Colds, acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, flu - how are they different?

What is the difference

Due to the different manifestations of symptoms, as well as the fact that influenza viral infection can lead to serious complications, led to the emergence of a certain kind of classification: for doctors, influenza differs from ARVI in many signs and the prescribed course of treatment. However, many people, with a slight deterioration in their condition, assume they have a cold, which is quite easy to cure and get over on your feet. How the flu differs from other viruses, when you should definitely visit a doctor to prescribe treatment - we’ll talk about this in detail below.

The main difference, which the patient himself can determine, lies in the following points:

1. Flu develops in the body at lightning speed. In some cases, within an hour the condition of the carrier of the virus in question worsens significantly. The common cold is characterized by a gradual onset of symptoms that gradually begin to indicate the presence of the disease. Over the course of several days, the sore throat and runny nose will intensify, after which the temperature may rise. What is the difference between a cold and the flu - the intensity of the increase in symptoms.
2. With the flu, the first symptoms are severe headache, muscle and eye pain, chills, heavy sweating, dizziness, and a feeling of weakness. In this case, the main symptom can be called an increase in body temperature to 30 or 40 degrees Celsius. With a common cold, in rare cases the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius. The main distinguishing feature is the degree of increase in body temperature.
3. Another point that makes it possible to establish the type of disease is the manifestation of symptoms associated with frequent sneezing. This symptom is characteristic of a common ARVI, but with the flu it practically does not appear.

The common cold is characterized by a gradual onset of symptoms that gradually begin to indicate the presence of the disease. Over the course of several days, the sore throat and runny nose will intensify, after which the temperature may rise

The above points completely describe how to distinguish a cold from the flu. It is worth considering the fact that another important symptom is the appearance of a cough. With a cold, similar symptoms appear almost immediately. At the same time, it is not very dry, choppy, and does not cause many problems at first. A cough with the flu appears after other symptoms, for example, high fever, appear. Along with a cough, a sore throat and severe runny nose may also come. In some cases, with the flu, cough appears only on days 3-4, during which other symptoms are already pronounced.

Influenza cough can be characterized by a strong and debilitating effect, which can cause severe pain in the chest. This moment is the result of the fact that the causative agent of the disease has settled in the mucous membrane of the trachea. Symptoms of a viral infection depend on the characteristics of the body.

Also, colds and acute respiratory viral infections differ in the following points:

1. In some cases of influenza, intoxication occurs. This is due to the fact that the breakdown of cells leads to the appearance of harmful substances that poison the human body. Therefore, even during the healing period, the patient may feel unwell.
2. The classic course of the flu is very severe. Moreover, the consequences of improper treatment include various complications: pneumonia, damage to the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Recently, doctors are increasingly reminding us that untimely treatment of influenza can even lead to death. However, it is worth considering that the cause is not the virus itself, but the complications it caused.
3. If a person has a cold, he can easily get over it using common medications. However, it should be taken into account that significant manifestations of symptoms are observed quite rarely. After the flu, the recovery period drags on for a long period, for example, one month. In this case, symptoms may include dizziness, loss of appetite, and pressure surges.

Symptoms during the recovery period can cause quite a lot of problems. That is why the duration of bed rest should be extended. If you do not deal with the symptoms, a second wave of the disease may develop, which should be avoided.

ARVI and acute respiratory infections differences

Incomprehensible words that doctors often write in a medical card, but it is difficult for a person far from medicine to understand what kind of disease this is and what the difference is between them. ARI - acute respiratory infections,

which are caused by microbes, bacteria or fungi.

ARVI - acute respiratory viral infections,

those. it is clarified who exactly is the causative agent of the disease.

It is worth noting

In terms of symptoms, they are very similar and only a specialist can see the difference, and also after testing for the pathogen, but it is rarely prescribed, only if treatment is ineffective.

How to distinguish acute respiratory infections from acute respiratory viral infections by symptoms? The main signs of a respiratory disease are high fever, sore throat with the appearance of a white coating, cough, which subsequently develops into bronchitis.

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose with the secretion of clear mucus.

In case of an acute respiratory viral infection, the temperature rises on the 2-3rd day, at first it does not exceed 37 C, severe symptoms of intoxication, the virus can enter the mucous membrane of the eye and cause conjunctivitis, general weakness and sneezing.

