Acute upper respiratory tract infection (cold)
Acute upper respiratory tract infection is referred to as upper respiratory tract infection, also known as cold, is a disease of acute inflammation of the nose, throat and pharynx caused by viruses or bacteria. It occurs in winter and spring. Cold, rain and overexertion are common triggers. It is commonly known as “cold”.
Symptoms
The onset of the disease is rapid, with a stuffy, runny nose and sneezing. Itchy or sore throat, coughing, etc. In mild cases, low fever and chills; in severe cases, fever and headache, generalized aches and pains, weakness, hoarseness, etc. There are usually no obvious signs. There may be congestion of the nose, pharynx and tonsils, swollen submandibular lymph nodes, no physical signs in the lungs, and increased or normal total white blood cell count on blood check. Measles, scarlet fever, rheumatoid fever and other acute infectious diseases may show symptoms of upper sensory symptoms in the early stage must be distinguished, and must also be distinguished from influenza. It is easy to complicate bronchitis, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, nephritis and other diseases. Chen Zhihua, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ningbo First Hospital
Why is hoarseness easy to occur after a cold?
After a cold, there is a virus invasion, followed by bacterial infection, which can easily cause acute inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa, and if it invades the vocal cords, the vocal cords become congested and edematous; in addition, the laryngeal mucosa becomes congested and edematous, the secretion increases, thickens and does not come out easily, and adheres to the surface of the vocal cords, so that the opening or closing of the vocal cords movement becomes obstructed. Therefore, it is easy to have hoarseness after a cold.
Treatment of cold seven methods.
1, cold headache, with a clean towel placed in a basin, wet with an appropriate amount of hot boiling water, slightly wrung to remove the water, folded flat pressure on the patient’s eyes, nose or head and neck of the wind pool points and other parts, can reduce the symptoms.
2. 25 ml of wine, boil it in a pot, evaporate the alcohol, then beat 1 egg, stir it up and add 1 spoon of sugar. Take it with boiled water and drink it, then cover and rest, the next day the symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat can be significantly reduced or disappear, and some drink once, the cold can be effective.
3, 1 pear, ginger 25 grams, both cut into thin slices, add water 1 bowl, decoction, once finished, the day effective.
4, with 100 grams of white onion, ginger 3 slices, decoction or boiling water to take. Also use 20 grams of white onion, 5 slices of ginger, 1 spoon of sugar, a pinch of tea leaves, and 1 bowl of water, decoction.
5. 20 peanut shells, 3 white onions (with beard), rinse with water, put them in a pot, roll in an appropriate amount of cold water, pour boiling and fry for 15 minutes on a civil fire, strain out the soup, drink it while it is hot, add clothes and cover in time to make the head and body sweat slightly. If there is vomiting or nausea, add 4 slices of ginger to this formula and decoct together. If there is also sore throat and cough, add several slices of duck pear when decocting.
6. Use musk pain relief cream or musk wind chasing cream (also use wound and damp pain relief cream) to treat various colds externally. Method: Take 5×5 cm of musk paste two, and a little of the powder in the quick-acting wind capsule, evenly sprinkled on the paste, respectively, on the two feet of the Chung Quan acupuncture point, once a day, massage 2-3 minutes, general colds can be reduced or cured in just 1 to 3 days.
7, some people suffering from colds and do not want to take medicine, available wine bath method. That is, in the patient’s joints and other places, such as below the ear, both sides of the neck, armpits, inner arms, wrists, thighs, inner knees, ankles on both sides, feet, etc., with gauze dipped in wine (high concentration of wine) back and forth wipe 30 to 40 times, and then covered with a sleep can be better. This method is especially suitable for women who have a cold during pregnancy and cannot take medicine.
Six methods to prevent colds.
1. Cut garlic into thin strips and stuff it into the nostrils to prevent colds.
2, often at night with 10 dates, 5 pieces of ginger decoction tea, will increase the body’s ability to get cold, can prevent colds and other respiratory diseases.
3.If the flu is prevalent, you can usually heat vinegar or splash vinegar on the heater, and the vapor emitted can prevent the flu.
4.With winter mulberry leaves and crushed chrysanthemum, it can clear the head and eyes and cure the flu. Winter mulberry leaves and crushed chrysanthemum for pillow core, so that people’s minds fresh, but also to drive the wind, to prevent colds.
