How does a common cold progress. What are the typical symptoms of a cold or flu. When should you seek medical attention for respiratory infections. How can you alleviate cold and flu symptoms at home. Why are antibiotics ineffective against most upper respiratory infections.

Understanding Upper Respiratory Infections

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) encompass a range of conditions, including the common cold, sinus infections, chest colds (bronchitis), influenza, and COVID-19. These infections are predominantly viral in nature, with over 90% caused by various viruses. Understanding the progression and management of these ailments is crucial for effective self-care and knowing when to seek medical attention.

Common Types of URIs

• Common cold
• Sinus infections
• Bronchitis
• Influenza
• COVID-19

While most URIs resolve within a week, some symptoms, particularly coughing, may persist for several weeks. It’s important to recognize the typical progression of these infections to manage expectations and take appropriate action when necessary.

The Typical Progression of a Common Cold

Dr. Helen (Eleni) Xenos, a One Medical physician in Chicago, outlines the usual progression of a common cold:

1. Day 1: Fatigue, headache, sore or scratchy throat
2. Day 2: Worsening sore throat, low fever, mild nasal congestion
3. Day 3: Increased congestion, uncomfortable sinus and ear pressure, potential sleep disturbances
4. Day 4: Possible yellow or green mucus (normal occurrence), improving sore throat, onset of coughing
5. Days 5-7: Gradual improvement in energy levels and congestion
6. 1 week+: Cough typically subsides after a week but may take up to 3-6 weeks to fully resolve

Are your symptoms significantly worse than those described above? Severe symptoms such as intense coughing leading to vomiting, coughing up bloody mucus, difficulty breathing, or a fever exceeding 102°F may indicate a more serious condition like pertussis (whooping cough) or bacterial pneumonia. In such cases, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional promptly.

Distinguishing Between Cold, Flu, and COVID-19

While colds, flu, and COVID-19 share many symptoms, there are some key differences to be aware of:

Influenza (Flu)

Flu typically presents with similar symptoms to a cold but is characterized by:

• Prominent fever
• Chills
• Severe headache
• Body aches lasting several days

COVID-19

COVID-19 can mimic other respiratory infections but may include additional symptoms such as:

• Loss of taste or smell
• More severe fatigue
• Shortness of breath

Given the ongoing pandemic, it’s crucial to get tested and self-isolate if you experience cold-like symptoms to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health.

Effective Home Remedies for URI Symptoms

Managing URI symptoms at home can significantly improve comfort and potentially speed up recovery. The key is to find remedies that work best for your specific symptoms. Here are some effective strategies:

For Sinus Pressure

• Decongestants like pseudoephedrine
• Nasal sinus rinses

For Coughing

• Inhaling steam from a shower or sink
• Honey in warm tea or water
• Over-the-counter cough suppressants

For General Symptom Relief

• Rest and adequate sleep
• Staying hydrated
• Vitamin C supplementation (1-2 grams daily)
• Zinc lozenges (within 24 hours of symptom onset)

Can zinc lozenges really help with cold symptoms? Studies suggest that zinc lozenges, when taken within 24 hours of symptom onset, may reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. Take one lozenge every two hours on a full stomach to avoid nausea.

The Role of Rest and Immune Support

Your immune system plays a crucial role in fighting off viral and bacterial infections. To support its function effectively:

• Prioritize rest and relaxation
• Manage stress levels
• Ensure adequate sleep

Why is stress management important during a cold or flu? Stress and lack of sleep can release hormones that suppress your immune system, potentially prolonging your illness. By prioritizing rest and relaxation, you give your body the best chance to recover quickly.

The Truth About Antibiotics and URIs

Many people mistakenly believe that antibiotics can help with colds and flu. However, it’s essential to understand why antibiotics are ineffective against most URIs:

• Vast majority of URIs are caused by viruses
• Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections
• Unnecessary antibiotic use can lead to antibiotic resistance

Is there ever a case where antibiotics are needed for a URI? In rare instances, a viral URI can lead to a secondary bacterial infection. If symptoms persist or worsen after 10-14 days, or if you develop a high fever, severe pain, or other concerning symptoms, consult a healthcare provider to determine if antibiotics are necessary.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While most URIs can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant medical attention:

