How long does ARVI last in a one-year-old child?

Colds in young children are a common cause of concern for parents. Often they simply do not know how to behave and what to do, how ARVI differs from the flu. Let's consider the disorder, name its features, signs and possible complications that are observed in children who have had a viral infection, list the means of treatment and prevention of the disease.

Incubation period of ARVI in children

Common causes of ARVI in children are parainfluenza viruses, sentential infection, adenovirus and rhinovirus. They are transmitted exclusively by airborne droplets. People often combine these diseases with one term – cold. According to statistical observations of ARVI, the symptoms and treatment of which in children are described below, up to 3 years of age are recorded 6-8 times per year. This is due to the instability of the immune system.

The incubation period of ARVI, for which there are no symptoms and therefore is not treated in children, lasts from 1 to 10 days. On average, its duration is 3-5 days. In this case, the period of contagiousness (the time when infection of others is possible) is 3-7 days. It is worth noting that with a respiratory-sentential pathogen, the release of the pathogen is recorded even after a few weeks, when the first clinical manifestations appear.

How does the flu manifest?

Before considering what the incubation period of influenza is and its duration, it is worth finding out how this disease manifests itself. Typically, the duration of development of this disease depends on the type of virus that infected the body - rhinovirus, adenovirus, reovirus.

If a person has been infected by the influenza virus, this can be determined by the presence of the following symptoms:

  • increased body temperature;
  • runny nose;
  • signs of soreness;
  • manifestation of cough;
  • swelling of the mucous membranes.

It is worth noting! Influenza and subtypes of this disease, as well as acute respiratory viral infections, are transmitted by airborne droplets. For this reason, it is necessary to take into account that the danger of infection from a carrier of infection persists for as long as the virus is able to remain viable.

However, in addition to the above signs, other equally important symptoms of influenza must be taken into account when diagnosing:

  • nasal congestion;
  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • intense heat throughout the body;
  • redness and severe tearing of the eyes;
  • pain in muscles and joints.

In acute respiratory infections, damage to the upper respiratory tract is usually observed. However, it can easily be confused with ARVI, because these ailments are accompanied by similar symptoms. However, influenza is characterized by an incubation period, this is due to the fact that the disease is viral in nature. But for acute respiratory infections, time for “maturation” is not required.

Symptoms of ARVI in children

This disease has an acute onset. At the same time, doctors note 2 syndromes in its manifestations: catarrhal and intoxication. The first is characterized by the appearance of external signs, including:

  • runny nose;
  • sneezing;
  • lacrimation;
  • cough;
  • sore throat;
  • pain when swallowing.

These signs of ARVI in children become an indication for the initiation of therapeutic intervention. In its absence, or incorrectly prescribed and further development of the process, signs of intoxication appear, as the pathogen begins to release its metabolic products into the blood. At this stage the following are recorded:

  1. Nervous system disorders:
  • weakness apathy;
  • fatigue;
  • heat;
  • headache;
  • Pain in the eyes;
  • muscle pain.
  1. From the gastrointestinal tract:
  • decreased appetite;
  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • loose stool.
  1. Damage to the immune system—enlargement of regional lymph nodes.

How to distinguish influenza from ARVI in a child?

Due to the fact that these 2 diseases are viral in nature, they have similar external manifestations. Parents themselves often cannot correctly identify what the child is sick with. Among the main differences it is necessary to note:

  1. Flu always has an acute onset.
    Almost within a few hours after the pathogen enters the body, there is a deterioration in general health, aches and fatigue appear. ARVI has a gradual course with increasing symptoms - runny nose, sore throat, then cough.
  2. The flu is characterized by headaches with a rise in temperature to 39, chills, and increased sweating.
    A respiratory viral infection is characterized by nasal congestion and sneezing.
  3. During a cold, intoxication is less severe.
    Influenza is characterized by a severe course, with frequent complications. In the absence of timely treatment, progression to bronchitis and pneumonia is possible.
  4. A long recovery period is typical for influenza.
    It takes about 1 month. Asthenic syndrome is noted, which is characterized by increased fatigue, mood swings, and decreased appetite.

In some cases, parents notice that their child’s legs hurt due to ARVI. This phenomenon indicates a high degree of intoxication of the body, and is often observed when a bacterial factor is added. Often, an undetected cold in time without treatment develops into pneumonia. It is characterized by damage to the respiratory system, severe coughing, and requires antibiotic therapy and hospitalization.

ARVI with abdominal syndrome in children

Many mothers, turning to a pediatrician, complain that their child has a stomach ache due to ARVI. This phenomenon is recorded 1-2 days after the start. In this case, vomiting and frequent bowel movements are observed, but irritation of the peritoneum is not noted. In such cases, a preliminary diagnosis of “appendicitis” is erroneously made. To be properly diagnosed, you need to see a doctor.

It is worth noting that abdominal syndrome during ARVI, the symptoms and treatment of which in children differ from the treatment in adults, lasts for 2 days. The reason for this phenomenon may be damage to the autonomic nervous system by toxins released by pathogens. The patient is recorded:

  • increased sweating;
  • deterioration in general health;
  • skin rash that fades quickly.

Diarrhea due to ARVI in a child

Diarrhea during ARVI is observed when the disorder is provoked by rotavirus. This pathogen affects the intestines and stomach. The virus is relatively resistant to current therapy. Nausea, vomiting, general loss of strength, and apathy are often observed. The child does not show interest in games and often lies down. Similar symptoms are observed for 1-3 days, after which a period of relief begins.

Enterovirus and adenovirus can also cause diarrhea. In this case, their transmission is carried out through contact and household means. Infection is accompanied by the appearance of the following symptoms:

  • cough;
  • soreness in the ear area (rare);
  • nasal congestion;
  • redness of the tongue and palatine arches (occasionally).