In a child, the disease develops in the same way as in an adult, but due to weaker immunity it occurs in a more severe form and is often accompanied by complications (chronic tonsillitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, etc.) [ads-pc-1][ads-mob-1] to content?

Differences from ARVI

Each respiratory infection manifests itself with a special set of characteristic symptoms. One of the main signs by which these infections can be distinguished, and how influenza differs greatly from acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, is the duration of the incubation period.

As can be seen from the table in the article “Incubation period for acute respiratory viral infections,” the differences in the duration of incubation of viruses are sufficient to practically see the difference between the influenza virus and a cold, and to figure out whether it is the flu or an acute respiratory infection.

To determine whether children have the flu or ARVI, you also need to focus on such a factor as the child’s age. Thus, parainfluenza, an adenovirus, affects children more often at the age of 6 months – 5 years. Children get sick with the flu equally often at any age.

Influenza or adenoviral ARVI

The main difference between adenovirus infection and influenza is inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes, which with adenovirus is initially unilateral.

The adenovirus typically affects the tonsils, pharynx, and lymphoid tissue. With this type of ARVI, the lymph nodes become enlarged, which is not observed with influenza.

Read more about adenovirus infection on the page Adenovirus - what is it.

MS infection

Respiratory syncytial virus most often affects children aged 1-2 years. Unlike influenza, with MS infection:

• the temperature rises slightly;
• the onset of the disease is gradual;
• the leading symptom is respiratory failure.

MS infection is accompanied by a dry, spasmodic cough. In adults, the disease practically does not occur, and when infected, the disease is mild. The course of the disease in adults is characterized by a gradual increase in temperature to 38 0C, accompanied by mild signs of intoxication.

Flu or parainfluenza

Parainfluenza is characterized by damage to the vocal cords, the appearance of a hoarse, rough voice, and a strong barking cough. Parainfluenza viruses cause damage to the respiratory tract and lead to laryngitis.

In children, the symptoms of laryngitis with parainfluenza are so pronounced that there is a danger of laryngeal stenosis, which is what distinguishes this type of ARVI from influenza. Adults get sick less often than children. The disease develops gradually over 3-4 days, and the temperature in children and adults usually does not exceed 38 0C.

Rhinovirus

It is not difficult to distinguish influenza from a type of acute respiratory viral infection such as rhinovirus or reovirus infection. These types of ARVI are characterized by the appearance of a runny nose from the first hours of illness, and most importantly, there is no sharp rise in temperature from the first hours of illness, as happens when infected with the influenza virus.

What is the difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections?

Before answering this question, let's decipher these abbreviations, and then everything will become clear. ARI is an Acute Respiratory Disease, and ARVI is an Acute Respiratory Viral Infection.

There is no need to explain to anyone what the word “acute” means, that is, the course of the disease is acute, appearing suddenly. The word “respiratory” means that these diseases are associated with the respiratory system, as well as those transmitted by airborne droplets from person to person. This is where their common name ends and the difference begins.

ARI includes all such diseases, regardless of what causes them. And these can be both bacteria and viruses. And ARVI is only those diseases that are caused by a viral infection .

But this can only be determined in laboratory conditions . Therefore, the diagnosis of ARVI is most often made only after tests or during mass epidemics. If the viral origin of the disease cannot be determined, then it is also classified as an acute respiratory infection. Thus, ARVI is also an acute respiratory infection, but only with a known causative agent.

The causative agent of Acute respiratory disease can be:

• streptococci;
• staphylococci;
• pneumococci;
• chlamydia;
• mycoplasma;
• adenoviruses;
• rhinoviruses;
• influenza and parainfluenza viruses and other microorganisms.

Well, the most well-known pathogens of ARVI are influenza viruses. If we talk about when acute respiratory infections are most often diagnosed, and when acute respiratory viral infections are diagnosed, then it should be noted that there is a difference . Acute respiratory infections are more common in the off-season, that is, in autumn and spring, and acute respiratory viral infections are more often diagnosed at the end of winter, when the body’s immunity is weakened and is unable to resist the viruses that attack it.

Symptoms of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, the difference between them

The symptoms of colds of viral and bacterial origin are very similar, and an ordinary person without medical education is unlikely to be able to distinguish them. But let's name them anyway. The following signs are observed with acute respiratory infections:

1. Elevated temperature from the first days.
2. Redness of the throat with pharyngitis, with a white coating with sore throat.
3. The cough is dry in the first days, then turns into wet with bronchitis.
4. With tracheitis, the cough is only dry. But here a transition from tracheitis to bronchitis with all the symptoms is possible.
5. Runny nose.