5, wind oil essence rubbing human middle, the sun, the Hall of Indigo and other points, can prevent colds (also prevent heatstroke).
6, influenza is caused by the influenza virus, the six gods pill has a significant role in getting the virus. Adults take 3 times a day, 10 capsules each time.
What kind of disease is a cold?
Cold, including the common cold and influenza.
The common cold is an acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract such as the nose, nasopharynx and throat, so it is often diagnosed as acute nasopharyngitis, acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, etc. It is also often collectively referred to as acute upper respiratory tract infection, referred to as “upper sensation”. This disease is a common clinical disease, multi-morbidity, the incidence is high. It can occur throughout the year, and is most common in winter and spring. It can occur at any age, with the highest incidence in children. It is often sporadic and can occasionally cause epidemics.
Influenza is an acute respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. It is spread mainly through droplets and direct contact and is highly contagious, often resulting in widespread or even worldwide pandemics.
What are the causes of influenza?
The causes of colds can be analyzed in terms of both the pathogens and the body’s defenses.
1. Pathogens
Various viruses and bacteria can cause upper respiratory tract infections, especially viruses, which account for more than 90% of primary infections. After the virus infection, the upper respiratory tract mucosa lost resistance, bacteria can take advantage of the opportunity to invade and complicate the more serious bacterial infections.
Among the common viruses, the cold caused by rhinovirus accounts for about 50% of the total number of colds, coronavirus accounts for about 15%-20%, adenovirus accounts for about 10%, coxsackievirus, echovirus and other enteroviruses account for about 10%, respiratory syncytial virus accounts for about 5%-10%, and other influenza-like viruses.
Common bacterial infections with hemolytic streptococcus is the most common, followed by pneumococcus, staphylococcus, H. influenzae, etc.
1.Body defense ability
The occurrence and development of upper respiratory tract infections depends not only on the invasion of viruses or germs, but is also closely related to the body’s defenses. This defense ability is largely affected by physical exercise, nutritional status and hygiene habits, with strong defense ability, even when encountering pathogens are not easy to invade. People who are malnourished and/or lack of exercise are prone to colds, especially in children with indigestion and rickets, who often have severe symptoms. In seasons of changeable climate such as spring and autumn/winter, epidemics are easily caused by the reduced ability of most people to adapt and defend their respiratory tract.
How is the flu spread?
It has been believed that the pathway of transmission of cold pathogens is mainly through airborne droplets. In recent years, some foreign scholars have concluded through experimental studies that colds are not transmitted exclusively through the air, but mainly through direct hand-to-hand contact, at least for colds caused by rhinoviruses and respiratory fusion viruses.
Professor Jan of Virginia State University in the United States has done three kinds of experiments that may spread colds.
(1) placing a donor and recipient of a cold virus in the same room for 72 hours and placing a fence between them to prevent mutual hand-to-hand contact to observe the transmission of small particle aerosols.
(2) Sitting a cold donor and several recipients around a small table and allowing respiratory secretions from the donor’s coughing, sneezing and talking to be sprayed onto the recipients to observe the transmission of large particle aerosols.
(3) Contaminated their own hands with respiratory secretions from the cold donors, then touched the hands of the recipients, and then let the recipients touch their nose and eyes with their already contaminated hands in order to observe the spread by direct contact.
The results of the experiment were: 10 small particles of aerosol recipients did not have a case of cold; 12 large particles of aerosol recipients had only 1 person with a cold; and 15 direct contact with the hands of the recipients, there were 11 people with a cold. It can be presumed that direct contact is an important way of cold pathogen transmission.
What are the typical symptoms of cold?
The period from the infection to the clinical appearance of symptoms is called the incubation period. The incubation period of a person with a cold is usually 1 to 3 days. After one to two days, as the inflammation progresses to the pharynx and larynx, sore throat, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, swallowing difficulties, cough, hoarseness may occur in severe cases, and if there is no secondary bacterial infection, there is little sputum, which is white and mucous. In combination with conjunctivitis, eye pain, lacrimation and photophobia may also occur. In addition to the above symptoms, there are often systemic symptoms of varying severity, such as chills, fever, general weakness, lumbago, myalgia, abdominal distension, poor appetite, and even vomiting and diarrhea. In some patients, herpes simplex may also appear on the mouth and lips. Most of these symptoms disappear naturally within 5 to 10 days.
