Runny nose

Rhinovirus treatment in adults. Rhinovirus in children

Rhinovirus infection is an acute anthroponosis, characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa. The pathology is manifested by catarrh of the nasopharynx and moderately severe intoxication syndrome. People first started talking about the “contagious runny nose” in 1914. The causative agent of the infection was isolated only in 1953, and rhinovirus infection received its name another 7 years later.

Etiology and epidemiology

The causative agent of the pathology is a small virus containing single-stranded RNA and without an outer shell. It is not stable in the environment and quickly dies under the influence of unfavorable factors: it is inactivated in an acidic environment, when heated, and when disinfected. When dried in air, most microbes lose their pathogenic and virulent properties. Viruses are resistant to ethers and negative temperatures.

The mechanism of transmission of the pathogen is aspiration, realized by airborne droplets. Microbes spread in the external environment and enter the human body along with droplets of saliva and nasopharyngeal discharge. The patient begins to excrete the pathogen one day before the symptoms of the pathology appear and over the next ten days. The entry points for infection are the nasal and oral cavities, and the conjunctiva of the eyes. Infection of healthy people from sick people is possible through contact and household contact through direct touch or household items. In practice, this route is implemented extremely rarely due to the instability of the rhinovirus in the external environment. The patient remains contagious until the runny nose completely stops.

Rhinovirus infection is epidemic. The peak incidence is observed in the autumn-spring period, when human immunity weakens. Rhinovirus infection progresses in September-October and April-May. The risk of infection increases with hypothermia and when in crowded areas. Most often, employees of small teams, students, and military personnel get sick.

Susceptibility to infection is quite high. It depends on the state of the person’s immune system, existing risk factors, and the duration of contact with the patient. Rhinovirus infection affects people of all ages. Some ethnic groups, Americans and Eskimos, are more susceptible to rhinoviruses. This is due to the characteristics of the habitat, low income and high population density. The risk group includes the elderly, children, weakened and exhausted patients. Good immunity and compliance with all preventive measures will prevent the development of the disease.

Pathogenesis and pathomorphology

The target cells for rhinoviruses are epithelial cells of the nasal mucosa. After microbes penetrate the human body, they settle on the nasal mucosa and begin to actively multiply in epithelial cells. Epithelial cells are gradually destroyed, and catarrhal inflammation develops. The mucous membrane swells and swells sharply. Hypersecretion occurs. The disease is manifested by redness and swelling of the mucous membrane and copious discharge from the nose. Through the nasolacrimal duct, the nasal cavity communicates with the organ of vision, irritation and injection of the sclera and conjunctiva occurs.

Often the inflammation spreads to neighboring parts of the respiratory system. It is possible for microbes to penetrate from the site of primary localization into the bloodstream. Viremia develops, manifested by symptoms of general intoxication. When the immune system is weakened, the bacterial microflora is activated, which leads to severe complications of the disease - inflammation of the middle ear, bronchi, and lungs.

Antibodies are found in the blood of patients that neutralize viruses. After an infection, short-term type-specific immunity develops.

Factors predisposing to the development of rhinovirus infection:

Smoking,
Male gender,
Touching your nose or eyes with contaminated fingers
Crowding of people
Concomitant chronic pathology.

Symptoms

The incubation period is the time from the introduction of the virion into the cell genome until the appearance of clinical signs. Incubation lasts 1-5 days. The primary pathological focus is formed in the nasal cavity. Inflammation is manifested by severe catarrh and general infectious syndrome.

Signs of intoxication syndrome:

Low-grade fever,
Chilling,
Myalgia and arthralgia,
brokenness,
Painful sensations in the bridge of the nose.

In general, the condition of the patients remains satisfactory.

The nasal mucosa swells, signs of catarrhal syndrome appear:

Massive watery nasal discharge,
Sneezing,
Sore throat
Dryness and rawness in the nasopharynx,
hoarseness of voice,
Nasal congestion,
Tearing.

As the bacterial infection sets in, the nasal discharge becomes thick and purulent. The mucous membrane and wings of the nose are hyperemic, the skin under the nose is macerated, the conjunctiva of the eyes and sclera are injected, the eyelids are swollen. In patients, the cervical lymph nodes are slightly enlarged, but remain painless. The duration of clinical manifestations is 1-2 weeks.