ARVI is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:

• General weakness.
• Runny nose and sneezing.
• Fever. Although it does not always occur immediately, it can happen within 2-3 days.
• Tearing.
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.

The following pathologies are usually classified as diseases of the acute respiratory infections group:

• bronchitis;
• angina;
• laryngitis;
• rhinitis;
• pneumonia, etc.

Although usually when a sore throat is diagnosed, doctors do not include it in the group of acute respiratory infections, but consider it a separate disease. Pneumonia usually occurs as a complication of bronchitis or tracheitis. The most famous disease of the ARVI group is influenza . This is what most often causes epidemics. By the way, during epidemics, doctors usually make a diagnosis of influenza or ARVI immediately.

How to distinguish influenza from other acute respiratory viral infections

The main difference between influenza and other viral infections is the more acute course of the disease and pronounced symptoms. As you know, influenza is caused by viruses of this disease, which are divided into three groups - A, B and C.

Each of them has its own symptoms and course of the disease. But what is common is that all groups are characterized by an elevated temperature of up to 39–40 degrees , which lasts for several days, general weakness and body aches. If with other acute respiratory viral infections, these symptoms quickly disappear, then after suffering from the flu, weakness can last for about a month.

The main danger of influenza and its difference from acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections is the high likelihood of complications . Most often they occur when the flu is carried on the legs, without bed rest.

If there are no complications, then the flu is usually treated with antiviral drugs , excluding antibiotics. After all, the flu is caused by viruses, not bacteria. But if complications do appear, and they are bacterial in nature, then antibiotics are also included in the treatment process.

Features of treatment

When a person has an acute respiratory infection, the question of what exactly caused it is fundamentally important. If a patient is prescribed antibiotics for a viral infection, this will weaken the local immune defense, cause dysbacteriosis and develop the resistance of bacteria existing on the mucous membrane of the nose and throat. As a result, the body will not have enough strength to fight the virus, the disease will drag on and may result in complications. Therefore, you need to find an experienced specialist and entrust the treatment of acute respiratory infections, whatever it may be, to a doctor.

An approximate treatment regimen for viral infections of the respiratory tract would be as follows:

1. antiviral drugs - from the very first manifestations of the disease (Viferon, Interferon, Remantadine, Kagocel, Isoprinosine, Tsitovir 3);
2. antipyretics when the temperature rises to 38.5 degrees or higher and is poorly tolerated by the patient (Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Nise, Paracetamol, Cefekon);
3. antitussive drugs for dry cough in the absence of sputum in the early stages of a viral infection (Sinekod, Libexin);
4. mucolytics and expectorants to thin sputum and relieve cough (Mukaltin, Bromhexine, Ambrobene);
5. vitamin complexes, especially ascorbic acid, as well as general strengthening drugs to increase the body's resistance;
6. gargling preparations - Hexoral, Yox, Furacilin solution to relieve sore throat, as well as sucking tablets and lozenges (Lizobakt, Adjisept, Septolete) and irrigating the throat with sprays (Hexoral, Tantum Verde); Also great help
7. inhalations for the throat and upper respiratory tract with mineral water and saline to soften and moisturize the mucous membrane;
8. Irrigation of the nose with solutions of sea water to wash away the infection, remove mucus, and prevent the development of sinusitis (Aqualor, Aquamaris).

In case of ARVI, it is imperative to ensure bed rest, or at least exclude active games if we are talking about a sick child.

The room where the patient is located must be regularly ventilated and maintain a normal level of humidity (about 50%). A person should drink more water, herbal teas, and, if necessary, tea with raspberries or linden to bring down the elevated temperature. You can supplement drug therapy with useful folk remedies - aloe, honey, Kalanchoe, juices and herbal infusions. It is also advisable to eat more vitamin-rich foods and onions and garlic, which contain many natural antiviral substances - phytoncides.

Treatment for a cold, that is, a bacterial infection, will differ from the regimen described above. In addition, antibacterial agents will have to be taken if a person does not experience relief from symptoms within 6-8 days from the onset of a viral infection, which means that bacteria have become involved. For a mild cold, it is usually enough to irrigate the nose after first rinsing it with drops of antibiotics (Isofra, Polydex) or the antiseptic drug Miramistin. A runny nose when severe, as well as swelling of the nasal mucosa, can be reduced by instilling vasoconstrictors (for viral infections, such medications are undesirable due to drying of the nasal mucosa).

