Everything about flu and colds: symptoms, treatment, prevention in adults and children

Autumn and winter are the period of colds and the spread of viral infections. It is during this time that the incidence rate increases significantly. For some people, distinguishing the flu from a cold can be difficult. Although these two diseases are similar in symptoms, course and even cause, treatment for the flu and colds can be very different. And incorrectly prescribed medications can only worsen the situation.

How to distinguish the flu from a cold - we'll figure it out in this article.

How is the flu different from a cold?

Onset of the disease . Flu symptoms develop rapidly. And it progresses quickly in the body.

The source of influenza is sick people during the incubation period or the height of the disease. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets when sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, and also through dirty food (it has not been thermally processed enough). The infection begins to manifest itself in the period from 4 hours to 3 days. In general, the disease goes away in 5-7 days.

A cold is a disease of the body associated with hypothermia. A cold develops gradually, progressively, and painful symptoms appear within a day or two. It is usually easy to treat. But in advanced forms it can develop into other more severe diseases.

Temperature . With the flu, there is a high body temperature, which can reach 39-40 degrees. With a cold, the temperature usually remains at the standard level.
Weakness . People with a cold often ignore symptoms such as cough and runny nose, thinking that it will “go away on its own” with time. A cold can be carried on your feet, although it is undesirable.

But during the flu, the patient immediately realizes that he is sick; often he cannot even have the strength to get out of bed. Aches all over the body, severe headache, fever - these symptoms cannot be confused with anything else.

Cough and runny nose . During the flu, these symptoms do not appear immediately (only after 5 days), and may not appear at all. With a cold, a debilitating cough, sore throat when swallowing and a runny nose are noted.
Red eyes, itching and watery eyes . The picture of the flu is complemented by red eyes, severe weakness, fever, and bursting blood vessels in the nose. And in severe forms, even convulsions, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and lack of air are possible.

When you have a cold, your eyes do not turn red or water, and if this happens, it is more likely to indicate a bacterial infection.

Why does pain occur in the elbow joint of the right arm (left arm)?

The vast majority of cases of pain in the elbow joint are associated with the development of the following diseases:

epicondylitis of the elbow joint;
arthrosis of the elbow joint;
arthritis.

In addition, pain in the elbow joint of the left arm (as well as the right) can come from the damaged segment of the cervical and thoracic spine and be considered referred.

Pain in the elbow joint of the right hand, treatment for epicondylitis

Most often, pain in the joints of the hands is caused by epicondylitis of the elbow joint, which accounts for 60-80% of cases.

This disease occurs at any age and is associated with overload or injury to the tendons of the hands. Epicondylitis is characterized by pain in the joint of the right hand (or left hand), the occurrence of which is caused by stress on the hand, carrying heavy objects and attempts to lift a heavy object.

With this pathology, there is no change in the mobility of the elbow joint; its full flexion and extension is not impaired. Visually, the joints look completely healthy and unchanged, pain occurs only in the area of the condyles of the joint (in its bones, protruding on the sides).

Pain in the elbow joint of the right hand, treatment for arthrosis

Much less frequently (about 10% of cases), pain in the elbow joint of the right and left arm is caused by arthrosis. The pain syndrome in this disease is less pronounced. Painful sensations appear when trying to maximally flex the elbow and extend it to the limit.

When moving, a crunching sound may be heard in the joint. As arthrosis develops, there is a gradual decrease in the mobility of the elbow joint. Patients have difficulty fully flexing and extending the arm at the elbow joint. The arm of patients with advanced arthrosis is constantly bent at the elbow, the bones of the joint are deformed, but upon palpation the joint is not painful and does not feel hot.

Pain in the elbow joint of the right hand, treatment for arthritis

Even less often (from 5 to 7% of cases) pain in the elbow joint is caused by arthritis. With arthritis, in addition to damage to the elbow joint, inflammation of other joints is also observed (depending on the type of arthritis).

Joint pain due to arthritis is quite pronounced and can be felt both during movement and at rest. In addition, any arthritis is accompanied by severe swelling of the inflamed elbow, its swelling, and often redness.

In some cases, against the background of arthritis of the elbow joint, bursitis develops, a disease in which the periarticular serous bursa becomes inflamed. In patients with bursitis, an elastic formation in the form of a hemisphere filled with liquid appears on the back surface of the elbow.

