How to distinguish flu from colds in adults

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How to distinguish a common cold from a virus (ARVI): the difference and differences in treatment

Diseases, the cause of which is the hypothermia of the body, called the people "cold." Their course is very similar to a viral infection.

However, there is a difference between these pathologies. And since the treatment for these diseases is different, the doctor should be able to distinguish one from another.

Adequate diagnosis is also needed because under the mask of an ordinary disease, a dangerous influenza virus can hide, the treatment of which requires obligatory medication.

Otherwise, the disease can become complicated and lead to more serious pathologies.

How to determine the difference between a cold and a viral infection

To learn how to distinguish a cold from ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection), you need to have a complete picture of these diseases. Doctors with long experience have got used to call any respiratory tract infection the general term "ARD".

Of course, this is not wrong, but this concept does not at all point to the type of pathogen that provoked the symptoms of the disease. The causative agents of seasonal infections are divided into two groups: bacteria and viruses. This is the cardinal difference between the two diseases.

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All viral infections are part of the ARVI group. These include:

  1. Flu.
  2. Paragripp.
  3. RSV and their subtypes.
  4. Rhinovirus.
  5. Adenovirus.

Symptoms of the flu virus

The flu, which certainly flares up every year with the onset of cold weather, also refers to viruses that affect the respiratory (respiratory) pathways. But the flu can provoke serious complications and is always very difficult.

All acute respiratory-viral diseases have common characteristics. For the emergence of pathology, it is not enough banal hypothermia or overeating ice cream. Infection usually occurs by airborne droplets from a sick person to a healthy one.

Possible and household way of penetration of the infection into the body, that is, through:

  • pieces of furniture;
  • toys;
  • dishes;
  • money bills;
  • food.
But such infection with the flu is much less common. But direct communication with a sick person, which can happen in the service, in public transport, in a store, is most often the cause of infection with the flu.

The incubation period of influenza and respiratory tract viruses is very short. The person begins to feel a malaise about 2-3 days after infection. And the flu symptoms are growing rapidly.

From the first signs, to a sharp deterioration in the condition usually takes about two hours. This is due to the fact that in a favorable environment, pathogenic microorganisms begin to multiply actively. In this case, they affect the mucous epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, which provokes the corresponding symptoms:

  1. watery discharge from the nasal passages;
  2. sore throat;
  3. dry cough;
  4. fever.

The severity of symptoms is directly proportional to the virulence of the infection. With flu, the temperature already on the first day can jump to the level of 39-40 However, with a mild infection, the temperature may not rise. Most often there is a subfebrile condition.

The prodromal period of the disease, when the body has not yet responded to the virus, but the concentration of infection is already high, also causes a deterioration in well-being. The infected person has the following symptoms:

  • general malaise;
  • lethargy;
  • pain in the eyes and tear;
  • nasal congestion in the absence of discharge from it;
  • loss of appetite.

The danger of a viral infection is that "on the heels" behind it the second wave can come bacterial. This is due to the fact that local immunity is weakened by the primary virus, that is, the pathway for pathogenic bacteria is open. They begin to activate on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

That's why there are situations in which a person seems to be beginning to recover, but after a while again feels a deterioration in well-being. However, if the treatment is made adequately, this does not happen.

In patients susceptible to allergies, a viral infection often provokes a hypersensitivity reaction in which even ordinary food can cause allergy.

ARVI, depending on the pathogen, lead to different diseases of the respiratory tract. The doctor can diagnose the following pathologies in the patient:

  1. Pharyngitis.
  2. Rhinitis.
  3. Otitis.
  4. Sinusitis.
  5. Bronchitis.
  6. Tracheitis.
  7. Tonsillitis.
  8. Laryngitis.

What is the common cold and what are its symptoms?

To be able to distinguish a cold (ARI) from a viral infection (ARVI), you need to know the main symptoms of the first and the reasons for its occurrence.

