An acute respiratory viral infection is commonly referred to as what is popularly known as the common cold. Although the main symptoms and methods of treatment of acute respiratory viral infections in adults have been known for a long time, there are still cases when patients develop complications due to the fact that the therapy was not started in time or included incorrect recommendations.
The main signs of acute respiratory viral infection in adults
Cause the common cold viruses. Disease-causing microorganisms affect the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets and sometimes through dirty hands and household items. The incubation period of acute respiratory viral infection in adults can last from 1 to 10 days, but mostly 3-5 days.
It is quite easy to understand that the disease has begun. Although its signs and manifest gradually, they can not go unnoticed. As a rule, the first symptom of acute respiratory disease and acute respiratory viral infection in adults is a swelling in the throat. The discomfort is obvious, but the patient still has doubts whether he actually got sick or not. After a sadness, there is a runny nose and a strong sneeze. And a couple of days later the patient begins to cough. As for the heat, it may not be. Although in most cases the temperature rises to 37.5-38 degrees.
There are other signs characteristic of the disease. Among them:
- headache;
- lacrimation;
- redness of the eyes;
- weakness;
- prostration;
- muscle pain ;
- chills;
- reddening of the mucosa in the throat area;
- inflammation of the cervical or behind-the-back lymph nodes, which also hurt with pressure.
In some cases, upset stomach symptoms, nausea and vomiting, as well as conjunctivitis may be added to all of the above symptoms.
Than to treat an ORVI in an adult?
Since viruses cause disease, it needs to be treated with antiviral drugs, which are designed specifically for the destruction of pathogens. The most popular and effective are such medicines:
- Viferon;
- Arbidol;
- Kagocel;
- Oseltamivir;
- Remantadine;
- Zanamivir;
- Anaferon;
- Isoprinosine;
- Grogrinosine;
- Ingavirin;
- Tyloron;
- Amiksin;
- Lavomax.
To cure ARVI in an adult as soon as possible, it is recommended to take immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, expectorant drugs in parallel with antiviral drugs. Extremely useful:
- abundant drinking;
- washing the nose;
- warming up the nose;
- rinsing;
- inhalation.
All patients at the time of treatment should adhere to bed rest.
In addition, the body will be supported by folk remedies - herbal decoctions and infusions based on such plants:
- chamomile;
- the root of aira;
- rose hips;
- calendula;
- plantain;
- strawberries;
- nettle;
- pine needles;
- sage;
- linden trees;
- cranberries;
- carrot tops;
- grains of parsley.
Antibiotics for treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in adults
Many believe that antibiotics are the right remedy for colds. But this is one of the biggest misconceptions. Their reception is expedient only if the disease is provoked by the activity of bacteria. In all other cases, potent drugs will only weaken the immune system, but recovery will not bring one step closer.
Treatment with antibacterial agents of ARVI, acute respiratory disease or influenza is justified only if the pathogeny of bacterial origin was added to the underlying disease on the background of a decrease in immunity. The main indications for taking antibiotics for colds are the following:
- chronic inflammation of the middle ear;
- purulent otitis media;
- laryngotracheitis;
- purulent sinusitis;
- quinsy;
- sinusitis ;
- abscess;
- phlegmon.