In children, rhinovirus infection is characterized by a shorter incubation: 1-2 days. In children, the disease manifests itself as fever, chills, severe and profuse runny nose, sore throat, and cough. Severe nasal congestion makes it difficult to breathe through the nose, disrupts sleep and forces the child to breathe through the mouth. Patients have impaired sense of smell, taste, and sound perception. The appearance of such children is characteristic: their skin turns pale, their eyes turn red, tears flow, their face swells. A child with rhinovirus infection becomes whiny, capricious, irritable, restless, and lethargic. In older children, rhinovirus infection often occurs as tracheobronchitis and is manifested by a cough. In this case, dry or moist rales are heard in the lungs.

In newborns, the disease develops only if there are no antibodies against rhinoviruses in the mother's body. The disease in infants also manifests itself as intoxication and catarrhal symptoms. Children are restless, sleep poorly and refuse to eat.

Complications

Rhinovirus infection in rare cases is complicated by the addition of secondary bacterial flora and exacerbation of chronic diseases existing in the body.

The most common complications of rhinovirus infection are:

Chronic,

Complications develop if patients ignore the infection or self-medicate. Uncontrolled use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops and other medications can lead to irreversible and sad consequences.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease includes listening to patient complaints, collecting an epidemiological history, and an objective examination of the patient.

Specific diagnostics consists of carrying out virological study of clinical material- nasal discharge collected during the first 5 days of illness. The infectious agent, rhinovirus, is found in the samples being tested.
Serodiagnosis- staging a neutralization reaction or immunofluorescence in order to detect antibodies and antigens in the blood - pathogens of the disease.
Express diagnostics– polymerase chain reaction, which allows the identification of rhinoviruses in secretions from the respiratory tract.

Treatment

Infectious disease doctors, pulmonologists and pediatricians are involved in the treatment and diagnosis of rhinovirus infection. Complex therapy of pathology includes etiotropic, pathogenetic and symptomatic treatment.

In the room where the patient is located, it is necessary to create a comfortable microclimate, regularly carry out wet cleaning, ventilate the room, and change bed linen. Patients should observe the rules of personal hygiene - wash their hands thoroughly, eat a balanced diet, drink a lot, and, if necessary, maintain bed rest. During epidemics of respiratory infections, it is necessary to minimize contact to prevent the spread of infection and re-infection. Patients are prescribed warm drinks, hot foot baths, and analgesics for headaches.

Etiotropic treatment directed against the pathogen. Patients are prescribed:

Antiviral drugs - "Arbidol", "Isoprinosine", "Oxolinic ointment" for topical use,
Immunomodulators - nasal drops "Interferon", rectal suppositories "Viferon",
Immunostimulants – “Cycloferon”, “Anaferon”.

Pathogenetic treatment:

Anti-inflammatory drugs - Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Erespal,
Antihistamines – “Suprastin”, “Diazolin”, “Tavegil”,
Local decongestants – “Tizin”, “Rinonorm”, “Nazivin”.

Symptomatic treatment aimed at reducing the clinical signs of the disease and alleviating the general condition of the patient:

Antipyretics - Paracetamol, Aspirin,
Antitussive drugs – “Sinekod”, “Stoptusin”,
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs for the throat - lozenges, tablets, sprays, rinses - "Strepsils", "Septolete", "Faringosept",
Expectorant drugs – “Lazolvan”, “Ambroxol”, “ACC”,
Nasal rinses – “AquaMaris”, weak saline solution,
Antibacterial nasal sprays – “Isofra”, “Polydexa”,
Vitamins of group C.

Traditional medicine is widely used to treat colds.

The prognosis of the disease is always favorable. All symptoms of the disease disappear completely within a week. The exception is cough, which can torment patients for 10-14 days.

Prevention

There is no specific prevention of rhinovirus infection. Some medications intended to treat viral diseases are also used for preventive purposes, but in a different dosage. These include “Arbidol”, “Kagocel”, “Ingavirin”, “Interferon-α”, “Grippferon”, “Cycloferon”, “Immunal”.

General preventive measures to avoid this disease:

By following these simple rules, you can reduce the risk of contracting a rhinovirus infection or completely prevent the development of the disease.