For the throat, you can dissolve Grammidin tablets or spray Bioparox into it, but only as prescribed by a doctor. Sprays Hexoral, Stopangin, TeraFlu Lar can also cope with colds. Drinking plenty of warm drinks and applying dry heat to the throat are mandatory for colds. The lack of effect from local drugs often necessitates the prescription of systemic antibiotics - Flemoxin, Amoxiclav, Azithromycin, Erythromycin, which is necessary when the disease develops into cough - tracheitis, bronchitis.

Features of ARVI

ARVI is a viral disease that occurs in people at any time of the year and is characterized by gradual development and a mild course. It is the slow onset of symptoms of the disease that makes it clear that it is not the flu.

Causes of the disease

ARVI is an acute respiratory viral infection, transmitted by airborne droplets through contact with infected people. The disease develops against the background of a deficiency of vitamins and microelements, overwork, prolonged stress; smokers, people who sleep less than 7 hours a day, adults and children with chronic pathologies often get sick.

On average, an adult experiences the disease three times a year. Children under 6 months rarely suffer from acute viral infections, since their body is protected by maternal antibodies. In the first year of visiting preschool institutions, a child can suffer up to 10 respiratory diseases, but gradually their own immunity is formed, and children begin to get sick much less often.

Pathogens of ARVI:

• adenoviruses;
• parainfluenza – affects the larynx, laryngitis develops;
• respiratory syncytial virus – provokes the development of diseases of the upper respiratory tract, most often affecting children;
• rhinovirus.

ARI is an acute respiratory disease that occurs when pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci, and other pathogenic bacteria enter the body; less commonly, the disease is caused by viruses. ARVI has only a viral origin.

Symptoms of the disease

The duration of the incubation period for ARVI is 1–7 days, the disease develops slowly, begins with weakness, headache, and discomfort in the eyes.

ARVI is characterized by decreased appetite, increased temperature and a number of other symptoms.

Signs of ARVI:

• fatigue;
• increased lacrimation, conjunctivitis often develops;
• chills;
• increase in temperature - first to 37–37.5 degrees, after a few days to 38 degrees;
• decreased appetite;
• sore throat, runny nose, cough;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes.

It is not difficult to cope with mild forms of ARVI on your own, but if your health does not improve, but only worsens within 3 days, and additional alarming symptoms appear, consult your doctor.

Treatment of ARVI

To get rid of a respiratory viral infection, take medications that eliminate the main symptoms of the disease. It is not necessary to take antiviral drugs for ARVI; antipyretic drugs are needed only if the temperature rises to 38.5 degrees.

Lizobakt helps with sore throat

How to treat ARVI:

• interferons - Grippferon, Betaferon, Viferon, have antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory effects;
• lozenges and lozenges with antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects - Strepsils, Lizobakt, Faringosept;
• solutions for rinsing the nose - Aquamaris, Humer, they can be used as a prophylactic agent during epidemics of respiratory diseases;
• nasal vasoconstrictor drops - Nazol, Vibrocil, they cannot be used for longer than 7 days;
• mucolytics - ACC, Ambroxol, Ambrobene, improve sputum discharge during wet cough;
• immunomodulators – Immunal, Imudon;
• vitamin complexes – Multi-Tabs, Alphabet.

Multi-tabs - recommended vitamin complex for ARVI

Dr. Komarovsky recommends not to abuse medications when treating ARVI in children. Ventilation, humidification, bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids, feeding only on demand - these simple rules will perfectly help you recover faster.

What is the difference

To understand the difference between ARVI and flu and colds, you must first consider each ailment separately.

Features of ARVI

ARVI is a disease whose development can be influenced by a virus. Today it could be parainfluenza, adenovirus or rhinovirus. In addition, even the flu is included in this category. ARVI has its own characteristics of the course.

Hypothermia or eating cold ice cream alone is not enough to catch ARVI. This requires that the pathogenic organism enter the human body through airborne droplets. Infection through food, dishes or toys is extremely rare.

The duration of the incubation period for ARVI is only 1.5 days. During this time, pathogenic microorganisms are located in the body and damage the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.

