ARVI - what is it? SARS: causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment

Everyone has heard this abbreviation at least once in his life. Most often an alphabetic combination on the hearing of parents of young children. ARVI - what is it? The mysterious name is interpreted as follows: acute respiratory infection of the viral etiology. This definition includes many groups of diseases caused by different types of viruses.

Army of flying microorganisms

About 200 viral agents are threatened every hour with penetration into the human body. It is the oral cavity in this case that becomes the gateway to infection, as microorganisms penetrate the larynx with a stream of contaminated air. ARVI in children is many times more common. There is a physiological reason: insufficiently formed immunity. Characterizes the ailment of a sudden, acute current. The main infections in the group are:

• flu;
• Adenovirus;
• Paragripp;
• enterovirus;
• Coronary-viral infection;
• PC virus;
• Rhino and reoviruses.

Such viral infections, once occupied the body, begin to lead a parasitic lifestyle: they exist at the expense of the main body, are introduced into the cells, destroying them, disrupt the normal operation of organs and systems.

Stages of colds

Influenza and SARS often have an epidemic nature, as people are quite susceptible to airborne infections, especially if they spend a long time in a collective environment. Of course, the disease in children manifests itself more often than an adult ARVI, so kindergartens in winter are often closed for quarantine.

The classical virus, developing, passes several obligatory stages:

• Unexpected penetration. Floating virus not only settles in a cage, but also multiplies in it. Further, the cell structure is destroyed. At this time, catarrhal disorders develop: a runny nose, reddening of the sclera, sneezing, hyperemia of the mucous membranes, a painful cough.
• Circulation of aggressive agent. Otherwise, the phenomenon is called viremia. The process is the movement of the virus through the bloodstream. There is a pronounced intoxication of the body: nausea, diarrhea, hyperthermia, lethargy.
• The defeat of organs. Depending on which systems of the organism the attack was directed, the corresponding symptoms develop. If the respiratory system is occupied, there are difficulties with breathing, wheezing, sore throat. In the case of enteroproductions, dyspeptic disorders are observed. Defeats of the nervous system are manifested by headaches, insomnia, delusions.

• Bacteria: the tactic of waiting. Due to the damage caused by the virus, the body loses the protective shell, the guard mechanisms are weakened. Therefore, the body becomes an excellent target for bacterial infection. Using defenselessness, pathogenic microorganisms actively develop in the affected tissues. When observing ARVI in children, this phenomenon is particularly noticeable: discharge from the nasal cavity thickens, acquire a greenish color and unpleasant odor. This is the result of the life of bacteria.
• Complications. Again, everything depends on the location of the bacteria that have penetrated into the tissue. They can cause post-virus diseases of the genitourinary and nervous systems, heart and GI diseases, endocrine disruptions.
• Catharsis. Purification of the body occurs relatively quickly, but some time after recovery the virus is still in the body. The adenovirus lasts longer than others.

Despite the difference in infectious agents, symptoms such as temperature in ARVI, weakness, catarrhal phenomena are observed in almost all cases. It is interesting that different, seemingly identical terms. In particular, ARI and ARVI. What is it - ARD? Such a diagnosis the doctor puts in case of uncertainty in the nature of the disease that has arisen. For example, if the ailment is caused by a non-viral aetiology, since a large group of ARDs can provoke fungal or bacterial infections. But the symptoms of these groups of diseases are very similar.

What is the reason?

SARS and influenza in children, as in the adult population, are due to one dangerous guest - the virus. The infectious agent is transmitted from an infected person in a period of special contagiousness. Some viruses, for example, the pathogen adenogroup, are allocated to the patient for 25 days, while the rest - about 10 days.

In general, viruses penetrate the body through the nasopharyngeal mucosa, but enteroviruses are absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.

To catch an infection is simple: an emotional conversation, vigorous sneezing, kissing, sharing common household items. Viruses, settling on door handles, dishes, toys and towels, wait patiently for their master. Therefore, in children's and work collectives, unventilated, cramped premises, at crowded events, it is quite possible to get influenza and ARVI into an appendage.

