Common cold

The most common disease of the upper respiratory tract.
It is observed as an independent disease or accompanies some infections. At the basis of acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa is a neural-reflex mechanism. Most often there is a reaction of the body to general or local cooling, which comes to the activation of the conditionally pathogenic flora, constantly located in the oral cavity, nose and nasopharynx. In addition, infectious agents can enter the nasal cavity from the outside. The cause of acute cold may also be harmful contaminants in the inspired air (dust, smoke, acid vapors, etc.).
A sharp cold always strikes both halves of the nose at the same time. The disease begins with sneezing, a burning sensation or a tingling sensation in the throat, especially in the nasopharynx, sometimes hoarse. Often, the temperature rises to 37 ± C and above. In this - the first stage, there is a lot of dryness in the nose and nasopharynx. Often develops conjunctivitis due to the spread of the process on the tear-conducting pathways. Nasal congestion causes a sensation of heaviness in the head, changes the tone of the voice, decreases the sense of smell. After 2-3 days, and sometimes after a few hours, there is a profuse serous-mucous discharge from the nose. This is the second stage - the stage of permission.
Then the detachable becomes mucoidal, viscous and after 7-10 days the process ends with recovery.
The diagnosis is easy to put and without examining the nose. It should be remembered, however, that the cause of the common cold can be a specific infection, which must be differentiated according to other clinical and laboratory manifestations (seeding on the flora).
Bed rest with increased temperature and severe current. In the initial stage, sweatshops are recommended (tea with raspberries, honey, foot hot baths, mustard calves for calf muscles, etc.). Sometimes it is possible to stop the development of the rhinitis antipyretic (aspirin 0.5-1 g). With a headache, give analgin (0.3-0.5 g). Local treatment is aimed at improving nasal breathing (ephedrine, i-alazoline, naphthyzine, saporin, adrenaline - in the form of drops in the nose 3-4 times a day). A good effect is the injection into the nose of a triple sulfonamide powder with penicillin and ephedrine.
In the modern arsenal of medicines for the treatment of the common cold there are many different drugs, which include various vasoconstricting, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic drugs, performed in the form of ointments and aerosols. Their use must be agreed with the doctor.
Acute rhinitis in adults usually passes quickly. But the possibility of complications (see Sinusitis, Otitis, Dacryocystitis) makes the forecast in some cases unfavorable.