Every year, when it’s cold season again, thousands of people make the same fatal mistake: they don’t take enough time to properly cure the illness. A cold, a scratchy throat and a bit of a cough aren’t so bad after all – or are they? Anyone who acts so carelessly can assume that at some point this will bring more serious health consequences. Of course, this is just as true for angina or even an infection – these can even mean that hospital treatment is necessary. We’ll show you why it’s so important to cure a cold properly – and how to go about it.
Outlook and prognosis
The heart muscle can be permanently damaged if the common cold is carried over. Disturbances of the heart rhythm set in, which can have lifelong consequences. In the most severe case, the affected person is threatened with sudden premature death due to cardiac arrest. If, in the further course of a spreading cold, a bacterial infection also develops, the prognosis is unfavorable. The functional activity of the inflamed heart muscle is severely restricted and triggers an undersupply. This leads to organ failure resulting in death. Likewise, the risk of pneumonia with a fatal outcome increases. Without medical care, the inflammation in the organism continues to spread and worsens the health condition. With medical treatment as well as sufficient rest, the organs, vessels and muscles regenerate steadily. The organism needs sleep, rest and relaxation for healing to occur. The body’s defenses can build up in this state and bring new life energy to the affected person. At the same time, the disease triggers of the common cold are killed and transported out of the body. In the case of a protracted cold, the organism does not succeed in fighting the germs due to physical activities taking place and overexertion. The strength is needed for the activities. At the same time, the pathogens can continuously multiply and further diminish the existing forces as a whole.
The common cold – what is actually behind it exactly?
The common cold is some of the most widespread infectious diseases. On average, adults fall ill with the flu three times per year – children, on the other hand, catch it much more often: up to ten illnesses per year are not uncommon, which is due to the fact that a child’s immune system does not yet have as strong a defense as that of an adult. The same applies to people who only have a weak immune system due to their age or other chronic illnesses. About half of all illnesses are caused by the so-called rhinovirus. After entering the body, the first symptoms appear after about 12 to 24 hours: One feels tired, weary and powerless. After one to two days, the symptoms start with a sore throat and difficulty swallowing, followed by a cold that usually turns into a dry cough with mucus. This phase can last up to a week, but improves more every day. On average, the cold is over after ten days. However, if it is a longer period, it may be a cold that has been carried over.
The spreading cold – what you should know about it.
Often, the symptoms of a cold do not disappear so quickly because you do not take enough rest: the body tries to fight all pathogens as quickly as possible with the power of the immune system – this weakens and makes tired. If you then expose yourself to increased stress, do intensive sports or otherwise exert yourself physically, the body releases the stress hormone cortisol. However, this inhibits the performance of the immune system – and thus the fight against cold viruses is much slower. The result: you suffer longer from coughs, colds and sore throats. It is also important to know that people whose immune system is rather weak are more likely to catch a cold. If you regularly take medication, are chronically ill in some other way or are at an advanced age, it is not uncommon to catch a cold. This also applies to people who have previously experienced a respiratory illness or suffer from asthma.They generally have rather sensitive airways that react particularly strongly to external stimuli. Thus, they also favor that you catch a cold faster than a healthy person with a very strong immune system.
The spread cold – what risks does it bring?
The most important thing first: do not let anyone tell you that a cold does not require special care – this can have serious health consequences! A cold that has been carried over can be the trigger for serious illnesses. If the immune system is not given the chance to fight the pathogens comprehensively, neighboring organs can also be affected. In this way, bacteria can lead to a so-called superinfection, which can manifest itself in various degrees. A good example of this is a middle ear infection, which occurs very frequently together with the common cold, especially in children. Stinging in the ears, increased body temperature and fatigue are clear symptoms of this. Parents can also recognize complaints by the fact that children touch their ears more often, start to cry or sleep badly. Be sure to have these symptoms evaluated by a pediatrician. Pneumonia can also develop as a result of an acquired cold, although this tends to be the exception and requires a severely weakened immune system. A productive cough with dry mucus, high fever above 39 degrees Celsius, fatigue and pain when breathing are typical. Therefore, go to the doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms, because pneumonia can be life-threatening if not treated! Asthmatics must be especially careful. People who suffer from asthma and catch a cold should seek treatment as soon as possible. If a severe irritating cough occurs, respiratory distress may result, which can lead to suffocation. In such a case, it is important to call the emergency doctor immediately to get help as soon as possible. In addition, if a child’s middle ear infection is not fully treated until it has healed, it is possible that further complaints will result, such as a so-called mastoiditis, in which the temporal bone becomes inflamed, leading to pain behind the ear. In this case, it is also important to quickly receive appropriate drug treatment from the pediatrician, because otherwise the pathogen can reach the brain and possibly trigger a skin inflammation there – it can be fatal in the worst case.