Rhinovirus infection is an acute infectious disease that affects the nasal mucosa. The causative agent of this infection is a virus of the picornavirus family. The cells of this virus do not have an outer shell due to this; it quickly dies in the external environment and when heated. It should be noted that negative temperatures do not neutralize the pathological effects of infection on the human body.

Causes

The source of infection is a virus carrier or a sick person. Rhinovirus is transmitted by airborne droplets and household contact. Most often, working people and students in small groups (office, kindergarten, school) get sick. The disease progresses in the cold season (autumn, spring).

In temperate countries, this infection progresses in September and in the period April–May. In tropical countries, the risk of morbidity increases significantly during the rainy season. The likelihood of contracting rhinovirus infection is very high; all age groups are affected. But if you have good immunity and control the time of contact with a sick person, you can prevent the development of the disease.

Symptoms of the disease

The incubation period of infection lasts from 1 to 5 days. The virus that has entered the nasal mucosa forms a focus of inflammation, which is accompanied by catarrhal symptoms at the end of the incubation period and the initial stage of the prodromal period. At this time, the following symptoms occur:

the temperature gradually increases (37.5 – 38 °C);
pronounced chills appear;
swelling develops in the nasal mucosa;
there is copious mucous discharge from the nose.

Some time after infection, thick nasal discharge (hypersecretion) and symptoms of severe intoxication appear with gradual fading.

In the first hours after infection, catarrhal symptoms appear, which are manifested by a sore throat, sneezing and difficulty in nasal breathing. In this case, phenomena of hyperemia (redness of the tissues of the wings of the nose) and peeling occur. Redness of the vessels of the conjunctiva and sclera is observed, small vessels are visible in the area of the white membrane of the eye, which is accompanied by lacrimation.

Self-medication of rhinovirus infection can cause a number of complications, so if primary symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostic measures

The infection is diagnosed using research activities:

Taking material from nasal swabs is carried out on the first day or no later than the fifth day after the onset of symptoms of rhinovirus infection. The obtained biological materials reveal the content of the pathogen.
Serological methods - this approach allows you to detect antibodies and antitoxins.
General urine and blood tests - laboratory diagnostics give less accurate results, but make it possible to determine the presence of infection in the body.

Rhinovirus infection is not diagnosed with other acute respiratory viral infections, but despite this, its treatment is carried out similarly to other acute viral respiratory diseases.

Modern measures to combat the virus

Treatment of respiratory viral infections is carried out using broad-spectrum virocidal drugs.

The use of narrow-spectrum drugs is possible only after confirmation of the intended diagnosis by a doctor.

Each respiratory disease (rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus infection, influenza, parainfluenza and RSI) has the same treatment principle.

Despite this, you should definitely consult with a specialist to exclude the progression of the disease and the development of complications.

Etiotropic therapy aimed at suppressing the activity of the pathogen:

Ribavirin - treatment is carried out comprehensively over a moderate period of time, which ranges from 5 to 7 days. For children over 12 years of age, to achieve maximum effectiveness from the drug used, it is enough to follow a dosage of 10 mg/kg per day.
Arbidol - prescribed to children 2-6 years old, two tablets per day, it is advisable to take the medicine in the morning and evening. Recommended dosages: from 6 to 12 years – 4 pcs., from 12 years – 8 pcs. Take at least five days, otherwise the therapy will not give the expected result.
Isoprinosine - the recommended dosage is 50 mg/kg, which should be divided into three doses. Treatment should be carried out for at least 5 days, which will help get rid of the symptoms of the disease and eliminate the causes of its development.
Lokferon, Bonafton, Oxolinic ointment - are used for topical use as protective agents and suppress the activity of viral cells, and are administered intranasally (into the nose).

Interferons - effectively suppress the reproduction of viruses. Medicines act as immunomodulators, stimulate the body's defense reactions, having viricidal properties:

Viferon in candles - you should lay two candles throughout the day.
Interferon alpha – it is recommended to take 5 drops every half hour for 4 hours. For the next 5-7 days, this amount of the drug should be taken throughout the day, which will support the patient’s body and strengthen its natural strength to resist the disease.