• Fever over 102°F (39°C) that persists for more than 3 days
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Severe chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Severe headache or neck stiffness
• Persistent vomiting
• Symptoms that worsen after initial improvement

Should you visit a doctor for every cold or flu? Generally, most healthy individuals can manage cold and flu symptoms at home. However, if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant, or experience severe or prolonged symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

Prevention Strategies for URIs

While it’s impossible to avoid all URIs, several strategies can reduce your risk of infection:

• Regular handwashing with soap and water
• Avoiding close contact with sick individuals
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep)
• Getting vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19
• Wearing a mask in crowded public spaces during cold and flu season

Can vitamin C supplements prevent colds? While vitamin C supplementation hasn’t been shown to prevent colds, some studies suggest it may slightly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms if taken regularly during cold season.

Understanding the progression of common colds and other URIs empowers individuals to manage their symptoms effectively and know when to seek medical attention. By implementing appropriate home remedies, supporting the immune system, and practicing good prevention strategies, you can navigate cold and flu season with greater confidence and comfort.

Our Definitive Guide to Cold and Flu

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Dec 23, 2021

By One Medical

Updated December 23, 2021.

So you’ve come down with a nasty virus that’s been making the rounds. The good news? You probably don’t need to go into the doctor’s office. The bad news? You still feel awful.

If you think you have an upper respiratory infection (URI) — which includes the common cold, most sinus infections, chest colds (bronchitis), the flu (caused by the influenza virus), and COVID-19 — there’s a lot you can do at home to feel better faster. You’ll have infections like these many times throughout your life, so learning what helps the most (and the least) is worth your time.

What to Expect with an Upper Respiratory Infection

More than 90 percent of upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses. These infections create different symptoms at each stage. Most colds, flus and COVID-19 resolve in about a week, although some symptoms (like coughing) can take weeks to go away completely.

Helen (Eleni) Xenos, a One Medical doctor in Chicago, describes the typical progression of the common cold:

• Day 1: Fatigue, headache, sore or scratchy throat.
• Day 2: Sore throat worsens, low fever, mild nasal congestion.
• Day 3: Congestion worsens, sinus and ear pressure become very uncomfortable. It may be difficult to sleep.
• Day 4: Mucus may turn yellow or green (this is normal). Sore throat improves, but coughing begins.
• Days 5-7: Energy and congestion improve.
• 1 week+: Cough usually tapers off after a week, but can take up to 3-6 weeks to fully resolve.

If your symptoms are much worse than these, such as coughing so hard you throw up, coughing up bloody mucus, difficulty breathing, or if you have a fever over 102°F, you might have something more serious going on, like pertussis (whooping cough) or bacterial pneumonia.

If a cold drags on for more than 2 weeks, it can turn into a sinus infection that causes pain around the eyes, nose and/or sinus headaches. Chest colds (bronchitis) cause chest congestion and a hacking cough that drag on for a few weeks.

The flu comes with similar symptoms but features a prominent fever, chills, headache, and body aches that usually last several days.

COVID-19 can feel very similar to other colds and can sometimes have additional symptoms like loss of taste or smell which can help distinguish this virus. It’s important for folks to get tested and stay home with cold symptoms to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, keep everyone safe, and help end the pandemic. For more on COVID-19, see here.

What Helps You Feel Better

Treating the symptoms and supporting your immune system is the best course of action to feel better faster. Everyone’s experience of a cold is slightly different from the next person’s, and there are many options in the cold and flu aisle at the drugstore. How do you know which symptom remedies are right for you?

The key is to find what works best for you personally, for your symptoms, whether it’s over-the-counter cold and flu remedies or soothing herbal tea. If, for example, you experience bad sinus pressure when you have an upper respiratory infection, a decongestant like pseudoephedrine or a nasal sinus rinse might be good to have on hand. If it’s coughing that usually makes your life miserable during a chest cold, you could try inhaling hot steam from the sink or shower a few times a day to help break things up.

Your immune system’s job is to eradicate viral and bacterial infections from your body. It’s very effective as long as you provide it with the proper support. The best way to do that is to rest. Being stressed out or not getting enough sleep releases hormones that suppress your immune system.