Colds are a consequence of hypothermia of the body, which can be obtained:

  • with freezing of hands and feet;
  • if you ignore the headgear in the cold season;
  • in damp weather;
  • in the draft;
  • when swimming in an open pool.

Under the influence of cold in the human respiratory ways begins to occur a microbial inflammatory process. What are the main characteristics of diseases caused by hypothermia?

The causative agents of the common cold are:

  1. staphylococci;
  2. streptococci;
  3. Haemophilus influenzae.
These microorganisms are present on the mucous membranes of each person, but under appropriate conditions they are activated.

Infecting with a cold can not be prevented, and only very weak people and small children can "catch" a respiratory bacterial infection.

Under the influence of cold, the human immune system experiences stress and refuses to protect the body from the activation of opportunistic bacteria. Their reproduction leads to an infectious disease, which is accompanied by an inflammatory process.

Colds include the following diseases:

  • rhinitis;
  • pharyngitis;
  • sinusitis;
  • any angina.

And most often they arise in those patients who already have a chronic form of these pathologies.

Meanwhile, with strong immunity and in the absence of provoking factors, minor hypothermia is unlikely to provoke the disease.

The incubation period of bacterial infection is quite long (3-14 days). However, if the ARI is triggered by hypothermia, the incubation period may be reduced to 2-3 days. With a cold, the prodromal period, as a rule, is absent.

Disease after hypothermia or SARS can immediately begin with clinical manifestations.

Usually the symptoms of acute respiratory infections are clearly pronounced:

  1. a sore throat;
  2. severe persecution;
  3. nasal obstruction;
  4. Unnecessary, but thick discharge from the nose;
  5. subfebrile temperature (most often) or normal parameters.

But sometimes (very rarely) the disease is not accompanied by local manifestations, and there is only a slight deterioration in the general condition, which the patient can write off for severe fatigue.

Treatment of cold should come immediately. Otherwise, a mild disease can develop into a real bacterial infection, for the elimination of which antibacterial treatment is required.

Moreover, hemolytic streptococcus, which causes most colds, can give serious complications to the heart, kidneys or joints.

Now it became clear what the common cold is different from a viral infection:

  • In ARVI, infection occurs from contact with the patient, ARI is an autoinfection;
  • the prodromal period in ARVI is one day, with ARI it is absent;
  • SARS is characterized by a bright start, the symptoms of colds are usually blurred (with the exception of any one sign);
  • discharge from the nose in ARVI are abundant and liquid, with a cold they are either absent altogether or have a thick consistency.

Methods of treatment of ARVI

In order to prescribe an adequate treatment for a cold, it is important for the doctor to know what it provoked. Why? The answer is very simple: if you prescribe antibiotics to a patient with a viral infection, the drugs will only weaken the immune system of the body, but they will not affect the cause of the disease.

This will lead to the fact that the patient will develop a dysbacteriosis and resistance of pathogenic bacteria present on the mucous throat and nose. The body will lose the ability to resist a viral infection, the disease will be protracted and can result in serious complications.

Treatment of viral infections should take place according to the following scheme: First of all, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs:

  1. Cytovir 3.
  2. Isoprinosine.
  3. Kagocel.
  4. Remantadine.
  5. Interferon.
  6. Viferon.

If the body temperature has increased to 3, and higher, antipyretic medicines are indicated:

  • Cefephecon.
  • Paracetamol.
  • Nyz.
  • Ibuprofen.
  • Nurofen.

In the early stages of influenza with a dry cough, antitussive agents and mucolytics that dilute sputum are required:

  1. Libexin.
  2. Sinecod.
  3. Ambrogen.
  4. Bromhexine.
  5. Mukaltin.

Treatment requires the intake of vitamin complexes and restorative drugs that stimulate the body's resistance.

Drugs that relieve pain and sore throat:

  • Septhotte.
  • Ajicept.
  • Lizobakt.
  • Tantum Verde.
  • Hexoral.
  • Furacilin solution for rinsing.

In addition, it is recommended to perform daily inhalation of the larynx and nasopharynx with saline or mineral water. This procedure is necessary for moisturizing and softening the mucous membrane.