Vomiting due to ARVI in a child

Vomiting during ARVI may be the result of the body's reaction to a sharp rise in temperature. It is worth noting that in such a situation the phenomenon is one-time in nature. If the child feels sick throughout the whole day and at the end of the day the health does not improve, 2 or more acts of vomiting are recorded, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Such symptoms are characteristic of rotavirus infection, as described above.

Symptoms

In the early stages of infection, the virus, which entered the body through the nasopharynx, causes inflammation of the nasal passages and larynx, a dry cough, sore throat, and runny nose appear. The temperature does not rise immediately, but only after the virus enters the blood. This stage is characterized by chills, fever, and a feeling of aching throughout the body, especially in the limbs.

High temperature helps the immune system give a “response” and send specific antibodies to fight the virus. They help cleanse the blood of foreign agents, and the temperature drops.

At the final stage of the acute respiratory viral infection, the affected airways are cleared, the cough becomes wet, and the cells of the epithelium affected by the viral agent are expelled with sputum. It is at this stage that a secondary bacterial infection can begin, since the affected mucous membranes against the background of reduced immunity create very favorable conditions for the existence and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. This can cause rhinitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, otitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, meningitis.

To reduce the risks of possible complications, you need to know exactly what pathogen is associated with the disease, and also be able to distinguish influenza from ARVI.

There is a special table of differences that will help parents at least approximately understand which agent they are dealing with.

It is quite difficult to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one at home, so laboratory diagnostics will come to the aid of parents.

If in doubt, you need to take a blood test. In 90% of cases, children experience a viral infection. Bacterial infections are very severe and usually require hospital treatment. Fortunately, they happen quite rarely.

Traditional treatment prescribed to a child by a pediatrician is based on the use of antiviral drugs. Symptomatic treatment is also provided: for a runny nose - nasal drops, for a sore throat - gargles and sprays, for coughs - expectorants.

Temperature during ARVI in children

Considering ARVI, the symptoms and treatment of which in children are described in the article, we note that an increase in temperature values ​​is the first sign of a cold. This is how the body strives to kill the virus, reduce its activity, and prevent reproduction and further development of the disease. But with a simple cold, the value of this parameter does not exceed 38 degrees. With ARVI, a child may have a temperature of 39 if it is the flu. Associated symptoms appear: headache, aches, the child is restless and refuses to play.

It is worth noting that antipyretics are taken when the values ​​​​have crossed 39 degrees. Until this time, doctors do not recommend using medications. Such recommendations are due to the need to activate the immune system and form antibodies to the pathogen.

How long does the fever last for ARVI in children?

It is worth noting that antipyretics are taken when the values ​​​​have crossed 39 degrees. Until this time, doctors do not recommend using medications. Such recommendations are due to the need to activate the immune system and form antibodies to the pathogen. When talking about how many days the temperature lasts for ARVI in children, doctors talk about an average value of 3-5 days.

At the same time, they note that how long the temperature lasts during ARVI in a child depends on:

  • baby's age
  • state of the immune system.
  • type of pathogen.

Incubation period of influenza

Acute infectious diseases are easily transmitted by airborne droplets, fecal-oral and household routes. Therefore, it is important for anyone who has had close contact with a person sick with ARVI to know the incubation period of influenza. This will help to begin timely prevention or treatment of the pathology, which will significantly speed up recovery or prevent infection altogether.

Incubation period for intestinal or stomach flu

The correct name for the disease in question is rotavirus infection. It is a combination of respiratory and intestinal syndrome and is transmitted by the fecal-oral route.

The incubation period of this form of ARVI goes through 2 stages:

  1. Infection.
    After the pathogen enters the body, viruses multiply and spread, accumulating in the mucous membranes. This period lasts 24-48 hours and is usually not accompanied by any symptoms.
  2. Prodromal syndrome.
    This stage does not always occur (more often the flu begins acutely), it lasts no more than 2 days and is characterized by fatigue and weakness, headache, loss of appetite, rumbling and mild abdominal discomfort.

Incubation period of the swine and bird flu virus

Infection with respiratory infections appears somewhat later than infection with an intestinal or stomach virus.

For swine flu (H1N1), the period of reproduction, spread and accumulation of pathogenic cells in the body is about 2-5 days, depending on the state of the person’s immune system. The average value is 3 days.

After infection with the avian influenza virus (H5N1, H7N9), symptoms appear even later - after 5-17 days. According to WHO statistics, the incubation period for this type of disease is 7-8 days.

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How to treat ARVI in children?

It is necessary to begin treatment for ARVI in children as soon as the first signs appear. The basis of therapy is symptomatic treatment - combating symptoms: nasal rinsing, gargling, inhalation. But in order to exclude the cause, it is necessary to determine the type of pathogen. Due to the fact that such a diagnosis takes time, doctors resort to prescribing antiviral drugs that have a wide spectrum. The complex of therapy for ARVI includes:

  • antipyretic drugs;
  • use of antiviral agents;
  • symptomatic treatment: cough and runny nose remedies.

How long does ARVI last in a child?

The duration of ARVI is an exclusively individual parameter. Pediatricians cannot give a definite answer to this question. According to statistical observations, the average duration of a cold from the first appearance of its symptoms until the disappearance of clinical manifestations is 1-1.5 weeks. But this does not mean that the mother should prepare herself for such a long-term treatment. Factors determining this parameter are:

  • state of immunity;
  • intensity of treatment;
  • form of the disease.

It is worth considering that any virus is capable of mutation. This fact determines the individual treatment algorithm for ARVI, the symptoms and treatment of which in children are described above. This phenomenon completely changes the structure of the virus - new symptoms appear, which can mislead doctors and complicate the diagnostic process. As a result, there is a need for long-term treatment, the use of new methods and drugs.