Complications
A cold that has been spread can result in serious complications. First, there is a risk that the pathogens will spread in the body and develop secondary diseases. Often, the viruses trigger severe inflammation of the bronchial mucous membranes, which is associated with a dry cough, difficulty swallowing and mucous sputum. If further exacerbated, the pathogens can cause life-threatening pneumonia. If the immune system is already severely weakened at this point, the cold viruses can reach the brain via the blood. The result is a dangerous inflammation of the meninges, usually associated with severe headaches, fever and fatigue. If the pathogens reach the heart muscle, this can lead to myocarditis. The disease usually goes unnoticed and can permanently damage the pumping function of the heart. This can result in cardiac arrhythmias and fatal heart failure. If the kidneys are affected, inflammation of the kidneys or renal pelvis may occur, which is associated with severe pain and disturbances in kidney function. Because of the severity of complications, a physician should be consulted immediately if a person is suspected of having contracted the flu. Complications are unlikely if the original infection is treated.
Follow-up
Proper aftercare is especially important to follow when you have a cold. Most people think that the illness is over when the symptoms subside. However, that is not always the case. A cold requires a long recovery time. Even if the symptoms have almost subsided, the affected person should continue to take it easy. Excessive exertion is therefore rather to be avoided. In addition, medications prescribed by the family doctor should be taken to the end. Taking them completely is important so that the condition does not return completely. Heat baths or short walks help to let the recovery progress.The fresh air ensures that the body can absorb enough oxygen to eliminate viruses and bacteria. Heat is also a good option for aftercare. If the body sweats, all bacteria are eliminated from the body. It is very important to avoid exertion or heavy work. Activities in the gym or any form of sports too risky for the weakened body. All sporting activities, such as endurance sports or similar, should only be resumed after full recovery. It is imperative that these guidelines be followed in order to allow the cold to subside completely. Late effects, such as heart muscle inflammation or bronchitis, can also be avoided by this prescribed aftercare.
How to cure a cold properly
A mild cold is certainly not necessarily a reason to call in sick and stay home – but if you’re feeling generally listless and tired, and suffering from other symptoms such as a cough and sore throat, you should definitely allow yourself to take some time off. Therefore, allow yourself and your body as much rest as possible. Stay at home, make yourself comfortable on the couch and treat yourself to a cup of chamomile tea or another herbal tea that has a soothing and calming effect on the mucous membranes. Feel free to add a spoonful of honey, it is also very relaxing for the throat. Another option is the old home remedy of inhaling with warm essential oils. Under certain circumstances, your family doctor may also be able to help with some good tips – so be sure to consult him or her in any case. Classic medications such as expectorants are also not wrong if they help you feel better. Important: Do not go back to work until you feel fit enough to do so. A cold can definitely last a few days – even if some people claim otherwise, you should always listen to your body. After all, it is always better to start the day freshly strengthened and healthy again, instead of sitting in the office with only half concentration and greater effort – especially since you can also infect other colleagues in this way.
Here’s what you can do yourself
A cold often catches those affected at completely the wrong time. Hardly anyone is thrilled when he has to cancel an important professional or private appointment because of a cold. A flu-like infection is therefore often played down or suppressed with medication. Not always, but very often, this can lead to very serious complications. A cough can then turn into chronic bronchitis or pneumonia. To prevent such serious complications, a patient should critically question his or her state of health. Honesty with oneself is the best means of self-help in such situations. Anyone who is really only suffering from a mild cough or a simple cold can certainly suppress the symptoms for a few hours with over-the-counter medications in order to attend an important appointment. If the symptoms improve quickly, a visit to the doctor is not even absolutely necessary. Caution is advised, however, as soon as a severe course of the disease becomes apparent. Patients who feel tired and listless, suffer from headaches and aching limbs, and develop a fever should consult a doctor quickly and otherwise stay at home and preferably stay in bed. It is also far more beneficial to employers and families if a sufferer takes a week’s break but is then fully fit to return to work, rather than risking a relapse and then being absent for months because of the complications.