Pain in the elbow joint of the left arm, treatment for damage to the cervical and thoracic spine

Every fifth case of pain in the elbow joint is associated with damage to a segment of the cervical or thoracic spinal column. There are no changes in the appearance or impairment of mobility of the elbow joint. Joint pain in these cases can bother patients not only when moving, but also at rest.

Why is it necessary to distinguish between these diseases?

The group of people with weakened immune systems includes pensioners and children, people with chronic diseases. This means that their immune system is most susceptible to attack by pathogens. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to deterioration in the functioning of the entire body and incorrect treatment.

Due to influenza, the natural functions of the immune system are weakened, against the background of this, other infections can join and develop. These are mainly respiratory tract infections: the lungs are affected by streptococcal or staphylococcal flora. This contributes to the development of pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage, and edema.

Influenza in adults can be complicated by the development of sinusitis, sinusitis, pericarditis and acute cardiovascular failure. Influenza in children is complicated by otitis media, focal pneumonia, and bronchitis.

Bibliography

The role of combination drugs in etiopathogenetic pharmacotherapy of acute respiratory viral infections. Mubarashkina O. A. Medical Council. 2014. No. 11. pp. 14-17.
Infectious diseases. Budanov B.V., Marushkin I.I., Filimonov V.V. E-Scio Journal. 2021.
Modern view on the problem of symptomatic treatment of acute respiratory viral infections. Lazareva N. B. Medical Council. 2014. No. 1. pp. 35-38.
Modern approaches to the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory viral infections. Mubarashkina O. A. Remedium. Magazine about the Russian drug market and medical equipment. September 2014. pp. 42-22.
Possibilities of pathogenetic therapy of influenza. Tsvetkov V.V. Medical Council. 2014. No. 17. pp. 14-17.
Comparative study of the antipyretic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when administered intragastrically and rectally. Orlova T.V., Pankrusheva T.A., Pokrovsky M.V. et al. Kuban Scientific Medical Bulletin. 2012. No. 2 (131). pp. 134-137.
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in therapeutic practice. Lysenko N.V., Soldatenko I.V., Kartvelishvili A.Yu. Bulletin of V.N. Kharkov National University Karazin. Series "Medicine". 2010. No. 918. pp. 114-125.
Instructions for use of the drug Motrin®.
Naproxen: a versatile analgesic with minimal risk of cardiovascular complications. Karateev A.E. Modern rheumatology. 2021. No. 10(2). pp. 70–77.
Pharmacology, under. ed. Yu. F. Krylova and V.M. Bobyreva. - Moscow, 1999.
Clinical effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in some ENT diseases in children. Sergeev M.M., Kovalenko S.L. Issues of modern pediatrics. 2009. pp. 81-84.
Instructions for use of the drug Naproxen.

Diagnosis of flu and colds

If you suspect a disease, you should seek help from a doctor. For adults - a therapist, for children - a pediatrician. The consultation takes place in several stages.

Initial examination. The doctor will ask you questions about your health, review your medical history, and refer you for tests and diagnostics. After a private consultation, the therapist prescribes an ultrasound of internal organs and laboratory tests to detect viruses and infections.
Establishing diagnosis. After collecting anamnesis, the specialist will identify the disease based on the results obtained. He will tell you about the causes of your condition, prescribe treatment with various methods and drugs, or refer you for hospitalization.
If necessary, the therapist will refer you to a specialist for further examination.

As for the examination of the child by the pediatrician, parents must be present. This helps the doctor quickly find a common language with the patient. Initially, the pediatrician listens to the lungs, measures the child’s body temperature, and examines the throat for inflammation.

The specialist listens to parents' complaints about the child's health. After this, it is necessary to undergo an examination to diagnose the disease. The pediatrician will order a blood/urine test, as well as additional tests if necessary (scraping, x-ray, bronchoscopy). At a follow-up consultation, the specialist will make a diagnosis, prescribe medication, or refer you to a specialized specialist.

Dangers

The disease is often severe, with complications.

Stages of the disease

The course of the disease is associated with its clinical form, so the stages of development of the pathological process can have significant differences. Let's consider the stages of development of acute purulent arthritis, developed by the Research Institute named after. Vishnevsky:

Initial
– purulent process without destruction of intra-articular tissues:
V.
– with the development of purulent processes in adjacent tissues.
Expanded
– purulent arthritis with destruction of intra-articular tissues:
V.
– with purulent lesions of the surrounding soft tissues.
Launched
– with damage to bone and cartilage tissue:
V.
– with purulent lesions of these tissues;
S.
– with the release of pus to the surface of the body (fistulas).
Final
:
with proper treatment
, complete or partial restoration of limb function.

