Everyday life has to go on – and maybe the training. This is how many think and cure infections. What consequences this can have, when a doctor’s visit is announced and when it becomes really dangerous – world answers the most important questions.
The little cough and runny nose don’t throw me off track. ” Do you know thoughts like this?
Even if we do not want to admit it: our body needs one thing in the event of a cold: rest so that the immune system can combat the pathogens as well as possible.
Let us not spare enough, we risk that the infection stays all the longer, we may be sitting in the doctor’s warting room two weeks later with a thick sinus inflammation. How it comes to delayed colds – and how to avoid them:
What happens in a cold in the body?
Table of Contents
“As a rule, this is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, for example the mucous membranes in the nose, neck and bronchi,” says Torben Ostendorf. He is a resident family doctor and chairman of the general practitioner association Saxony. Useters are usually viruses.
We are bad because our immune system combats the pathogens. “Here the body reacts with various defense mechanisms, which can then express themselves in various symptoms,” says Jakob Maske. He is a spokesman for the Federal Association of Pediatric and Young People BVKJ. Coughing, neck pain, runny nose and fatigue are typical.
The immune system eliminates the viruses and also forms antibodies so that it does not if possible not to develop the same pathogen again. This happens through the production of so -called memory cells that remain in the body. In the event of a new infection, they can be reactivated and thus fight the viruses faster.
In short: Such a flu infection gives the immune system a lot of work – and we should simply make it our body as possible.
How does delayed infections come about?
“During a cold, it is important not to put a strain on the body,” says Torben Ostendorf. Means: do not do sports and screw back a gear in everyday life. “Otherwise there is a risk that the immune system cannot concentrate on combating inflammation,” says the family doctor – starting point for a kidnapped infection.
Incidentally, this also applies to slight infections that only mild symptoms have. Even then, complications can occur, said Jakob Maske. Complication means that because the immune system cannot work well, viruses spread further in the body. “The consequences can be that a coldness turns into a litter or that causes bronchitis or even pneumonia from a cough,” says Torben Ostendorf.
It can even happen that a supposedly harmless infection becomes a heart muscle inflammation. “At the latest, this cannot be joked at all,” said the family doctor.
In the case of cardiac muscle inflammation, also called myocarditis, the viruses affect cardiac muscle cells. The body’s immune response can also damage the cells. In the worst case, this can lead to the pumping performance of the heart or cardiac arrhythmia.
What are warning signs that I haven’t recovered enough?
You usually recover from a cold after about a week. If the symptoms last longer, this can indicate a delayed infection.
“Typical warning signs are that you are persistently physically weak or that the fever did not go away after four days at the latest,” says Jakob Maske. A deterioration in the symptoms is also an alarm signal.
Incidentally, a sinus infection is usually shown by a strong feeling of pressure in the forehead, nose, cheek or upper jaw. “This usually becomes much stronger when bending down,” says Torben Ostendorf.
Typical signs of bronchitis is coughing with a expectoration. “Many affected people then also suffer from fever,” said the family doctor.
The symptoms of heart muscle inflammation are very variable. Complaints such as fatigue or dizziness are often evident. Air emergency, heart stumbling and chest pain can also go back to myocarditis.
When should I go to the doctor?
“Whenever the warning signs mentioned occur or if you perceive unusual signs even, you should use medical help,” says Jakob Mask.
Even high fever of over 39 degrees can be an alarm signal and should therefore be clarified by a doctor, advises family doctor Torben Ostendorf. This applies especially to risk patients with chronic diseases. This group should generally be more careful and previously search for advice in the family practice.
What can I expect when I have a cold?
With a cold it is usually possible to cope with everyday life with just a few restrictions. Nothing speaks against walks even if you feel like it. “Slight physical efforts are allowed, but of course no sport in the infection,” says Jakob Maske. “Competitive sports should not be done in full intensity even up to two weeks after an infection.” This gives the body enough time to regenerate.
In general, everyone who is plagued by a cold applies: “You should treat yourself as much peace as possible,” says Torben Ostendorf. Intensive working days are therefore also taboo.
PK/DPA
