Sore throat - one of the most frequent manifestations of colds

Colds are the most common cause of such manifestations (symptoms) as sore throat, fever (fever), rhinitis (runny nose), cough. These symptoms may occur as isolated or combined with each other. In addition, the common cold is usually accompanied by general weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, aching joints and other symptoms reflecting decreased immunity.

In most cases, to cope with colds can be yourself. Treatment of colds is aimed at symptomatic treatment of sore throat, fever (high temperature), rhinitis (runny nose), cough. Also important is the adoption of a series of measures to improve the body's resistance and prevention of complications.

It is important to remember that any symptom can be a manifestation of minor violations of the health and the beginning of a serious illness or symptom exacerbation of existing chronic disease that requires treatment by a physician. In all cases, to the evaluation of the severity of symptoms should be treated with extreme caution. At the slightest doubt, you must consult a doctor.

We present below the approaches to the treatment of the common cold, depending on the "set" of certain clinical manifestations (symptoms).

A sore throat

Sore throat is a common symptom that accompanies acute respiratory viral diseases.

The most frequent causes of pain in the throat:

• angina (acute infectious disease with a primary lesion of the tonsils) - characterized by severe pain on swallowing, accompanied by violation of general condition, fever;

• tonsillitis (chronic inflammation of the tonsils) - is characterized by a sense of tickling, rawness in the throat, foreign body sensation in the area of ​​the tonsils, bad breath, pain when swallowing small, low-grade fever;

• laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) - is characterized by dryness, tickling, scratching in the throat, hoarseness, dry, "barking" cough;

• pharyngitis (acute or chronic inflammation of the mucosa of the larynx) - characterized by pain during swallowing is more pronounced when swallowed saliva than food.

Important to remember!

Along with sore throat virus can cause hemolytic streptococcus (also known as the causative agent of scarlet fever), diphtheria bacillus (aka pertussis). When streptococcal tonsillitis may cause serious complications - rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis.

The warning symptoms. When to see a doctor.

1. Shortness of breath, inability to utter a few words between breaths.
2. Inability to swallow saliva.
3. The sharp increase in the tonsils, plaque or ulceration on the tonsils.
4. Bright "glowing" red throat.
5. Sore lymph nodes at palpation.
6. Rising temperatures above 38-38,5 ° C.
7. Sore throat, accompanied by skin rash (see. Scarlet fever).
8. Sore throat, accompanied by severe headache, pain in the ears, stomach.
9. Sore throat, accompanied by a change in the color of urine.

In the absence of these "threats" probably symptomatic treatment of symptoms.

How to treat a sore throat?

1. Behavioural events
2. Gargling astringent
3. Gargling antiseptic
4. Antiseptic troches, lozenges, dragees, lozenges, sprays, etc.

Behavioral recommendations for sore throat

• Copious warm drink. Drink should be warm but not hot, as hot drink can lead to further irritation (damage) of soft tissues of the pharynx.
• Gargling every 2-3 hours. For children who can not gargle, rinse can be replaced frequently (every 1-2 hours) drink hot tea with lemon or pre-warmed fruit juice.
• Refrain from smoking and inhalation of tobacco smoke.
• Refrain from drinking alcohol.
• Refrain from eating spicy, cold, or too hot food.
• Dry heat in the neck area (hot compress, "Bioptron" light therapy lamp).In case of violation of general condition - bed rest.
• When the raids on the tonsils should see a doctor (the doctor will make seeding swab from the throat with a view to early detection of streptococcal tonsillitis or diphtheria, treatment should be carried out under medical supervision).
• If within 3 days of sore throat persists - you must always consult a doctor.