Immunity to the transferred virus is very short-lived, so recently a sick child against a background of a weakening by a previous illness can get sick repeatedly.

Weakening factors

Catarrhal viral diseases break out in the cold season, with the exception of adeno- and enterovirus - these pathogens are hunted year-round. PC viruses prefer December, parainfluenza has opted for the off-season, but most importantly, viruses are waiting for the moment when the body will be most weakened. What does this mean?

• A small amount of vitamins;
• Deficit of sunlight;
• Hypothermia;
• Low temperature;
• Stress related to school problems or working and family misunderstandings.

These aspects significantly undermine immune protection and make the body vulnerable to aggressive infection.

Features of the symptomatology

Symptoms of acute respiratory viral infection in adults do not differ much from those that are caught in childhood. But there is a difference. The temperature in ARVI by some people is much easier. Symptoms of the disease are divided into two groups: catarrhal and intoxicated.

Cytral group:

• Sneezing;
• Acute rhinitis;
• Lacrimation;
• Compulsive cough;
• Edema of the mucous membranes, hyperemia;
• a sore throat.

These symptoms indicate that the body is actively trying to expel the "uninvited guest."

Intoxication syndrome:

• Asthenic manifestations (lethargy, fatigue);
• Hyperthermia, sometimes rising to significant levels;
• Muscle pains, aches;
• Intense headaches;
• Chills, increased dehydration;
• Impossibility of movement by eyes.

As the virus travels through the bloodstream, massive body damage occurs, so the condition worsens.

If enterovirus invades cells, the symptomatology will differ, since the main impact will not be on the nervous, but on the digestive system:

• lack of appetite;
• nausea;
• Diarrhea of different degree;
• The urge to vomit.

The last symptom is a sign of serious impairments brought by the virus. Among other things, lymph nodes need to be enlarged, which signal the immunity of an infectious attack. Additional symptoms may add to the main list.

Flu is a familiar stranger

There is a disease, slightly different from ARVI. What it is? The answer is simple - the flu. Not everyone knows that this ailment is famous for its unpleasant, and sometimes severe, consequences. First of all, the flu causes symptoms of intoxication without catarrhal inclusions. The virus penetrates through the trachea and acts against the nervous system, incidentally affecting the respiratory and vascular.

There are three main types of influenza viruses: A (A1, A2), B (B1) and C. But the trouble is that the virus, in an effort to survive and adapt, is constantly in a mutation state.

At the initial stage, he manifests itself quite aggressively: the temperature is high, the agonizing pain in the whole body, weakness, severe headache, sometimes the patient hallucinates. There is hemorrhagic syndrome: bleeding from the nasal cavity, encephalitic phenomena (fainting, convulsions, vomiting reflex).

After a few days, the signs of intoxication abruptly disappear and a phase of complete apathy begins. Catarrhal symptoms, on the contrary, are aggravated.

Influenza gives serious complications, such as pneumonia, neuritis, changes in the myocardium, radiculitis, neuralgia, worsening of the course of chronic ailments.

Many-faced parainfish

This virus is presented in 4 variants and not so threatening as its nearest neighbor. The onset of the disease can be as acute as it is moderate. Symptoms of acute respiratory viral infection in adults and children are the same:

• Not too high, but prolonged temperature;
• Mild rhinitis;
• A cough like barking;
• Pain behind the sternum;
• Hoarse voice.

Despite its external harmlessness, parainfluenza can have a complicated course with such consequences as false croup, asthmatic bronchitis, pharyngitis.

Enterovirus - attention to the stool

This type of virus is manifested by abundant discharge from the nose, shortness of breath and other catarrhal manifestations, but its main difference is in attaching the following symptoms: severe diarrhea, gastric spasms, nausea. The complications caused by the virus are diverse - from meningitis to angina.

Adenoviral Attack

Now there are about fifty strains of this virus. Its difference from others is that infection is not limited to airborne droplets, it is possible to get an infection through infected foods. This is due to the fact that the virus multiplies both in the nasopharynx and in the organs of the digestive tract.