In addition, taking one to two grams a day of vitamin C during cold season may lessen the severity and duration of your colds, although it won’t prevent you from catching them in the first place. Taking zinc lozenges during a cold also supports your immune system, but you have to start within 24 hours of symptom onset for them to work. Take one zinc lozenge or melt-away every two hours on a full stomach to avoid nausea.

Why Antibiotics Won’t Help — and Might Hurt

Almost all URIs are caused by viruses, and at present we don’t have medications that work against them. (One notable exception: There are antiviral medications for the flu. If you start them in the first 24 to 48 hours of symptoms, it might reduce the duration of your illness by about a day. )

As for the small percentage of upper respiratory infections caused by bacteria, most go away on their own — and often just as quickly — even if you don’t take antibiotics. So if there’s a chance antibiotics can help, what’s the harm?

There are many reasons to be conscientious about taking antibiotics, including breeding resistant superbugs or making your health care cost more. However, there’s another reason that’s of immediate concern: diarrhea. Antibiotics can wreak havoc in your intestines and upset the normal balance of bacteria — including the bacteria that help you digest food, which can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Taking multiple courses of antibiotics puts you at risk of potentially long-lasting effects on your gut.

Like everything health-related, the decision about whether to take antibiotics for a bacterial infection comes down to weighing the risks and benefits. Your provider will be happy to discuss the decision with you in detail.

Keeping Your Infection to Yourself

Colds, flus, and COVID-19 are contagious from the time you get them (even before you have symptoms) up to ten days after your symptoms start. They’re usually not contagious after ten days, even if you’re still coughing or congested.

The best way to avoid passing on a URI (or catching one in the first place) is to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth with your arm when you cough or sneeze and wear a mask that fully covers your mouth and nose. It’s also best to take at least a couple of days off work or school while you’re most contagious.

When to Call Your Provider

Occasionally, viral infections can set the stage for more complicated bacterial infections. If you experience any of the following, call your healthcare provider:

• High fever (over 102°F)
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Coughing up bloody mucus
• Coughing so hard that you throw up
• Feeling worse after 7-10 days of symptoms, especially if you have worsening headache, congestion, or sinus pain
• If you don’t start to feel better after 10 days of symptoms

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Remedies for Cold and Flu Symptoms

Cough and Chest Congestion

• Antihistamine/decongestant combo (e.g., brompheniramine/pseudoephedrine)
• Cough suppressant: Dextromethorphan (Delsym)
• Expectorant (mucus thinner): Guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin)
• Gentle hot tea (chamomile, licorice root, peppermint, thyme) with or without honey or lemon juice; Traditional Medicinals “Throat Coat” or “Breathe Easy” teas.
• Honey (1 tablespoon of raw honey 1 to 3 times daily). Note: honey is not safe for infants under 12 months.
• Steam inhalation: Boil 1 inch of water in a pot, remove from the stove, add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil if desired, and inhale slowly for a few minutes twice daily with a towel over your head.

Sore Throat

• Pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol). It’s OK to use the maximum dose for 1 or 2 days while your symptoms are at their worst. Follow directions on the packaging.
• Cooling or numbing medicines: Chloraseptic spray, lozenges, gargle echinacea tincture in water.
• Saltwater gargles throughout the day: 1 tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
• Warm tea with honey, Traditional Medicinals “throat coat” or “breathe easy” teas, “sore throat tea“.
• Chicken soup or other clear broth.

Nasal Congestion and Sinus Pressure

• Oral decongestants: Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is the most effective choice., Anticipate requesting and showing ID for the medication at the pharmacist counter. Avoid decongestants if you have poorly controlled high blood pressure.
• Nasal spray decongestant: Oxymetazoline (Afrin). Don’t use this for more than 3 days, or your congestion will come back even worse.
• Pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol). It’s okay to use the maximum dose for 1 or 2 days while your symptoms are at their worst. Follow directions on the packaging.
• Nasal steroid spray: Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort
• Nasal irrigation twice daily with warm salt water (neti pot, NeilMed Sinus Rinse, Nasaline)
• Steam inhalation: Boil 1 inch of water in a pot, remove from the stove, add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil if desired, and inhale slowly for a few minutes twice daily with a towel over your head.
• Moist heat compresses over your sinuses for several minutes a few times a day.
• Herbs: Goldenseal, Bi Yan Pian, Sinupret