To flush the infection, you need to wash your nose several times a day with salt water. With this procedure, mucus is better excreted from the nasal sinuses, which prevents the development of sinusitis.

The patient needs to provide bed rest, in extreme cases, children should be prohibited moving games.

The patient's room needs to be ventilated several times a day and moistened in it. The patient needs to drink as much as possible, for this are good:

  1. herbal infusions and decoctions;
  2. tea with raspberries;
  3. tea with honey and lemon;
  4. lime infusion;
  5. fruit drinks, fruit drinks and kissels.

Medicamental therapy is recommended to be supported by all kinds of folk remedies. In the course are all acceptable recipes.

The food of the sick person should be rich in vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to eat more garlic and onions.

These products contain phytoncide - a natural antiviral component.

Treatment of colds

Treatment of acute respiratory disease is different from the methods used in ARVI. If a week after starting therapy the patient does not feel relief, then the bacterial infection has joined the virus infection. In this case, the patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs.

With a mild cold, it is sometimes enough to rinse your nose and water it with drops containing antibiotics. With severe rhinitis and swelling of the nasal mucosa, breathing can be improved with vasoconstrictive drops.

To get rid of perspiration and sore throat is possible resorption of Grammidine tablets or irrigation with Bioparox aerosol. The only condition - all these drugs should appoint a doctor.

Cope with colds will help Sprays TeraFlu Lar, Stopangin, Geksoral. The patient shows an abundant drink, thermal compresses on the throat.

In the absence of the effect of local therapy, systemic antibiotics are usually prescribed:

  • Erythromycin.
  • Azithromycin.
  • Amoxiclav.
  • Flemoxin.

This is especially necessary if the disease passes into the stage of bronchitis or tracheitis.

Prevention of ARVI and ARI

Since the reasons for the development of these diseases are different, preventive measures should also be different. However, there are common points.

To prevent an off-season virus, it is necessary:

  1. avoid the place of a large crowd of people;
  2. wear a face mask;
  3. use the means that form a protective film in the nose (Nazoval);
  4. to exclude contacts with sick people;
  5. do preventive vaccinations.

In order not to develop a cold, a person must strengthen his immunity. For this you need:

  • to eat well;
  • to be hardened;
  • Expose the body to sports loads;
  • visit salt caves;
  • often walk in the open air;
  • eradicate bad habits;
  • sleep well.

All these measures are also good for the prevention of ARVI, since strong immunity is a guarantee that, that a small amount of a virus that has got into the body will simply die there and will not be able to provoke ailment.

In conclusion, the expert will tell you how to correctly distinguish between flu and cold.

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How long does an adult have a cold: after how many days passes

If a person feels the first symptoms of a cold, you need to understand what exactly arose: a cold or flu, and how long it will take for treatment.

The first signs of these diseases include:

  • sneezing and coughing,
  • temperature increase,
  • headache,
  • aching joints.

The cold has a softer course unlike the flu. The cold takes a person out of action for several days, and the flu, most often, only takes a few weeks.

Unlike a cold, the flu can lead to serious complications, which are fraught with prolonged hospitalization.

The main manifestations of the common cold

Sore throat is the first sign of a cold, discomfort disappears about the third day. In parallel with the uncomfortable sensations of the throat, a person appears:

  1. nasal congestion,
  2. cough,
  3. rhinorrhea.
All these symptoms go away in four to five days.

In adults, there is rarely a fever in the background of a cold, but a subfebrile temperature is possible. Children are more likely to suffer from fever with colds than adults.

With a cold from the nasal cavity, watery liquid is released for the first 1-2 days. Later, the separated becomes thicker and acquires a darker shade. This kind of mucus is a natural phenomenon, not signifying the activation of a bacterial infection.

As a rule, the cold lasts about 7-8 days. In the first 3 days a person is considered infectious for other people. Since the probability of transmission of a virus is high, one should adhere to bed rest and minimize contact with others.

