What to do with a mild cold. How to treat the first signs of a cold? How to cure a cold at home? What is a cold

Microbes and viruses are found everywhere: their accumulations are in the subway, in offices, in educational institutions and even at home. The slightest decrease in immunity leads to the penetration of the pathogen into the body and the further development of the disease, so each person should know how to treat a cold with a temperature at home and how to take medications and folk remedies in such a situation.

What is a cold

With hypothermia, it is easier for pathogenic agents to penetrate the human body. In addition, this state allows dormant bacteria to become more active. A common cold in everyday life is often called viral infections, provoked by hypothermia of the body. Their list includes ARVI, acute respiratory infections, influenza, nasopharyngitis, herpes simplex. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the type of respiratory infection.

How to treat a cold

It is necessary to start therapy when the first signs of the disease were discovered. One of the conditions for a quick recovery is compliance with bed rest. If we talk about how to treat a cold, then you need to consult a doctor. Antibiotics are prescribed if the patient has bacterial complications and a very high temperature. Otherwise, they will be ineffective. You can fight a cold in the following ways:

• taking antipyretic drugs;
• inhalations;
• decoctions based on herbs;
• plentiful drink;
• recipes of traditional medicine.

There are many effective methods of dealing with colds, but treatment should be prescribed by a specialist. Some patients try to find good medicines on their own, but in the end they cannot get rid of the symptoms of the disease. In such cases, it is better to do with hot drinks, fever pills and taking vitamins. They help to cope with a decrease in immunity, eliminating some of the symptoms of the disease.

First aid

When the nose is blocked, a cough appears, and the throat hurts, doctors recommend contacting their clinic. If it is impossible to do this at a particular point in time, then the patient himself must provide first aid to himself. The first step will be to measure body temperature: if it is above 37.5 degrees, then it is forbidden to soar your legs and carry out other thermal procedures, and warming ointments, rubbing, inhalations will do more harm than good. When you have a fever you need:

• observe bed rest;
• make a vinegar compress on the hands, forehead, calves;
• drink a decoction of raspberries with honey.

You can not immediately take medications that help lower the temperature. This reaction of the body to the penetration of infectious agents is normal, because this is how it fights against the invaders. If the temperature is above 38 degrees for more than 24 hours, then you should consult a doctor to avoid serious complications. In situations where this is not possible, it is recommended to use antipyretic drugs.

Medications

When it comes to the question of how to treat a cold, doctors have to choose from two groups of drugs: symptomatic and affecting viruses with immunity. The first group includes Paracetamol, Analgin and other drugs that relieve fever and aching joints. Symptomatic drugs include antihistamines designed to relieve swelling from the mucous membranes (Pheniramine, Promethazine). They are prescribed for a sore throat and severe congestion. The list of antiviral drugs includes:

• Interferons. They are needed in order to prevent the reproduction of the virus inside the cells, to speed up recovery during the flu and SARS.
• interferon inductors. They have a similar effect with interferons.
• Neuraminidase inhibitors. They inhibit the virus, provoking its death inside the infected cells.
• Herbal remedies. They have a depressing effect on infectious agents and enhance immunity.

If the patient has a severe runny nose, then a vasoconstrictor is prescribed. These include Phenylephrine, produced in the form of powder and drops, Galazolin, Sanorin. Pregnancy and lactation are conditions where antiviral and other drugs are taken with great caution. With a slight malaise, infusions of herbs are prescribed. Dry cough with bronchitis in adults and children begins to be treated with plantain, sage or primrose syrup (Gerbion, Bronchicum, Insty).

Doctors give a special place to the prevention of influenza and other ailments. When cold seasons come, people are advised to take vitamins and avoid hypothermia.

Antibiotics

In inflammation and serious infections, synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs that inhibit cell growth have proven themselves well. When doctors mention any quick remedy for a cold, many patients mistakenly think that specialists are talking about starting antibiotics. This does not correspond to reality at all. Antibiotics will not be able to relieve the symptoms of viral diseases. Doctors prescribe them when severe inflammation occurs. Effective antibiotic drugs:

• Ospamox;
• Amoxiclav;
• Zinnat;
• Suprax;
• Augmentin.

This method of treatment will help if the patient has severe pain when coughing, inflammation of the throat mucosa is observed. It is allowed to take antibiotics at home, but a doctor should supervise such treatment. The duration of such therapy is 5-7 days. If the cold is severe and no changes are noticeable, then you need to stop taking the medication and undergo a re-examination.