Runny Nose

• Oral decongestants: Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is the most effective choice. Anticipate requesting and showing ID for the medication at the pharmacist counter.. If you have high blood pressure, avoid pseudoephedrine or take care to monitor your blood pressure while you take it.
• Nasal spray decongestant: Oxymetazoline (Afrin) can be used for a short time. Don’t use this for more than 3 days, or your congestion will come back even worse.
• Antihistamines: Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl (all available in generic formulas) are all effective. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) will make you sleepy; the others won’t. Antihistamines tend to work better for runny noses from allergies, but they can help a bit, and they come in some of the combination cold/flu products.
• Saline nasal spray
• Steam inhalation: Boil 1 inch of water in a pot, remove from the stove, add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil if desired, and inhale slowly for a few minutes twice daily with a towel over your head.

Fever

• Fever reducers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• Drink lots of water.
• Take a warm or cool shower.
• Warm tea (chamomile, peppermint)

Headache and Body Aches

• Pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). It’s okay to use the maximum dose for 1 or 2 days while your symptoms are at their worst, as long as there are no contraindications. Follow directions on the packaging.
• Moist heat compresses or cold packs.
• Rub on Tiger Balm.
• Take a nap.
• Take a warm bath with Epsom salts.

Have more questions about these symptoms or upper respiratory infections, colds, flus, or COVID-19? Join One Medical today to talk to a provider.

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Stages of a cold: Causes and progression of a cold

Wondering how long your cold will last? Learn the stages of a cold and how a cold progresses

Sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat—oh my! Symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection, or the common cold, can have you feeling downright miserable. Between blowing your nose and downing cough drops, you might wonder how long your cold will last. After exposure to the cold virus, you may start seeing symptoms within one to three days, with symptoms peaking in another one to three days. Cold symptoms typically last anywhere from three to 10 days. Continue reading to learn more about the common cold. 

What causes a cold?

Growing up, did your parents tell you not to go outside with wet hair, especially in wet or cold weather? Colds are not caused by being cold and/or wet. Although it is best to go to sleep with dry hair to avoid certain fungal infections and other problems, going outside with wet hair will not cause a cold. A virus must be involved for you to develop a cold. In the fall and winter, when the weather is cold, people are closer to one another indoors—at school, work, gatherings, and other indoor events. The low humidity also causes nasal passages to dry out, making people more susceptible to catching a virus. So, you are more likely to get sick when it is cold outside, but it’s more likely that you will catch a cold indoors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common colds are the main reason for missed school and work. There are millions of cases in the United States annually, with adults averaging two or three colds per year and children averaging even more. 

The cold is most often caused by a respiratory virus called rhinovirus. These viruses can also trigger asthma attacks and may be associated with sinus and ear infections. Other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus, human coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus, can also cause colds.

Cold symptoms

Common cold symptoms include:

• Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
• Runny nose
• Scratchy throat
• Sneezing

You may also experience the following symptoms, depending on which virus caused your cold:

• Cough 
• Appetite loss
• Headache 
• Muscle aches
• Postnasal drip
• Sore throat 

The flu, caused by influenza viruses, often causes illness around the same time as the common cold. Because they cause similar symptoms, it may be difficult to tell if you have a cold or the flu. However, the flu usually has more severe symptoms than a cold. Flu symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle and body aches, headaches, and extreme tiredness. Because the flu can have serious complications, getting a yearly flu vaccine is important. 

Colds are very contagious, especially in the first two to four days after symptoms begin, and can even spread for several weeks after symptoms start. Colds can spread from person-to-person contact or by breathing in virus particles. These particles can travel up to 12 feet in the air from coughs and sneezes. You can also get a cold if you touch a contaminated surface, like a doorknob, then touch your mouth or nose. 

What are the stages of a cold?

The stages of a cold include:

Incubation period 

The first stage is called the incubation period. An incubation period is the time from exposure to the organism that causes illness, such as a virus in the case of a common cold, to the time it takes for an infection to develop. The incubation period ends when symptoms appear. For a common cold, the incubation period is typically from one to three days. 