If the symptoms do not pass for more than a week, most likely a cold has been added with a bacterial infection and antibiotics should be started.

Sometimes cold symptoms are confused with sinusitis or allergic rhinitis - pollinosis. If the symptoms decrease rapidly and the improvement comes, you can say that it is not an allergy, but an ordinary cold.

When the condition remains unchanged after a week - you should consult your doctor.

Symptoms of influenza

Regardless of whether the person is sick with pork or usual flu, the symptomatology is almost identical. The flu takes place in a more severe form, and its symptoms increase more actively.

Key influenza symptoms are:

  • pain and discomfort in the throat,
  • fever,
  • headache,
  • aches in the joints and muscles,
  • nasal congestion,
  • cough.
Swine flu has its own additional manifestations - diarrhea and vomiting.

Most of the symptoms go away in 2-5 days. A typical complication of the flu is pneumonia, which most often develops in the elderly and children.

In case of dyspnea, it is important to inform the doctor how long it continues. A characteristic sign of pneumonia is recurrent fever. A person experiences a repeated rise in temperature the very next day after her recession, as well as shortness of breath. It is necessary to tell the doctor about manifestations of the disease and about how long they continue.

Viruses penetrate the human body through the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth and nose. Each time you touch these areas, you need to wash your hands to prevent infection.

To determine the presence of the disease, you should measure body temperature. Often the flu runs like a cold, accompanied by malaise, coughing and stuffiness of the nose.

With a cold, the temperature rarely exceeds 38 degrees. If we are talking about influenza, then the temperature is related to the activity of viruses, so a person feels weak and broken. The flu is also characterized by an aching in the muscles.

When the flu is observed:

  1. a sharp decline in strength,
  2. exhaustion,
  3. lethargy,
  4. weakness.

The above-mentioned phenomena in the treatment go away after 7-15 days.

With the flu, there are frequent and strong discomfort in the chest. Cold does not cause such feelings.

Complications of influenza can be:

  • sinusitis
  • inflammation of the middle ear,
  • bronchitis,
  • pneumonia.

Treatment

In therapy, such drugs are used:

  1. antihistamines,
  2. anti-edema,
  3. anti-inflammatory
  4. analgesics (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen),
  5. antiviral and anti-cold medications.

It is best to start taking medications in the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms.

When to see a doctor

If a person has already started to suffer from a cold or flu, tell your doctor about the presence of such symptoms:

  1. Persistent fever. It may indicate the appearance of a bacterial infection that needs treatment,
  2. Pain on swallowing. Inflammatory process in the throat with flu or cold causes discomfort, and with the development of angina The pain in the throat is significantly increased, which requires immediate treatment under control doctor,
  3. Recurrent cough. When cough manifestations do not disappear for 2 or 3 weeks, it can speak of the development of bronchitis, for the elimination of which it is necessary to use antibiotics.
  4. Prolonged nasal congestion and headaches. When the outflow of fluid from the sinuses is violated, sinusitis begins. This disease is typical for allergies and colds.

The recurrent cough is caused by the flow of mucus from the nasopharynx, as well as sinusitis. Asthma also provokes this kind of cough. For the treatment of asthma use anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and bronchodilators.

If there are pains around the face and eyes, and also a thick discharge from the nose of a green or yellow shade, do not pass more than 7 days, then we can talk about a bacterial infection and taking antibiotics.

Sometimes urgent medical attention may be required. Signs of a critical condition in adults are:

  • Severe pain in the chest,
  • Dizziness,
  • Dyspnea,
  • A strong migraine,
  • Confusion of consciousness,
  • Frequent vomiting.

Signs of a critical condition are:

  1. Cyanotic face shade,
  2. Rapid or shortness of breath,
  3. Lack of fluid,
  4. Reduction and drowsiness of activity,
  5. High irritability,
  6. Improvement and sudden worsening of symptoms,
  7. Fever and rash.

Disease Prevention

The simplest way to prevent influenza, swine flu and colds is thorough hand washing. Hands should be washed with warm water and soap for 20 seconds.