Complications after ARVI in children

The most common type of complication of ARVI in children is damage to the sinuses - ethmoiditis, sinusitis. The main symptom of such disorders is constant nasal congestion. The child himself complains about:

  1. Constant headaches.
    Visually, parents can identify swelling in the lower jaw. It is worth noting that the greatest likelihood of developing such a disorder is observed in children with a deviated nasal septum and carious teeth.
  2. Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract
    is also considered as a consequence of acute respiratory viral infection, the symptoms and treatment of which in children are similar to what is carried out in adults. With laryngitis, children complain of soreness, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and tickling.
  3. Acute tonsillitis is regarded by doctors as a consequence of a cold.
    It becomes painful for the child to swallow, and a sore throat appears. Such a violation is dangerous because it can cause complications on the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
  4. Damage to the hearing aid is not uncommon after ARVI.
    Doctors often register otitis media and eustachitis. Guys complain of shooting pains in the ear, which leads to hearing loss.

Cough after ARVI in a child

Residual cough in a child after ARVI is observed for 1-2 days. At the same time, it is of low intensity, does not bother, and mild coughing is periodically noted. If the cough persists for 3-5 days and its intensity does not decrease, you should consult a pediatrician. A visit to the doctor will allow you to accurately determine the disorder, methods and algorithm for its treatment. Similar symptoms are typical for diseases of the upper respiratory tract:

A child's legs hurt after ARVI

Often mothers note that their child’s calves hurt after an acute respiratory viral infection. The main cause of such painful phenomena is considered to be intoxication of the body. This explains the phenomenon in which a child, after an acute respiratory viral infection, has a temperature of 37. In such cases, in order to reduce suffering, a warming ointment is used (the temperature normalizes itself). This remedy helps to expand local blood vessels and increase blood flow to them. To exclude this consequence of ARVI, the symptoms and treatment of which in adolescents and children are mentioned above, therapy is prescribed from the first manifestations.

Prevention of ARVI in children

Prevention of influenza and ARVI in children is important for the prevention of respiratory diseases, drugs for which are prescribed by a doctor. In this case, antiviral agents are used such as:

No one is immune from a disease such as ARVI. It can develop in both children and adults. Most often this happens in the autumn-winter period. ARVI stands for acute respiratory viral infection. Its main symptom is fever, which can last for a long time. Parents need to know how long the temperature lasts during ARVI in a child, and also at what values ​​it should be brought down.

Main signs of the disease in children, treatment methods

How many days ARVI lasts in children depends not only on the type of virus, its pathogenicity (ability to cause disease) and virulence (severity of the disease caused), but also on the state of the child’s body itself, the maturity of the immune system, which must detect and neutralize foreign organisms before how the disease begins to develop.

The baby is born with an immature immune system. Up to six months, this immaturity is partly covered by the presence in the blood of immunoglobulins that enter the body through the placenta and enter with mother's milk. But after 6 months, a period of maximum insecurity begins, which lasts until 1.5 - 2 years, when the ability to produce one’s own antibodies begins to develop.

In the first year in kindergarten, a child can get ARVI up to 15 times, and this will be a variant of the norm. In the second year in the team, the frequency of “colds” decreases to 5-7, then to 3-5 times a year, which is explained both by growing up and by the acquisition of specific immunity against certain types of viruses after an illness.

The maturation of the immune system may be slowed down due to malnutrition or vitamin deficiency. Frequent illness or intrauterine infection can also lead to a decrease in immunity.

There is no point in analyzing in detail the features of the clinical picture of each of the 10 most common pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections or the signs on the basis of which differential diagnosis is made between certain diseases.

It will be enough to confine ourselves to a brief description of the possible time frame of the disease and signs that require urgent consultation with a doctor.

This is one of the most striking signs of a viral infection, and the condition that worries parents the most. Therefore, the question “how long is ARVI treated in children” often means “how long should the fever last, and what to do with it.”

The duration of fever can vary from 2-5 days for influenza to 2 weeks for adenovirus infection. Therefore, the duration of the temperature increase in itself says little. The “second wave” of fever after the initial normalization of temperature can be significant - quite often this is how an associated bacterial infection manifests itself.

It is necessary to reduce the temperature with medication:

  • children under three months old;
  • children with a history of seizures caused by high fever;
  • children with chronic diseases, especially the respiratory system, neurological pathology.

It is preferable to use medications based on paracetamol (10-15 mg/kg) or ibuprofen (5-10 mg/kg). It is strictly forbidden to use acetylsalicylic acid-based products in children to reduce fever caused by a viral infection - due to the possibility of developing acute hepatic encephalopathy (Reye's syndrome).

If a child is shivering, his skin turns pale, remaining dry and hot to the touch, while his hands and feet become cold - the temperature must be brought down immediately, regardless of its level, by adding antispasmodics and antihistamines allowed at a particular age.

The duration of a runny nose can range from 2-3 days for a mild form of rhinovirus infection to 2-3 weeks for parainfluenza. This is another symptom that greatly worries both parents and young patients. This condition is especially problematic in infants, because with a stuffy nose the baby cannot suck. Therefore, no matter how long a baby’s runny nose lasts during ARVI, it should be treated immediately.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with Seizures in an Infant

Before turning to vasoconstrictor sprays, you should try to actively moisten the nasal passages with saline (isotonic sodium chloride solution). It is necessary to instill saline solution more often, the warmer and drier the air in the room where the baby is, it is impossible to overdose it. Liquefied mucus can be removed with a special “pear”; older children can be encouraged to rinse or blow their nose.

Cool air often helps relieve swelling. If the need for vasoconstrictors nevertheless arises, you need to remember that you cannot use them for more than 5-7 days due to the high probability of addiction.

Cough

Almost always accompanied by illness. Before asking your doctor for “cough pills” or trying to treat it yourself, you need to make sure that the cough is actually caused by the spread of the virus to the lower respiratory tract.

Quite often, when you have a cold, the cough is “pharyngitis” - caused by irritation of the back wall of the throat with flowing mucus, or, conversely, dryness in the throat. In any case, a doctor should recommend this or that drug.