Appearance and progression of symptoms 

After the incubation period, the appearance of symptoms begins. The first symptoms of a cold may include a scratchy or sore throat, followed by sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and a general feeling of illness. Colds generally do not cause a fever. Common colds may cause a mild cough lasting up to several weeks. Most cold symptoms resolve within 10 days. People with certain medical conditions, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, may have an exacerbation of their condition that is brought on by the cold. 

Recovery

Most individuals recover from the common cold within seven to 10 days. However, some individuals with compromised immune systems, asthma, or other lung/breathing conditions may be more likely to develop serious illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider if you should get a pneumonia vaccine, especially if you are 65 years or older or have other medical conditions. Babies and young children also need a pneumonia vaccine.

What is the best way to treat a cold?

Most colds resolve in several days, but in the meantime, you can:

• Get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of fluids, such as water, tea, and chicken soup
• Use a cool mist humidifier
• Use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines: You should consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure you are using a safe drug. Do not use cough or cold medications in children unless your pediatrician approves. 

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and do not work to treat viral infections like the common cold. However, in some cases, individuals with a cold may develop a sinus infection, ear infection, or other bacterial infections. The health care provider will prescribe an antibiotic when an infection is bacterial. There are many different treatment options, such as amoxicillin, Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid), or Zithromax (azithromycin). The choice of antibiotic will be based on the symptoms, type of infection, medical history, allergies to medications, other health issues, medications the patient is taking, and other considerations.

What are the best ways to prevent getting a cold?

Although there is no vaccine to prevent the common cold, some tips to help prevent illness include:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. 
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Viruses can easily get in through your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid sick people.

If you have a cold, you can take steps to help prevent infecting others with the virus:

• Stay home from work (and children should stay home from school or daycare when sick).
• Avoid close contact with others, especially when coughing or sneezing.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue, then discard the tissue. Or, you can cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve of your shirt, making sure you completely cover the mouth and nose. Wash your hands after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. 
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, like doorknobs, countertops, and mobile phones.

When to see a doctor

For adults, consult your medical provider if:

• You have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• Your symptoms last for longer than 10 days.
• Your symptoms are severe or unusual.
• You are at high risk for complications and have symptoms that may indicate the flu, such as fever, chills, and body aches. High-risk individuals include children under five, older adults (65 years and older), pregnant women, and people with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart problems.  

For children, consult your child’s healthcare provider for professional medical advice if they have the following:

• A fever of 100.4°F or higher in an infant two months or younger
• A high fever (102°F or higher) 
• Blue lips, difficulty breathing, fast breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing
• Severe headache
• Appetite loss with dehydration symptoms such as decreased urination
• Unusual crankiness or sleepiness
• Ear pain
• Worsening symptoms of any kind

If your doctor gives you a prescription medication, you can always use a free SingleCare card to save up to 80% on the cost of your medicine. You can even use SingleCare cards and coupons to save money on over-the-counter (OTC) medications—however, to use a SingleCare card on OTC medicines, you’ll also need a prescription from your physician.

How not to get sick at the first sign of a cold

Published: 05.02.2021

Runny nose, sore throat, cough, rise in temperature… “Well, that cold again!” – we sigh, open the first-aid kit and start drinking, dripping, lubricating, rubbing … We use all possible means indiscriminately. Or we go to the other extreme and do absolutely nothing. After all, everyone knows: if you treat a cold, it will pass in a week, and if not treated, in seven days. We will tell you about 5 typical mistakes in acute respiratory infections and give you 5 correct tips from Evalar on how not to get sick at the first sign of a cold.

How to recognize a cold: the first signs of SARS

The common cold is an acute respiratory disease that most often occurs when infections enter our body and affect the upper respiratory tract. In most cases, viruses cause colds – you can get infected from a sick person when he sneezes or coughs next to you. The virus enters the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, eyes. There are no symptoms immediately after exposure. The incubation period of viruses is on average 2-4 days, individual strains can asymptomatically attack the body for two weeks.

The first symptoms in which you need to start treatment may appear 3-5 days after infection. It could be:

• Weakness, fatigue, headache.

• Chills, feeling of ache in the joints and muscles.

• Cutting in the eyes, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light, lacrimation.

• Sneezing, rhinitis, nasal congestion, decreased sense of smell.

• Perspiration, dry throat, cough.

• Temperature increase.

