home Diseases What is the difference between ORVI and ORZ? ORZ and ARVI: what is the difference and what are the features of treatment? This is common in the treatment of diseases. What's the difference?

What is the difference between ORVI and ORZ? ORZ and ARVI: what is the difference and what are the features of treatment? This is common in the treatment of diseases. What's the difference?

In terms of epidemic prevalence, acute respiratory diseases (ARIs) and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVIs) have left all known diseases far behind. Among all acute respiratory viral infections, influenza is the most severe and often with complications. Young children get sick with acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections 2 - 3 times a year and this is considered the norm. Prevention of acute respiratory infections is, first of all, good immunity.

The high incidence of respiratory infections is associated with a wide variety of viruses and bacteria that affect the upper respiratory tract:

Respiratory A and B, parainfluenza, adeno-, rhino- and coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses.
Herpes viruses (cytomegaloviruses, etc.).
Endogenous microflora (staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, etc.).
Intracellular pathogens (chlamydia, mycoplasma).
Bacteria (pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae and Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Legionella, etc.).

Among all viral agents, up to 50% are parainfluenza viruses, up to 15% are influenza viruses, up to 5% are adenoviruses, up to 4% are respiratory syncytial viruses, and up to 2.7% are mycoplasmas. A quarter of all infections are of a mixed nature.

Of all the above infections, only the influenza virus causes devastating pandemics with high morbidity and mortality.

What is the difference between acute respiratory infections and ARVI?

Until the source of infection is identified, it is necessary to use the more general term “acute respiratory disease” or ARI. If the doctor is sure that the cause of the respiratory infection is a virus, a diagnosis of “acute respiratory viral disease” or ARVI is made. If the cause of acute respiratory infections is bacteria, then a good therapeutic effect will be achieved through the use of antibiotics. If the cause of ARVI is influenza viruses, antiviral drugs are used, and the use of antibiotics will only cause harm.

How to distinguish flu from ARVI?

Flu differs from ARVI by pronounced symptoms of intoxication, which appear from the first hours of the disease. Redness of the soft palate and pharynx, high body temperature are the main signs of the flu.

Rice. 1. Influenza virus (3D model on the left and photo on the right).

Rice. 2. The photo shows paramyxoviruses. They cause diseases such as measles, mumps, parainfluenza, etc.

Rice. 3. The photo shows adenoviruses.

Rice. 4. The photo shows coronaviruses.

Rice. 5. The photo shows respiratory syncytial viruses (left) and rhinoviruses (right).

Epidemiology of respiratory diseases

The source of the disease is a sick person. Bacteria and viruses spread through airborne droplets. They reach the nasal mucosa and the conjunctiva of the eyes. The infection also spreads through the patient’s household items with dirty hands, shaking hands and kissing.

In the fall, humans are more often affected by parainfluenza viruses, in the winter by respiratory syncytial and influenza viruses, in late summer and early autumn by enteroviruses, and adenoviruses infect humans throughout the year.

Signs and symptoms of ARVI

With acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is affected. The incubation period of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections is always short, the fever is short-lived and there are always signs of intoxication of varying degrees of severity.

Onset of the disease

Acute and sudden onset of the disease is characteristic of influenza, acute onset is characteristic of rhinovirus infection, gradual or acute with parainfluenza and adenovirus infection.

Signs and symptoms of ARVI with respiratory tract damage

With acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, the mucous membrane of the nose (rhinitis), pharynx (pharyngitis), larynx (laryngitis) and bronchi (bronchitis) are affected. Combination pathology is common.

Rhinovirus infection affects the nasal mucosa. The patient is bothered by a runny nose and sneezing. Discharge from the nose is watery and significant. The pharynx is hyperemic.
When infected with adenoviruses, the mucous membrane of the tonsils (tonsillitis), larynx (pharyngitis) and conjunctiva of the eyes (conjunctivitis) are affected. The patient's face is pale, with severe conjunctivitis.
When infected with parainfluenza viruses, symptoms of laryngitis (hoarse or rough voice) and larynx are observed. The cough is dry, the pharynx is slightly hyperemic. The patient's appearance is normal.
When infected with respiratory syncytial viruses, the trachea (tracheitis) and bronchi (bronchitis) are affected, which is accompanied by a dry cough. There is pallor of the face.
With the flu, from the 2-3rd day, nasal congestion and discharge are noted, dryness and sore throat are accompanied by a dry cough. The patient's face is puffy, hyperemic, the sclera is injected.

Rice. 6. The photo shows herpetic sore throat. On the mucous membrane of the soft palate and tonsils, small blisters (pustules) are visible, which merge, open and form ulcerations.

Fever is a constant symptom of ARVI

With rhinovirus infection, the increase in body temperature is either absent or increases slightly.
With adenovirus infection, the fever is high (above 38 ° C) and long-lasting (up to 10 days).
When infected with parainfluenza viruses, body temperature rises gradually to subfebrile levels.
With respiratory syncytial infection, body temperature rises gradually to moderate numbers.
With influenza, body temperature reaches high levels from the first day of illness. Always accompanied by chills and a sharp headache. The pain is localized in the area of the eyeballs and brow ridges.

Intoxication

Of all acute respiratory viral infections, intoxication with influenza is the most pronounced. It is always accompanied by a sharp headache. The pain is localized in the area of the eyeballs and brow ridges. Severe muscle and joint pain are constant symptoms of the disease.
With parainfluenza and adenovirus infection, weakness and headache are mild. With parainfluenza, the patient may experience nausea and vomiting.
With rhinovirus infection there is no intoxication.
With respiratory syncytial infection, the symptoms of intoxication are moderate and include headache and weakness.

Enlarged regional lymph nodes

With parainfluenza and rhinovirus infection, the lymph nodes do not enlarge.
With influenza and respiratory syncytial infection, regional lymphadenitis is sometimes observed.
With adenovirus infection, generalized lymphadenitis is often observed.

Liver enlargement

Liver enlargement is sometimes observed with adenoviral and respiratory syncytial infections.

Changes in the blood picture during acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections

With ARVI, there is often a decrease in the number of leukocytes and an increase in the number of lymphocytes and monocytes.

For acute respiratory infections of a bacterial nature, the number of leukocytes increases, often with a neutrophilic shift to the left. A similar picture is observed with bacterial complications of ARVI.

Signs and symptoms of acute respiratory infections of a bacterial nature

Determining the nature of acute respiratory infections is the most important point in the diagnostic process. If the cause of acute respiratory infections is bacteria or mycoplasmas, then a good therapeutic effect will be achieved through the use of antibiotics. If the cause of ARVI is influenza viruses, antiviral drugs are used, and the use of antibiotics will only cause harm.

