage to the mucous membranes, contact with dust, allergens, rinsing helps. Moisturizing the nasal passages is an important component of complex therapy for ARVI, allergies, infections.

Why perspiration and runny nose can occur without fever

A runny nose and sore throat without fever can result from improper treatment of respiratory viral infections. Untreated rhinitis is the main cause of persistent exacerbations.Long-term use of vasoconstrictors is dangerous. Such funds bring relief, but after 2-3 weeks of continuous use, they disrupt the normal functioning of the vessels of the nasal passages.

There will be no temperature in case of allergies, mechanical damage to the mucous membranes. Prolonged stay in a dusty room causes a state of weakness, as with ARVI, but is also not accompanied by an increase in body temperature.

Advantages of Aqualor

Aqualor is a means for irrigation and rinsing of the nose and throat, which is sea water that has retained its natural composition and all natural healing properties.For the production of Aqualor, innovative * technologies are used. Aqualor has a natural composition.

You can choose different forms of release, types of irrigation. Pay attention to the classification of products, taking into account the age category: babies, toddlers from 6, 12, 24 months and adults. All products are suitable for adult patients.

Features of Aqualor products:

• Convenient to use – rinse your nose from any convenient angle.Each can comes with an ergonomically shaped nozzle for continuous spray.
• No preservatives in the composition, maximum preservation of the beneficial properties of sea water. The natural composition is safe, does not cause side effects.
• Not addictive. The tool can be used for a long time. At the moment, Aqualor’s lineup includes 13 different products, which take into account the recommendations of specialists, the requests of patients of all groups.The solutions relieve congestion, pain, wash out mucous membranes, help activate the immune system, and remove itching in the nose. Forms of release – from 15 to 150 ml.

Prevention

To reduce the risks of contracting ARVI, improve health, and prevent the development of unpleasant symptoms such as perspiration and runny nose, follow the rules:

• Avoid crowded areas during cold season.
• Always dress for the weather, avoid hypothermia, overheating.
• Wash your hands after outside.
• Take vitamins.
• Lead a healthy lifestyle, move more, give up bad habits.
• Use a respirator mask.
• Use folk and pharmaceutical remedies that increase immunity.

Regular washing or irrigation of the nasal mucosa with Aqualor means protection from chronic rhinitis.Such procedures prevent chronic diseases by mechanically removing pathogens. During the cold season, with a constant stay in dry rooms, manipulations can be carried out regularly (at least twice a day – in the morning and in the evening).

How to treat a runny nose with hypertension

Arterial hypertension (abbreviated as AH) is the most common cardiovascular pathology in the world. To a greater extent, representatives of the stronger sex are susceptible to it: it is diagnosed in 48% of men in the Russian Federation and 40% of women.A chronic condition can significantly reduce the quality of life and lead to death.

What is hypertension, how to treat rhinitis with this diagnosis

The main danger of hypertensive patients after not knowing their condition is taking medications, which further exacerbate the problem. Harmless for healthy people, vasoconstrictor drops from the common cold can cause a sharp jump in pressure in a patient with a diagnosis of hypertension and cause a crisis.Therefore, you need to regularly undergo comprehensive examinations, read annotations to medicines, and urgently take action in case of deterioration. Increased pressure with nasal congestion is a determining factor when choosing a treatment regimen. If the runny nose is not severe, the state of health and general well-being are stable, unnecessary medications should not be taken. A suitable option is rinsing the nasal cavity.

Why you shouldn’t use vasoconstrictor drugs

A runny nose with hypertension most often develops against the background of a cold, the body temperature does not always rise.It is highly undesirable to use vasoconstrictors for hypertensive patients – they increase blood pressure. Antipyretic drugs are allowed in case of high fever.

Drops with a vasoconstrictor effect, which quickly relieve puffiness and reduce the manifestations of rhinitis, are contraindicated with increased pressure, since they additionally increase it. There is an addictive effect: after a month, the drops stop helping, all cold symptoms disappear, but nasal congestion remains.

