Colds at sea and after the sea

A cold is a common disease that many people have to deal with. There is no diagnosis of "cold" in medicine. This is the popular name for acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, which occupy leading positions in the structure of respiratory tract diseases. This disease is especially common in the autumn-spring period, as well as in the summer, during the holiday season. A cold at sea and after the sea is especially unpleasant, which can spoil the holiday.

[ 1 ]

Causes sea colds

The main cause of a cold is a virus. Infection occurs through airborne droplets, through contact with a sick person or a virus carrier. The sea creates optimal conditions for the development and spread of infection. Firstly, the climate corresponds to the conditions in which viruses intensively reproduce.

Secondly, all people swim in the sea, regardless of their health. Rarely will anyone maintain quarantine for a 14-day period if they get sick. Accordingly, the virus can get into the water. It can survive in the environment for quite a long time. And only when it gets into optimal conditions, that is, into the human body, it will begin to develop, multiply, which, accordingly, causes a pathological process.

Thirdly, a person's immunity is reduced at sea. A person allows himself many liberties, the usual regime is disrupted, he eats improperly. Many drink alcoholic beverages. Hypothermia or, conversely, overheating of the body, too long a stay in the fresh air, exposure of the skin to direct sunlight, sea water of a specific composition also reduce immunity. A sharp change in climatic conditions, biorhythms, also negatively affects the body.

Moving also has an adverse effect on the body. Any road is stressful for the body: tension, fatigue, wind, drafts, heat, exhaust fumes on the highway, lack of routine and proper nutrition.

Risk factors

The risk group includes people with reduced immunity, people who are often ill. There is a high risk of getting sick at sea for children, especially under three years of age. A person who has recently had a viral or cold disease, has not fully recovered, people with sensitive skin, as well as those who abuse sun exposure can get sick. People who have been on the road for a long time, who abuse alcohol. The risk increases in the presence of chronic and concomitant diseases, adenoids, after removal of tonsils or adenoids, having tumor diseases, both benign and malignant.

[ 2 ]

Pathogenesis

Against the background of reduced immunity, the infection, having entered the body, is not neutralized by the immune system, but penetrates further, getting into the blood and organs sensitive to it. The virus is transported through the blood, penetrates the respiratory tract, settles on the mucous membranes. As a result, a pathological process develops: a signal is received from the receptors about the colonization of the mucous membranes by the virus, the immune system generates an immune response. As a result, pro-inflammatory factors and antibodies to the virus begin to be produced.

Lymphocytes arrive at the site of virus invasion, aimed at neutralizing the foreign agent and restoring homeostasis. As a result, inflammation develops at the site of virus invasion into the mucous membrane. The spent lymphocytes die along with virus particles. This leads to the development of mucous or purulent exudate, which accumulates and gradually irritates the mucous membrane. Coughing and sneezing occur as a reflex reaction that occurs in response to irritation of the mucous membrane.

Then the microflora is disrupted. The virus produces endotoxins during its life cycle, which enter the body. Under their influence, individual representatives of the normal microflora of the nasopharynx can die. This leads to the fact that the normal, non-pathogenic microflora dies. The vacated space is immediately colonized by other microorganisms, mainly pathogenic ones, which begin to multiply more intensively. This leads to the development of a bacterial infection, which can spread quite easily, provoking further development of the infectious process.

Pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate into the nasopharynx, pharynx. Tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis develop. Runny nose, nasal congestion, nasal voice develop. In severe cases, the infection can descend along the descending pathways into the bronchi and lungs, which is dangerous due to the development of pneumonia, bronchitis. Through the Eustachian tube, which connects the nasopharynx with the ear, the infection can penetrate into the middle and inner ear. As a result, otitis, tubootitis develop, hearing is reduced, congestion appears. Often the infection gets through the nasolacrimal canal (or with dirty hands, a handkerchief) into the eye, resulting in conjunctivitis.

[ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Symptoms sea colds

The symptoms of a cold include unpleasant sensations and a taste in the throat. Gradually, these sensations transform into pain, congestion in the throat and nose, and a change in voice. Many people find it painful to swallow and talk. A runny nose, cough, and watery eyes appear. Around the 2nd or 3rd day, a headache, weakness, chills, fever, and an increase in body temperature appear.