With mycoplasma infection of the respiratory sections, the disease develops gradually and lasts a long time. It is quite difficult to distinguish mycoplasma lesions from other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Outbreaks of acute respiratory infections of mycoplasma nature are often observed in large groups.
Pharyngitis with streptococcal infection is characterized by pronounced hyperemia of the pharynx, which occurs due to the effect of the pathogen’s toxin.
When the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx is affected. Rhinitis and pharyngitis are often preceded by generalized meningococcal infection. The diagnosis will be confirmed by bacteriological examination of nasopharyngeal mucus for meningococcus. It is also necessary to take into account the epidemic situation.

Rice. 7. The photo shows acute catarrhal tonsillitis. There is hyperemia in the area of the lateral ridges and larynx. The cause of the disease is streptococci.

Complications of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections

One of the most severe complications of influenza is infectious-toxic shock, in which acute cardiovascular failure, pulmonary and cerebral edema, and DIC develop. In the fulminant form of influenza, infectious-toxic shock develops on the first day of the disease. Pneumonia(viral, bacterial or mixed) develops in 15 - 30% of cases. It is always severe and often ends in death.
Aseptic meningitis and meningoencephalitis.
Infectious-allergic myocarditis and pericarditis.
Rhabdomyolysis syndrome, which is characterized by the destruction of muscle cells and the subsequent development of acute renal failure.
Parainfluenza becomes more complicated bronchitis.
Adenoviral infection is complicated tonsillitis, otitis media, sinusitis And myocarditis.
Respiratory syncytial infection becomes more complicated pneumonia.
Rhinovirus infection can lead to exacerbations of diseases of the ENT organs.

Rice. 8. Acute right-sided sinusitis. The disease can be caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract - rhinovirus infection. On the radiograph, liquid pus has a horizontal level.

Treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections

Treatment for acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections is aimed at:

on the causative agent of the disease (viruses or bacteria),
at all stages of pathogenesis (fighting intoxication, reducing allergenicity, increasing immunity),
to relieve symptoms of the disease.

1. Treatment regimen

Bed rest is prescribed for the entire period of fever.

2. Antiviral drugs for the prevention and treatment of influenza

To prevent and treat influenza, drugs that inhibit the viral enzyme neuramidase are widely used. Neuramidase promotes the separation of newly formed viral particles from the host cell for subsequent penetration into new cells.

Drugs in this group are active against the influenza A virus and the influenza B virus. They prevent the development of the inflammatory reaction, relieve fever, muscle and joint pain, and restore appetite.

The drugs are effective when taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of the disease. If you have the flu, use it for 5 days. To prevent the disease - 4 - 6 weeks.

Drugs in this group include:

Zamavir (Relenza), is used intranasally. The drug has a rapid antiviral effect due to the inhalation route of administration, which provides a high concentration of the drug in the affected area in the shortest possible time.
(Oseltamivir) blocks the surface protein of influenza A and B virus neuraminidase, which promotes the separation of newly formed viral particles from the cell for subsequent penetration into new host cells. Taking Tamiflu shortens the healing time and reduces the incidence of complications.
Ingavirin- a complex drug with antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Active against influenza A and B, including swine flu. Ingavirin suppresses the reproduction of viruses, promotes an increase in interferons in the blood and NK-T cells that destroy viruses, and has an anti-inflammatory effect, as it suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
today it is the most studied drug developed by domestic scientists. It has an inhibitory effect not only on influenza A and B viruses, but also on other viruses that cause respiratory diseases, and stimulates the work of phagocytes. Resistance to Arbidol is practically not developed. It is used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. When taking Arbidol, the duration of treatment is reduced and the number of post-influenza complications is significantly reduced.

Rice. 9. Capsules and powder for the preparation of Tamiflu suspensions for the prevention of children from the 1st year of life and adults. Has antiviral activity.

Rice. 10. Antiviral agent - Ingavirin in capsules.

Rice. 11. The antiviral drug Arbidol in tablets and maximum Arbidol in capsules is used in children from 3 years of age and in adults.

Antiviral drugs are used only during influenza epidemics. In all other cases they are ineffective. In the structure of acute respiratory diseases, influenza makes up about 10%.

3. Antiviral drugs for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory infections

Ribavirin has activity against many viruses. The drug is used to treat infections caused by respiratory syncytial viruses.

Shows activity against influenza viruses and other respiratory viruses. Used for the prevention and treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections

4. Treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections with immune stimulants

Interferon inducers - immune stimulants

Interferons in the human body are produced in response to the invasion of a virus into a cell. They inhibit viral replication by blocking specific viral surface proteins, thereby preventing viral replication and spread. Interferons are produced much faster than antibodies and other immune components.

Interferon inducer drugs cause the synthesis of their own α- and β-interferons in leukocytes, macrophages, epithelial cells, tissues of the spleen, liver, lungs and brain, thereby correcting the immune status of the body. Interferon inducers are represented by natural and synthetic compounds:

Amiksin- a synthetic drug that promotes the production of endogenous interferon by intestinal epithelial cells, liver, T-lymphocytes and granulocytes. Taken from the first hours of illness.
Cycloferon- a synthetic drug that promotes the production of endogenous interferon-α. Quickly penetrates into various organs, tissues and biological fluids, including the brain. Patients tolerate this drug well. In addition, Cycloferon prevents the destruction of respiratory tract epithelium by viruses and increases the production of lysozyme in saliva.
Kagocel- induces the production of late interferon in almost all cell populations that are responsible for the immune response. The drug circulates in the bloodstream for up to 5 days.
Ridostin- a natural preparation obtained from lysate (products of cell breakdown into fragments) of killer yeast Saccharamyces cervisiae. Ridostin, on the one hand, stimulates the production of bone marrow stem cells, on the other hand, it activates the work of the cellular immune system - macrophages and neutrophils, and affects the level of corticosteroid hormones, which are so necessary to fight inflammation.
Dibazol- a synthetic drug that promotes the production of endogenous interferon. Used to prevent influenza.
Vireferon- a synthetic drug that promotes the production of endogenous interferon α -2b. Tocopherol acetate and ascorbic acid, which are part of the drug, stabilize the cell membrane, which is susceptible to destruction by influenza viruses.

Rice. 12. Drugs for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory infections - interferon stimulants Kagocel and Amiksin.