To prevent colds, you can do the vaccination. As a rule, the rise in seasonal influenza activity is recorded between December and March.

Doctors recommend that you perform the vaccination in October or November. A few weeks after vaccination, antibodies are produced in the blood that protect the body against cold and flu.

If a person gets sick with the flu, it is best to see a doctor. Appropriate antiviral medicines will be prescribed, which can also be used for preventive purposes after contact with a sick person.

It is important to monitor the frequency and thoroughness of hand washing, as well as avoid contact with people who are sick with respiratory diseases. To protect yourself from colds and flu, you need to get vaccinated and consult a doctor about antiviral drugs. Video in this article will answer the main questions about ARVI and cold.

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How to tell if the flu is cold. Cold and flu - what's the difference?

All people occasionally get colds. And, by the way, in our country very rarely they turn to the doctor for help. This is why not everyone knows how to distinguish between flu and cold.

A few words about colds

At the very beginning I want to say that most people come across colds, not flu. Surprisingly, today there are 250 varieties of viruses that can cause this ailment. Doctors say that a healthy adult can catch an average of two to four times a year. Everything depends on the body's resistance. Children are more likely to get sick. After all, their resistance is much lower. Breasts are sick even more often. They may have a runny nose from 6 to 10 times in 12 calendar months. Also it should be noted that those who are in different collectives are more often ill: in kindergartens, at school, at work. After all, it's easier for them to catch an infection.

A few words about the flu

It is important to understand how to distinguish influenza from colds. Features of influenza - that's what you need to first tell. So, this is a very contagious and rapidly spreading disease. It strikes the body more strongly than the catarrhal disease. It's also worth mentioning that you should not underestimate the flu. After all, in about a third of cases, it flows into a different, more complex disease. It can be, for example, a genyantritis or an inflammation of lungs. Beware of this disease is, above all, young children, the elderly, as well as people with emaciated immunity. It is much more difficult for them to cope with it. Also, the period of adaptation after recovery will be more difficult.

The first difference: the appearance of disease

How to distinguish flu from cold and not make a mistake? The main thing here is to pay attention to the appearance of the disease itself. After all, if it is a cold, its symptoms grow slowly. First there is a runny nose, there may be a swelling in the throat. Only after a while, the temperature may appear, and the patient's condition will worsen. If we are talking about the flu, this disease manifests itself with lightning speed. All symptomatology is usually immediately, brightly and acutely.

The second difference: temperature

The next tip is how to distinguish the flu from colds: examine the temperature indicators. If it is an ARVI, it will not immediately appear. The rates will rise later than other symptoms. In addition, the numbers most often do not cross the mark of 3, ° C. It takes all a couple of days. This temperature can be "carried on your feet although this is highly discouraged.

If it is a case of influenza, body temperature indicators are rising rapidly. The figures are often frightening: 39-40 ° C. The temperature lasts about three days. Man can not work effectively in this state.

The third difference: sensations

The following advice how to distinguish the flu from ARVI, cold: you need to follow your feelings. They will be significantly different. So, if it is a cold disease, a person can have a weakness, a slight chill, fatigue. Expressed pains will not be. The patient will be able to serve himself without any problems.

If we are talking about the flu, the patient will have a chill in the whole body, fever. There may also be pain in the temples, eyes. Thinking activity falls. A person can develop photophobia.

The difference is the fourth: a runny nose

The next clue is how to tell the flu from a cold: you need to see if the patient has a runny nose. His presence can tell a lot. So, if he appeared first, before the manifestation of other symptoms - this is most likely a cold. Also at this time, usually stuffy nose, there is a puffiness. Allocations are strong, can change color. Often also watery eyes, but there is no conjunctivitis. The patient will also often sneeze.

If it's flu, the cold will not appear earlier than on the second day of the illness. Or it may not be at all. Eyes can only be watered in case of conjunctivitis. Sneezing will be rare.