Who are the most common people with colds?
Everyone has the possibility of catching a cold under any circumstances, and each person has an average of about 2 to 5 colds per year. The most common groups are
(1) People with general malnutrition.
(2) Those who are immunocompromised.
(3) Tumor patients during radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
(4) Patients with certain chronic diseases with long-term application of immunosuppressive drugs.
(5) Infants and children.
(6) Elderly people.
What are the prevalence factors of influenza?
The prevalence factors of influenza include.
(1) Cold seasons and weather changes, such as winter, spring and late summer/early fall, are good seasons for colds.
(2) Overexertion.
(3) irritation by cold and rain.
(4) Smoking.
(5) Decreased peripheral blood count during radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
What are the common types of colds?
Colds are customarily divided into viral colds and bacterial colds.
Viral colds include the common cold, influenza and viral pharyngitis.
Bacterial colds include: bacterial pharyngotonsillitis.
Why is the cold the most common disease in humans?
Colds are the most common and frequent disease in humans. According to statistics, adults suffer from colds 3 to 4 times a year, and children up to 6 times or more. 36% of employees’ absenteeism and 67% of students’ sick leave are caused by colds. According to the World Health Organization, at least 2 million people die from colds every year. Because of the wide variety of cold viruses, large variation, specific immunity is not consolidated, so the ideal vaccine and drugs with special efficacy have not been found, and the treatment is still in the stage of “allopathic” treatment. Therefore, a person may have a cold repeatedly within a short period of time.
Why can’t we take colds lightly?
Because colds are common and frequent, and the symptoms of common colds are light, they are easily ignored and people think that “a cold is not a disease and can be cured without treatment”. In fact, the cold should not be underestimated, and should be treated promptly and actively prevented. It is the “source of all diseases” and has a great impact on people’s health. Especially for infants and children, upper respiratory tract infections can easily lead to bronchitis and even pneumonia, or even death.
People who often suffer from colds, the body resistance again decreased, can be secondary to a variety of diseases, such as complications of acute nephritis, myocarditis, or rheumatism, etc.. In addition, the early manifestations of certain acute infectious diseases are very similar to the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, such as measles, poliomyelitis, epidemic encephalomyelitis, etc., and are therefore easily misdiagnosed. At the same time, children with colds are also prone to the combination of some acute infectious diseases. Therefore, the cold should not be taken lightly, must be actively prevented, timely treatment, especially for children suffering from the cold should be in the process of timely treatment, careful observation, to prevent the development of other diseases.
Who are the people who should pay special attention to the prevention of colds?
Because the cold is very harmful to the following five kinds of people, so special attention should be paid to prevent it.
(1) People with heart disease.
(2) Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis, obstructive emphysema, bronchial asthma and patients with pulmonary heart disease.
(3) Infants and children.
(4) The elderly.
(5) Pregnant women, especially those within the third trimester of pregnancy.
What are the changes in laboratory tests in patients with influenza?
Blood picture: for viral infections, the white blood cell count is normal or low and the lymphocyte ratio is elevated; for bacterial infections, the white blood cell count is often increased, with neutrophilia and leftward nuclear shift.
Determination of viruses and viral antigens: such as by immunofluorescence, serological diagnosis, isolation and identification of viruses, etc., to determine the type of virus and to distinguish viral and bacterial infections.
Bacterial culture: to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial infections and determine the type of bacteria.
What diseases have early symptoms similar to a cold?
A typical cold has mild symptoms, a short duration of illness, and a tendency to heal itself, usually returning to normal in 7 to 10 days, but its clinical manifestations often lack characteristics. The early symptoms of certain diseases, especially infectious diseases, are only fever, headache, malaise and mild respiratory symptoms, which are similar to the flu and can be easily misdiagnosed, resulting in delayed illness, so we must be vigilant.
These diseases include.
(1) measles.
(2) Pediatric poliomyelitis.
(3) Epidemic encephalomyelitis.
(4) mumps
(5) scarlet fever.
(6) epidemic B encephalitis.
(7) Whooping cough, etc.
How to treat colds?