Inhalations

When it comes to treating a runny nose that is accompanied by a cough, doctors talk about inhaling drugs in a vapor or gaseous state. Inhalation at home is often carried out on the basis of a decoction of chamomile or sea salt. The procedure should not cause headaches. If the patient tolerates manipulations heavily, it is recommended to stop them. It is allowed to use for inhalation:

• 10-20 drops of eucalyptus, juniper or camphor oil per liter of liquid;
• a mixture of onion and garlic juice;
• boiled potatoes with peel.

Folk remedies

It is rare for anyone to have antipyretic and vasoconstrictor drugs on hand when the first manifestations of influenza or SARS occur. In such situations, it is recommended to treat a cold with folk remedies at home. The easiest way is to take hot tea: you can add honey or a spoonful of dry grass to it, and the temperature of the drink should not be higher than 40-45 degrees. Bed rest is considered beneficial.

Herbs for SARS

When treating a cold with an infusion of medicinal plants, the dosage must be observed. The consequences of violation of proportions can be the same as in case of poisoning with drugs. The appearance of a rash after taking a decoction based on dry herbs indicates an allergy. In such cases, it is better to refrain from treatment with plants. For colds, decoctions of the following herbs help:

• chamomile;
• liquorice root;
• yarrow;
• aloe;
• St. John's wort;
• burdock;
• Melissa;
• eucalyptus.

Bed rest

Approximately 75% of the country's citizens with a cold prefer to go to work instead of lying down at home, believing that the disease should go away on its own. But due to the additional burden on the body, the disease begins to progress, causing complications in the form of high fever, runny nose and cough. You can avoid these consequences if you observe bed rest. This does not mean that the patient must always be in bed. The following rules must be observed:

1. The temperature in the room should be 17-20 degrees, and the humidity should not be less than 45%.
2. Every 3-4 hours you need to get up and walk around the room to improve blood flow through the body.
3. The maximum amount of vitamin C consumed per day should be no more than 0.5 mg. It can be replaced with lemon or orange juice.
4. Refrain from taking antipyretic tablets if the temperature does not exceed 38 degrees.

Plentiful drink

Patients with a cold can be treated not only with pills, but also with warm milk. Drinks that are too hot are best avoided if the person has a fever. they will create an additional load on the body. It is allowed to drink warm decoctions of chamomile, lemon balm or currant. You can add a teaspoon of sugar to them. But in any case, you will have to pour boiling water over dry herbs, and then wait 20-30 minutes until the solution cools down. If the patient does not like teas and milk, then you can give him more water. Like other drinks, it helps to eliminate toxins.

Fasting treatment

This method is good for physically developed people. If an ordinary person decides to be treated by fasting, then the disease will begin to progress faster. It is necessary to refuse food when the first symptoms of a cold appear. Dry fasting lasts a maximum of 3 days, and then water is introduced into the diet. After 3-4 days, it is allowed to eat plant foods. Be sure to check with your doctor before fasting.

How to prevent the onset of a cold

At the first symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to drink more fluids and warm the body well. Hot baths are allowed. High efficiency in the treatment of colds is demonstrated by inhalations with essential oils. You need to rethink your diet. We need to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to the menu. Food should be light, because from it the body will receive energy to fight the disease.

Treatment for colds without fever

When a person notices symptoms of malaise in himself, but the thermometer shows a normal temperature, he leaves this manifestation of the disease unattended. It is better in such a situation to go to the doctor: he will be able to diagnose and tell you what to take for a cold. If the patient does not have time to visit a doctor, but he knows for sure about the infection, then the general recommendations should be followed:

• observe bed rest;
• take medicines that strengthen the immune system and destroy viruses;
• drink more fluids;
• avoid stress.

How to cure a cold in 1 day

Few workers can take sick leave without a pay cut. Such busy people are interested in how to quickly cure a cold in 1 day. It all depends on how quickly the symptoms were detected:

• Gargling with a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide will help against coughs and sore throats.
• The beginning runny nose will prevent the washing of the mucous membranes with soap.
• At night, you can make a hot foot bath with mustard.

Video

Muddy autumn, windy winter, spring thawed from snow - the time of seasonal colds. Often a cold happens quite inopportunely. It was at this time that the question arises: how to quickly cure a cold and, of course, without complications?

The main thing is to calm down and, at the first symptoms, start taking measures to prevent yourself from getting sick. As they say, "crush the disease at the very beginning." I offer you a small reminder about what a cold is, its causes and symptoms, as well as the treatment of a cold without drugs.

The first thing to understand is what exactly you have: a cold or the flu. If you have the flu, then one day you won’t be able to cope with it, and it’s dangerous - the flu carried on your feet almost always causes complications.

So let's start from the beginning.

What is a cold

The common cold is an acute respiratory viral infection or disease of the upper respiratory tract of viral etiology. Pay attention - this viral infection (eg adenovirus, rhinovirus, etc.). There are a lot of viruses around us and usually a person does not get sick. But as soon as a person's immunity is weakened and he himself is supercooled, then a cold occurs.