Inducers of interferonogenesis – drugs that strengthen the immune system:

Anaferon is prescribed in a complex manner, at least 4 tablets on the first day, subsequent treatment - 1 tablet per day. The course of therapy is at least a week, during which the symptoms of the disease gradually fade away and the general condition of the patient improves.
Cycloferon - dosage for adults - at least 3 tablets per day. For children 4-6 years old, it is enough to take 1 pc., 7-11 years old – 2 pcs. It is recommended to combine it with other drugs that suppress the progression of the disease.

Symptomatic treatment:

Eraspal is an anti-inflammatory drug that suppresses the symptoms of infection.
Xylene, Pinosol are decongestants that eliminate the symptoms of a runny nose.
Stoptusin, Sinekod - prescribed for laryngitis and parainfluenza.
Mucolytics are a drug needed to relieve a cough, as an expectorant.
AquaMaris is a drug that is effective for rinsing the sinuses with a severe runny nose.

If within three days the treatment does not produce positive dynamics and the temperature reaches critical levels, it is recommended to consult with an experienced doctor. In this case, antibiotic therapy cannot be avoided. Other treatment may cause serious consequences.

Possible complications

Rhinovirus infection, if treatment is not started in a timely manner or with an unskilled approach, can lead to serious complications, which include the following:

The addition of a secondary bacterial infection is an exacerbation of sinusitis, ethmoiditis, frontal sinusitis, otitis media and tonsillitis.
The combination of a viral and bacterial infection is the development of tracheobronchitis with a pronounced intoxication syndrome (more often observed in preschool children).

Treatment with folk remedies for rhinovirus infections leads to irreversible consequences. That is why traditional medicine is used exclusively as additional measures to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

Preventive measures

Prevention of rhinovirus infection involves taking the following medications:

Arbidol - prescribed to children from 2 to 6 years old, 1/2 tablet half an hour before or after meals, up to 12 years - 1 piece, after 12 years - 2 pieces. The course of preventive therapy should be carried out for two weeks.
Interferon-alpha - the ampoule with the drug should be diluted with warm water to the mark on it. The resulting solution should be instilled into the nose two or three times a day, trying to get it not on the back of the nose, but on the back wall of the pharynx, since this is where the lymphoid tissue is concentrated.
Echinacea, Cycloferon - can be used as additives in tea. Tea drinking should be repeated at least 2 times a day.

Rhinovirus infection in children and adults: symptoms and treatment.

This disease is classified as infectious.

It is caused by viruses that mainly affect the nasal mucosa.

Intoxication is mild.

Etiology of rhinovirus infection

The causative agent of rhinovirus infection does not have an outer shell, the size of the cell itself is very small, which allows it to be classified as a member of the picornavirus family.

Due to the lack of an outer shell, the virus is very vulnerable. Even with a slight impact of external factors on the infection, it can be easily inactivated. This makes it possible to make treatment successful and quick.

The virus dies under the following circumstances:

When the temperature rises and when heated;
In the absence of moisture. The infection simply dries up. This is especially noticeable in the summer, when air humidity is very low - there is no rhinovirus infection. But in the autumn-winter period, on the contrary, it is activated;
When exposed to disinfectants;
In case of contact with the acidic environment of the stomach.

In winter, viruses are especially vulnerable. Negative air temperature kills infection.

But temperatures of 0 degrees and above are an ideal environment for survival. This disease is also resistant to ethers.

The source of infection is the patient himself or the virus carrier. That is, a person who is not sick, but there is a virus in his body.

The infection is transmitted in three ways:

Contact path. A friendly squeeze or touch is enough for infection to occur.
Airborne. This route of transmission is widespread among small groups of people.
Contact and household. Infection occurs through shared use of household items (towel, one pillow for two).

The peak of infection outbreaks occurs in the wet seasons: autumn, spring, mild winter.

Symptoms of rhinovirus infection

The list of symptomatic reactions is very long. In the first five days of illness, the virus does not manifest itself in any way.

During this incubation period, it adapts to the human body and is fixed in it. Then the first bells appear.