This leads to the development of a certain clinical picture:

1. At the first stage of the development of ARVI, when the body has not yet been able to give an adequate response to what happened. In this case, the patient notes lethargy and poor appetite. In young patients at this stage there is slight nasal congestion, but no discharge is noted.
2. At the second stage of development of ARVI, symptoms such as tickling, fever, nasal discharge, and cough are observed. The severity of symptoms is associated with the virulence of the infection. Influenza is characterized by a temperature rise of up to 40 degrees from the first days. Follow the link for cough syrup for adults.

The peculiarity of ARVI is that it can be followed by an infection of bacterial etiology. The reason is that viruses make the immune system vulnerable to harmful microbes; bacteria will be activated on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. For this reason, a person who has already begun to recover, after 3-5 days feels worse again. Although with adequate treatment this happens extremely rarely.

How to distinguish a cold and flu

In general, it can be noted that the symptoms of influenza and colds are almost the same. Sometimes it becomes almost impossible to distinguish them. Experienced doctors should immediately determine the exact diagnosis and the degree of its danger.

There are a number of factors that can help distinguish a cold from the flu virus:

1. Infection. If we talk about the influenza virus, its manifestations are lightning fast compared to a cold. All visible symptoms appear immediately, which cannot be said about a cold;
2. First symptoms. When you have a cold, the first signs begin to appear rather slowly. First, a runny nose may appear, a little later there may be a sore throat, cough, and often a slight fever. If we talk about the flu, then everything is prompt here. Sore throat, congestion, and fever appear immediately, and the patient experiences severe headaches. It is worth noting that the temperature during a cold can rise only in the late afternoon, but if it is the flu, then it will last longer;
3. Secondary manifestations of the disease. During a cold, symptoms may only gradually worsen. Influenza is characterized by a stable increase in temperature, fever, often leading to fever;
4. Throat. During a cold, a slight soreness may appear, after which the patient begins to cough. During the flu, a sore throat appears immediately along with a cough. In this case, the cough may be accompanied by pain in the chest area;
5. Sneezing. A distinctive feature may be sneezing, because with the flu it is practically not observed;
6. Headache. When it comes to a cold, headaches can only appear against a background of general weakness. With the flu, the headache is more complex. Intoxication with the virus is rapid, which is why the patient experiences an unbearable headache;
7. Muscle pain. When you have a cold, muscle pain is not typical. With the flu, there is aches in the body, it becomes difficult to bend the limbs and turn the neck;
8. Pain in the eyeball area. Due to severe intoxication during the flu, the eyes may water profusely. Headaches mixed with lacrimation can lead to pain in the eyeballs, and redness may occur;
9. Vomiting, nausea. The presence of such symptoms can be misleading. The disease can be confused with severe poisoning. However, do not be confused. With a cold, nausea is not observed, but the flu is often accompanied by such stomach upsets;
10. Lethargy, weakness. This manifestation is inherent in both flu and colds. In the first case, weakness can be observed after the culmination of the disease, and in the second, such a condition will accompany the patient throughout the entire illness;
11. Time frame. A cold goes away much faster than the flu. The course of the disease is relatively sluggish, not pronounced. Influenza takes much longer to treat and often leads to severe complications that require additional examination and treatment;
12. Recovery period. Naturally, the recovery time depends on the characteristics of the human body and the strength of his immune system. The consequences of a cold can be overcome in a short time. It will take much longer to fight the remnants of the influenza virus.

Table of differences between influenza and ARVI

In order to clearly see the difference between the symptoms of common acute respiratory infections and damage by orthomyxoviruses, you can combine the signs of diseases into cells. Thus, every person will understand the differences between influenza, ARVI and acute respiratory infections.

How are influenza and ARVI similar and how are they different?

With the onset of autumn, flu and ARVI come along with cold weather and rain. Traditionally, the peak of diseases occurs in the winter, and most of our country is covered by this viral infection within 5 weeks. According to statistics, among all infectious diseases, influenza and colds are the most common and account for 95% of all infections. Such diseases are dangerous for the development of complications . Influenza is divided into several types: A, B and C. Type “A” is moderate and severe in severity. People and animals are equally susceptible to it. Type “B” most often affects children. Type “C” has not yet been sufficiently studied. Symptoms of the disease do not appear or are present only slightly. The influenza virus can mutate, and doctors have to look for new means to combat it. This is why vaccinations need to be done annually.