The fifth difference: the throat

What else is the difference between a flu and flu? So, the state of the throat can tell about it. If there is a cold, it will be friable throughout the entire period of the disease, red. In this case, pain can be of any strength. Coughing is often abrupt. At first dry, then wet - when there is a coughing up of phlegm.

In the case of influenza, the back wall of the throat, as well as the palate, is most often affected. Later, after about a day, there is a painful cough that causes pain in the chest. It is very long in time: 2-3 weeks. Often develops into an additional disease - bronchitis.

The sixth difference: the digestive system

Surprisingly, the human gastrointestinal tract also reacts to the flu-like state. At this time, patients often have diarrhea, less often - vomiting. With cold disease, this happens very rarely.

The seventh difference: the duration of the disease

The last difference between a cold and the flu is the duration of the disease itself. The course of the disease will be different, this is clear. The flu will last for about 10 days (during this time, the body temperature is normalized). The first four of them are the acute period when the patient has a fever, and all the symptoms will be bright. After this time, for another couple of weeks, headache, insomnia, irritability may persist. Also, low performance, and fatigue - high.

If it's a cold, all the symptoms will be in a week. In this acute state will be only one day, usually not the first, but the second-third. Then everything will slowly decline. Workability is maintained for the entire period of the disease. However, it is better to spend this time in bed. Also after ARI there is no asthenic syndrome. Those. after recovery, a person will not feel a sense of weakness, fatigue.

Treatment of colds

How to distinguish influenza from ARVI and what is the difference in their treatment regimens? If it is a cold, then at the first symptoms of its manifestation you need to start taking action. So, if pershit throat, it must be started immediately rinse. If the runny nose - you need to wash your nose and dig it with healing drops. So, it's good to clean your nose with a so-called shower. It is necessary to take a lot of warm drinks, the food should be easily digestible. The temperature can not be brought down until it has passed beyond the level of 38 ° C (the body is still trying to cope with the infection itself). It should also be noted that let the patient's condition and not the worst, yet at this time it is better to limit activity. So it will be easier to cope with the symptoms and bring the moment of recovery closer.

Treatment of influenza

How else can you tell if the flu is cold? What is the difference between flu and symptoms? By the methods of getting rid of him! In this case, the patient should immediately go to bed, because the symptoms will be acute, bright. Performance will be very low. And besides, the sick person instantly becomes the carrier of a dangerous infection. Self-medication in this case can be dangerous, so it's best to call the doctor's house. He will prescribe the right drugs. Important: antibiotics for the flu will not help. So you do not need to exacerbate the course of the disease and the condition of your body.

As a small conclusion, I want to say that, of course, it is important to know how to distinguish the flu from ARVI. But it is best to ask the doctor for help with the first symptoms of any illness. This is the only way to help your body deal with the problem much faster.

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How to tell if the flu is cold?

Answers:

KatyaHa)

a sharp rise in temperature and an aching in the bones. still sometimes the eyes ache and get wet with the flu.

Marina Krylova

Go to the doctor

Ilonka

the cold is an easy cough, sore throat and runny nose is light and fever. .
and influenza e that the temperature is very high and the week does not go away.. it is a purulent cough.. it is a sinusitis due to a strong cold

Evgeny Lebedev

Hand over your viruses to the analysis, and you will receive an answer in 10 days.

Ekaterina Anashkina

With the flu, there may be no runny nose and cough, and the temperature will necessarily be from 39. And when the common cold is the opposite.

Vladimir Koshkin

"Cold" is a popular name for a group of viral diseases under the common name of ARVI. Influenza is also a viral disease, but it is more severe and has its own peculiarities - an acute onset with a high temperature / 38-40 g. /, headache, muscle pains, "twisting" of joints, photophobia, and influenza - stacks a person in bed / unlike many ARI, in which some even go to work - infect employees. More often than in ARVI gives complications - bronchitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, etc. due to the attachment of secondary / bacterial / infection /. Do not be ill!!!