Interferon preparations

Interferons in the human body are secreted by a number of cells in response to invading viruses. They are produced by blood cells and are able to suppress the reproduction of viruses in infected cells. Interferon preparations are obtained from donor blood and are created using genetic engineering.

This group includes Reaferon, Realdiron, Betaferon, Roferon A, Intron A, Wellferon, human leukocyte interferron.

Grippferon— genetically engineered recombinant drug interferon α-2b. It is active against a number of viruses that cause acute respiratory diseases - influenza virus, corona viruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza viruses and parainfluenza. Grippferon has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. When taking Grippferon, the treatment time for ARVI is reduced and the number of complications is significantly reduced.

Rice. 13. The photo shows interferon preparations: Human leukocyte interferon and Grippferon.

Drugs with interferon-inducing activity

Drugs with interferon-inducing activity include Imunofan, Broncho-munale, Ribomunile, IRS-19 etc. They act directly on phagocyte cells (neutrophils and monocytes) and lymphocytes, increasing their activity, stimulating the synthesis of cytokines, and enhancing the activity of T-lymphocytes of killer cells.

Drugs of this group are used for immunodeficiency states and toxicosis in children, chronic inflammatory diseases of various etiologies in adults. Their use improves the prognosis of ARVI and the quality of life of patients.

Rice. 14. The photo shows drugs with interferon-inducing activity: Imunofan and IRS-19.

Tamiflu, Ingavirin, Kagocel and Arbidol are drugs recommended for the treatment and prevention of influenza by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in 2016. They are highly effective during the first 3 days of the disease. On the 4th day their effectiveness decreases to 50%. Before taking these medications, you must carefully read the instructions.

5. Treatment of acute respiratory infections with antibacterial drugs

Antibacterial drugs are used in the following cases:

Acute respiratory infections of a bacterial nature (staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, chlamydia, mycoplasma, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae and Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Legionella, etc.).
For complications of acute respiratory infections of a bacterial nature (pneumonia, otitis, sinusitis, etc.).
With exacerbation of chronic pathology (chronic pyelonephritis, etc.).

The prescription of antibacterial drugs in adequate dosages to ensure their maximum concentration in the tissues of the affected organ of the patient is carried out by a doctor. Antibiotics do not work on viruses! Do not use antibiotics for prophylactic purposes!

6. Symptomatic treatment in the treatment of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections

The results of treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections will be successful if, in addition to the prescription of antiviral drugs and immunocorrection, symptomatic drugs are prescribed. ARVI and acute respiratory infections often occur with chills, headaches, muscle and joint pain, general weakness and lack of appetite - symptoms that are difficult for patients to tolerate. In pharmacies you can find multicomponent drugs. They are easy to use. In addition, many of them are available without a doctor's prescription.

Treatment of fever

Bed rest is prescribed for the entire period of fever. In case of severe disease, the patient is hospitalized in a medical institution.

Diaphoretic drinks in the form of decoction and infusion of treated herbs, vitamin drinks in the form of tea with lemon, rosehip decoction, alkaline mineral waters will help remove toxins from the body.

Paracetamol And Ibuprofen- drugs of choice for high fever and pain .

Contains paracetamol Panadol And Efferalgan. Paracetamol is part of such complex drugs as TeraFlu, Fervex, Coldrex, Tylenol, Rinza, Grippostad etc. Paracetamol acts only on the pain and thermoregulation centers of the hypothalamus. Paracetamol, unlike acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), causes erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach and bronchospasm extremely rarely. The drug has no effect on renal blood flow and does not have an antiaggregation effect. Liver damage occurs only with long-term use of the drug in excessive doses.

Preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid are contraindicated for children under 15 years of age due to the possible development of Reye's syndrome, which is characterized by the development of encephalopathy and acute fatty liver degeneration.

Rice. 15. Medicine for pain relief. The active ingredient is paracetamol.

Rice. 16. Medicine for pain relief. The active ingredient is ibuprofen.

Strictly follow the instructions for use of the drugs. Do not use painkillers for more than 10 days!

Cough treatment

A dry, nonproductive cough dramatically worsens the patient's quality of life. Facilitate mucus discharge and relieve irritation of the upper respiratory tract such drugs as Codelac, Broncho, Stoptussin, Linex, Gerbion.

Bromhexine reduces the viscosity of sputum and stimulates the motor function of the respiratory tract. Bronholitin reduces cough and dilates bronchi.

Treatment of nasal congestion

With ARVI, the patient is often bothered by nasal congestion. In addition, an increase in secretion production and a decrease in the activity of epithelial cells lead to the creation of ideal conditions for the development of a secondary infection. The use of vasoconstrictors in the form of nasal decongestants (from congestion - blockage, stagnation) alleviates the condition of patients and reduces the symptoms of the disease. Nasal discharge and mucosal swelling are reduced, and nasal breathing is restored.

Decongestants come in different durations of action - from 4 to 12 hours. They are produced in the form of drops and sprays.

Do not use decongestants in the form of sprays for more than 3-5 days!

Rice. 17. Using a nasal spray will ease the symptoms of the disease.

Decongestants with phenylephrine (a systemic decongestant) are the only ones that are allowed to be dispensed in the Russian pharmacy chain without a prescription. Preparations with phenylephrine do not irritate the mucous membrane of the nasal passages and do not cause dryness.

Rice. 18. Phenylephrine-containing drugs Otrivin, Xymelin, Xylen, Galazolin, DlyaNos and Xylometazoline are the safest drugs for the treatment of runny nose in acute respiratory infections.

Other drugs

The feeling of lethargy and fatigue will be eased by caffeine medications.
Preparations containing ascorbic acid. The body is able to absorb a dose of up to 200 mg per day. Excessive consumption of ascorbic acid leads to undesirable side effects - allergic reactions, irritation of the gastric mucosa, etc.
If you have a history of allergies, antihistamines are indicated Suprastin And Tavegil.

Combination drugs for the symptomatic treatment of influenza

In the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, preference is given to combined (complex) drugs. Their active components have a therapeutic effect on symptoms of diseases such as cough, sore throat, swelling of the nasopharynx, fever, weakness, headache, muscle and joint pain, which are difficult for patients to tolerate.

Advantages of combination drugs:

balanced doses of the drugs included in the composition,
they are easy to use,
Treatment with combination drugs is cheaper,
You can purchase combination drugs without a prescription from a doctor.

TheraFlu is a rational combination of antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic and antiallergic components.

Indispensable in the treatment of influenza and ARVI Fervex, Rinza, Tylenol, Grippostad.

Topical medications will ease the condition - Doctor Mom cold ointment, Tussamag cold balm.