How to be treated

With hypertension, all drugs containing phenylephrine derivatives are completely prohibited. They contain a constricting blood vessel and a blood pressure-increasing component, so the health risks outweigh the potential benefits. In some cases, taking the drug is possible, but subject to strict adherence to the terms, the dosages recommended by the doctor cannot be exceeded.

As a rule, in order not to risk, specialists prescribe special expensive drops and / or rinsing for hypertensive patients with a cold.Isotonic sea water solution has a special mineral composition. It corresponds to the composition of the physiological fluids of the human body. As a result of rinsing the nose, the water-electrolyte balance is restored, the mucous membrane is moistened, the symptoms of rhinitis disappear. Additionally, sea water nourishes cells, relieves inflammation. Gradually, the composition of the secret, the protective functions of the mucous membrane are restored, the person feels relief.

There are rinsing agents that only solve therapeutic problems, but most can be used prophylactically.Mechanical removal of microbes from the nasal mucosa quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms in ARVI, allergies, helps to restore normal health after staying in dusty rooms, contact with harmful factors.

Advantages of Aqualor

Aqualor is a seawater-based nasal rinse solution. It contains and preserves all the healing properties of natural sources. The mineral composition is balanced, the concentration of salts is optimal for mucous membranes.

Aqualor’s advantages:

• Ease of use (simple convenient spraying, the use of a cylinder at any angle, the presence of special nozzles of different types).
• Safe, natural composition without preservatives (the product contains a full set of minerals, trace elements that are in sea water, no chemicals).
• Lack of addiction.

Rinsing the nasal cavity with Aqualor helps to mechanically remove pathogenic organisms, irrigate, improve the condition of the mucous membrane, and quickly relieve health.Suitable for the prevention, treatment or complex treatment of colds, acute respiratory viral infections, infectious diseases. Aqualor is prescribed for children from birth and for adults.

Aqualor is one of the most popular drugs on the market. Previously, in the treatment of rhinitis, independent solutions were often used, but this was not due to their high efficiency, but to the lack of alternatives. When preparing a solution at home, it is difficult to accurately calculate the concentration of active substances. A weak product will be ineffective, a highly concentrated product may cause side effects.Bottled water is not ideal for mucous membranes, tap water with bleach will additionally irritate. Therefore, do not risk your health, choose a ready-made natural and non-addictive drug – Aqualor nasal rinsing solution.

The line includes 13 products that are created taking into account the recommendations of specialists and the needs of patients.

1. * Aqualor contains unique products in the line, as of 23.09.2019 – Aqualor Protect is the only one with a similar composition on the Russian pharmaceutical market (http://www.roszdravnadzor.ru/; https://grls.rosminzdrav.ru/)
2. The bottle of the dosed spray Aqualor Protect is equipped with a device that protects the medical device from contamination and does not require the addition of preservatives (instructions for use of the Aqualor Protect medical device, RZN 2018/7113 dated 04/05/2018)
3. The BOV-balloon system for under-metered Aqualor sprays prevents the penetration of contaminants and microorganisms into the balloon throughout the entire use thanks to a special valve, allows you to create continuous spraying when using the balloon at any angle (instructions for use of the Aqualor baby medical product, RZN 2016/5064 dated 29.11.2016)
4. The new nozzles for Aqualor non-metered sprays have a wide tip to prevent deep penetration into the nose and reduce the risk of injury, a notch on the spray for a finger for more comfortable use, and a built-in valve to control the first opening. The non-removable nozzle is firmly fixed on the cylinder, will not fall off during use.

There are contraindications. It is necessary to consult a specialist and read the instructions for use.

How to treat a runny nose and cough

Otorhinolaryngologist, in other words ENT doctor, – a specialist engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies of the ear, throat, nose, neck and head.

If you need an ENT clinic “For the Whole Family” offers you the services of an ENT doctor in Irkutsk.

The most common reason for visiting an ENT doctor is colds of the respiratory tract and its consequences, complications.Below you can familiarize yourself with the most common complaints of people who have caught a cold. In mild cases of a cold, an ENT is not necessary, you do not need to visit the clinic, but simple treatment should be started on time. If a cold proceeds with complications or respiratory diseases are accompanied by too high a temperature, pain and a number of other symptoms that do not indicate a mild cold, you just need to contact an otolaryngology (ENT). A doctor’s appointment in our clinic is carried out by appointment and out of turn in urgent cases.

