Do not take lightly on infections

Carried out infections can have serious consequences

19/11/2014

They are part of the cold season: influenza infections. On average, adults suffer from colds up to three times a year and preschoolers have colds four to eight times a year. Many then try to influence their recovery with over-the-counter medications. What relieves symptoms in the short term, but can do exactly the opposite. The drugs suppress cold symptoms, so feel affected by flu better and burden too much. The infection is not cured properly and carried off. The HNOnet-NRW, an association of established ENT doctors, advises those affected to recover sufficiently from flu-like infections, to go to the doctor and to strictly observe sick leave.

„Cause of delayed colds is usually too little protection. Because then a harmless viral infection can become a bacterial infection“, explains Dr. Uso Walter, CEO of HNOnet-NRW. „If coughing, runny nose and co still occur after the usual eight to ten days, everything points to a delay.“ Dreaded complications are inflammations that can affect many parts of the body: In addition to sinusitis and sinusitis, which are noticeable by pain in the head area or toothache, heart muscle, lung and even meningitis can occur. Bronchitis, which can develop into pneumonia, is characterized by fever and purulent cough. Pneumonia causes chest pain, body aches, fever and chills. Symptoms of myocarditis, on the other hand, are exhaustion after simple exertion, palpitations, and onset of weakness. If left untreated, bacteria can also invade the nasal mucosa, migrate from there to the brain and trigger life-threatening meningitis. Severe headaches and a stiff neck are among the typical symptoms.

„Anyone who has a cold should absolutely take care to completely cure the infection. Bed rest, home remedies for cold symptoms and prescribed by the ENT specialist drugs support recovery“, affirms Walter. A sick leave can therefore be useful. Sport should be taboo on colds. „Efforts strain the body's defense and a harmless infection causes bronchitis much faster“, thinks Dr. Walter. (Pm)