Rice. 19. Fervex and Tylenol will relieve pain and fever from colds.

Complex preparations often contain antihistamines Pheniramine, Chlorpheniramine, Promethazine. The drugs reduce the level of exudation during inflammatory reactions, have a calming effect and improve sleep.

Drugs containing H1-histamine receptor blockers should be taken with caution by persons whose work requires attention and quick reaction (car drivers, etc.).

Composition of some complex drugs for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections

A drug	TeraFlu	Fervex	Coldrex	Tylenol	Rinza	Grippostad
Paracetamol	+	+	+	+	+	+
Antitussive			+	+
Antihistamine	+	+		+	+
Vasoconstrictors	+		+	+	+
Caffeine			+		+
Vitamin C		+	+			+

Treatment of acute respiratory infections should be comprehensive and adequate to the severity of the disease, aimed at all links in the pathogenesis of this often serious disease, taking into account the development of complications. Correct assessment of the patient's condition and timely initiation of treatment guarantees a successful cure.

With the right treatment:

the period of fever is shortened,
symptoms of intoxication are reduced,
catarrhal symptoms decrease,
the incidence of complications is reduced.

Tamiflu, Ingavirin, Kagocel and Arbidol— drugs recommended for the treatment and prevention of influenza by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. They are highly effective during the first 3 days of the disease. On the 4th day their effectiveness decreases to 50%. Before taking these medications, you must carefully read the instructions.

Every person has encountered a cold at least once. Statistics say that these are the most common diseases. During the off-season, the risk of a cold increases, especially often doctors diagnose acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections. Many people think that these are the same thing. But although these diseases are similar in many ways, there is still a difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections.

Colds can occur in a person at any time of the year. But most often this happens in the autumn or spring, as well as at the end of winter, when the body experiences a lack of nutrients and the immune system is weakened. In the summer, colds are prevented by a fairly high immunity, and in the winter by low ambient temperatures, which do not allow many infectious agents to survive. There is a difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections in the preferred time of year. Viral infection most often causes outbreaks of epidemics in January-February, and the period of acute respiratory diseases is mid-autumn and spring.

To understand how acute respiratory infections differ from acute respiratory viral infections, you need to understand what kind of diseases they are. ARI is the general name for a number of pathologies that affect the respiratory tract. “Respiratory” means related to breathing. The etiology of acute respiratory diseases can be very different. The causative agents of the disease can be bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. When the type of pathogen is unknown, and the symptoms of a cold are pronounced, the therapist makes a largely vague diagnosis of acute respiratory infections. This is because laboratory tests to identify the type of microorganism that caused a cold can take quite a long time. The disease is curable quite easily, so the patient can recover before the test results are known. Because of this, they are most often not made.

ARVI is a more specific diagnosis. This disease is a special case of acute respiratory disease. When a virus becomes the causative agent of the disease, an acute respiratory viral infection is diagnosed. With some experience, the doctor knows how to distinguish from the symptoms that the infection is viral in nature. In addition, a viral infection is transmitted parenterally, but an acute respiratory disease is not. Therefore, viral infections often cause epidemics. For doctors, an increase in the number of patients with similar symptoms is a signal that an epidemic of acute respiratory viral infection is beginning in a certain area.

ARI and ARVI: symptoms

Acute respiratory infections, as a rule, begin with a significant increase in temperature. The patient suffers from a dry cough; on about the third day, sputum begins to come out when coughing. If the disease is accompanied by the development of a sore throat, then a change in the color of the laryngeal mucosa, the appearance of a white coating in the throat and swelling of the tonsils are observed. In this case, there is no runny nose or inflammation of the eyes. A disease of bacterial origin is characterized by long-term persistence of symptoms without worsening.

The difference between acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections is that at the initial stage, the viral infection occurs in the absence of pronounced symptoms. The patient feels lethargic, weak, overwhelmed, and headaches may be present. One of the most obvious signs of a viral infection is nasal congestion. Two days after the onset of infection, symptoms become varied and acute: fever, runny nose, cough. As a rule, the cough is dry and hacking. It is quite difficult to calm him down; he constantly torments the patient. Due to continuous coughing, pain appears in the sternum. The disease lasts no more than a week unless complications develop in the form of a secondary infection.

Important! At the first manifestations of a cold, you should consult a therapist and do not self-medicate.

Vaccination does not always guarantee that the infection will pass you by. There are more than three hundred causative agents of the common cold, and the vaccine is not capable of providing immunity to all existing strains.

Acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections in children

In order to understand whether a child has a disease, you need to carefully monitor his behavior and listen to complaints. Viruses that cause acute infection have an incubation period of up to five days. During this time, children may have no appetite. It is also worth paying attention if the child is lethargic and does not sleep well. A respiratory infection of bacterial origin is characterized by a rapid, acute onset. The pediatrician will advise how to treat the child. Most often, medications are prescribed to relieve symptoms, as well as topical agents.

It is important to remember about preventive measures for children, especially during the off-season and when epidemics of colds are raging. It is necessary to dress your child warmly before going outside and give him vitamins to strengthen his immune system. Hardening and sufficient physical activity will help the child’s body overcome the attack of pathogenic microbes.

The reasons to seek medical advice are the following manifestations in a child:

temperature increase;
difficulty breathing, wheezing, lack of air;
sore throat, redness or white coating;
swelling of the throat, enlarged lymph nodes behind the ears.

Unlike ARVI, acute respiratory infections are sometimes treated in a child with antibiotics, but only if they are prescribed by a doctor. In order for the healing to take place as quickly as possible and for the baby to experience as little suffering as possible, doctors recommend creating certain conditions for the child. The package of treatment measures includes:

ensuring bed rest in a well-ventilated room with moist, cool air;
plenty of warm drinks;
You should not stuff your child with food if he has no appetite;
It is recommended to rinse the nasopharynx with a weak saline solution;
use gentle antipyretic drugs to reduce fever;
Coughs should not be treated with expectorants, as they may worsen attacks.

Treatment for adults

It is necessary to treat acute respiratory diseases. Taking medications will not only help cope with the infection, but will also significantly alleviate the symptoms of the disease and also avoid complications. Determining the etiology of the disease is a very important point when choosing a treatment strategy.

If the causative agent of the disease is bacteria, then taking antibiotics is mandatory. If the disease is provoked by a fungal infection or caused by protozoan microorganisms, drugs are prescribed to destroy these pathogens. In addition to treating the cause of the infection, the therapist will prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. These are antipyretic, analgesic drugs, as well as remedies for runny nose and cough.