False croup

This is the most frightening symptom for both parents and children, which most often develops in children under five years of age. Particularly characteristic of parainfluenza.

The mucous membrane of the larynx in children is loose and prone to swelling, the lymphoid tissue located under the vocal folds also swells easily, and the child’s glottis is already narrow; when inflamed, it can reflexively spasm, causing difficulty breathing. The child's voice deepens, the cough becomes rougher, turning into a "barking" sound, and the breathing becomes wheezing. The child gets scared and begins to rush around, and the parents are no less scared.

First of all, you need to call an ambulance. While waiting for the doctor, try to calm down yourself as much as possible - a baby in such a state simply needs someone sensible nearby. You need to immediately ventilate the room, humidify the air (if there is a nebulizer in the house, use it by pouring regular boiled water or saline), and give an antipyretic.

Calm the child. As a rule, these measures are sufficient to alleviate the condition. If they do not help, you can try to induce vomiting by pressing a teaspoon on the root of the tongue. Irritation of the receptors of the root of the tongue and the back wall of the pharynx helps relieve the reflex spasm of the glottis. The doctor will advise you on further actions.

What signs can be used to determine the development of the disease?

Initially, the baby becomes lethargic.
He begins to be capricious and cry often. The surrounding toys cease to be interesting to him. He requires constant attention from mom and dad. Then his temperature rises. In some cases, it can stay at around 37-38 degrees, however, as a rule, its values ​​​​exceed 38-39 degrees. The baby begins to experience weakness throughout the body. He loses his appetite. If the child is not yet a year old, then he may begin to refuse any food except breast milk.

Nasal congestion appears. Abundant sniffles begin to come out of it. If they are liquid and transparent, it means that the viral disease is at the initial stage. If their number has increased, they have become thick and have acquired a yellow or green color, this indicates that in addition to ARVI, the baby has also developed a bacterial disease.

Then the child develops headaches. He periodically experiences nausea, in some cases leading to vomiting. In addition, the baby's throat begins to hurt. If left untreated for a long time, the baby may develop a cough.

Attention! If your baby has one or several of the above symptoms, you should not self-medicate. Be sure to consult a doctor. Incorrect treatment can harm the baby's health.

How many days is a patient with ARVI contagious?

Let's consider how many days a patient with ARVI is contagious to others. The incubation period can vary quite greatly in duration, but it is definitely known that a day before the first symptoms are detected, a person can infect another. That is, if the incubation lasted three days, the patient becomes infectious two days after the introduction of the virus. Such a patient can spread the virus without realizing that he is its carrier.

If a little more than a day passed from the entry of the virus to the appearance of symptoms, the patient became dangerous a couple of hours after he caught the virus. Such a person is recommended to wear a surgical mask.

When does a patient stop being infectious with ARVI? In the absence of complications, such as pneumonia or concomitant bacterial infection, contagiousness persists for about three days after the patient recovers and symptoms disappear.

To avoid infecting others, the patient needs to be issued a sick leave certificate for this period. Normally, treatment of ARVI lasts about a week, including symptomatic therapy (cough, rhinitis, hyperthermia, sore throat) and the creation of suitable conditions for the body to fight the pathogen as effectively as possible (bed rest and drinking rest).

Related diseases

For patients with influenza, if there are no complications, the time frame will be approximately the same: a day or two before the manifestation of symptoms, the entire period of illness and two to three days after. Unfortunately, there are situations when ARVI is complicated by a serious illness (such as bronchitis or pneumonia) that lasts for several weeks. In this case, the patient remains infectious for the entire period of the disease.

Disease of the ENT organs caused by rhinoviruses is contagious, as a rule, for ten to fifteen days, of which one or two days refers to the period preceding the detection of the first symptoms (lacrimation, mucus from the nose, cough, etc.), and up to three days – to the period after recovery. They initiate about half of ARVI cases. This is facilitated by their size, which is several times smaller than that of the influenza pathogen and ensures ease of rooting in the thickness of the tissues of the nasopharynx and oropharynx.

For adenoviruses, the duration of the “infectious period” will be longer - from two weeks to a month

Therefore, in this case, special attention must be paid to cleaning the patient’s room, hygiene measures, and thoroughly washing dishes with hot water after each meal. In school-age children, infection with this pathogen is often complicated by conjunctivitis. The following phenomena accompanying the course of the disease indicate that ARVI develops with complications and it is necessary to call a doctor:

  • sore throat, rhinitis do not end by the fifth day of illness or become stronger;
  • hyperthermia lasts more than four days;
  • the patient has an enlargement of the cervical or submandibular lymph nodes;
  • the patient has difficulty breathing;
  • a skin rash may appear;
  • severe loss of strength - so much so that it becomes difficult to perform simple daily work (lasts several days).

Temperature in children with ARVI

An increase in body temperature during illness is a normal reaction of the body. It occurs in response to the entry of an infectious agent, after which the immune system launches its mechanisms to protect against it. How many days the temperature will last depends on how quickly the baby’s parents notice the disease and begin to treat it. Also, its duration may depend on the baby’s immunity.

With a viral infection, fever usually occurs in 3 stages:

  1. At first it rises to 37.5-38.5 degrees, while the baby experiences chills rather than fever. This is due to the fact that at this stage the processes of thermoregulation begin to be restructured in the baby’s body. This leads to the fact that heat transfer becomes lower than heat production. To put it simply, the child’s internal temperature rises and the external temperature decreases. It is because of this that the baby develops chills. He begins to wrap himself up, hide under the blanket, and shiver from the cold. If the child is very small, he begins to cry a lot.

What other processes occur during this stage in the body:

  • blood flow in tissues decreases;
  • peripheral vessels narrow;
  • sweating stops.
  1. During the second, the temperature reaches a certain value and stops rising. Heat production and heat transfer no longer compete with each other and become of the same value.