The disease occurs with a number of distinctive signs:

The nasal mucosa becomes inflamed. It is through the nasal opening that the virus enters the human body. Therefore, it is this component of the human body that takes the first blow;
Body temperature rises. It starts at a low 37.2 and ends with a rise on the thermometer to 38.0 degrees;
slight chills;
Swelling of the nasal mucosa with copious discharge appears. Gradually they thicken and begin to pass. All that remains is sinus congestion;
Sneezing;
Sore throat;
The mucous membrane of the eyes becomes inflamed. Redness and lacrimation may occur.

Diagnosis of rhinovirus infection

In order to diagnose rhinovirus infection, a number of methods and studies have to be adopted:

Questioning the patient and external examination. The virus produces an acute and low temperature.
On the first day of symptoms, nasal swabs should be taken to identify the causative agent. This is called the virological method.
The third stage is serological research. They allow you to identify counteracting factors and initiate a reaction to neutralize the infection.
General tests. They are not effective and only indicate the course of the disease and possible consequences.

After conducting these studies and determining the infection, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Treatment of rhinovirus infection

To treat the infection, etiotropic therapy is used.

This direction is carried out against the causative agent of infection.

The list of drug treatments includes:

Arbidol,
Ribavirin,
Isoprinosine,
Oxolinic ointment.

The latter is used intranasally - into the nose, applying the product to the mucous membranes. Bonnafton and Lokferon are also suitable.

Immunomodulators that suppress further proliferation of viral cells in the body are well suited.

Such drugs promote the activation of immunological mechanisms.

Drugs that have such properties are classified as interferons.

Interferon-a and Viferon in suppositories are suitable for treatment.

To stimulate the immune system, you can use drugs such as Anaferon and Cycloferon.

To get rid of symptomatic signs, you can take the following measures:

Taking antipyretics (Nurrofen and Ibuprofen);
Depending on the nature of the cough and the place of its formation, antitussives are prescribed. For laryngitis, Tusuprex, Sinekod and Stoptusin are suitable. If the location of the cough is lower and it causes a lot of trouble, then drugs with mucolytic and expectorant effects are prescribed;
Use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as Erespal;
To treat mucous membranes, you can take Pinosol or Xylin. These two drugs will help relieve nasal swelling.

To suppress inflammation, you should start rinsing your nose. To do this, you can use Aquamaris or saline solution.

When rinsing your nose, you need to follow the correct sequence of actions and a number of rules.

Do not rinse your nose if it is blocked. The nasal cavity is connected to the inner ear.

Rinsing closed sinuses will cause the infection to enter the ear canal. Such a hit can result in otitis media.

If the treatment is carried out correctly and under the supervision of a doctor, the disease should go away within three days.

If the symptoms do not go away and the body temperature continues to rise, then treatment with stronger drugs - antibiotics - will be required.

Complications of rhinovirus infection

The consequences of the disease are very rare.

Complications are only possible if the rhinovirus is chronic or there is no treatment.

Under such circumstances it is possible:

And if the disease does occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Rhinovirus infection is caused by an RNA virus belonging to the Rhinovirus family. Positive RNA viruses form a non-segmented genome, and the virion itself is small in size - 20-30 nm. The virus cell does not have a shell, which allows it to quickly penetrate the mucous epithelium of the respiratory organs.

Microbiology has revealed that some genes of rhinoviruses change slightly, this is necessary for the viruses to survive inside the human body, but when the nucleus undergoes mutation, the cell dies. During illness, short-term immunity is developed, but there are different types of rhinoviruses, so immediately after a rhinovirus infection, re-infection with a different strain is possible.

The pathogen enters the body through the nasal cavity and begins to interact with ICAM-1 receptors, which are present in large quantities on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. Cells that are infected by rhinovirus begin to intensively produce cytokines - substances that trigger the development of the inflammatory process and the active functioning of cellular immunity. It is because of the cytokine and the active fight of the immune system against pathogens that a profuse runny nose and sore throat appear.

Types, types and forms of rhinovirus infection

Rhinovirus is called the common cold virus, but according to ICD-10, rhinovirus infection is classified as J00 - acute nasopharyngitis. If bronchitis develops against its background, then code J20.6 is noted - bronchitis caused by a rhinovirus.

113 types of rhinoviruses have been identified, which are classified according to the structure of proteins and lipoproteins that provide communication between virus and human cells. The individual sensitivity of rhinovirus serotypes to drugs is also taken into account.