Causes of a cold

• Contact with a sick person during a weakened immune system
  • Airborne (during a conversation, sneezing a nearby patient and being in crowded places)
  • Direct contact (handshake, handrails in transport, entrances)
• Weakened immunity
  • insufficiently balanced diet and, especially, lack of vitamins
  • bowel dysfunction
  • exacerbation of chronic diseases
  • allergy
  • stressful situations
• hypothermia
  • long stay in the cold not adequately dressed
  • drafts
  • cold drinks, especially milk, both in the cold and in a hot room
  • wet and cold feet

Cold symptoms

• nasal congestion or runny nose
• sneezing
• watery eyes
• sore throat and then sore throat
• dry cough
• headache
• sometimes an increase in temperature from 37.1 to 38.5
• weakness
• depressed mood

The appearance of these symptoms suggests that our body is fighting an infection. And at the very beginning of the onset of a cold, we need to help him quickly cope with viruses. The sooner we begin to take action, the faster and easier the cold will pass. Before saying what exactly to do and how to be treated for a cold, you need to find out:

What not to do during a cold

1. Relieve symptoms immediately when the first signs of the disease appear. Why? Because the body begins to fight itself and thereby develop immunity. It is like a vaccination when we are injected with a small dose of pathogenic bacteria and the body produces antibodies to this disease, i.e. he is already ready to confront these microbes at any time. We, trying to quickly relieve the symptoms, use potent medications, and thereby reduce immunity.
2. Take antibiotics. The common cold is a viral disease. Antibiotics act only on bacteria, but at the same time weaken the immune system, as they kill not only pathogenic, but also beneficial bacteria.
3. Reduce the temperature if it is below 38.1 degrees. For the same reason. Medium high temperature (up to 38.1 degrees) is a natural reaction of the body. An indicator that the body's defenses are in action.
4. During the temperature, carry out thermal procedures (mustard plasters, jars, hot baths) and drink hot and strong drinks
5. Use vasoconstrictor drops for a cold. These drops from the common cold interfere with the excretory process of not only the accumulated mucus, but also toxins along with it. If toxins remain in the body, then it is possible to delay the disease for a longer period and, even worse, more complex diseases can occur.

When to see a doctor urgently

If the following symptoms appear:

1. body temperature above 38.5 degrees lasts longer than one day
2. at high temperature, the person is pale
3. pain:
   • behind the breastbone when inhaling
   • very severe headaches
   • In eyes
   • in the sinuses
   • in a stomach
4. shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
5. difficulty swallowing
6. green or rusty mucus from the nose or throat when coughing
7. wheezing cough

Cold treatment

When you discover the first signs that you are getting sick, the first thing to do is to stay at home and not go to work. So you can cure a cold quickly and not infect your colleagues.

As mentioned earlier, our goal is to help the body cope with viruses and eliminate toxins. To do this, you need to create the following conditions:

• coolness in the room
• absence of drafts
• bed rest under a warm blanket
• plentiful drink
• light food, it is possible without food (listen to your body)
• loading dose of vitamin C
• periodically rinsing the nose with saline and gargling
• cut garlic and onion into slices, put on a saucer and put in the room where you are
• use Vietnamese balm "Golden Star" by smearing acupuncture points with it

And now in more detail:

Cool indoor air and no drafts

Check that all doors and windows are tightly closed for drafts. If you start to sweat, then this is the first source of complications. But at the same time, in the room where you are, it should not be hot, but rather cool (somewhere around 18-20 degrees). Open the window a little and turn off the heating (if you have an apartment, then throw a wet towel over the radiator). The air must be moist.

By the way, to maintain health, it is good to have a hydrometer and a humidifier in the house. These devices are needed to monitor the state of air humidity and maintain it within normal limits. Usually in the winter in our apartments the air is very dry and it is here that bacteria and viruses are very comfortable to multiply. Therefore, in order to stay healthy, maintain your immunity, you must always ventilate the room, maintain a moderate temperature and humidity.

Bed rest under a warm blanket

No need to endure a cold on your feet. Firstly, this way you will delay the recovery, and secondly, you may earn complications.

• Dress: Keep your feet (warm socks) and throat (scarf or sweater) especially warm. You can put mustard in socks or stick a mustard plaster directly on your feet. If the temperature is not high, then steam your legs before that.
• Drink warm diaphoretic or immune-boosting tea
• Lie down in bed and wrap yourself up well so that you sweat well. Try to sleep.

Plentiful drink

There should be a warm drink next to the bed. You need to drink a lot. Tune in to it. Drink not in glasses, so as not to overload the kidneys, but in sips, but at the same time very often. In total, you need to drink at least two liters of liquid. There is intoxication and drinking plenty of water will accelerate the elimination of toxins through sweat and urine.