Depending on how much the mark on the thermometer rises, the temperature is distinguished:


  • subfebrile. The mark on the thermometer does not exceed 38 degrees;
  • febrile. Its indicators fluctuate between 38-39 degrees;
  • pyretic. Its values ​​are 39-41 degrees;
  • hyperperitic, that is, when the mark on the thermometer exceeds 41 degrees. This is a very dangerous temperature. It can cause many complications in the future.

Incubation duration

People are quite logically interested in how many days the incubation time of the disease is and how quickly it passes. We figured this out - from two days to a week or more, depending on the type of ARVI and the individual characteristics of the patient.

But the question - how to figure out what period of flu a person has - incubation, contagious or progressive - turns out to be no less important.

In fact, it is only possible to assume that the individual has fallen ill, since the incubation time is practically impossible to determine from external symptoms. Even if he had direct contact with a person whose infection is known for sure, this does not mean that infection has occurred. With a strong immune system, you can even protect yourself from the flu.

The only 100% option for diagnosing the disease during the incubation period in the body is to undergo laboratory tests in a hospital. Usually they donate blood or take nasal secretions for testing. This allows you to find out whether a person has caught a flu infection, even if the main symptoms have not yet appeared.

However, people do not often go to the hospital for this reason because:

  • They don’t even suspect infection and, accordingly, see no point in getting tested;
  • The time that has to be spent taking tests and waiting for their results traditionally turns out to be longer than the incubation period itself. And when the initial symptoms appear, it will become clear: this is a disease.

How many days does the temperature last for ARVI?

When an infection occurs, the child usually develops a fever for 3-5 days. Sometimes the fever with ARVI lasts much longer.

For example, if a baby catches an adenovirus infection, it may not subside for 7 days.

If the baby has a flu infection, then the body temperature will be above normal for 5 days. At the very beginning of the development of the disease, it can rise to 39, or even 40 degrees. After a day, the temperature should drop slightly.

Parents often ask doctors about how long the temperature can last during respiratory syncytial disease and parainfluenza. Although these viral infections develop infrequently in children, they are still worth knowing about, so as not to be alarmed by the fact that the temperature does not subside for too long. High values ​​on the thermometer can last for 1-2 weeks.

When to lower the temperature

With ARVI, how long the temperature lasts has already been said a lot, but about when it is worth leaving it as it is and when it must be lowered, nothing yet. So, let's look at this issue.

The temperature during ARVI in children can be between 37-38 degrees and 39-40. In the first case, it is believed that there is no need to shoot it down. So, the baby’s immune system fights the infection that has entered it.

If the thermometer is within 38-38.5, then there is no need to lower the temperature with medications. Exceptions are infants under 3 months and children who, at this temperature, feel severe weakness, body pain, and chills. This group should also include children with pathologies of the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, metabolic disorders, as well as chronic diseases of the bronchi or lungs.

If the mark on the thermometer exceeds 38.6 degrees, then it is imperative to knock it down. If a child’s temperature persists for a long time and does not decrease with the help of medications, then it is necessary to call an ambulance. Doctors will have to knock it down with an injection.

Attention! If the baby develops signs of “pale fever”, convulsions, consciousness begins to be disturbed, and symptoms such as delirium and lethargy appear, then the temperature should be brought down without waiting until the mark on the thermometer has reached 38.5 degrees.

Incubation period of influenza

Cold seasons are the most dangerous time for those who are afraid of catching a cold, ARVI or acute respiratory infections. It has long been known that when you come into contact with a sick person, you do not immediately get sick. First, the incubation period passes - the best time to start preventive procedures that will save you from the unpleasant consequences of the disease. Learn more about viral diseases.

What is the incubation period for the influenza virus?

At first, the virus is almost invisible to humans. You can continue to do your daily activities, sports, and at one point fall down with ARVI. The duration of this stage depends on the immune system - both in adults and children. If you feel unwell, then take care of your loved ones and carry out preventive procedures with them. Protect them from further development of the viral disease.

How long does it last

Depending on the organism, the incubation period can be 3-5 days. The infection does not manifest itself immediately. Once the disease reaches its goal, it will not let you relax for a second. In addition to ARVI, there are many other viral diseases that are transmitted not only through the respiratory tract. If you want to know about the 2016 flu incubation period, you will get a whole list of infectious diseases. Among the transmitted diseases will be rotavirus (parainfluenza, avian, intestinal or stomach), which can be contracted by drinking from the same glass as a sick person.

The following list offers an overview of the incubation times for various viral diseases:

  1. The incubation period for a cold is often 1-3 days, but can last up to 10 days.
  2. As for the flu, its duration is 3-5 days. This indicator is often influenced by the state of the immune system: the weaker it is, the faster the virus spreads throughout the body.
  3. The incubation period of ARVI in children lasts from several hours to 14 days. The stronger the child’s body, the longer this phase lasts.
  4. The typical time for intestinal flu is 1-5 days. In infants, it can appear within a few hours after rotavirus enters the body. The disease is especially dangerous for pregnant women.
  5. The incubation period for swine flu (H1N1) is 1-7 days. But the most common indicator is up to 4 days. This flu develops even faster in children than in adults.

Symptoms in humans

Signs of influenza may vary depending on its type. The symptoms of influenza at an early stage are similar: acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections are often manifested by severe body aches, fever, sore throat, and runny nose. In such a state, a person cannot do even the simplest work. In this case, it will be best if you go to bed rest. This is the only way to fight this unpleasant disease.

As for rotavirus infections, the symptoms can be much more unpleasant. Nausea, diarrhea, flatulence - all this will definitely bring a lot of discomfort to everyday life. It is necessary to consult a doctor to find out the form of the disease and prescribe the right medications. The longer you neglect going to the doctor, the more the virus will spread throughout your body. Treatment may take a long time, leading to more serious consequences.

Is influenza contagious during the incubation period?

