Viral respiratory infections of acute type( ARVI or cold) are very common around the world. Millions of people suffer from them every year. According to statistics, about 20% of adults and 10% of children fall ill every year with flu alone. The general prevalence of acute respiratory viral infection is much higher. On average, children around 6-8, and adults 2-4 times a year there is a cold.
Causes of pathology
As a rule, infection occurs when you are in contact with a sick person. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets. In this case, the susceptibility of the body of many people is quite high. Provoking colds have the ability to penetrate the respiratory system and, accumulating in the tract, spread through the tissues. The ingestion of pathogens into cells and the release of the products of their vital activity provokes an inflammatory response. As a local reaction of the body there is an intoxication syndrome, locally there is a Qatar of the respiratory tract. Viruses coming in large numbers suppress the immune response. In this regard, with catarrhal diseases, the risk of complications is high. As a rule, the consequences are due to the attachment of bacterial damage to the ENT organs and the respiratory system. In particular, pneumonia, phlebitis, otitis and others can develop. The effect that cold medicines have is aimed at activating nonspecific defense of the body, eliminating pathogens. As a result of correctly selected measures, the damaged functions and structures are restored, recovery comes.
The main signs of the disease
Intoxication syndrome is considered the main, accompanying ARVI, manifestation. This symptom arises as a result of the poisoning effect of the decay products of the affected cells and viruses. Due to its microscopic dimensions, the pathogen easily penetrates into the nervous system, it has a cytopathic effect there. Intoxication syndrome is most pronounced in influenza. Uncomplicated types of colds are characterized by a benign course. They are also accompanied by intoxication, but this syndrome is not so pronounced. In this case, the lesion is predominantly in the upper parts of the respiratory tract. Localization depends on the type of pathogen. Thus, rhinovirus infection manifests itself as a runny nose( mainly), parainfluenza is a larynx lesion, respiratory syncytial infection is a disease of the bronchi.
What medicines to take for a cold
Before talking about the drugs that are prescribed for ARVI therapy, it should be noted that, before taking any medication, you should visit a doctor. It is highly recommended not to engage in independent selection of funds. Among the many medications it is difficult to choose the best medicine for colds. All drugs are divided into several categories.
Nonsteroidal agents with anti-inflammatory activity
In this group, aspirin and its derivatives are considered to be the most popular. Along with this, specialists remind that colds are characterized, among other things, by the defeat of capillaries. Antiaggregant action of acetylsalicylic acid during therapy can provoke complications. Relatively safe means containing paracetamol. These medicines for cold are prescribed for adults and children. Medications have predominantly analgesic and antipyretic effect. The drug "Paracetamol" is able to block the activity of inflammatory mediators.
Combination Tools
Such cold medicines have recently become more popular. In their composition there are several components, paracetamol including. In addition, many of them contain ascorbic acid, which prevents the release of histamine, stimulates the formation of interferon and antibodies, activates phagocytosis. Due to the action of these medicines, the nonspecific resistance of the organism to infections increases. Caffeine is another ingredient that contains some combination medicines for colds. It enhances the action of paracetamol, has a general stimulating and vasoconstrictive effect. On the basis of ARVI, an inflammatory process occurs, in the development of which histamine participates. In connection with this, funds containing components that block the activity of this mediator are often assigned. Among such preparations is "Pheniramine maleate", for example. Due to the action of antihistamines, the edema of the nasal mucosa decreases, breathing is facilitated, and tearing is reduced. The pronounced vasoconstrictive action has adrenomimetics( "Phenylephrine", for example).Due to their activity, the swelling of bronchial mucosa decreases. Among the combined NSAIDs specialists pay special attention to such a medicine as "Amizon".This agent, in addition to pronounced analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory action, has interferonogenic activity.
Drugs from the common cold
Rhinitis almost always accompanies catarrhal diseases. It is very important to choose the right therapy in this case. Basically, a group of medicines from the common cold is represented by drugs that stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors. Among these medicines are "Oksimetazolin", "Nafazolin" and others. With topical application, medicines reduce flushing and swelling of the nasal mucosa, reduce the volume of mucus discharged, which significantly facilitates breathing. In addition, the remedy on the basis of essential oils of cedar, peppermint, eucalyptus is popular for eliminating the common cold. Such drugs are produced in different dosage forms.
Medications for cough
To facilitate the separation of sputum, which is formed in the bronchi in the development of colds, prescribe expectorant drugs. They differ according to the mechanism of influence. Medicines that have reflex activity, for example, irritatively affect the gastric receptors, resulting in a center in the vagus nerve of the medulla oblongata. Due to this action, the secretion of the bronchial glands is increased, sputum is diluted, the peristalsis of the respiratory musculature is increased.