Cold has a tendency to heal itself, the course of the disease is about 7 days, in the absence of special treatment means, cold treatment focuses on symptomatic treatment, reduce symptoms, shorten the course of the disease, and promote early recovery. Treatment methods, including non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment two aspects.
(1) Non-pharmacological treatment
You should rest in bed, get enough sleep, drink more water, eat a liquid or semi-liquid, light, high-protein diet, quit smoking and alcohol, maintain a certain temperature and humidity in the indoor environment and pay attention to ventilation, and reduce going out and physical activities. The above measures can significantly shorten the course of the disease, prevent the prolongation of the disease, and facilitate early recovery.
(2) Drug treatment
①Treatment of fever (see 24 questions).
Symptomatic treatment: If there are obvious respiratory symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, lacrimation, 1% ephedrine nasal drops, 2 to 4 drops each time, 3 times a day, and can be taken orally Kaminergic 10 mg, once a night or paracetamol 4 to 8 mg, 3 times a day. For sore throat, take iodine throat tablets, 1 to 2 tablets each time, 3 to 4 times a day, or lysozyme tablets, 1 to 2 tablets each time, 4 to 6 times a day. For frequent coughing, take compound licorice combination, 10 ml each time, 3 times a day, or coughing tablet, 25 mg each time, 3 times a day. If the cough is sputum-rich and viscous, add Bixupine, 16 mg each time, 3 times a day; 3% amine-containing brown combination, 10 ml each time, 3 times a day. If the cough is so severe that it interferes with work and rest, codeine phosphate, 30 mg each time, may be given orally on a temporary or short term basis. Other drugs such as cold and fever flush and quick-acting cold capsules can also partially relieve the above symptoms.
The common side effects include mental inattention, hallucinations, insomnia, anorexia and difficulty in swallowing, etc. The above symptoms can disappear after stopping the drug; Virazole: 100-200 mg per time, 3 times a day, effective for respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus, but it is prohibited for pregnant women because of its fetal malformation effect in animal experiments; Viralin. It is effective for rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and influenza virus. The common side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, sweating and hypoglycemia.
How to choose cold medicine?
Although the symptoms and their degree may vary from person to person, they are basically the same. General cold symptoms can be broadly classified into the following areas.
(1) Fever, chills, and generalized muscle and joint pain.
(2) Upper respiratory tract catarrh: runny nose, blocked nasal passages, itchy throat, tearing, frequent sneezing.
(3) Cough or a small amount of sputum.
The vast majority of colds are caused by viruses and are self-limiting diseases. At present, there are various kinds of compounded western medicines for treating colds, although the names of the ingredients are different, they are basically designed for the above-mentioned symptoms when you have a cold, and their ingredients include the following categories.
(1) antipyretic and analgesic drugs: paracetamol, aspirin.
(2) Drugs to reduce capillary congestion: pseudoephedrine, paracetamol.
(3) cough suppressants: dextromethorphan.
(4) Drugs to prevent influenza A virus from entering cells: amantadine.
The above table is a summary of the commonly used clinical anti-flu compounded western drug formulations together for your reference and use.
Why can’t I smoke when I have a cold?
We advocate quitting smoking, especially during a cold, because smoking during a cold has the following hazards.
(1) Inhaled smoke can irritate the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, thus aggravating the inflammatory response, worsening clinical symptoms and prolonging the course of the disease.
(2) Smoke contains a chemical component that alters the concentration of nasal mucus, making it easier for viruses to enter the human respiratory system, thereby increasing the extent of the disease.
(3) Smoke toxins can slow down the peristaltic speed of nasal mucous membrane cilia, making it difficult for the nasal cavity to block the invasion of bacteria, viruses and dust.
(4) Smoke inhaled into the body can reduce the activity of white blood cells, making them unable to effectively kill invading viruses and inhibit their viability.
How long can immunity last after a cold?
When a virus enters the body, the body’s immune system reacts accordingly. Immunity after a common cold usually lasts for about 1 month, while it lasts for 8 to 12 months for influenza. Although the body produces immunity after a cold, because there are many types of viruses that cause colds, another viral infection often occurs soon after one virus infection is cured. Therefore, a person may get a cold repeatedly within a short period of time.
What drugs can strengthen the body’s resistance?