When treating ARVI, taking antibiotics is usually not indicated. These drugs do not destroy viruses. To suppress these microorganisms, special agents are used, developed taking into account the type of virus. The most common causative agents of acute respiratory viral infections are influenza viruses, designated A, B and C.

The doctor prescribes bed rest to the patient and advises him to avoid crowds. Staying a sick person in public places is fraught not only with infecting strangers. This can cause a secondary infection in the patient, usually of a bacterial nature. An increase in body temperature indicates that the body is fighting the disease, so it is not recommended to reduce the fever with the help of drugs if the thermometer does not show critical values (up to 38°). The patient should consume a large amount of warm liquid. It is recommended to stay in a well-ventilated room, the air temperature should be no more than 23-24°C, and the humidity should be about 80-85%.

Consequences of the disease

If the disease is similar in its manifestations to a viral infection, but the patient has a high temperature for a long time, this is a reason to suspect an inflammatory process. In such cases, additional studies are prescribed, most often a chest x-ray. The most common complications of viral infections are diseases such as tonsillitis, otitis media, and bronchitis.

Acute respiratory diseases can provoke the development of pneumonia. This is especially true for patients older than average or those whose protective functions are weakened. In exceptional cases, acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections can lead to the development of diseases such as diabetes or kidney inflammation.

As soon as the cold weather sets in, the corridors of hospitals are immediately crowded with patients who complain of high fever, runny nose and cough. In most cases, patients self-diagnose and end up diagnosing themselves with the flu. But it is worth understanding that many colds may have similar symptoms, but different treatments. Therefore, after unsuccessful treatment, the patient turns to a specialist, only with a more advanced situation.

The most common diagnoses in the spring-autumn period are ARVI and acute respiratory infections. There are differences between these two concepts, which are more related to the provoking microorganisms. ARVI also differs from acute respiratory infections in its symptoms and treatment methods.

To accurately understand these two diseases, it is necessary to understand what each means.

What is ORZ?

ARI (acute respiratory disease) is a disease caused by respiratory tract infections. Pathogens in this situation include:

Bacteria (streptococcus, staphylococcus, pneumococcus).
Viruses (measles and pertussis virus, influenza and parainfluenza virus and others).
Mycoplasma.

There are cases when it is impossible to identify the causative agent of the disease. Acute respiratory diseases include:

Laryngitis.
Rhinitis
Pharyngitis.
Tonsillitis.
Bronchitis.

Very often, bacterial diseases are combined with viral ones. They can also occur against the background of chronic pathologies of the respiratory tract and organs. Mycoplasmas can cause pneumonia.

What is ARVI?

ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) is a special case of acute respiratory disease. Viruses can provoke ARVI:

Influenza and parainfluenza virus.
Adenovirus.
Rhinovirus.
Reovirus and other subtypes.

It follows from this that the main difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections is the pathogens. The severity of the clinical picture, as well as treatment, its duration and intensity will depend on the pathogens of the infection.

Diagnostics

As for the external symptoms of these diseases, they are similar. Characteristic signs of viral infections include:

General malaise.
Sneezing and formation of clear mucus in the nose and throat.
Redness of the throat.
On the second or third day, body temperature rises, but quickly subsides.
A cough gradually appears, in most cases with mucus production.

If the patient has an acute respiratory disease, then:

Increased body temperature is observed from the first days.
The temperature lasts a little longer than with viral infections.
The throat is red and inflamed. Sometimes the throat is covered with a white coating.
The cough is dry at first, only then becomes wet.
Fluid, mucus, which may be yellow, green or another color, is released from the nose.

It is impossible to determine the symptoms of respiratory viral infections at the initial level on your own. It is also necessary to take into account that a viral infection is followed by a bacterial infection after a few days. Therefore, in most cases, a specialist diagnoses a patient with a respiratory infection with acute respiratory infections. To accurately determine whether a patient has an acute respiratory infection or acute respiratory viral infection, it is necessary to simultaneously undergo laboratory tests that can detect the virus and infection in the blood.

As for deciphering the results, this will take a lot of time and therefore no one wants to do this and make an unambiguous diagnosis - acute respiratory infections. Moreover, with the right treatment, the patient should feel better within seven days, so there is no need for tests. It is recommended to undergo tests if chronic pathologies of the nasopharynx are noted.

Treatment

The main difference in treatment between these two diseases is that antibiotics are prescribed for acute respiratory infections. If the patient was prescribed antibiotics, then there is a suspicion of a bacterial infection or complications of ARVI. Very often, bacterial complications occur in childhood. As for the use of antibiotics for acute respiratory viral infections, they are not effective, since they do not have any effect on viruses.

When treating acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, it is necessary to follow the following general rules:

Maintain constant bed rest until you feel better.
Drinking plenty of fluids, tea, maybe even herbal tea.
Constant ventilation of the room.
You cannot avoid eating food, as a weakened body will not be able to fight the disease.
Taking medications that were prescribed by a doctor. You should not adjust the dose yourself and stop taking the drug after significant improvement.

If the patient has a severe cough, the specialist may recommend rubbing.

Whether for acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections, the patient is prescribed the following medications that help get rid of unpleasant symptoms:

Antipyretic.
Anti-inflammatory drugs.
Nasal drops.
Spray for sore throat, inhalation and gargling if necessary.
Taking vitamin complexes that help strengthen the body's protective function.
Antiviral drugs.

From all of the above, we can conclude that acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections have both similarities and differences. The main difference is that they arise from different pathogens. The symptoms are very similar, which is where the difficulty of self-diagnosis lies. As for treatment, antibiotics are necessarily prescribed for acute respiratory infections.

In autumn and spring, when the body is weakened and exposed to a stressful situation (weather conditions change sharply - the transition from heat to cold and vice versa), well-known abbreviations and doctor’s reports “ARI” and “ARVI” often appear in medical cards.

At first glance, it seems that these are completely different diseases, because there is no point in coming up with separate names for the same diseases. But in fact, the difference between them is not great if we evaluate diseases by symptoms, but their causative agents differ, which determines the treatment strategy.

What are acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections?

The key to understanding the difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections lies in deciphering the abbreviations:

ARI – acute respiratory disease;
ARVI is an acute respiratory viral infection.

So, acute respiratory infection is a disease characterized by an acute course of symptoms affecting the respiratory system, since “respiratory” means “relating to breathing.”

Acute respiratory infections are a collection of different symptoms that can be caused by both bacteria and viruses.