It can be not only ordinary water, but also:

• Mineral water without gas, better alkaline, viruses die faster in it
• Morses. For example, cranberry or currant
• Herbal teas and decoctions. For example, tea with raspberry jam or ginger tea, or a decoction of a mixture of: linden flowers, currant leaves, chamomile and calendula
• Dried fruit compotes, preferably without sugar
• Grape juice
• Rosehip syrup diluted with water
• Milk with honey

light food

It is possible and even better to do without food on this day. Believe me, if you have enough drink, sleep is organized, then you will not notice the lack of food. But all the forces the body will spend on the fight against microbes, and not on the digestion of heavy food.

If you really want to eat, then drink rich chicken broth with a piece of boiled egg, herbs and garlic cloves.

And tasty and healthy to cook and eat a little with honey. Both bitter black radish and daikon radish can be used. Wash the root crop, cut off the top and make a recess in it. Put honey in there. Let the radish juice and honey brew a little - an excellent antiviral agent. And heals, and saves from hunger. If you are allergic to honey, then replace it with sugar.

Loading dose of vitamin C

As you know, vitamin C is a source of energy and during a cold it is very important to give strength to fight viruses. It is usually recommended at the very beginning of the disease to take a shock (large) dose of vitamin C. But first, remember or find out if you have any contraindications. Usually a single loading dose is 1000 mg. But it is not necessary to drink a synthesized vitamin from a pharmacy. Vitamin C can be found in the foods we eat.

• Lemon with honey (a whole lemon, or you can cut two into slices, pour over two tablespoons of honey and eat this mixture for the whole day)
• Grapefruit

The common cold is considered the most common disease. This concept unites a large group of respiratory infections with extensive symptoms. People with weak immunity often face such a disease. Consider the causes and methods of treating the common cold.

The word "cold" means a whole list of diseases that are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. The symptoms of this type of disease are almost the same. Infection occurs through household contacts, as well as through airborne droplets.

The virus manifests differently in each person. Some do not even notice the symptoms, while others endure a cold infection extremely hard. This applies to those who have a weakened immune system. The first day of a cold is almost always characterized by mild symptoms. The infection is usually classified according to the type of infection:

1. bacterial. It can be transmitted not only through personal contact. Bacteria always live inside the body, with a weakening of the immune system, a pathological process develops.
2. Viral. It is transmitted only through personal contact.

Viruses are the causative agents of infectious diseases. These include rhinoviruses, adenoviruses and reoviruses. A cold infection is markedly different from a bacterial infection. With a bacterial infection, the discharge becomes thick, and with a viral infection, it becomes clear and liquid.

When the first symptoms of a cold infection are detected, treatment should be started.

Causes of a cold

The common cold is considered a widespread disease. It can be transmitted even with minimal contact with the pathogen. After the virus enters the shell of the respiratory tract, the pathological process begins to actively develop.

Weak immunity is the main reason why infection occurs. The best prevention will be measures aimed at stabilizing the immune system.

The symptoms of a cold can vary from person to person. Colds are accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. Chills. A person cannot warm up, despite all the measures taken.
2. Runny nose. It is the main evidence of the presence of inflammation in the body. Runny nose is accompanied by liquid secretions of a transparent color. Nasal congestion is often accompanied by sneezing. With bacterial infection, the discharge becomes yellowish and becomes more viscous. With untimely treatment, complications develop in the form of sinusitis and frontal sinusitis.
3. Increase in body temperature. In most cases, the temperature becomes subfebrile and does not exceed 37.5 degrees. In rare cases, it rises to 38. If the high temperature lasts for more than three days, this may indicate the presence of complications.
4. Pain and itching in the throat. It starts with uncomfortable sensations, which gradually flow into pain, aggravated by swallowing. With bacterial infection, the pain syndrome is more pronounced. Also, a white coating becomes noticeable on the tonsils.
5. Weakness. Any infectious disease is accompanied by intoxication of the body. Leads to weakness, nausea, lethargy and malaise.
6. Headache. They have precise localization, most often appear in the temporal region. With complications, the headache becomes intense.
7. Sore throat and cough. It can be both dry and wet. Dry cough in most cases indicates the flu.
8. Pain in the chest. Often appear with a strong cough.

A cold is distinguished by: the absence of a high temperature of more than 38 degrees and a strong fever. This makes it easy to distinguish between cold and flu.

First steps to take if you have symptoms of a cold

When starting a cold, in order to avoid possible complications, it is necessary to start treatment and follow a number of rules presented in the table below.