Signs of the flu

This disease has a number of characteristic signs:

1. The temperature rises to 39°C and above, which lasts for 5 days.
2. Chills.
3. Malaise and weakness.
4. Sometimes nausea and vomiting.
5. Muscle pain and cramps.
6. Breathing disturbances, usually increasing in frequency.
7. Hallucinations and delusions.

These symptoms appear within 24-48 hours and indicate intoxication of the body. Anyone sick with the flu will accurately name the time when the disease manifested itself. In addition to signs of intoxication, flu and colds also exhibit common characteristic symptoms:

• runny nose;
• cough;
• lacrimation.

The main route of transmission of the virus is airborne droplets. When you sneeze or cough, virus particles fly 2-3 meters along with sputum. This is quite enough to infect a person standing nearby. The peak of the disease occurs 3-5 days from its onset. The patient recovers within 8-10 days, unless complications arise. After suffering from an illness, the risk of catching any other disease remains for 3 weeks. People often confuse the flu with acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections.

Forms of development of the disease

The manifestation of signs of the disease is influenced by many factors. For example, the level of immunity, general health, the presence of bad habits. These factors determine one of the following three forms of the disease:

1. Light form. The temperature remains normal or rises slightly. There are no symptoms of intoxication or they are mild.
2. Medium-heavy. The temperature rises to 39.5°C, and standard flu symptoms appear: pain in muscles and joints, cough, chest pain, runny nose, drying of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, breathing problems.
3. Severe form. The temperature rises to 40.5°C. The patient experiences seizures, nosebleeds, hallucinations, and vomiting. The fever lasts from 2 to 4 days, and the illness resolves after 10 days. After recovery, weakness persists for another 3 weeks.

What are acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections?

A fairly high incidence is observed not only with influenza, but also with acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections.

ARI - an acute respiratory disease - combines ARVI (acute viral respiratory infection), colds and exacerbation of chronic nasopharyngeal infections. This term is an umbrella term for several diseases. ARVI is caused by many pathogens, including 5 viruses and 300 of their subtypes. Since the route of infection by viruses is airborne, the incidence is very high.

Acute viral respiratory infection has its own symptoms and signs that are different from influenza:

1. The disease begins gradually. First, a runny nose, fatigue, weakness and drowsiness appear. Symptoms develop within the first 2 days.
2. Body temperature rises to 38°C and no higher, disappears in 2-3 days.
3. There are no symptoms of intoxication characteristic of influenza. The virus affects the eyes, causing conjunctivitis and tearing.
4. There is nasal congestion, swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, sometimes sneezing and a severe runny nose.
5. The throat and tonsils become red and loose. Dryness, pain and soreness in the throat appear, and the voice changes.
6. Cough. It can be dry or with phlegm, varying in intensity.
7. The lymph nodes are often enlarged, and there is a white coating on the mucous membranes.
8. An acute viral infection lasts about 2 weeks. After treatment, the patient has no weakness or headaches.

How are acute respiratory infections treated?

It should be aimed at eliminating the virus and symptoms of the disease. In addition, you need to follow some rules of life. Bed rest should be observed for 5 days. Rest and long sleep are necessary. During illness, a person sweats a lot, and to avoid dehydration, you need to drink plenty of fluids. The amount of fluid should be at least 2 liters per day. It is better to drink drinks with a high content of vitamin C. These are fruit drinks, tea with lemon, rosehip infusion. In combination with sweating, drinking plenty of fluids will help eliminate toxins that are formed during the activity of viruses. In addition to these rules, it is necessary to carry out timely and thorough treatment, which consists of the following:

1. Use of anti-inflammatory drugs (paracetamol). They reduce fever and reduce headaches. It should be remembered that reducing the temperature by such means is necessary only if it is above 38°C.
2. Getting rid of a runny nose. Nasal drops have the property of constricting blood vessels and thereby reducing swelling and eliminating congestion. But you cannot use such drops for a long time, as rhinitis may develop. Thickening of the mucous membrane occurs, which causes dependence on such drugs.
3. Treatment of sore throat. Rinsing with herbal infusions and ready-made solutions significantly relieves pain, relieves inflammation and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. Cough medicines. Their purpose is to thin the mucus so that it comes out more easily.

