Treating SARS: everything that can and can not help

Bad news: the average SARS illPrevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence about a week before this period, you will definitely not get well. Medicines that can defeat the common cold does not exist, all hope only on your body.

Good news: all this time, until the immune system is to identify, track and destroy an infection, it is not necessary to suffer. There are effective ways to smooth the symptoms. To the extent that you did and feel like a cucumber on the second day of the disease. Of course, despite the good feeling inside you will still be sick. But in a good mood and with a sore fight easier.

What is SARS and how it differs from the flu

And SARS, and influenza - respiratory viral disease, so symptoms are almost identical. But SARS - a disease of relatively harmless. But the flu more infectious, tenacious and fraught with serious, sometimes life-threatening complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, Meningitis, encephalitis... The approach to treatment of influenza should be more careful.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developedCold Versus Flu - a simple checklist that allows you to not make a mistake. Analyze their state on the following parameters.

1. onset

When SARS you will get worse gradually. At first it may appear cold, then - a slight sore throat, a little later - a slight fever ...

Influenza also cuts down instantly. Another 10 minutes ago everything was fine, and that the temperature jumps up and you feel bad sharply.

2. Temperature

If SARS is relatively low - 37-38 ° C. In influenza seriously fever: the run temperature reaches 38,5 ° C and higher.

3. cold

When SARS begins immediately. And often before you've realized that ill.

influenza is cold is not inherent. Only in some cases, it appears on the 2-3 day.

4. Sore throat

This characteristic is practically mandatory for SARS symptom of the flu (at least in its start), almost does not occur.

5. Cough

If SARS is not required. Influenza is accompanied by a cough almost always. And often this symptom is painful.

6. Discomfort in the eyes

During SARS is uncommon, but if there is, it seems that in the eyes sypanuli sand.

But flu affects the organs of vision is almost always. It appears sharp pain, redness, tearing and photophobia.

7. Other symptoms of intoxication

Typically, SARS makes itself felt mildly, some weakness, fatigue, possible light dizziness. Influenza also acts directly on many fronts: chills, headache and muscle (as after heavy exercise) pain, aches in the joints accompanied by contagion from the start.

What is the treatment of SARS certainly works

If you are convinced that you just SARS, not the flu, here are seven effective and scientifically verified methodsCold remedies: What works, what does not, what can not hurt relieve symptoms.

1. drink more

A sufficient amount of moisture in the body - a necessary condition to accelerate the recovery. The case in the state of the mucous membranes.

Slime - for example, those snot in his nose - a powerful defensive tool immunity.

It delays the virus actually entering the body. Perhaps your body is almost coped with SARS hit him, but you breathe the air again and again, where there is an infection, and overdried mucosa, thinned, and blood enters a new portion of the virus, which is why recovery delayed.

, Drink more to maintain moist mucous. Water, juice, broth, water with honey and lemon compote - any of these drinks will help prevent dehydration. But alcohol, coffee, soda should be avoided: they can speed up the excretion of fluids.

2. Control the humidity in the room

Dry air desiccate mucosa. This observation is especially important in winter when the humidity in heated homes drops to 15-20%.

You also need to maintain it at the level of 40-60%. To do this, install a humidifier or use any other available and free way.

3. Rinse your nose with saline

The goal is the same: to maintain moist mucous. Salt helps trap moisture, and the effect of such rinsing lasts longer.

Saline nasal sprays should take with you if you are forced to go to public places where the virus concentration in the air can be increased. Use them at least once an hour and a half.

4. ventilate the room

Viruses great feel in a dry warm still air: actively proliferate and gain strength... Do not give them that chance. In cool moving air and virus particles it becomes not so comfortable contagion concentration sharply decreases. Therefore, regular cross-ventilation - a sure way to lighten the body fight against SARS and speed up recovery.

5. Walk in the fresh air

Of course, if the state of health allows. The goal is the same: to be in the cool air moving and do not swallow the new viruses.

6. Relieve pain and discomfort

At the rate of recovery will not affect pain, but will help improve the condition.

If you have a sore throat, reduce unpleasant sensations help gargle with salt water. Dissolve approximately half teaspoon salt in a beaker of warm water and rinse. You can also try the pharmacy sprays or lozenges against sore throat.

If we are talking about the general malaise - while discomfort in the nose and throat, headache - take the medicine on the basis of ibuprofen or paracetamol. But do not overdo it: these drugs also lower the temperature.

A temperature during SARS - the good, because it helps the body to fight the virus more effectively.

When congestion of the nasal passages will help vasoconstrictor nose drops - they relieve swelling and allow to breathe freely again. Use the medicine in strict accordance with the instruction not to harm and not to transfer a runny nose and nasal discharge in chronic.

7. relax

Lie in bed or on the couch - the best way to help the body as much as possible to defeat SARS faster. While you relax, your body does not have to expend energy on anything else but fight infection.

Yes, many people "can not afford to hurt" in the modern world. But judge for yourself which is better: to spend a day or two at home and return to work to build healthy and vibrant or survive the cold on his feet, stretching it for up to three weeks and at the same time infecting at least a dozen others?

What is the treatment of SARS does not help, but only harm

Sometimes people think they are treated, and in fact only undermine the body's defenses. As a result, the illness lasts longer. Here's what to do, you should not with SARS.

1. Receiving antibiotics

antibiotics - because they and antibiotics that act on living (biological) organisms - bacteria. But it is not a virus.

Appoint me antibiotics for ARI, a person loads the liver, which could deal with cleaning the blood from the virus. Because of this life of farewell to the contagion may be increased, that is sick of SARS you will be longer.

In some cases the viral infection can cause bacterial complications, and then the use of antibiotics is justified and necessary. But! Prescribed the drug can only be a therapist. It was only after tests, which confirmed the presence of a bacterial infection.

2. Admission antiviral

Does not exist antiviral agents whose effectiveness against SARS would be proved. Acceptance of these drugs at least will not bring results, as well as a maximum - of their side effects may have an impact on health.

3. Admission young children OTC cough and funds

Such drugs have a number of side effects, sometimes quite serious. If an adult organism, perhaps will transfer them without consequences, young children are more vulnerable. So before you buy the baby cough syrup or something else "Cough", be sure to consult with your pediatrician.

What is the treatment of SARS is doubtful, but may work

These tools are quite popular. But scientists in them are still not sure. While some pros have already found.

Vitamin C

His technique does not help to prevent the disease. But accelerates recovery in some cases. To do this, it is important to take vitamin C before the cold: when it is cut5 Tips: Natural Products for the Flu and Colds: What Does the Science Say? the duration and severity of symptoms. Therefore Vitaminka recommend to those who have an increased risk of developing SARS because of the constant contact with other people - for example, teachers, preschool and school children, visiting overcrowded classrooms, the conductors of public transport, and so Further.

Echinacea

Here, too, mixed results. Some studies show noCold remedies: What works, what does not, what can not hurt no benefit from taking this herbal agent.

But others show that preparations based on echinacea can reduce the duration and severity of unpleasant symptoms of SARS.

To achieve maximum effect, doctors recommend to start taking echinacea at the first sign of the disease and continue for 7-10 days.

Zinc

Some studies show that the tablets or syrup with zinc may reduce5 Tips: Natural Products for the Flu and Colds: What Does the Science Say? the duration of a cold by one day and reduce the severity of symptoms.

In any case, appoint a these supplements alone is not worth it - you should consult with therapist. Especially if you have any chronic illness or you are taking other medicines: under these conditions may increase the side effects.