Any form of arthritis has serious complications, so you should not delay treatment.
See how easily the disease can be cured in 10-12 sessions.

Possible complications

Infectious arthritis can cause early and late complications. Early complications include mainly complications of purulent arthritis:

suppuration of periarticular tissues;
generalization of infection, sepsis.

Long-term consequences include loss of limb function of varying degrees: from mild to complete immobility.

Complications can only be avoided if you consult a doctor in a timely manner.

How are colds and flu treated?

Hospital mode

The first thing the doctor will prescribe for such a disease is bed rest. Carrying an illness on your feet is extremely dangerous for both you and those around you. The influenza virus is highly contagious. Everyone you come into contact with will also get sick. You, in turn, risk getting a bacterial complication of the flu.

It is also necessary to adhere to a certain diet: try to drink as much warm drink as possible (herbal teas, milk with honey, berry fruit drinks, water), do not eat heavy fried foods. If you or your child suffering from a disease does not want to eat, there is no need to force it. Decreased appetite is a common symptom of the disease.

Drug therapy

First of all, antiviral drugs are prescribed for influenza and colds , which inhibit the vital activity and spread of the virus inside the human body. Such medications are prescribed for severe or moderate severity of the disease. The drug is most effective in the first days of the disease.

Antipyretics are used only at very high temperatures to help the body cope with the fever and prevent complications from developing. These drugs also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Antibiotics for colds are taken only after a doctor's prescription. When, against the background of the development of influenza, an acute bacterial infection appears that the body cannot cope with on its own. Important: if you start taking antibiotics, the course cannot be interrupted.

Antihistamines relieve the unpleasant consequences of the disease, such as redness, itching, lacrimation, swelling of the nasopharynx and nasal discharge.

Immunostimulants help strengthen the body's defenses and help the immune system independently repel attacks from viruses and bacteria.

Drops for a runny nose relieve swelling of the mucous membrane, allow the nose to breathe normally and prevent the occurrence of microbial complications. However, the drug should not be taken for more than 5 days, because there is a risk of chronic swelling of the mucous membrane.

Interaction of NSAIDs with other drugs

The selection of the most effective drug should be carried out individually based on existing symptoms and contraindications . It is also important to consider what other medications the patient is taking and their compatibility7.

Naproxen in combination with other drugs may8,12:

enhance the effect of indirect anticoagulants, increasing bleeding time;
potentiate the effect of drugs that bind to plasma proteins, for example, hydantoin derivatives;
reduce the antihypertensive effect of beta-blockers, for example, propranolol, and also increase the risk of developing renal failure while taking ACE inhibitors and cyclosporine;
increase plasma lithium levels by inhibiting renal clearance;
cause nephrotic syndrome when taken simultaneously with amoxicillin;
when combined with lithium carbonate - increase its concentration in the blood, with methotrexate, phenytoin, sulfonamides - increase their toxicity, and with morphine - lead to the development of myoclonus (impaired muscle activity);
when used simultaneously with prednisolone, it increases its concentration in the blood, and with salicylamide, it enhances its effect;
in combination with furosemide, reduce its diuretic effect8,12.

Taking two or more NSAIDs at the same time may reduce their effectiveness and increase the risk of adverse reactions7.

Also, many medications taken with NSAIDs can affect their effectiveness7:

antacids containing aluminum (almagel) and cholestyramine reduce the absorption of non-steroidal drugs in the gastrointestinal tract;
sodium bicarbonate increases the absorption of NSAIDs in the gastrointestinal tract;
glucocorticoids enhance the effect of NSAIDs;
narcotic analgesics and sedatives (sedatives) increase the analgesic effect of non-steroidal drugs7.

Thus, the use of NSAIDs has many nuances. Only a doctor can take everything into account and choose the optimal drug. Self-diagnosis and self-medication, even for common colds, are unacceptable.

_______________________

*The frequency of taking Motrin® is 2 times a day (see instructions).

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The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional advice from a doctor. To make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, consult a qualified specialist.

Prevention of flu and colds

The most reliable way to prevent influenza is vaccination. The flu shot is effective, but does not provide long-term immune protection, so vaccination should be done annually. Regular flu vaccination increases the production of antibodies to the virus.

The vaccine has no side effects, and the improved composition protects against mutated strains of the virus. Timely vaccination prevents infection. Even if infected, the disease will be mild.