You have learned what the incubation period of influenza is. Is such a person contagious? Since the virus spreads throughout the body over several days, it is not contagious during this period. You yourself do not feel any manifestations of the infection until it shows itself in all its glory. From this moment on, you can become infected from the patient. Sneezing, coughing of a patient, drinking from dirty dishes - these factors are more significant than others for a healthy person. They often lead to infection.

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How to treat acute respiratory viral infection. Recommendations from pediatrician E. Komarovsky.

To the parents' question - how long does the temperature last during ARVI, and also how to deal with it - the famous pediatrician answers them counter - what they did to help the weakened body of the baby cope with the disease. Then he tells them about simple rules, following which they can quickly help the baby “get back on his feet.”

So, what to do if your child has a fever for a long time.

  1. Give your baby to drink as much as possible. The baby should be applied to the chest more often. Give an older child water, compote, tea, juice or herbal infusions to drink. The temperature of the drinks offered, in his opinion, should be the same as body temperature. Thanks to this, the baby will sweat more, due to which his recovery will come much faster.
  2. Periodically ventilate the child’s room, and also carry out wet cleaning in it daily. He recommends doing this constantly, and not just when the baby is sick.
  3. Make sure that the air temperature in the room stays between 17-20 degrees.
  4. If the temperature rises, give the child antipyretics.
  5. Compliance with bed rest, according to E. Komarovsky, is not necessary. If the child, despite the elevated temperature, feels well, then there is no need to force him to lie in bed. If he wants to play, let him play. It’s another matter if the baby experiences severe weakness. In such a situation, he needs to remain in bed. The longer he stays in bed, the faster he will recover.
  6. He also advises parents not to put mustard plasters or jars on their baby. He also does not recommend rubbing. The pediatrician believes that these procedures are useless.
  7. He says that there is no need to force the baby to eat. Let him eat as much as he wants.
  8. The pediatrician insists on monitoring the baby's nasal mucosa. Under no circumstances should it be allowed to dry out. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to periodically rinse the nasopharynx with saline solution.
  9. If the baby begins to cough, then you should give him special expectorants.

How long does the temperature last if all the above rules are followed? According to pediatrician E. Komarovsky, no more than 3-4 days. If after this time it does not go astray, then you should start giving the child antibiotics. However, it is not the parents who should prescribe them to the child, but the attending physician.

Prevention of ARVI

In order for your child to get sick less often, you need to make sure that he does not get hypothermic. During the cold season, give him various vitamin and mineral complexes. They should be prescribed by a doctor, and not chosen independently by parents. You should also prevent your child from communicating with people who have ARVI. Otherwise, he may become infected from them. In addition, you need to monitor the humidity and temperature in the room. Take him for walks in the fresh air as often as possible. Ventilate the baby's room and wet clean it every day.

Video

Acute respiratory viral infections with the abbreviation ARVI, known to everyone, is a diagnosis that can be seen much more often than any other on the pages of a child’s medical record. Due to the ease of transmission of the pathogens of these infections by airborne droplets and household contact, children of preschool and primary school age attending kindergartens, schools or clubs are most susceptible to them. The younger the child, the more often he gets sick, which is due to the insufficient degree of development of his acquired immunity.

  • Antiviral drugs
  • Antipyretics
  • Symptom relief
  • General rules
  • Complications
  • Prevention

Chronology of influenza

The latent period, that is, the time before the onset of infectiousness, for a disease such as influenza, turns out to be shorter than the period of viral incubation. That is, the sick person turns out to be dangerous to others even before the initial signs of the disease appear.

As for the prodromal period (the time between the development of initial symptoms and the first clinical manifestation), there is almost none. In general, this cannot be called characteristic of influenza infection.

Influenza develops according to the following chronology:

  • The latent period, which lasts immediately after infection and is also called secretive. It can take from several hours to days. The patient is not yet a spreader of the virus.
  • Contagious period.
  • Acute phase (approximately on the third day).

Although, depending on the strain and other acute respiratory viral infections, there may be certain discrepancies in the duration of each of the chronological stages.

The acute phase of the disease may occur on the third day

Can the virus incubate after influenza infection? Unless you get sick again or some complication develops - for example, a secondary bacterial infection occurs. However, in this case, the symptoms usually appear quickly (not after a few days, but literally after a few hours) and are immediately pronounced, as a result of which a disease can be assumed.

In addition, the incubation period of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections should be separated, since the initial symptoms of these diseases are similar, however, in the case of acute respiratory viral infections, they tend to manifest themselves faster and in a more pronounced manner.

When did the infection occur?

Parents whose children have become ill often try to remember or understand how and where the infection could have occurred. However, it is unlikely that such an approach will help make an accurate diagnosis and find ways to quickly solve the problem.

For each child, the duration of the incubation period may be different (and it is not known in advance what it actually is and what specific disease we are talking about). Therefore, you can most likely assume many options at once - for example:

  • infection in kindergarten or school;
  • contact with an infected person on the street (while playing in the yard);
  • infection when visiting an amateur club, and so on.

It may well be that the baby fell ill not during these days, but a little earlier - for example, two days ago.

However, it is worth considering that even after the flu has seemingly passed and the child has recovered, it can remain contagious for three weeks. Doctors call this stage convalescence. There is no need to talk about its exact and specific duration.

Only when at least 50 days have passed after recovery can one safely assert the absence of contagion.

Pathogens of ARVI

The causative agents of ARVI are DNA or RNA-containing viruses, which, when they enter the body, cause inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract or in the lymph nodes and surrounding tissues. In total, there are more than 200 serotypes of such viruses, belonging to the following groups:

  • influenza viruses;
  • parainfluenza virus;
  • adenoviruses;
  • reoviruses;
  • rhinoviruses;
  • coronaviruses;
  • respiratory scintial (RS) viruses and others.
  • They are highly contagious and are easily transmitted from a sick child or adult to a healthy one by airborne droplets and, less commonly, by household contact (through toys, dishes, towels, door handles). The peak incidence of ARVI occurs from mid-autumn to mid-spring. Factors that increase the likelihood of infection include hypothermia, a general decrease in immunity, pathologies of perinatal development, allergies, chronic diseases, poor ecology and others.

