What other consequences can a delayed cold have?
On the one hand, sinusitis can be caused by a delayed cold. This usually makes itself felt by a feeling of pressure in the face – especially when moving (for example, bending the head). It also often leads to purulent runny nose.
The nose is usually blocked and thus hinders breathing and the sense of smell. Viruses are usually the cause of sinusitis. However, it can also be triggered by bacteria.
Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) can also occur as a result of a delayed cold. This often makes itself felt through fever, headaches and stiff neck. In some cases, clouding of consciousness can occur.
Meningitis should be treated urgently in a hospital to prevent the infection from spreading to the brain. A delayed cold can affect the heart and cause, for example, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). Myocarditis is mainly caused by viruses and causes the heart muscle cells to dissolve.
It is estimated that 1-5% of all viral diseases cause myocarditis, but this estimate is very uncertain, since myocarditis often heals without symptoms after an infection. Above all, myocarditis should be considered after a cold if the person affected feels very weak and unable to cope with stress for a long period of time since the cold. Although myocarditis is in most cases asymptomatic, it can also be accompanied by various and unspecific symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, performance slumps, palpitations and general cold symptoms.
In addition, chest pain, cardiac arrhythmia or shortness of breath – especially as a result of cardiac insufficiency – can occur. It is important to interpret the symptoms of myocarditis correctly and in good time, as it can also be fatal.
- Causes of heart muscle inflammation
- Diagnosis of heart muscle inflammation
Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria.
In the case of a protracted viral cold and a weakened immune system, it is therefore possible that a bacterial infection is added to the viral infection (bacterial superinfection) and thus pneumonia develops. In the case of pneumonia, high fever and chills, purulent (yellow-green) sputum, a rapid breathing rate (tachypnea) or shortness of breath (dyspnea) and chest pain when breathing in and out are the result. Pneumonia should be treated as quickly and urgently as possible, as it is the infectious disease that most often leads to death in industrialized countries.