When one or more symptoms appear, it is better to start therapy immediately in order to alleviate your condition and speed up recovery. The main task of treatment for a viral infection or flu is to help the immune system cope with the causative agent of the disease with the help of properly selected means. The treatment regimen for ARVI and influenza should be made by a doctor. Next, we figure out what to do at the first sign of a cold, and what not to do.

Error #1. Uncontrolled intake of antibiotics.

How many times have they told the world that antibiotics act on bacteria, but they are useless against influenza and SARS viruses! Such drugs can be used if a bacterial infection has joined the viral infection, but only a doctor can prescribe them. Moreover, it is impossible to self-medicate with these remedies when the first signs of a cold have barely appeared. So you do not give the body a chance to form the correct immune response and develop antibodies to infection. In addition, uncontrolled use of antibiotics leads to the fact that sooner or later they cease to help, because bacteria become resistant to them. Self-medication with antibiotics increases the risk of developing side effects from these drugs: allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disorders, drug-induced liver damage, etc.

Mistake #2.

Blind trust in grandmother’s advice.

Milk with soda, iodine and butter, vodka with pepper, onion drops, steam inhalations with potatoes … Folk recipes for colds are apparently invisible, and they are extremely popular, despite the lack of scientific data on effectiveness. Many consider such methods of treatment to be safer than pharmacy “chemistry”. However, miracle drugs and procedures from folk healers can cause allergic reactions, poisoning, burns of the respiratory tract, progression of inflammation and other consequences.

We do not claim that all anti-cold methods from traditional medicine are useless and dangerous. It is necessary to exercise reasonable care and not to apply them without consulting a specialist. Moreover, one cannot independently replace his recommendations with a “grandmother’s approach”.

Mistake #3. Abuse of vasoconstrictor drops.

With a runny nose, many of us resort to the help of such drugs in the first place. But abuse of them threatens with unpleasant consequences. One of them is dependence on vasoconstrictor drops and drug-induced rhinitis. It is based on persistent expansion of the vessels of the nasal mucosa, which swells and blocks the nasal passages. This encourages a person to use drugs again and again, without which he simply cannot breathe normally.

Mistake #4. Cough relief.

A wet cough in acute respiratory infection helps to clear the respiratory tract of sputum and microbes contained in it, so it can not be suppressed with antitussives. On the contrary, when the sputum is viscous and difficult to pass, a specialist may recommend you expectorants. Such drugs help to thin and remove sputum – make the cough productive.

Mistake #5. Insufficient fluid intake.

Drinking plenty of water is one of the main recommendations during an acute respiratory infection. With high temperatures, rapid breathing and increased sweating, we lose moisture that needs to be replenished. In addition, drinking plenty of water contributes to the faster removal of microbial toxins from the body.

Effervescent vitamins and herbal teas will help you solve two problems at once: keep drinking during illness and provide the body with vitamins, minerals and other biologically active substances to maintain immunity and protect against viruses.

If you notice the first signs of a cold in yourself, remember: how to treat them in adults and especially in children should be prescribed by a doctor. Do not make mistakes in the treatment of colds and trust only proven remedies and recommendations! This will make it easier to transfer the infection and avoid complications.

Updated: 01/12/2023

How to distinguish coronavirus from colds and flu

There are several ways to determine what specific disease a person has encountered. Among them, a comparison of symptoms, the timing of the course of the disease, the presence of complications and special laboratory tests.

How to tell it apart from a cold

A cold is an acute respiratory disease that can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. At the initial stage of the development of diseases, there are minimal differences in symptoms from COVID-19. In patients with coronavirus, as well as in those infected with acute respiratory infections, the following are observed:

• weakness;
• elevated body temperature;
• sore throat;
• cough.

Scientists who studied the coronavirus were also able to identify some of the characteristic symptoms of the initial stage of the disease, which do not appear when infected with acute respiratory infections. These are:

• loss of smell and taste;
• Eruption on the lower part of the legs, similar to measles.

However, such phenomena are not observed in all infected people, so their absence does not allow one to unambiguously exclude them from the list of possible diagnoses of COVID-19. But if they are present, the likelihood that painful symptoms are caused by coronavirus increases.

As the disease progresses, it becomes easier to distinguish the coronavirus from the common cold. With a cold, mainly symptoms of a catarrhal nature are observed: muscle aches, runny nose with secretion in large quantities, perspiration and sore throat.