Colds and respiratory diseases

Few of us have not come across a cold, and most already have in their arsenal a number of recipes, remedies and some knowledge about how to treat a cold, how to treat a runny nose, or how to treat a cough with folk and medication. Colds are caused by hypothermia or the presence of a number of inflammatory diseases (ARVI, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, measles, staphylococci, pneumococci, etc.).

Catarrhal diseases of the respiratory tract by the zone of localization of the focus of inflammation are classified as:

• bronchitis
• tracheitis
• laryngitis
• sore throat (tronzilit)
• nasopharyngitis
• pharyngitis

A cold is usually accompanied by symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, fever, joint aches, cough, etc.If such signs are found, it is worthwhile to start strengthening the immune system with vitamins (especially in this case, vitamin C is useful), removing symptoms that will not cure the disease, but will alleviate the condition.

In the case of a running cold process, when you are not able to prescribe adequate treatment for yourself and assess the root causes of its occurrence, when there is even the slightest hint of complications, it is strongly recommended to contact ENT . Reception in this case is carried out urgently, and not by appointment.

You can say a lot about how to treat a cold, but the main thing is to start this right away and start with the removal of symptoms (runny nose, fever, cough, etc.).

Temperature control

If you dip a cloth in water diluted with vinegar and wipe it on your armpits, temples, and depressions behind your knees, it helps to bring down the temperature. You can take pain relievers, which are also aimed at relieving fever.

How to treat a runny nose

Microbes and viruses, getting on the nasal mucosa, provoke the secretion of mucus, which performs the protective function of the body, trying to eliminate and remove dangerous pathogens from the body.

Surely, most of us have already encountered this ailment, and have some experience of how to treat a runny nose. In home treatment for rhinitis, hot chicken broth is effective, which is recommended to be drunk in large quantities. Drinking hot is always useful in case of a cold.

A serving of vitamins (vitamin C in particular) will be of great help in curing and resisting the immune system to viruses.

We often hear from advertisements about fast-acting methods of how to treat a cold with drops, sprays, aerosols.All of them are designed to destroy bacteria on the nasal mucosa, relieve congestion.

From folk remedies, preference is given to vapors of onions, inhalation (breathe over potatoes, etc.), the use of essential oil, which has long been successfully used to treat a cold and relieve congestion.

How to treat a cough

Cough is an unconditioned reflex, which is designed to clear the upper respiratory tract from dust, mucus, blood, food particles, etc.

Talking about how to treat a cough without establishing the cause of its occurrence is somewhat pointless. Since it can be a symptom of a number of both lungs and complex diseases (acute respiratory infections, lung cancer, pleurisy, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, otitis media and diseases of the nervous system).

The method of how to treat a cough does not mean its complete elimination (the cough has a protective and cleansing function), but with relief. It is recommended to eliminate only a dry cough, which, instead of protection, can be harmful.To do this, you can turn to special medicines and herbs: antitussive, mucolytic, mucoregulatory, expectorant.

If the cough continues for more than two weeks, then with the question “How to treat a cough?” it is necessary to consult a doctor already and without delay!

All of the above symptoms can be symptoms of both a simple cold and a serious illness, so you need a doctor’s supervision!

How to treat a cold

Clearly – we must start by removing the symptoms.And if you approach the treatment of colds instantly and comprehensively, then soon you will recover. If you let a cold take its course, it can go from a viral to a bacterial category, which is characterized by serious complications: the occurrence of respiratory diseases such as sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, tonsillitis. With further gravity, all this can “pour out” in tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

Price list for ENT doctor services

You can make an appointment at any time convenient for you and get detailed advice from a specialist:

1) tel.: +7 (3952) 205-749; 723 – 749 ( Karl-Liebknecht, 152 )

2) by phone: +7 (3952) 390 – 292; 404 – 200 ( Railway, 2nd, 74)

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