At the same time, ARVI is, like acute respiratory infections, an acute disease, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in disruption of the respiratory system, but in this case the causative agent is known - it is a virus.

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

So, the main difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections is that the first disease can be caused by both bacteria and viruses, and the second only by viruses.

To accurately determine what caused the disease, it is often necessary to conduct a special analysis of the microflora of the throat, the deciphering of which takes quite a lot of time. Therefore, it is appropriate to carry out such tests only for chronic throat diseases, and in the acute course of the disease, prompt diagnosis and treatment are required.

In addition, often a viral infection, not finding proper resistance in the body, develops, and within a few days a bacterial infection joins it. Doctors identify this “mix” as acute respiratory infections. When it is known for certain that the causative agent is a virus, the doctor makes a diagnosis of ARVI.

Let's summarize what has been said with the help of theses:

Acute respiratory infections are a set of diseases that are caused by either bacteria or viruses.
ARVI is a type of acute respiratory infection characterized by viral etiology.
Acute respiratory infections most often occur after hypothermia, and acute respiratory viral infections - after infection from a source of viruses.
The causative agents of acute respiratory infections can be bacteria - streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, as well as viruses - pertussis, measles, respiratory syncytial, adenoviruses, influenza and parainfluenza viruses. The latter can also cause ARVI.

How to distinguish ARVI from acute respiratory infections by symptoms?

The symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections differ little, and that is why it is difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish them.

Signs of ARVI:

sneezing, the formation of clear mucus in the nasopharynx is a natural reaction of the body to the invasion of viruses;
general weakness;
on the second or third day of the disease, a sharp jump in temperature to 38 degrees is possible, which does not last long; this is due to the virus entering the blood, which causes intoxication;
there is a high probability that the virus will affect the mucous membranes of the eyes and gastrointestinal tract;
at the final stage, in the presence of a cough and runny nose, they have a wet character.

Signs of acute respiratory infections:

as a rule, the disease manifests itself clearly from the first days - the temperature rises, which lasts a long time, the throat either becomes covered with a white coating (with a sore throat) or looks red and inflamed (with pharyngitis);
cough - first dry, then wet; bronchitis;
nasopharyngitis - inflammation of the mucous membranes with the release of clear fluid, mucus or pus;
tracheitis - usually occurs along with a dry cough.

You can distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one by the appearance of the throat - a bacterial infection appears with a white coating, a viral infection with red streaks. Sputum due to a viral infection is clear. When bacterial, it has green, yellow and other shades.

Thus, the signs of ARVI and ARI are similar, and in order to distinguish them, it takes some time for characteristic symptoms to appear.

Treatment for acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections

The treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections differs only if the acute respiratory infections are caused by bacteria. In this case, antibiotics are needed, to which the bacteria are sensitive. If an acute respiratory infection is of a combined nature, and is caused by both bacteria and viruses, then immunostimulating agents are also necessary. ARVI is treated with immunostimulating drugs, plenty of warm drinks and local treatment of the upper respiratory tract - sprays for the nose and throat, as well as inhalations.

What is the difference between ORZ and ODS?

Answers:

.

ARI is a more general concept; it unites all acute respiratory diseases, regardless of the infectious agent (whether it is a virus or a bacteria, it does not matter). ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) is a more specific concept (but also refers to acute respiratory infections), uniting only those acute respiratory infections that are caused by viruses (and not, say, bacteria)
Here is a more detailed answer from honey. site (essentially the same as what I answered, only in more detail), “ICD” - international classification of diseases (deciphered just in case)
Scientific Center for Children's Health of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow
What group of diseases is described by the term acute respiratory infections and is its use as a diagnosis justified?
ARI (acute respiratory disease) and its synonym ARI (acute respiratory infection), used in ICD-10, is a collective concept that unites nonspecific infectious acute diseases of the respiratory tract, regardless of their location - from the runny nose to pneumonia. The group of acute respiratory infections usually does not include “specific” acute infections (diphtheria, scarlet fever, whooping cough, etc.) that have fairly distinct diagnostic (clinical or laboratory) signs. Non-infectious lesions (allergic, chemical, etc.) of the respiratory system are also not included. The term acute respiratory infection (ARI of multiple and unspecified localization) is convenient for epidemiological purposes, since the forms included in it have much in common in transmission routes, pathogenesis and are often combined with each other. The term covers both viral and bacterial infections, the differential diagnosis between which is often difficult.
As a clinical diagnosis, the term acute respiratory infection (ARI) is of little use; its decoding is always desirable, i.e., an indication of organ damage (otitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, etc.) or, at least, the nature of the pathogen that caused it ( viral, bacterial acute respiratory infections). ICD-10 also uses the terms “ARI with damage to the upper respiratory tract” and “ARI with damage to the lower respiratory tract” as collective terms with the corresponding headings; these same forms of “multiple and unspecified localization” can be used as narrower ones compared to acute respiratory infections (ARI).
What are the differences in the terms acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections?
The term ARVI - acute respiratory viral infection - refers to those acute respiratory infections (ARI) in which the etiological role of respiratory viruses has been proven or, more often, assumed. Typically, influenza is excluded from this group, which is diagnosed in the presence of characteristic symptoms (especially during an epidemic) or virological confirmation. The use of the term ARVI as a diagnosis, most often in the absence of virological confirmation, is justified by the fact that its formulation indicates a non-bacterial etiology of the disease and makes the prescription of antibacterial agents unnecessary.
It is more correct, of course, to supplement the diagnosis with an indication of the nature of the organ damage or, at least, its level - the upper or lower respiratory tract.

Alina Narilova

ARZ - acute respiratory disease... ARV - VIRAL)... sort of like that)

Personal Account Removed

I got sick myself, I caught a cold, but I caught the SARS virus (my immune system was weakened)

Yulia Timoshenko

No difference. Acute respiratory disease and acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI - correct). That is, disease and infection are one and the same.

Yuri Voitenko

One is just a cold acute respiratory infection, the second is an infectious acute respiratory viral infection (a viral infection is more contagious).

Anna Smirnova

Acute respiratory disease - acute respiratory disease
ARVI - acute viral infection
in short, the difference is the same as AIDS and HIV

Elena *

much of a muchness)

Julia

Acute respiratory disease (ARI) - cold (not contagious)
Acute respiratory and viral infections (ARVI) - viral infection
They differ little. The symptoms are the same. But they are treated with different drugs.

kristalina aurinova

I think it's a good riddle.

She

I can recommend a remedy that will help get rid of both one and the other
non-drug

ARI and ARVI - what is the difference?