    The pathogenesis of ARVI develops after pathogens penetrate the epithelial cells of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and begin their active reproduction, which leads to the appearance of characteristic pathological changes and an increase in clinical symptoms. Each pathogen affects to a greater extent only certain areas of the respiratory tract to which it has a tropism. Thus, the parainfluenza virus causes an inflammatory process in the larynx, adenovirus - in the nasopharynx, lymphoid formations and conjunctiva of the eyes, respiratory scintial virus - in the bronchi, rhinovirus - in the nasal cavity.

    Features of ARVI in babies under one year old

    Breastfed babies under one year of age are least susceptible to ARVI. This is due to the fact that their body during this period is still under reliable protection of maternal immunity. In addition, they practically never appear in crowded places in enclosed spaces. But if they have older brothers or sisters who attend kindergartens or schools, then the risk of infection increases significantly.

    Parents can suspect ARVI in an infant based on the following signs:

    • sleep disturbance;
    • decreased appetite and refusal to suckle at the breast or bottle;
    • excessive moodiness and anxiety;
    • tearfulness;
    • redness of the eyes;
    • difficulty breathing, shortness of breath;
    • bowel movements, abdominal pain.

    If such symptoms appear in a child under one year of age, parents should immediately call a doctor at home.

    How contagious is it?

    The incubation period of ARVI in children is a time period when the virus that has infected the body does not yet manifest itself in its usual symptoms.
    Thus, the baby will be the source of infection after the end of the incubation period and until the end of the fever (the period of increased temperature and accompanying chills).

    The incubation period depends on how many days the baby is sick (how long the latent and active phases of the disease last).

    In a child under one year old

    In children under one year of age, such diseases are relatively rare. This is partly due to the fact that they are protected by maternal immunity, which they receive through breast milk. For example, babies are protected from respiratory infections for up to 4 months, thanks to maternal antibodies.

    In addition, children of this age group have less contact with other people: they do not go to kindergarten, do not attend clubs, and do not play in the sandbox. The exceptions are those babies whose mothers themselves do not have sufficient immunity, as well as children who for some reason are deprived of breastfeeding (powdered milk formula in this sense is not able to replace breast milk).

    Children aged from one to five or six years are most susceptible to diseases in this group and, accordingly, suffer from this disease. During this period, the child’s body does not have sufficient resistance to infections: maternal protection fades away, and its own does not have time to form properly. The risk for an infant of contracting ARVI increases if he has a brother or sister of preschool age.

    Depending on the type of pathogen, the incubation period of the virus can last from several hours to 7 days. It is almost impossible to notice the disease during this period.

    The virus can only be detected during the incubation period using laboratory tests, because the symptoms are in a “dormant” mode. And this is the reason to pay attention to the appearance of the first signs of the disease in children: their appearance indicates that the virus is already in the body, therefore, the baby needs to be treated.

    Distinctive symptoms of ARVI in children under one year of age:

    • restless feeding,
    • baby's refusal to breastfeed,
    • increase in sleep duration.

    In diseases of this type, intoxication of the body occurs, during which:

    • the temperature rises,
    • a runny nose and cough begin (sputum can be of different colors - green, brown and even pink).

    The baby loses his appetite, experiences weakness and headaches, and his mood deteriorates. All this is the body’s signals about the onset of the disease.

    The temperature during acute respiratory viral infections can rise to 39 degrees and above. It should be knocked down if it does not rise above 38 degrees, as this prevents the body from fighting the infection on its own. At the same time, you need to remember that children are more sensitive to high temperatures than adults, and an increase to 39 and above can lead to seizures.

    When the first symptoms appear, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Although no special methods are usually used to diagnose these diseases, it is nevertheless worth remembering that delayed and incorrect treatment can lead to complications (in some cases even to chronic forms of the disease).

    In addition to the drug treatment prescribed by the pediatrician, you need to follow several important rules for care during illness:

    • compliance with bed rest, regardless of temperature;
    • drinking large amounts of liquid (compotes, jelly, warm water), since during these diseases it is quickly lost;
    • regular wet cleaning and ventilation of the room where the patient is located;
    • rational and gentle diet. Light food is recommended; force-feeding of the baby is excluded.

    Treatment

    Treatment of ARVI is usually carried out at home under the supervision of a pediatrician. The exceptions are severe and complicated forms of the disease, newborns and premature babies, children with chronic concomitant pathologies of the respiratory system, kidneys, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

    When treating ARVI, symptomatic therapy is carried out, that is, all measures and medications taken are aimed only at alleviating the discomforting symptoms of the disease. For mild to moderate severity, medications intended to destroy the pathogen itself are not used, since the immune system will cope with it itself. A significant improvement in a child’s condition with ARVI occurs within 3–4 days, and complete recovery within 7–10 days.

    Antiviral drugs

    Antiviral agents existing on the market today can be divided into two groups:

    1. Highly specific drugs act only on a specific virus, which must first be accurately identified (arbidol, rimantadine, ribavirin, Tamiflu).
    2. Drugs whose action is aimed at overall activation of the immune system. For example, the innovative antiviral drug Ingavirin, which has a unique mechanism of action and a wide spectrum of antiviral activity against influenza and ARVI pathogens. Timely use of the drug in the first two days of the disease can alleviate unpleasant symptoms and reduce the viral load on the body. This reduces intoxication and reduces the risk of complications. This also includes aflubin, proteflazid, viburkol, anaferon and interferon preparations - viferon, kipferon, laferobion.

    As a rule, they are not prescribed for the treatment of children or are prescribed only if the disease is severe.