Timely measures taken will help to quickly get rid of the disease. But for a full recovery, these measures are not enough. Comprehensive treatment is required.

Many are interested in how to treat a cold? There are many ways to treat a cold. Effectively use both medications and folk remedies.

Antiviral antibiotics are aimed at eliminating the cause of the infection. These include drugs Aflubin, Cycloferon, Arbidol, Grippferon and Immudon. It is not recommended to take such medications on their own, as they have contraindications and side effects. Before use, you must consult a doctor.

Ceftriaxone, Augmentin or Levofloxacin is used to eliminate infection in the respiratory tract. In the presence of herpes, topical preparations are used. These include Doconazole and Gerpevir.

Aerosols are used to treat coughs and sore throats. They have practically no contraindications, therefore they are allowed for independent use without a doctor's prescription.

In most cases, colds are treated at home, but sometimes it is better to go to a medical facility. This is recommended in the following cases:

1. The skin developed a rash and redness.
2. Chills and high fever persist for more than three days.
3. Elderly age from 60 years, as well as children's age up to 3 years.
4. The presence of a severe headache that is not stopped by painkillers.
5. Severe pain in the chest.
6. Severe pain in the throat.
7. The presence of serious diseases (such as diabetes and oncological processes).

It is much easier to treat an incipient cold, so it is recommended to take action immediately. Bed rest is desirable to observe from the first days of the disease.

How to cure a cold in 1-2 days

To cure a cold in one day, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Treatment should begin when discomfort occurs. At this stage, it is important to stock up on necessary medicines, fresh fruits, herbs and warm water.
2. Therapy is better to start with the adoption of Arbidol. This remedy is an "ambulance" for infectious diseases.
3. In the absence of appetite, you can not eat by force. The diet is limited to fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as light cereals and soups.
4. Drink plenty of water and any other liquid. Water perfectly fights the process of intoxication and helps the body recover faster. It is better to give preference to fruit drinks and natural juices, as these drinks will help make up for the lack of vitamins and other useful elements.
5. The room in which the patient is located must be regularly ventilated. The air must be purified from viruses, otherwise a relapse of the disease is possible. At night, the air in the room should be clean. Onion will help get rid of a cold if you place it throughout the room.
6. Do not try to bring down the temperature as soon as possible. It can be knocked down only if the patient's condition worsens and he is unable to endure.
7. Apply essential oils on a napkin and periodically inhale their aroma. This helps relieve nasal congestion.
8. Aloe juice is widely used for the effective treatment of colds. It can be consumed up to 5 times a day.
9. At night, it is recommended to take a teaspoon of honey.

It is possible to recover quickly if you give up bad habits and start restoring immunity. To improve the effect, it is recommended to take special vitamin-mineral complexes. When you feel better, you can not immediately stop treatment. The entire course of therapy must be completed correctly.

Many people prefer to be treated with folk methods. But it should be borne in mind that such treatment can not always replace the use of special medications. With a severe cold, it is necessary to take antibiotics and other anti-inflammatory drugs; therapy with folk remedies cannot give a similar result.

Traditional medicine has a good effect with an integrated approach, as well as for preventive purposes. There are many ways to treat. The main ones are shown in the table.

The above recipes contribute to a quick recovery if applied correctly. There are many methods of treating a cold in traditional medicine, all kinds of components are used. In most cases, recipes involve the use of improvised substances, so this method of treatment is available to everyone.

It is easy and convenient to be treated with folk methods. In addition, such methods have a great advantage - the absence of side effects and negative effects on the body. To get rid of a runny nose and eliminate nasal congestion, the following components are used, presented in the table.

For those who want to be treated in folk ways, there are many recipes. They are aimed at eliminating all the symptoms of a cold, while they have no contraindications. If drug treatment does not bring improvements, then the following methods should be added to it.

Those who decide to be treated with folk methods should remember that a cold can cause complications. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to use traditional medicine as an alternative to medicines. Treatment in such ways is allowed only as part of complex therapy.

Possible complications of colds

If the treatment was carried out incorrectly or started out of time, then the following complications are possible:

1. Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
2. Pneumonia.
3. The emergence of chronic fatigue syndrome.
4. Degenerative changes in the joints.
5. Sinusitis.