Answers:

EdelveyS

ARI (acute respiratory disease) is a bacterial infection transmitted by airborne droplets.
ARVI is an acute respiratory VIRAL infection, transmitted in the same way.
Treatment varies.

Victor Bochkarev

I'm like that myself

What do you spit - green or white sputum - that's the difference

Alla Borisova

♍Galina Zhigunova♍

In general, they are the same, only the decoding is different: ARI is an acute respiratory disease, and ARVI is an acute respiratory viral infection.

How to distinguish acute respiratory infections from acute respiratory viral infections? And is there a difference?

Answers:

Mamulka

In fact, acute respiratory infections are all respiratory diseases with catarrhal symptoms (cough, runny nose, etc.) and fever. And ARVI is part of acute respiratory infections that are caused by viruses, for example, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, etc. (about 300 pieces).
That is, acute respiratory infections are a broader group of diseases, which include those caused by viruses (ARVI) - approximately 50% of all acute respiratory infections; as well as bacteria.

~ ~ ~ ~

People with acute respiratory infections get sick by drinking cold water. And ARVI gets infected from someone.
There is no significant difference in symptoms.

maru1218

acute respiratory disease and acute viral infection

Marquise

An acute respiratory infection is a cold, and an acute respiratory viral infection is a viral infection. With an acute respiratory viral infection, there is usually a high temperature at first, then everything else; with a cold, it’s often the other way around

HEL CHIMERA

acute respiratory disease (viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets)
acute respiratory viral infection

No difference

Ira Ivanova

ARVI is considered milder

Olga Olga

The symptoms are similar!
ARVI - doctors diagnose it when there is some kind of viral infection

Differences between Orz and Orvi What is the difference between Orz and Orvi? Are the treatments different?

Answers:

Egor Agafonov

ARI - acute respiratory disease (cold)
ARVI - acute respiratory viral infection (influenza)
ARVI mostly en masse, no acute respiratory infections!
If you have a low temperature, it’s more likely to be an acute respiratory infection!

Elena

how did they sell it? if I buy what I think is necessary, and not what the pharmacy employees want...

Snezhana

everything was sold to you correctly, rimantadine is also cheap, unlike arbidol and other drugs

Yakubovich Viktor

Acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections are the same thing, well, it’s not that a person is sick, but from the penetration of a pathogenic agent into the body - a virus - simply hypothermia reduces immunity
remantandin is the only antiviral drug that actually works, but it is for a specific strain of the influenza virus
all other advertised products are at best either weak immunomodulators or dummies like Kagocel or just Paracetamol and TERA flu
In the USA there are also one or two drugs TAMI FLUE, for example it works
And all these cyclofernic arbidols are sold only in the Russian Federation and are not registered in other countries
and were not independently tested only by the manufacturer
so ASPIRIN RASPBERRY JAM gargling BED REST if your legs hurt then there will be complications, anything from bronchitis to pneumonia and then you will have to eat antibiotics

Anna Mikhailenko

The main difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections is that the first disease can be caused by both bacteria and viruses, and the second only by viruses.

Zhenya Pilyak

Why did they immediately “push” it? Galavit candles are generally a worthy thing. And they wrote correctly about Kagocel - a well-advertised dummy!

Ksenia Petrova

The symptoms of all these diseases are similar. Work with your immune system and you will never get sick!

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

Answers:

Toad

I am tormented by vague suspicions that this is one and the same thing. They are deciphered differently, but earlier doctors diagnosed everyone with acute respiratory infections, and now they diagnose acute respiratory viral infections. Apparently, a directive came from above

Larisa Kozina

I’m not a doctor, but I believe that ARVI is a broader concept than acute respiratory infections, because the letter B stands for “viral”. Acute respiratory diseases are usually viral

Irina Smirnova

ARI is a generalized name for respiratory tract diseases, ARVI is a narrower concept.
ARVI is of viral origin, acute respiratory infections are viral, bacterial and microplasma.
In the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, antibiotics are not used; in the treatment of acute respiratory infections, they can be used depending on the causative agent of the disease.
Acute respiratory infections are often more severe than acute respiratory viral infections.

Diseases caused by hypothermia of the body are popularly called “colds”. Their course is very similar to a viral infection.

However, there is a difference between these pathologies. And since the treatment for these diseases is different, the doctor must be able to distinguish one from the other.

Adequate diagnosis is also necessary because, under the guise of a common disease, a dangerous influenza virus may be hiding, the treatment of which requires mandatory medical intervention.

Otherwise, the disease may become more complicated and lead to more serious pathologies.

How to tell the difference between a cold and a viral infection

To learn to distinguish a cold from an acute respiratory viral infection (acute respiratory viral infection), you need to have a complete understanding of these diseases. Doctors with many years of experience are accustomed to calling any respiratory tract infection with the general term “ARD.”

Of course, this is not incorrect, but this concept does not at all indicate the type of pathogen that provoked the symptoms of the disease. The causative agents of seasonal infections are divided into two groups: bacteria and viruses. This is precisely the fundamental difference between these two diseases.

All viral infections are included in the ARVI group. These include:

Flu.
Parainfluenza.
RSV and their subtypes.
Rhinoviruses.
Adenoviruses.

Flu Virus Symptoms

The flu, which certainly breaks out every year with the onset of cold weather, is also a virus that affects the respiratory (respiratory) tract. But the flu can cause serious complications and is always very difficult.

All acute respiratory viral diseases have common characteristics. For pathology to occur, banal hypothermia or overeating ice cream is not enough. Infection usually occurs by airborne droplets from a sick person to a healthy person.

It is also possible for the infection to enter the body through everyday life, that is, through:

pieces of furniture;
toys;
dishes;
banknotes;
food.

But such influenza infection occurs much less frequently. But direct contact with a sick person, which can occur at work, on public transport, in a store, is most often the cause of influenza infection.

And respiratory tract viruses are very short. A person begins to feel unwell approximately 2-3 days after infection. Moreover, flu symptoms increase rapidly.

From the first signs to a sharp deterioration of the condition, it usually takes about two hours. This is due to the fact that once in a favorable environment, pathogenic microorganisms begin to actively multiply. At the same time, they affect the mucous epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, which provokes the corresponding symptoms:

watery discharge from the nasal passages;
sore throat;
dry cough;
increase in body temperature.

The severity of symptoms is directly proportional to the virulence of the infection. When you get the flu, the temperature may jump to 39-40 already on the first day. However, with a mild infection, the temperature may not rise. Most often, low-grade fever is observed.