Many people with this disease begin to be treated with antibiotics. This should not be done under any circumstances. Antibiotics are powerless against viruses, and their unreasonable use causes addiction, and at the right time the antibiotic simply will not have an effect.

Complications after influenza and its prevention

If this disease is not treated in time, then various complications of the disease will result in negative consequences. There are viral and bacterial complications.

Viral diseases can develop into diseases such as:

1. Pneumonia, which is rare but is a fairly serious illness. The virus spreads from the upper respiratory tract deep into the bronchi and lungs. The disease progresses, severe intoxication occurs, manifested by shortness of breath, and in some cases, respiratory failure.
2. Infectious-toxic shock. The functioning of the heart and its system is disrupted.
3. Bacterial pneumonia. Symptoms are cough and greenish sputum. Treated with antibiotics.

Bacterial complications are expressed by the following diseases:

1. Otitis and sinusitis. The sinuses and ears become inflamed. These complications are considered the most common.
2. Glomerulonephritis. The kidney tubules become inflamed and kidney function decreases.
3. Meningitis and encephalitis, that is, inflammation of the membrane or tissue of the brain.
4. Septic conditions. They are accompanied by the entry and proliferation of bacteria in the blood. This is a very serious complication that often ends in the death of the patient.

To reduce the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections, it is necessary to prevent the virus from getting into the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes. It is necessary to reduce or completely eliminate contact with a sick person. In this case, the level of immunity plays an important role. Good nutrition is the main rule for strong immunity. The menu should be balanced and contain the required amount of nutrients. You should avoid eating unhealthy foods and pay attention to natural, simple foods. Vegetables, dairy products, and cereals are rich in essential elements that help strengthen the body. In the fall, you can additionally take complex vitamins. Physical exercise mobilizes the body's strength, speeds up metabolism and strengthens overall human health. Bad habits significantly increase the risk of disease, since smoking weakens the lungs with nicotine.

Annual vaccination and prevention will help significantly reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

Vaccines are updated every year due to changes in the influenza virus, so vaccination should be done annually.

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Influenza virus difference

In medicine, there are three main types of influenza virus. Colds or acute respiratory viral infections of various etiologies pose less danger to the body and are much easier to tolerate. Particularly insidious is the influenza A virus, which, by changing and mutating, causes seasonal epidemics and pandemics. The possibility of death cannot be ruled out.

Let's find out how to distinguish influenza from ARVI, taking into account the advice of doctors. The impact of pneumotropic viruses on the body can be differentiated according to the following characteristics:

1. Flu. the disease is characterized by an acute onset, fever and chills, the patient develops a high temperature. An infected person complains of myalgia, joint pain and headache. There is a threat of developing serious complications: pneumonia, laryngeal stenosis, myocarditis, pyelonephritis. Catarrhal symptoms in the form of runny nose, pain, and inflammation of the respiratory tract are less pronounced. There is a dry cough with chest pain.
2. Adenoviral infection. the onset of the disease is less acute than with influenza. A sore throat is often diagnosed, which is accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes. The patient suffers from a severe cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and liver damage is possible.
3. Parainfluenza. general intoxication of the body is moderate. The patient has a low-grade fever, which may increase slightly. The upper respiratory tract, most of the larynx, is affected. A frequent complication of the disease is stenosing laryngotracheitis.
4. Respiratory syncytial infection. the disease is characterized by a milder, but also longer course than in the case of influenza infection. There is a predominant lesion of the lower respiratory tract with frequent development of bronchitis, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis. The main symptom of the disease is a dry, paroxysmal cough that lasts up to 3 weeks.
5. Coronavirus infection. the disease is characterized by mild intoxication with an inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract. In children, the bronchi and lungs may be affected. Certain strains can cause damage to the digestive tract, which occurs as an acute form of gastroenteritis.

We can conclude how to distinguish ARVI of various etiologies from influenza. In the first case, the patient has a low-grade fever, which usually does not rise above 38°C. There are pronounced catarrhal phenomena. In the second case, there is a high fever and general malaise, and a sore throat, runny nose and cough fade into the background.

Having examined in detail what is the difference between a cold and an acute respiratory viral infection, and how the influenza virus manifests itself, we emphasize that the prevention of the disease is of paramount importance. To avoid infection, it is recommended to refrain from visiting crowded places during the epidemic, wash your hands more often and strengthen your immune system.