On the 3rd-4th day, signs of viral intoxication appear: severe chills, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and bowel disturbances may develop. Muscle weakness, severe headache, dizziness, joint pain, and body aches may appear.

Early harbingers, which appear long before the disease develops, are increased heart rate, a feeling of pressure, increased load on the heart. Mild shortness of breath may appear, for example, with light physical exertion, climbing stairs. Weakness and increased sweating appear. Many people experience increased skin sensitivity, decreased appetite, slight tremors in the body, apathy, weakness, drowsiness.

Later, there is a sore throat, sneezing, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. There may be slight swelling of the mucous membranes and their redness. Swelling often appears on the face, in the area of the nose and eyes. Tearing and stinging in the eyes join in. It may be painful for a person to swallow and talk. Nasal congestion and ear congestion may occur.

[ 7 ], [ 8 ]

A child catches a cold at sea

Children often catch colds at sea. This is due to the fact that a child's body is less capable of adaptation than an adult's. When the usual regime and climatic conditions change, immunity drops sharply. The body becomes more susceptible to infection. In addition, many children have a disrupted normal microflora, which can also cause the development of respiratory pathologies, creating optimal conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora.

Children do not follow the rules of hygiene, daily routine, spend a long time in the sun, in the water. Many new emotions, hypothermia in the water followed by overheating in the sun, overwork during the move, disruption of sleep and rest, nutrition - all this weakens the body and increases the likelihood of infection. If it is possible to show the child to a doctor, you need to do it as soon as possible. Today, it is not difficult to find a medical institution at sea. You can show the child to any clinic, private clinic. When vacationing at a recreation center, boarding house, hotel, or other similar institution, there should be a medical center, or there should simply be a doctor who can advise. You can also use folk remedies. But it is also better to do this after a preliminary consultation with a doctor.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ]

Cold sore on the lip at sea

A cold sore appears on the lips in the form of a rash as a result of the development of a Herpes virus infection in the body. This is a virus that can persist in a person's blood for a long time without causing any signs of illness, without causing any inconvenience to a person. But as soon as favorable conditions appear in the body: immunity decreases, the biochemical rhythm and metabolism are disrupted, it passes from an inactive form to an active one, and becomes a causative agent of the disease.

In the pharmacy you can buy antiviral drugs of systemic action, which will help reduce the symptoms of the disease. Also, a special ointment, cream, which eliminates the rash, can be applied locally. There are special antiviral lipsticks that have a local effect and eliminate the symptoms of a cold.

But it is necessary to understand that all these are temporary measures that allow you to simply remove the symptoms of the disease, stop the signs of a viral infection. In order to cure the disease completely, after returning from the sea, you need to undergo an examination and receive a full course of antiviral therapy. Usually, to diagnose the disease, it is enough to take a test for Herpes viruses.

Complications and consequences

A cold that occurs at sea can cause unpleasant consequences and lead to complications. Complications include otitis, tubootitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Further spread of infection throughout the body is also dangerous. Not only respiratory diseases, but also diseases of other organs often occur. Pyelonephritis and enterocolitis can occur as complications. Intoxication often results in digestive disorders, allergic reactions, and hearing impairment.

No less dangerous are complications such as lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes and vessels). This leads to the persistence of infection in the body, its transition to a chronic form.

[ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Diagnostics sea colds

For diagnosis, you need to see a doctor - an otolaryngologist or a therapist. The doctor first collects general information (life history and illness), interviews the patient. Information about how and when the disease began, what the first signs were, how complicated the disease was by the time you contacted the doctor, what measures were taken for treatment, whether there were similar cases of the disease before may be significant. Then a general and special examination of the patient is carried out. The doctor examines the skin, mucous membranes. Rhinoscopy, otoscopy (examination of the nasopharynx, ear) may be required.

Clinical methods of examination are used. Auscultation is used to listen to the lungs, bronchi, and heart, which allows assessing the degree of inflammation and damage to the respiratory tract. Palpation is also performed, which allows identifying areas of inflammation, hyperemia, and swelling, and assessing the degree of pain. The condition of the lymph nodes and vessels, tonsils is assessed. Percussion is mainly used to listen to the bronchi and lungs. The presence of inflammation and sputum can be determined by the sound produced by tapping. If necessary, additional research methods (laboratory, instrumental) are prescribed, and a differential diagnosis is made.

[ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is based on the need to differentiate between diseases that have similar symptoms. Thus, first of all, it is important to separate a viral disease from a bacterial one. This may require a virological study, bacteriological culture.

Virological testing most often includes an analysis to detect viral particles directly in the blood (performed using atomic force and tunnel microscopy). An analysis is also performed to detect viral DNA or RNA in the sample being tested (PCR method, sequencing), which indicates the presence of a viral infection.

But these methods are expensive and require specific equipment. Therefore, immunological or serological methods are most often used, which identify specific immune complexes antigen-antibody that are formed in the human body when there is an infection in the blood. These complexes can not only be recorded qualitatively, but also determined quantitatively, which allows calculating the degree of viral load.

A bacteriological culture may be required if a bacterial infection is suspected. A swab from the throat and nose is taken for the study. A primary culture is made, that is, the obtained biological material is sown on an artificial nutrient medium. Then it is incubated for a week in a thermostat. The cultures are assessed, the culture that prevails in growth is determined. Then the largest colony is separated and reseeded on selective nutrient media. Using biochemical tests and immunological studies, identification and quantitative determination of the obtained culture are carried out. That is, based on the results of the study, the genus and species of the microorganism, its properties and approximate concentration become known.

Clinical blood and urine tests can be very informative. These tests can determine the direction of the main processes occurring in the body. Thus, an increased number of lymphocytes indicates an inflammatory process, a viral or bacterial infection. An increase in eosinophils indicates an allergic reaction or parasitic invasion. There may be a need for a biochemical or immunological study to obtain detailed information.

Treatment sea colds

Treatment is mainly etiological, that is, aimed at eliminating the cause of the pathology. In case of a cold, the main treatment is antiviral therapy aimed at eliminating the virus or reducing its activity, as well as stimulating the immune system, which provides the body with natural protection against the virus. In response to the introduction of a virus or any other foreign agent, antigens and other immune defense factors are produced.

Symptomatic therapy is also used, which is aimed at eliminating the main symptoms of the pathology. Thus, when the temperature rises, antipyretics are prescribed. When coughing, antitussives, mucolytics, expectorants and other drugs can be prescribed. In case of pain syndrome, analgesics and painkillers are prescribed. In case of an allergic reaction, irritation, swelling, antiallergic and antihistamines are prescribed. If a bacterial infection joins, antibiotics are prescribed. In case of a strong inflammatory process, anti-inflammatory drugs are needed.

Mostly, complex therapy of colds is used, which includes medications, physiotherapy, vitamins. Sometimes, folk methods of treatment and homeopathic remedies are included.

Prevention

You can prevent a cold by preparing your body for vacation in advance. It is important to maintain a high level of immunity throughout the year. There should be a complete diet containing all the necessary vitamins and microelements. You should try to follow a daily routine, eat, get up, go to bed at about the same time. You need to minimize stress, nervous and mental strain, fatigue, and exposure to negative factors.

It is important to optimally combine rest and work time throughout the year, engage in physical culture and sports. It is necessary to use proper breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation practices, autogenic training, which will help relieve stress and minimize negative anthropogenic impacts. All this will ensure good immunity, endurance, and a high level of adaptability of the body to adverse factors.

How to protect your child from catching a cold at sea?

It is important to ensure that the child does not overcool when swimming and does not overheat in the sun. It is better to go to the beach during "safe hours" - before 11 am and after 4 pm. This will protect the body from the adverse effects of sunlight. At this time, it is better to rest, walk in a quiet, not hot place. The head must be protected from direct exposure to sunlight. It is also important to ensure that the child is not in a draft, especially in transport.

The child should drink enough water, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. You should be careful when eating canned food, meat, and fish at sea. At high temperatures, there is a high probability of buying stale products. The risk of poisoning and food intoxication increases.

[ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ], [ 21 ], [ 22 ], [ 23 ]

Forecast

In general, the prognosis is favorable. Usually, a cold at sea and after the sea is quickly cured. But with low immunity and lack of treatment, the disease can drag on and develop into other, more severe forms of the disease, a bacterial infection can join in. After returning home, you must definitely get checked by a doctor.