The prodromal period of the disease, when the body has not yet responded to the virus, but the concentration of infection is already high, also causes a deterioration in health. An infected person has the following symptoms:

general malaise;
lethargy;
pain in the eyes and tearing;
nasal congestion in the absence of discharge from it;
loss of appetite.

The danger of a viral infection is that “on the heels” of a second wave a bacterial one can come. This is due to the fact that local immunity is weakened by the primary virus, that is, the path is open for pathogenic bacteria. They begin to activate on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

That is why situations arise in which a person seems to begin to recover, but after a while he again feels a deterioration in his health. However, if the treatment is formulated adequately, this does not happen.

In patients susceptible to allergies, a viral infection often provokes a hypersensitivity reaction, in which even ordinary food can cause an allergy.

ARVI, depending on the pathogen, leads to various diseases of the respiratory tract. A doctor can diagnose the following pathologies in a patient:

What is a cold and what are its symptoms?

To be able to distinguish a cold (ARI) from a viral infection (ARVI), you need to know the main symptoms of the first and the causes of its occurrence.

A cold is a consequence of hypothermia, which can be caused by:

freezing hands and feet;
when ignoring a hat during the cold season;
in wet weather;
in a draft;
when swimming in open water.

Under the influence of cold, a microbial inflammatory process begins to occur in the human respiratory tract. What are the main characteristics of diseases caused by hypothermia?

The causative agents of colds are:

streptococci;
Haemophilus influenzae.

These microorganisms are present on the mucous membranes of every person, but under appropriate conditions they are activated.

It is impossible to catch a cold, and only very weakened people and young children can “catch” a respiratory bacterial infection.

Under the influence of cold, the human immune system experiences stress and refuses to protect the body from the activation of opportunistic bacteria. Their reproduction leads to an infectious disease, which is accompanied by an inflammatory process.

Colds include the following diseases:

rhinitis;
pharyngitis;
sinusitis;
any sore throat.

Moreover, most often they occur in those patients who already have a chronic form of these pathologies.

Meanwhile, with a strong immune system and in the absence of provoking factors, minor hypothermia is unlikely to provoke the disease.

The incubation period of a bacterial infection is quite long (3-14 days). However, if an acute respiratory infection is caused by hypothermia, the incubation period may be reduced to 2-3 days. With a cold, there is usually no prodromal period.

The disease after hypothermia or acute respiratory viral infection can immediately begin with clinical manifestations.

Typically, the symptoms of acute respiratory infections are pronounced:

a sore throat;
severe soreness;
nasal congestion;
light but thick nasal discharge;
low-grade fever (most often) or normal readings.

But sometimes (very rarely) the disease is not accompanied by local manifestations, but only a slight deterioration in the general condition, which the patient can attribute to severe fatigue.

Treatment for a cold should occur immediately. Otherwise, a mild illness may develop into a real bacterial infection that will require antibacterial treatment.

Moreover, hemolytic streptococcus, which causes most colds, can cause serious complications in the heart, kidneys or joints.

Now it’s clear how a cold differs from a viral infection:

when infection occurs from contact with a patient, acute respiratory infections are an autoinfection;
The prodromal period for ARVI is one day, but for acute respiratory infections it is absent;
ARVI is characterized by a bright onset, the symptoms of a cold are usually blurred (with the exception of one symptom);
During acute respiratory viral infections, nasal discharge is abundant and liquid; during a cold, it is either absent altogether or has a thick consistency.

Treatment methods for ARVI

In order to prescribe adequate treatment for a cold, it is important for the doctor to know what caused it. Why? The answer is very simple: if you prescribe antibiotics to a patient with a viral infection, the drugs will only weaken the body’s immune system, but they will not affect the cause of the disease.

This will lead to the patient developing dysbiosis and resistance to pathogenic bacteria present on the mucous membrane of the throat and nose. The body will lose the ability to resist the viral infection, the disease will drag on and may result in serious complications.

Treatment of viral infections should be carried out according to the following scheme: First of all, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs:

If the body temperature has risen to 38.5 or higher, antipyretic medications are indicated:

Cefekon.
Paracetamol.
Nise.
Ibuprofen.
Nurofen.

In the early stages of influenza, a dry cough requires the use of antitussives and mucolytics that dilute sputum:

Libexin.
Sinekod.
Ambrobene.
Bromhexine.
Mukaltin.

Treatment requires taking vitamin complexes and restorative drugs that stimulate the body's resistance.

Medicines that will relieve pain and sore throat:

To wash away the infection, you need to rinse your nose with salt water several times a day. With this procedure, mucus is better removed from the sinuses, which prevents the development of sinusitis.

The patient should be provided with bed rest; in extreme cases, children should be prohibited from playing outdoor games.

The patient's room must be ventilated several times a day and wet cleaned. The patient needs to drink as much as possible, good for this:

herbal infusions and decoctions;
tea with raspberries;
tea with honey and lemon;
linden infusion;
fruit drinks, compotes and jelly.

The patient's food should be rich in vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to eat more garlic and onions.

These products contain phytoncide, a natural antiviral component.

Cold treatment

Treatment of acute respiratory infections differs from the methods used for acute respiratory viral infections. If a week after the start of therapy the patient does not feel relief, it means that a bacterial infection has joined the viral infection. In this case, the patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs.

For a mild cold, sometimes it is enough to rinse your nose and irrigate it with drops containing antibiotics. With severe rhinitis and swelling of the nasal mucosa, breathing can be improved with the help of vasoconstrictor drops.

You can get rid of a sore throat and sore throat by sucking Grammidin tablets or irrigating with Bioparox aerosol. The only condition is that all these drugs must be prescribed by a doctor.

TheraFlu Lar, Stopangin, and Hexoral sprays will help you cope with colds. The patient is advised to drink plenty of fluids and apply heat compresses to the throat.

If local therapy has no effect, systemic antibiotics are usually prescribed:

Erythromycin.
Azithromycin.
Amoxiclav.
Flemoxin.

This is especially necessary if the disease progresses to the stage of bronchitis or tracheitis.

Prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections

Since the causes of the development of these diseases are different, preventive measures should also be different. However, there are also general points.

To prevent the off-season virus, you must:

avoid crowded places;
wear a protective mask;
use products that form a protective film in the nose (Nazoval);
exclude contact with sick people;
get preventive vaccinations.

To avoid catching a cold, a person must strengthen his immune system. To do this you need:

All these measures are also good for the prevention of ARVI, since strong immunity guarantees that a small amount of the virus that enters the body will simply die there and will not be able to provoke the disease.

In conclusion, the specialist will tell you how to correctly distinguish between flu and colds.