    Antipyretics

    It is necessary to reduce the temperature with the help of antipyretics only if it exceeds 38.5°C. For this, depending on the age of the patient, tablets, syrups, suppositories based on ibuprofen or paracetamol are used. If the child’s temperature cannot be brought down with the help of antipyretics, parents need to call an ambulance. Prolonged high fever, especially in children, is fraught with the rapid development of dehydration, which poses a serious health hazard.

    Symptom relief

    The following can be used to relieve the symptoms of ARVI:

    • saline solutions for rinsing the nose (Aquamaris, Humer, No-Salt, Salin, Quix);
    • vasoconstrictor drops to relieve nasal congestion and restore nasal breathing (nazivin, nazol, naphthyzin, farmazolin, otrivin);
    • to eliminate a sore throat - lysobact tablets, septefril, strepsils lozenges, Doctor Mom, tantum verde spray, hexoral, ingalipt), rinsing with furatsilin, infusion of chamomile, eucalyptus or sage;
    • antihistamines (diazolin, suprastin, erius, loratadine, fenistil) to reduce swelling of the mucous membranes and nasal congestion;
    • expectorants and mucolytics for coughs (broncholitin, mucaltin, ambroxol, ACC, syrups based on extracts of medicinal plants Doctor Mom, eucabal, gedelix, herbion).

    General rules

    Of paramount importance during ARVI in a child are the correct drinking regime, humidity level and temperature in the room where the patient is located, which can be ensured as follows:

    • frequently ventilate the room where the sick person is located;
    • maintain the temperature in the apartment or house at a level of no more than 20°C;
    • ensure that the humidity in the room is in the range from 55 to 70%; if it is lower, then use special humidifiers to increase it or simply place wet towels or sheets on the radiators;
    • carry out wet cleaning daily;
    • Do not use heating devices in the room that strongly dry out the air;
    • Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids, often offer him warm teas, compotes, fruit drinks, rehydration solutions, or simply boiled or filtered water.

    These measures will help prevent mucus from thickening and accumulating in the airways and ensure they are effectively cleared. In many cases, this is enough to defeat the disease without exposing the body to not very useful medications, which pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky draws the attention of parents to.

    If in the first days of the disease the child’s health is very poor, then he is recommended to limit physical activity and observe bed rest.

    If a child has no appetite, you should not try to force feed him; food should be provided on demand. At the same time, foods rich in carbohydrates are more useful, since hard-to-digest fats and proteins will create additional stress on the body, which is actively engaged in fighting the pathogen, and can slow down the healing process. If a child has a good appetite, in order to reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract, a split-meal regimen is recommended: you need to eat in small portions, but often.

    Video: Recommendations of pediatrician E. O. Komarovsky for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

    How to protect yourself from flu and ARVI?

    Once the incubation period for influenza is determined, you should be careful for at least ten days. To prevent the virus from spreading to other people, it is recommended to follow simple rules:

    • With the arrival of the first cold weather, you need to think about getting vaccinated against influenza. It cannot be said that this will give complete confidence that a person will not get sick, but with a strong immune system, it is possible to overcome the disease with minimal consequences for the body.

    • A mandatory rule is to maintain good hygiene when dealing with the flu. If it is impossible to avoid communicating with a sick person, then you should communicate with a gauze mask and wash your hands more often.
    • You can strengthen your immune system with vitamin C.
    • As a preventive measure, doctors recommend the use of antiviral medications.

    You should not be skeptical about influenza and ARVI, as if treated incorrectly there is a risk of serious complications.

    Complications

    The most common complication of ARVI in children is the addition of a bacterial infection in the respiratory system. Activation of pathogenic bacterial microflora becomes possible due to a decrease in the protective functions of mucous membranes affected by the virus. As a result, bacterial sinusitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and otitis develop. In addition, there are complications from the cardiovascular, nervous, genitourinary, endocrine and digestive systems, which manifest themselves in the form of:

    • neuritis;
    • radiculoneuritis;
    • myocarditis;
    • pancreatitis;
    • encephalopathy;
    • cystitis;
    • jade.

    The most dangerous complication is meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

    Prevention

    Prevention of ARVI in children involves avoiding contact with sick people, as well as crowded places during seasonal outbreaks of the disease. It is of great importance to harden the child and take measures to strengthen his immunity, which is realized through:

    • proper daily routine;
    • good sleep;
    • balanced nutrition;
    • maintaining optimal temperature and humidity in the apartment;
    • playing sports;
    • compliance with personal hygiene rules;
    • daily walks in the fresh air.

    To prevent influenza, you can get vaccinated. Due to the numerous strains of the influenza virus and its tendency to mutate, the vaccine does not guarantee 100% that the child will not get sick, but its use has some advantages. For example, the incidence rate decreases by 2.5–4 times compared to unvaccinated children. Even if a vaccinated child does get the flu, his illness is mild.

    How long is the incubation period and what does it depend on?

    A virus that has entered the human body does not immediately make itself felt, so the sooner it is detected, the greater the chance of a speedy recovery. Many people are interested in the question: “If a person is diagnosed with the flu, how many days will the incubation period last?” It is difficult to give a definite answer, since there are many contributing factors.

    • Experts believe that the incubation period does not last long, usually up to five days. This is how long after infection a person will experience flu symptoms. Although sometimes it can be difficult to determine exactly when the infection occurred.
    • The type of virus that was picked up by a person also has a huge impact on the incubation period.

    • The timing is also affected by immunity. If he cannot cope with the number of viruses that have entered the body, then the disease begins to manifest itself much earlier.
    • The influenza virus can develop at a rapid rate, so after just two days the first symptoms begin to appear. Accordingly, people who are close to the infected person are also at risk.
    • Symptoms begin to appear suddenly, but as soon as the incubation period of the flu ends, the patient feels weak, the throat begins to become inflamed, a headache and cough appear, and the body temperature rises.

    To prevent the spread of influenza after communicating with a sick person, it is enough to start taking medications designed to strengthen the immune system, in which case there is a chance to avoid the disease.

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