After getting a flu shot, your temperature may rise to 37.5℃, you may experience chills, sweating, a general feeling of weakness and poor appetite. Redness, slight swelling, itching and pain may be observed at the injection site. This is an indication that your body is developing immunity to the flu. After vaccination, it is strictly forbidden to visit a bathhouse/sauna, swim in open water, engage in tiring physical activity, or drink alcohol.

Contraindications to the flu vaccine

at least 6 months have not passed since the last vaccination;
bronchial asthma;
allergic reactions;
iron deficiency;
diseases of the respiratory system in acute or chronic form;
allergic reaction to chicken protein;
heart failure;
endocrine diseases;
blood pathologies;
first trimester of pregnancy;
severe renal failure;
period of exacerbation of chronic diseases.

To prevent flu and colds, follow a few simple rules:

Strengthen your immune system. Exercise more often or give your body light exercise. Take a walk in the fresh air, this will saturate your lungs with oxygen.
Avoid hypothermia. This occurs due to a sharp temperature change and the action of the air conditioner.
Use antibacterial agents, especially during cold season.
Eat a balanced diet. This will provide the body with the necessary microelements.

Causes of body aches

Causes of muscle aches

There are symptoms of different nature: pulling, “twisting”, squeezing pain, discomfort, tingling and burning in the muscles. Unpleasant sensations occur in all muscle groups, but are most pronounced in the legs. Sometimes the symptoms of body aches are so severe that they interfere with daily activities. Muscle aches are caused by reasons such as:

Nonspecific myositis
: after hypothermia, heavy physical exertion, with unsuccessful sudden movements of the limbs or torso.
Respiratory diseases
: influenza, ARVI, rhinovirus or adenovirus infections.
Prodromal period of viral infections
: hepatitis, hemorrhagic fevers, chickenpox.
Inflammatory diseases of internal organs
: acute and chronic tonsillitis, pyelonephritis, pneumonia.
Helminthiases
: ascariasis, teniarinchiasis, echinococcosis and alveococcosis.
Fibromyalgia, epidemic myalgia
.
Damage to the musculoskeletal system
: falls from low heights, bruises, plexitis and tendinitis.
Vascular damage to the lower extremities
: varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis.
Psychoneurological problems
: vegetative-vascular dystonia, prodromal period of migraine, hysterical reactions and neuroses.
Immunodeficiency states
: period of convalescence after serious illnesses, chronic stress, HIV infection.
Poisoning
: drugs, food, industrial poisons and chemicals.
Rare causes:
myoglobinuria, hereditary hemolytic anemia, botulism.

Causes of aching joints

Painful sensations, stiffness of movement, a painful pulling sensation of aching in all joints of the body are observed both without signs of a cold and with respiratory infections. In weather-dependent people, joints “twist” when there is a sudden change in weather, but in most cases the symptom indicates the development of the disease. Common causes of joint pain:

Physiological factors
: degenerative changes in tissues in old age, prolonged standing, first trimester of pregnancy.
Increased load on joints
: excess weight, curvature of the spine (scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis).
Chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system
: osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis), gout.
Collagenoses
: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, periarteritis nodosa.
Infectious processes
: respiratory system (tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia), gastrointestinal tract (typhoid fever, salmonellosis, food toxic infection), genitourinary system (acute and chronic pyelonephritis, purulent cystitis, urethritis).
Minor injuries
: sprains and tears of ligaments, bruises of the articular area, damage to the meniscus.
Oncological diseases
: osteosarcoma, leukemia (lymphoblastic, myeloblastic), Hodgkin lymphoma.
Autoimmune processes
: vasculitis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Endocrine pathology
: hyper- and hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, Itsenko-Cushing syndrome.
Rare causes
: fasciitis in the recovery stage, carpal tunnel syndrome, hereditary abnormalities in the structure of the skeletal system.

Where to get diagnosed and treated for flu and colds in Krasnoyarsk?

This can be done at the Medunion private medical clinic.

Is a child or an elderly person sick? Then do not wait to see a doctor, but simply call a specialist at home. It's not only fast, but also very convenient! The specialist will examine the patient in a familiar environment, prescribe tests, and prescribe the necessary treatment. And the nurse will take samples or vaccinate you.

Sign up for a medical appointment and take care of the health of your loved ones. You can do this in any way convenient for you - online or by phone on the website. The cost of an initial consultation with a doctor starts from 1100 rubles.