Sonia

With the flu (this is a viral disease), the temperature rises instantly, it breaks the entire body, the general condition is a bad weakness. The cold "develops" more slowly, but this does not mean that the common cold is garbage. And an ordinary cold can give pneumonia!

Elena Semenova

Flu does not easily leak. Immediately high fever, on the first day no rhinitis, but the throat is fiery red. Severe general intoxication - everything hurts, aches, weakness. On the second day, the rhinitis also appears. This is a malicious virus. From it, and all the sores that are in the body, exacerbated. And almost the same is treated + means of specific prophylaxis such as arbidol.

FiL xXx

Human INFLUENZA (influenza), acute viral disease: fever, headaches and muscle pains, cough, runny nose. Transmitted with droplets of mucus through the air when coughing, sneezing, talking. Periodically, there are epidemics of influenza.

How to distinguish angina from SARS and colds: throat with infections, photo

How to distinguish angina from ARVI? The question is quite relevant, given that these diseases are very common and very similar.

The pain in the throat is familiar to all people, this can be said with certainty. However, the reasons for this state are quite numerous.

And the symptoms of diseases in which such a condition is observed are so similar to each other that it is sometimes very difficult for a doctor to make a correct diagnosis.

Meanwhile, angina most often has a bacterial origin, and acute respiratory-viral infections refer to viral diseases.

To understand the causes of inflammatory processes in the throat, you need to have an idea of ​​how the human pharynx is arranged. This is best shown by the photo.

The throat is formed from muscle tissue. In this area there is a crossing of the respiratory and digestive systems.

How the throat is arranged

The walls of the larynx are covered with lymphadenoid tissue. Large formations are represented by tonsils (see photo). These organs are part of a single lymphadenoid ring, which protects the human immune system from penetration of pathogenic microflora.

Palatine tonsils are located in the oropharynx on its side walls and are also an important link in the lymphadenoid ring. There are palatine tonsils from 20 depressions, called "lacunae" (see photo). Lacunas are necessary for purification of tonsils, which also take an active part in the proper functioning of the human immune system.

In the throat there are many nerve endings associated with vital organs and systems:

  1. heart;
  2. kidneys;
  3. liver;
  4. respiratory tract.

Therefore, a malfunction in the work of the tonsils can lead to the development of all sorts of complications of other important organs.

Characteristics of angina and ARVI

Symptoms of angina are as follows:

  • increase in body temperature to 38 ° C and above;
  • general weakness and fatigue;
  • many patients have pain in the lumbar region;
  • soreness of joints and muscles;
  • headache;
  • dry mouth;
  • pain when swallowing;
  • enlarged lymph nodes in the submaxillary region.

Pain from the throat can spread to the ears and even the neck.

  1. If the doctor during the examination finds that the palatine arches and tonsils are much red, swollen and covered with a mucous layer, then the patient has a catarrhal angina.
  2. If the tonsils clearly visible large enough whitish-yellow dots (see photo) - it is a question of follicular angina. That is, in the follicles there is a suppuration and accumulation of lymphoid tissue under the mucous membrane.
  3. If on tonsils there are some filmy raids with a yellowish shade, spreading either over the entire surface or by locus locality, the doctor diagnoses the patient lacunar angina.

It is characteristic that with lacunar angina the resulting raids do not leave the palatine tonsils. Therefore, they can easily be removed with special cotton buds or tampons.

After removing the plaque, the surface of the palatine tonsils acquires a pink color and a smooth surface (see photo).

Bleeding is not completely absent. It is for this reason that lacunar angina can be distinguished from the disease that occurs with diphtheria.

Why there is a sore throat?

The throat can hurt for various reasons. That's why you can not treat until the doctor diagnoses and determines these reasons. ARVI occurs when the virus has penetrated the body, and angina most often develops against a background of bacterial infection. But for an angina, education on the tonsils of pus is typical, which is not observed in ARVI.

Visually diagnose and determine the type of infection the doctor can not. To determine the nature of the cold or sore throat, the doctor should take a swab from the throat of the patient for further laboratory testing.