To avoid this, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to treatment. If you notice a deterioration in the condition, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Prevention of diseases is much easier than their treatment. Therefore, in order to avoid the development of a cold infection, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

1. Often be in the fresh air and regularly ventilate the room. Air has a beneficial effect on the immune system, strengthens it. Frequent walks in the fresh air increase resistance to viral and bacterial pathogens. It is also recommended to use humidifiers indoors, since dry air is a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
2. Drink plenty of clean water. It is responsible for many processes in the body, so it is considered normal for an adult to drink at least two liters per day. Water normalizes metabolic processes, fights the symptoms of intoxication, promotes the rapid removal of microorganisms and removes their waste products. Water is the most accessible medicine.
3. Use essential oils. They have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action. It is recommended to regularly arrange home aromatherapy sessions using essential oils. They are one of the most effective means not only for the prevention, but also for their treatment of colds. From essential oils, it is better to give preference to fir, rosemary and a mixture of various oils.
4. Stick to a proper and balanced diet. It is better to give up fatty, fried and sweet foods. If it is impossible to refuse completely, then it is necessary to minimize their use. Preference should be given to fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as cereals and light soups. These products contain a large amount of vitamins and macronutrients that strengthen the immune system and help avoid colds.
5. To live an active lifestyle. At least minimal physical education strengthens the body as a whole, making it strong and resistant to various viruses.
6. To refuse from bad habits. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages negatively affect the immune system, weakening all the protective functions of the body.

You should always remember about preventive measures. The best prevention is a healthy lifestyle. In this case, the immune system will always be normal and effectively fight any viruses, preventing the development of the disease.

Almost every second person faces acute respiratory or colds, especially during the onset of cold weather. However, not everyone knows how to properly treat this disease. It is very important to identify the disease in a timely manner so that treatment can begin at the first sign of a cold. Although the common cold itself is not as dangerous as the flu, unpleasant complications can occur when the form is neglected.

How to tell a cold from the flu

Very often, the first signs of a cold are mistaken for the development of the flu. If the flu can be fatal, then ARVI causes significant complications for the body only in rare cases. How to recognize these two diseases. Unlike the flu, the symptoms of a cold are somewhat different:

These are the main differences, when they appear, it is very important to determine how to be treated at the first signs of a cold and flu, and which medicines will be effective in each case.

How a cold starts: the first signs

To correctly determine what to take at the first sign of a cold, it should be understood that the expression "cold" is a generalizing concept. The disease can be caused by a bacterial or viral etiology, on which the symptoms of the disease and damage to specific organs directly depend.

But at the same time, there are classic symptoms of SARS, which you can determine yourself at home:

In addition to active factors, passive factors are often observed, for example, a sharp decrease in activity, drowsiness, rapid fatigue, and others.

Based on these symptoms, it becomes clear that it is first necessary to determine the etiology of the disease, and only after that decide what means to treat and what to do at the first sign of a cold.

First steps for a cold

Many people do not take a cold as a serious illness, hoping that the symptoms will go away on their own in a few days. This opinion is erroneous, since ignoring treatment can cause significant complications.

What to do at the first symptoms of a cold? In order to overcome the disease as soon as possible and without sad consequences, the following recommendations should be followed:

Compliance with such simple, but very important rules, combined with the correct drug treatment, will quickly eliminate the symptoms of acute respiratory infections and speed up recovery.

Medical treatment for the common cold

When choosing one or another drug for the effective and rapid treatment of a cold, one must take into account the etiological nature of the disease. If it is not possible to identify the cause of the disease on your own, then you need to visit the clinic to prescribe the correct course of treatment.

What medicine at the first signs of a cold in adults is considered the most effective? Therapy for such a picture should be comprehensive and consist of:

• lowering the temperature;
• strengthening immunity;
• taking antibacterial and antiviral drugs;
• elimination of local symptoms: warming up, washing the nose, relieving headaches and other necessary actions;
• taking expectorant and antitussive drugs;
• removal of inflammatory processes and swelling of the mucous membranes.

The list of the main types of drugs for colds with clinically proven effectiveness is presented in the table.

These are the most common and affordable drugs that provide relief at the first sign of a cold. Here it is only important to choose the right course of treatment so that the pills used really speed up recovery.

Treatment of colds with inhalations and compresses

How to alleviate the condition at the first symptoms of a cold, what to take and what additional procedures should be carried out? Inhalations and compresses are considered very effective to mitigate edema and speed up the withdrawal of sputum.

Inhalations

Inhalation can be carried out in different ways:

If you decide to enhance therapeutic treatment with inhalations, then you need to know in which cases their use is prohibited:

• at too high a temperature;
• with allergies to the constituent substances of the inhalation solution;
• patients with disorders of the cardiovascular system;
• with purulent inflammation of the respiratory tract;
• with a tendency to nosebleeds due to weak blood vessels.

In other cases, inhalations are not only allowed, but also quite useful.

Compresses

At the first symptoms of a cold, the right medicines will ensure a quick recovery. But at the same time as drug therapy to alleviate symptoms, in particular sore throat and cough, compresses will be very useful.