The disease is characterized by a long incubation period and a prolonged course. The following symptoms are observed:

• Significant hyperthermia;
• conjunctivitis;
• pharyngitis.

It is possible to generalize the process involving the liver, spleen, and lymphatic system. There are often recurrences of the disease. Complications are due to the addition of bacteria and are represented by rhinitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, otitis media.

Rhinovirus and reovirus infections are cousins

Rhinovirus simply adores the nose, and reovirus is served by the intestine and nasopharynx. They found more than a hundred species. The malaise caused by these viruses lasts about 7 days: headache, subfebrile temperature, weakness. The main blow falls on the nose and throat: severe rhinitis, herpes, burning sensation in the larynx, redness of the eye membranes, coughing. Sometimes the condition is complicated by bronchitis, sinusitis or inflammation of the middle ear.

The respiratory syncytial virus is an attack on the bronchi

The disease is almost always manifested as a cough, because the target of infection is the bronchi. Against this background, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma develop. Symptoms are reduced to temperature, shortness of breath, severe cough, painful sensations in the larynx. The duration of the disease on average about two weeks, but this illness tends to recur.

Other types of viruses, for example, coronary, are a mix of parainfluenza and rhinovirus infections. The consequences of the penetration of viruses into the human body are very diverse and can be supplemented by diseases such as pancreatitis, stomatitis, cystitis, meningoencephalitis and so on. It depends on what organs the infected bacterial infection has struck.

Therapeutic tactics

Primary examination, collection of anamnesis is the basis of diagnosis. Sometimes additional examination is required: laboratory tests, smear with mucous membrane, X-ray and examination of the otolaryngologist.

If the disease affects the child, then there is an important point that parents should take into account when an ARVI occurs. What is it? This condition is caused by viruses, therefore, in no case is it treated with antibiotics.

In addition, there is a standard medical scheme for treating all types of viral aggression, suitable for both children and adults. Symptomatic actions are expressed in the following list.

• Restriction of motor activity.
• Ventilate the room.
• Abundant drink.
• Nutritional diet, offered in divided batches.
• With hyperthermia - antipyretic drugs.
• Rinses, compresses, inhalations, rubbing, used in the absence of temperature.
• Use of antiviral drugs, and you need to start in the first two days of the disease.

• Antihistamine medications to reduce edema of mucous membranes.
• General strengthening measures: vitamin complexes, immunostimulants.
• Appointment of mucolytics for more effective removal of bronchial secretions.
• If there are dyspeptic disorders, then the intake of absorbents and water-salt solutions is recommended.
• To eliminate rhinitis, vasodilating drops are prescribed, saline rinsing.
• Severe cases, especially those noted in young children, require immediate hospitalization.

Preventive measures

Prevention of ARI is slightly different in different age groups. Adults, of course, get sick less often than schoolchildren. And those, in turn, are not as often as preschool children. Therefore, the prevention of influenza and ARVI in preschool children includes:

• Gradual hardening;
• Reception of vitamins;
• Planned vaccination;
• Washing of the nose with saline solution after visiting crowded places or kindergarten;
• Before the release of the application with oxolin ointment;
• Positive attitude.

Prevention of influenza and SARS in schoolchildren, in addition to what has been said, consists of such activities:

• Regular intake of vitamin herbal drinks;
• Home-made juices, honey solutions, excellent immunity;
• If there was hypothermia, then the hot bath would be a way out;
• Do not let the feet get wet, but if this happens, then the bath with the addition of salt and mustard will help not to get sick afterwards.

What is the prevention of ARVI for all age groups? It is worth thinking about the regime of work and rest, avoiding stressful situations, filled rooms during seasonal epidemics, washing hands more often and watching for the right diet.

So, ARVI - what is it? This disease, which significantly reduces immunity, exacerbates chronic ailments and causes severe complications. Therefore, observing preventive measures, a person will bring himself and his child health and a good mood.