  • Angina differs from acute respiratory viral infection in that its temperature is rather stubborn, but the pain in ARVI is not very intense.
  • With angina, the soreness is so strong that the patient absolutely can not eat or drink.
  • With a respiratory viral infection, the temperature does not last long. Often, it is enough just competently similar antibiotic, as in a day or two the temperature completely drops.
  • Pain in the throat with sore throat is scratching and sulking. Often the patient has a burning sensation and excessive dryness.
  • With a sore throat can hurt only on one side. If a patient has acute respiratory disease, inflammation and pain spreads to the entire area of ​​the larynx, as in the photo.

How to distinguish infectious angina from colds

First you need to examine the patient's throat. You can do it even at home. All that is needed for inspection is a good source of light and a tea spoon. The patient should turn to face light (for this purpose you can use a flashlight) and open your mouth.

Meanwhile, the second person with the help of a teaspoon clamps the middle of the tongue, almost near the root. Particular attention during examination should be given to the tonsils. With angina, the tonsils will be red and you can see purulent sores on them.

Usually these small sores (approximately with buckwheat grain) and are presented in the form of white and yellow dots, as in the photo. The purulent formations on the tonsils grow quite quickly, after which they are just as quickly opened, so this moment can easily be missed.

With respiratory viral infection, such abscesses on the tonsils are not present, however the throat, or rather its posterior wall, is red. Redness can be seen on almond archs, on them you can observe a mesh pattern.

So, the cold sore throat can be distinguished by the state of the throat. Meanwhile, this difference is not the only one, but the main one, which can be noticed visually.

Localization of the focus of inflammation in angina occurs in the tonsils, and there are a lot of reasons for this disease.

  1. The most banal of them is the usual hypothermia.
  2. However, the disease can be of a viral nature.
  3. Often a provoking factor is poor immunity.

The causative agents of angina are the following pathogens:

  • Staphylococci.
  • Spindle-shaped rod (see photo).
  • Viral infections, classical viral angina is possible.
  • Anaerobic microbes.
  • Candidiasis.
  • Pneumococci.

Angina is sometimes called acute tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In the modern world, there are many factors, as a result of which the probability of getting a sore throat increases several times. These include:

  1. The atmosphere is highly charged.
  2. Regular exposure to drafts or in a damp room.
  3. Low immunity.
  4. Dental problems, for example, caries.
  5. Mechanical injuries of the tonsils.
  6. High air temperature.

It turns out that both angina and cold have the same reasons. But if on the tonsils you can observe the presence of pustules, it means that it is a question of angina, the temperature at which sometimes reaches 40. The disease is not often accompanied by a sensation of aches in bones and joints.

Meanwhile, with a respiratory-viral infection, muscles and joints can also get sick. But, as it was said above, the temperature does not last for a long time, after which the patient has symptoms of acute rhinitis and cough.

So how do you distinguish angina from a cold or a viral infection? Even the therapist often makes an erroneous diagnosis and, taking a sore throat for ARVI, prescribes treatment corresponding to a respiratory infection, which in this case can not be effective.

Difficulties in treating angina

With angina, the intake of antibacterial drugs should be combined with an hourly rinse of the throat. High temperature can be difficult to knock down even with the help of strong antipyretic medications.

The complexity of the situation is also in the fact that the pustules on the tonsils are eventually opened, which causes the patient a sharp unbearable pain. At the same time the disease goes into a purulent stage.

With this development of events, antibiotic therapy and rinses are indispensable. Angina in contrast to acute respiratory-viral infection is dangerous for its severe complications. In addition, the disease can go to a chronic stage. The only way to avoid all these consequences is the course of antibiotic therapy.

The analysis of blood and urine will make it possible to distinguish angina from respiratory infection. Acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis are characterized by the fact that when they occur, the leukocyte formula changes. The concentration of white blood cells and ESR in angina is dramatically increasing.

The reader will benefit from additional information on the treatment of angina in the video in this article.

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