The following compresses are considered the most effective in the fight against colds:

• honey. In a water bath, you need to melt natural honey to a liquid state and gently apply it to the patient on the back. Then wrap your back with a warm blanket or large towel and leave overnight;
• cottage cheese. Add to 100 gr. curd mass (necessarily warm) 1-2 tbsp. l. honey. Distribute the mixture in the chest area, cover with plastic wrap and wrap with a woolen scarf or blanket;
• oil. Heat vegetable oil to a warm state, moisten a piece of gauze in it and attach it to the chest. To ensure a greater warming effect, wrap, after covering the bandage with polyethylene.

If the first signs of a cold are noticed in a timely manner, treatment with compresses often completely eliminates the symptoms even without drug therapy.

Note! Treatment with warm compresses is contraindicated in patients who have abscesses in the airways, as well as those who have a very high body temperature or skin sensitivity to allergic rashes.

Alternative medicine in the fight against colds

Folk remedies are capable of increasing efficiency and accelerating therapeutic treatment at the first sign of a cold in adults. But here it is very important to choose the right compositions so as not to harm yourself even more.

What traditional medicine is most useful at the first sign of a cold, what should an adult take to fight the disease and improve the condition?

The most effective are the following:

These are the simplest traditional medicine recipes that can be used at the first sign of a cold; naturally, pills will not be superfluous with this method of treatment. More complex recipes of alternative medicine in the fight against colds will not be required. The main thing is to carry out the treatment correctly and in a timely manner.

How to bring down a high fever

Almost always, with diseases such as acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, an elevated temperature is observed. How to respond to the first signs of a cold, how to treat to prevent the progression of the disease?

Here you can use both folk and medications:

• vinegar solution effectively removes the temperature. It is necessary to dilute vinegar of 3% concentration in a ratio of 1: 1 in a glass of water and rub the patient's body with the resulting composition;
• vitamin warm drinks, for example, calendula decoction or raspberry tea, help lower the temperature;
• what to drink at the first sign of a cold from medicines to reduce fever? Here, perhaps, the most effective is Paracetamol or the means based on the substance.

Important! If you are unable to bring down the high temperature on your own, then you should urgently seek medical help. This will avoid unwanted consequences.

When medical attention is needed

Along with the relative safety of ARVI, it is far from always possible to independently determine with accuracy at the first sign of a cold what to take for an adult in a particular case. The fact is that improper treatment of the disease from the first days of its occurrence can significantly delay and complicate the healing process.

Cases in which professional medical assistance is needed are as follows:

• if a day after self-treatment, no improvement in the condition is observed;
• patients who want to achieve a positive result in treatment as quickly as possible;
• when a child suffers from an illness, it is not worth experimenting with the independent selection of one or another drug;
• if the patient's condition deteriorates sharply and there is a fever at the first sign of a cold - what is better to drink in such situations and how to treat it correctly can only be determined by a qualified specialist.

Any disease, even the safest, requires a competent approach and proper therapy. Therefore, you should not risk your own health and if you feel worse, it is better to seek professional help. The doctor will unmistakably advise what to take at the first symptoms of a cold, which in fact will provide a positive and quick effect.

Precautions and Prevention

To achieve a positive result, it is not enough to know the first symptoms of a cold, how to treat the disease and what means to use. It is important to understand the risks that cause the disease.

The main risks include:

• excessive hypothermia of the body and the frequent presence of a person in conditions with low temperature indicators;
• lack or insufficient hygiene of the room in which most of the day is spent;
• Improper nutrition leads to the emergence of all kinds of diseases, including colds. In particular, a deficiency in the body of microelements and vitamins lowers immunity and resistance to bacterial and viral diseases;
• lack of physical activity makes the body weaker and increases the risk of developing the disease;
• periodic lack of sleep and excessive exhaustion are factors in which a person is at risk of getting a cold.

In order to feel good and increase immunity, it is necessary to observe the optimal vitality constantly, and also constantly monitor any changes in the functioning of your body.

If you lead the right lifestyle, do not neglect physical activity, eat right, then the questions “the first signs of a cold - what to do” will not bother you.

A cold is a pathological condition of the body in children and adults, which most often consists of two things. First, the impact of pathogenic viruses. Secondly, hypothermia of the body.

At the first signs of a cold, as soon as you feel that you are getting sick, you should begin adequate treatment. This will not only help stop the disease, but also avoid possible complications.

Remember, timeliness is the most important factor in such a situation. That is, we are faced with the task of recognizing the initial stage of a cold.

How not to miss the onset of the disease?

In order to start treating yourself and your loved ones at the first symptoms of a cold, you need to know these manifestations of the disease. So, the first signs that a person is getting sick are:

• runny nose and nasal congestion;
• cold hands and feet;
• the patient is shivering, he cannot get warm;
• body temperature may rise;
• there is a feeling of weakness;
• some have a headache.