The classification of rhinovirus infection depends on the course of the disease, its severity, severity of intoxication and catarrhal manifestations. Based on the severity of the course, mild, moderate and severe forms are distinguished; this determines how exactly to treat rhinovirus infection - you can get by with symptomatic therapy or you need to use more serious drugs.

According to the nature of the infection:

Smooth is a disease with a classic course, usually mild or moderate.
Unsmooth - with complications, with the addition of a secondary infection or exacerbation of chronic pathologies.

By type, typical and atypical course of the disease is distinguished. Atypical rhinovirus infections are characterized by a mild or asymptomatic course, and therefore are diagnosed extremely rarely.

Causes of rhinovirus infection

The cause of infection with rhinovirus infection is contact with a virus carrier or a person with symptoms of the disease. Susceptibility to rhinovirus is high, so anyone can become infected, regardless of the state of their immune system.

The greatest predisposition to infection, of course, is among those people whose immunity is unstable. Predisposing factors include: chronic diseases, frequent hypothermia, blood diseases, vitamin deficiency, poor nutrition and unfavorable environment.

How does rhinovirus infection develop in children?

Infection with rhinovirus can occur at any time of the year, but the highest incidence rate is recorded in the autumn-winter period, and more than 90% of children of any age category, except newborns, become ill - they are protected by antibodies transmitted from the mother.

A carrier of a rhinovirus infection is a person infected during the incubation period, a patient with a runny nose or who is in the recovery stage. Usually rhinovirus is transmitted by airborne droplets, but among children's groups contact and household routes of infection are relevant - through shared household items, toys, and dishes.

Rhinovirus infection in children develops rapidly - the incubation period in childhood is no more than two days, but the child becomes infectious a day before the first symptoms appear. Children are characterized by a severe course of the disease - high fever, severe nasal congestion, red eyes, severe intoxication. Rhinovirus in children is often accompanied by tracheobronchitis with shortness of breath and severe cough. In some cases, rhinovirus infection leads to a decrease in immunity and the penetration of secondary infections into the body and the development of complications.

Development of rhinovirus in adults

Having had a rhinovirus infection in childhood, adults become less susceptible to it. But the antibodies produced in the body during illness disappear very quickly - after 3-4 weeks. But why is rhinovirus infection in adults much less common and milder?

Frequent acute respiratory viral infections, in particular those caused by rhinoviruses, train the immune system from an early age, thereby allowing the immune system of an adult not to be distracted by minor diseases, but to direct all its forces to severe and chronic pathologies.

The immune system of an adult functions more stably, preventing the progression of the disease at the initial stage. When rhinovirus infection develops in adults, the symptoms of the disease are usually less pronounced than in children - without intoxication, fever and damage to the lower respiratory tract. Rhinovirus in adults in 40% of cases is asymptomatic or with minor and short-term manifestations.

Symptoms and first signs of rhinovirus infection

The first symptoms of rhinovirus in children and adults develop due to inflammation of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.

The mucous membrane of the nose and throat swells greatly, signs of catarrhal syndrome appear:

copious, non-stop nasal discharge;
difficulty breathing;
frequent sneezing;
discomfort and sore throat;
hoarseness of voice.

In a child, nasal congestion leads to restless sleep and a constant need to breathe through the mouth. So the child’s body does not receive enough oxygen, which leads to pale skin, headaches, dizziness and severe weakness. Children often have impaired perception of taste, smell and sound. In a child under 3 years of age, rhinovirus causes increased moodiness, irritability, and lethargy.
In adults, the structure of the nasopharynx is slightly different, so swelling of the mucous membrane rarely leads to complete nasal congestion and disruption of taste and sound perception.

Symptoms of rhinovirus infection are accompanied by mild or moderate toxic poisoning - increased body temperature, chills, joint and muscle pain, and decreased appetite.

Rhinovirus infection causes symptoms reminiscent of conjunctivitis - redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes, increased lacrimation, photophobia. If a bacterial infection occurs, then purulent masses are released from the eyes.

When a bacterial infection occurs, the mucus in the nose thickens and becomes yellow-green in color. Secondary infection leads to a protracted course of the disease and complications in the form of inflammation of the lower respiratory tract or ENT organs.