In patients with coronavirus, the following are recorded:

1. Severe dry cough. It occurs in the vast majority of cases, since COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory tract. The patient does not cough at all, or a slight sputum discharge is recorded. With a cold, such a phenomenon as a cough is rare.
2. Shortness of breath and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Occurs due to damage to the lungs. With a cold, they are not affected, so the patient’s breathing remains clear and free.
3. High body temperature. A cold gives an increase of up to 38 degrees, and a coronavirus – up to 40 or more.
4. Nasal congestion. It is difficult for an infected person to breathe, but no liquid secretion is secreted. The appearance of a runny nose indicates a cold, especially in conjunction with sneezing, watery eyes and copious discharge of fluid from the nose.
5. Diarrhea. It is considered a rare symptom, mainly diagnosed in children infected with coronavirus.
6. Conjunctivitis.

If these symptoms appear, immediate hospitalization is required, as complications from coronavirus develop quickly. Self-medication can lead to aggravation of the patient’s condition, and in some cases to death.

How to tell it apart from the flu

Seasonal flu is also similar in symptoms to the coronavirus. However, there are still some differences. First, the flu is characterized by a sharp deterioration in the patient’s condition, and with COVID-19, the symptoms appear gradually, their severity increases.

In the vast majority of those infected, influenza causes a rise in body temperature to 38-39 degrees. With coronavirus, the indicator depends on the form of the course of the disease.

1. With a mild degree of damage to the body, a slight deviation from the norm is recorded – about +37 … +37.5 degrees.
2. In a severe course of the disease, the temperature can rise to 40 and above.

In case of ARVI, the temperature can be lowered with the help of tablets, suspensions and other medicines containing paracetamol or ibuprofen. If a patient has a coronavirus, the usual antipyretic drugs often bring little or no relief. The temperature either does not go down completely, or decreases for a short time, and then again reaches critical values.

Both influenza and COVID-19 are characterized by coughing. However, its type is different. COVID-19 is always accompanied by a dry cough, while the infected person feels shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Influenza is characterized equally as a wet cough with copious sputum, and dry.

Another significant difference between coronavirus and seasonal influenza is the possibility of the disease occurring in the absence of symptoms. The infected person does not experience discomfort and does not even notice that he is sick. But it remains very dangerous for others, as it can infect a large number of people.

Differences in diseases by duration

Symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections appear already 1-4 days after contact with the pathogen. The usual duration of the incubation period for colds is 2-3 days, after which patients begin to feel the first symptoms. Coronavirus needs a longer time to manifest – about 5-14 days. During the incubation period, the unpleasant sensations of the infected do not bother. If he can approximately determine when contact with the carrier occurred, then by the length of the incubation period it will be possible to establish the type of disease.

Coronavirus can also be distinguished by the duration of the course of the disease. With a cold, relief comes as early as 3-7 days. Influenza resolves without complications within 10-14 days. When infected with coronavirus, characteristic symptoms can be observed within 2-4 weeks. The duration of the disease directly depends on the form of the course, the timeliness and correctness of the prescribed treatment, as well as on the general condition of the body and the immune system of the infected person.

Another difference between a standard ARVI and a coronavirus is the likelihood and timing of complications, primarily pneumonia. Coronavirus progresses quickly, so lung damage in severe form can be observed already after 9-15 days after infection. With ARVI, pneumonia also appears, however, with seasonal flu, this complication develops somewhat later. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection. In addition, the degree of lung damage in ARVI is much less, and COVID-19 affects almost completely alveolar-type tissues, which complicates treatment and increases the recovery time.

A reliable way to distinguish coronavirus from other types of acute respiratory viral infections

It is often impossible to make a definite diagnosis simply by comparing the symptoms of influenza and coronavirus, even for experienced doctors. In order to accurately determine the type of disease in patients, it is necessary to conduct special laboratory tests.

You can distinguish coronavirus from influenza by doing the following types of tests:

1. PCR test. Produced under the direction of a doctor. The patient will only need a swab of the throat and nose, in some cases it is allowed to extract another biological fluid – blood, sputum, flushing of water from the bronchi. The resulting material is studied in the laboratory, experts are looking for virus cells in it.