It should be understood that with the onset of a cold, the reaction of the body in different people can also vary. Thus, one should not draw unambiguous conclusions and expect the presence of all of the listed symptoms. Remember, the reaction of the body of each person when he falls ill with a cold is individual. However, most often almost all of the listed symptoms occur.

So, as soon as you notice such symptoms, you should immediately proceed to treatment. If the patient is not treated on time, then it will not be possible to stop the cold at the very beginning.

First aid for colds

If you feel like you're starting to get a cold, there are two things you definitely shouldn't do. First, there is no need to panic. Secondly, you should not try to drink all the cold medicines that are in your house. Such actions will not help anyone to cure.

Instead, at the first sign of a cold, you should provide the patient with the correct regimen and follow a few simple recommendations.

1. If cold symptoms are detected, the patient should be put to bed. He needs rest. From this rule follows one more thing that should not be done with a cold. You can not try to move it "on your feet." This is a direct path to complications.
2. The patient needs to warm up. You have to try to deal with the chills. Colds often cause cold feet. In this case, we recommend using a proven remedy and preparing a warming foot bath with mustard. To do this, pour warm water (40-50 degrees Celsius) into a basin, pour out and mix 3 tablespoons of mustard powder. You need to soar your legs for 20-30 minutes. After that, be sure to put on woolen socks.
3. Take your body temperature. This should be done regularly in order to take action in case of a sharp increase. Remember, if the temperature is below 38 degrees, then it does not need to be knocked down with medicines. It is better to focus on treating other cold symptoms.
4. Remember, in order to quickly cure a cold, the patient needs to drink a lot of warm and sweet drinks. The choice of such funds is very wide. You can drink tea with honey and lemon, berry juice, blackcurrant jam diluted with warm water. The more vitamin C the patient gets along with drinking, the better. It is important to remember that the chosen drink should not be piping hot. The optimum temperature is 36-40 degrees. Remember, if you don’t feel like drinking, you need to do it even through force.
5. But you should not force yourself to eat in the absence of appetite. In addition, it is necessary to refrain from fried, spicy, fatty, rough, hot and cold foods.
6. Maintain the optimum temperature in the room. To do this, it is enough to ventilate the room 2-3 times a day. This will make the air in the room fresh, cool and humid.

Compliance with this regimen creates optimal conditions for quickly stopping a cold. If you do everything on time and correctly, then there is a chance.

When it was not possible to quickly stop the disease, systematic treatment is necessary.

How to treat the patient?

First of all, we want to say that if you start to get sick with a cold, then it is better to refrain from taking pills and medicines if possible. The fact is that in most cases, colds are caused by viruses. Our body is most often able to cope with them on its own. Our task is only to help him in this. And you can do it without drugs.

Let's see how we can help a child or adult at the first sign of a cold with natural remedies.

Temperature.

In order to bring down the temperature, it is not necessary to treat a sick person with medicines.

Method 1. Rub the patient's body with ordinary vodka (not suitable for children).

Method 2. Drink more tea with raspberry jam.

If the temperature has risen to 38 degrees, then you can drink a pharmacological agent containing paracetamol.

Sore throat.

As the main methods to cure the throat, we recommend using gargles and compresses.

Recipe 1. Curd compress. Put a layer of cottage cheese 1-2 cm thick on a piece of gauze and wrap it in several layers of fabric. To prepare a compress, you can not use the product that you just got out of the refrigerator. Cottage cheese should be warm and squeezed. Wrap the compress around your neck and tie a wool scarf over the top.

Recipe 2. Soda solution for gargling. Pour 200 ml of warm water at a temperature of 37-40 degrees into a glass. Add 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda to it and stir. Gargle should be 5-7 times a day every 2 hours.

Runny nose.

Rhinitis and nasal congestion can be treated in different ways. We recommend rinsing the nose with saline and isotonic solutions. They can be purchased at any pharmacy or prepared independently at home. To do this, dissolve one fourth teaspoon of salt in a glass of water.

When is a doctor indispensable?

Of course, you should consult a doctor at the very first signs of malaise. However, as practice shows, only a few act in this way. Most people in our country prefer to first try to cure themselves on their own.

However, remember, ideally, at the first sign of a cold, you should see a qualified doctor. Only in this case, you can be sure that, following medical recommendations, you will treat yourself correctly.

There are situations in which you need to stop self-treatment, and be sure to consult a doctor.

1. The patient does not improve on the fourth day of illness.
2. He has any temperature above normal on the sixth day of a cold.
3. Within two days of illness, the patient's health does not improve.

Now we want to bring to your attention a video in which the famous pediatrician O.E. Komarovsky expresses his opinion on the need to see a doctor for a cold.