Which doctor should I contact?

When symptoms of rhinovirus infection appear, you need to contact your local pediatrician or therapist. After examining the patient, the doctor prescribes treatment or refers him for consultation to other specialists - an infectious disease specialist, a pulmonologist or an otolaryngologist. Consultation with other doctors is necessary if there is a suspicion of the development of complications or the addition of a secondary infection.

Diagnostics

Treatment of rhinovirus infection can only begin after a complete examination of the patient and differential diagnosis. Parainfluenza, adenoviruses and rhinoviruses have some similarities in clinical manifestations, so if during the examination the doctor cannot determine the diagnosis, he gives the patient a referral for laboratory tests - culture of a smear taken from the nasopharynx, or rapid diagnostics - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

But in most cases, diagnosis of rhinovirus infection is based on a physical examination - determining the abundance of nasal discharge, examining the larynx, palpating the lymph nodes and listening to breathing. When making a diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance data must be taken into account.

How and with what to treat rhinovirus in children and adults?

The symptoms and treatment of rhinovirus infection are closely related - the manifestations of the disease determine how to treat the rhinovirus. In most cases, only symptomatic treatment is required to make the patient feel better.

If the symptoms of rhinovirus are expressed only by catarrhal manifestations without fever and signs of intoxication, therapy is based on regular cleansing of the nose from mucus accumulations. The nasal passages need to be washed regularly - at least 4 times a day.

It is better to use pharmaceutical solutions:

Aqualor.
Aquamaris.
Dolphin.
Humer.
Salin.

Treatment of rhinovirus infection accompanied by nasal congestion requires the use of vasoconstrictor drops. Oil-based products help well: Pinosol, Pinovit, Eucasept, which have an anti-infective and softening effect. In addition to them, you can use drugs that have only a vasoconstrictor effect.

Also, to treat rhinovirus, throat antiseptics are used, which are divided into three categories:

Sprays: Kameton, Miramistin, Ingalipt, Hexoral, etc.
Lozenges: Strepsils, Faringosept, Agisept, Septolete, etc.
Gargles: calendula tincture, Rotokan, Chlorophyllipt, OKI, etc.

Treatment for young children includes drugs with antiviral and immunostimulating properties: Immunal, Cycloferon, Ergoferon.

Treatment of rhinovirus in adults with antiviral drugs is not necessary, since a strong immune system can fight off the infection itself. But, if the patient has chronic or immunodeficiency diseases, or any cold is accompanied by complications, then it becomes a necessity.

Drugs for the treatment of adults:

Amiksin.
Amantadine.

Rhinovirus infection, which occurs with intoxication, fever and complications, requires additional medications:

You need to drink as much fluid as possible. These should be warm drinks - tea with honey and lemon, chamomile infusion, cranberry juice. It is necessary to exclude salty, spicy and too hot foods, and include cereals, broths, chicken meat, vegetables and fruits in the diet.

Possible complications

Rhinovirus infection is usually mild, and recovery occurs after 5-7 days of illness.

But the occurrence of complications from the respiratory tract cannot be ruled out:

Tracheobronchitis.
Obstructive bronchitis.
Bronchial asthma.
Pneumonia.

As a rule, complications of rhinovirus occur if improper treatment is carried out or the patient suffers the disease on his legs. In this case, a bacterial infection occurs, quickly spreading to neighboring organs.

How to protect yourself from the disease and what is prevention?

Due to the widespread spread of rhinovirus infection, it is difficult to protect yourself from infection, so the main preventive measures are aimed at strengthening the immune system and maintaining hygiene rules:

In the summer, stock up on vitamins: eat fresh vegetables, fruits, berries.
In autumn and winter, take vitamins; ascorbic acid and fish oil (Omega) are especially useful.
Carry out hardening - dousing, wiping, walking barefoot on the ground.
Treat chronic diseases in a timely manner and sanitize the oral cavity.
Take walks in the fresh air every day.
Wash your hands, use personal hygiene items.

During periods of epidemics, prevention of rhinovirus is based on lubricating the nasal mucosa with Oxolinic ointment, wearing a gauze bandage, and avoiding public places. After contact with an infected person, you need to rinse your nose and gargle with saline solution, and also take vitamin C.