Viruses lodged in the nose can actually “travel” to the bronchial tubes and lungs. They weaken the tissue there, so that bacteria sometimes take the opportunity to infect them as well.
The expression “fall on the bronchi” is used by both patients and doctors to talk about the classic consequences of a cold. The more imaginative certainly visualize the microbes leaving the nasal cavities and heading straight for the lungs crossing the trachea in free fall after an angel’s leap. Those who are more down to earth will rather use the simple theory of gravity: germs fall on the bronchial tubes like apples fall from trees.
From the nose to the bronchi
In reality, it’s a little more complicated. A lower respiratory tract infection can develop immediately, without being preceded by nasopharyngitis or angina. But it is true that a cold often follows. This is related to the fact that the nose is the main entry point for germs. Most often, the tissue that covers the nasal cavities and pharynx, the respiratory epithelium, knows how to defend itself very well against these intruders. But it happens that it is overwhelmed. Pathogens will then multiply throughout the epithelium, from the nasal cavities to the bronchi. If the immune defenses are able to block the infection quickly, the cold will be controlled and will not descend on the bronchi.
Defenses weakened
On the other hand, if the immune system fails, viruses will invade the lungs. This is a very common, even almost systematic situation in people with weakened respiratory conditions (smokers, COPD patients, etc.).
This viral infection can get complicated. “When the respiratory epithelium is attacked, it no longer fulfills its role as a barrier. From then on, the bacteria that live naturally and harmoniously in our airways can rush into the gap and cause an infection. This is particularly the case with the flu. Influenza viruses weaken the epithelium and the pneumococcus takes advantage of this». describes the dr Abgueguen, infectiologue.
“The data also showed that immune cells exposed to viruses are less effective at killing bacteria. Viral infections therefore weaken the immune system and facilitate secondary bacterial infections. complete pr Burgel, pulmonologist.
Wash to prevent
To limit this development it is therefore necessary to stop the advance of viruses from the first symptoms of the common cold. For this, washing your nose is a simple and effective weapon. A clinical study has shown that nasal washes and salt water gargles (with or without the addition of sodium bicarbonate in the diet) can reduce the duration of viral infections by an average of 2.5 days. Other data show that salt water is able to inhibit the replication of respiratory viruses.
Saline solutions that you can make at home by mixing 3 tablespoons of coarse salt in 1.5 liters of water. Some add a teaspoon of baking soda (food or pharmaceutical grade), but it’s not necessary.