It is a new direction and a new way of medical development to provide active or passive immunity to some patients with low immune function through drugs, so that they can gain a certain ability to resist diseases. In recent years, research and clinical practice in the field of biological agents suggest that drugs such as interferon, thymidine, transfer factor and nuclear cheese have the effect of improving human immunity. Chinese herbal medicines such as Astragalus, Duck Plant and Yu Ping Feng San also have the effect of enhancing resistance and preventing colds and influenza. Also, Astragalus plus interferon is more effective in preventing colds than low concentration of interferon alone.
What are the easy ways to prevent colds?
Self-massage, respiratory health exercises and small prescriptions with more certain efficacy are reliable and easy to prevent colds, and are introduced as follows.
(1) Self-massage method
(1) self-massage method: ① rubbing nose, rubbing Yingxiang point.
Technique: the index fingers of both hands first in both sides of the nose up and down friction 36 times, and then in the Yingxiang point (in the outer edge of the nasal wings in the point next to open, nasolabial groove in the point), from the outside to the inside of the rotation of rubbing 18 times.
Effects: Rubbing on the nose can accelerate nasal blood circulation, especially at the beginning of a cold has a good therapeutic effect. Massaging the Yingxiang point can soothe the meridians and activate the blood, clear the fire and disperse the wind, and strengthen the nasal passages.
② Point and press the Hegu point.
Technique: use one thumb to point and knead the Hegu point of the other hand (between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal fingers, the midpoint of the radial side of the 2nd metacarpal), alternating between the two hands, 18 times each.
Effects: Stimulating the Hegu point has the effect of dispelling evil and relieving symptoms, regulating Qi and blood, and strong stimulation can make people sweat, so it has a certain effect on the prevention and treatment of colds.
(2) breathing health exercises
Specific practices are as follows.
Wash: wash your face with cool water or compress your nose in the morning (depending on your body type).
Gargle: gargle with salt water to clear the remaining phlegm and microorganisms in the mouth.
Rub: both hands outstretched, rubbing each other’s palms, no less than 20 times.
Press: bend the thumbs of both hands and massage the Yingxiang point with the first knuckle, no less than 30 times, to reach a hot and sleepy feeling. Then palms outstretched, respectively, with the side of the little finger joints or small fish interval pushed by the same side of the occiput after the Fengchi point (catch the big tendons) for no less than 30 times, up to the degree of soreness and sleepiness.
Clap: both hands are stretched out, cross and take turns to pat the chest, no less than 20 times.
Exhale: two arms straight, forward and up gradually raised above the head, while deep inhalation, and then two arms to the sides of the separation down close to the body, while deep inhalation (try to use abdominal breathing) for no less than 10 times.
(3) Small test formula
Take vinegar (5%) or baking soda (6%) liquid, either one of them, but not both, and apply 2-3 drops to the nose once every 2-3 hours. During the epidemic of cold and flu, it can play a preventive role.
How can chronic bronchitis patients prevent colds?
It is important for patients with chronic bronchitis to actively prevent and reduce the occurrence of colds. This is because colds are both an important causative factor for chronic bronchitis and an important trigger for its exacerbation. The following methods can be applied to reduce the number of colds in patients with chronic bronchitis.
(1) Self-massage. The method can be seen in 31 questions.
(2) Do respiratory health exercises once a day in the morning and once in the evening.
(3) Actively quit smoking.
(4) Open windows regularly to ensure indoor air circulation and cleanliness.
(5) Maintain a happy mood and good living habits.
Eat foods rich in high protein and vitamins and easy to digest and absorb.
(7) Wash your feet with hot water before going to bed and massage the Yongquan point.
Better health, you can adhere to the cold water wash and cold water bath. It is best to start in the summer, long-term persistence, through cold water bathing, stimulate vasodilation, accelerate blood circulation.
(9) Not to go to public places with many people and dirty air in the cold and flu season, and use vinegar for home disinfection as follows: calculate by 2~10ml vinegar per square meter of housing, put vinegar into a bowl and put it on the burner to make the vinegar evaporate and fill the room while closing doors and windows. Fumigate for 05～1 hours each time, once a day for several days.
(10) Starting from September to October every year, appropriate application of drugs that can improve immunity until the following spring can significantly reduce or alleviate the symptoms and frequency of colds.