Respiratory diseases have returned in force not only in Europe, but also in the USA and are causing great headaches for the population and medical staff, who are dealing with waves of patients. Many people wonder if the viruses that cause the common cold are more intense this season.
Runny nose, among the most annoying symptoms of colds. PHOTO Shutterstock
Many people are catching the rhinovirus – the most common cause of the common cold – this season, but for many people it’s not just a case of the common cold, according to Yahoo Life.
Runny noses and nagging coughs feel more intense and seem to last longer than with previous colds, and in some cases, the unpleasant symptoms return within weeks.
Two doctors provide, for the cited source, some useful information to those looking for an answer to the question of whether or not the viruses that cause the common cold are more intense this season, or, in short, why colds seem so bad this year.
Is it something different?
It is not surprising that we have high rates of illness after the holiday season, when people have gathered indoors in less ventilated spaces, in homes, cars, planes, trains or buses. Doctors say there is nothing out of the ordinary about rhinovirus or any other virus circulating this year. However, the precautions that people take or, more precisely, do not take, are different.
“Our bodies haven’t seen many of these viruses in a long time. I haven’t had it before
The immune system was no more “challenged” after years of Sars-COV2 precautions
Some experts suggest that society owes an immunity “debt” because the immune system has not been sufficiently “challenged” after years of COVID-19 precautions, including social distancing, while other experts say it is not that the systems our immune systems are weaker, but from the fact that, simply, we were not exposed to many of these viruses precisely because of the precautions taken in the first years of the pandemic.
As for other factors that could cause more severe and persistent respiratory symptoms, experts say the overall strength of a person’s immune system and how it responds to different pathogens play a crucial role.
“For example, people with underlying lung problems, such as asthma, may also have narrower airways.
Along with crowding and immune status, factors influencing exposure to the common cold include stress, age, diet and sleep habits, as well as smoking and drinking habits and exercise, according to an article published in 2023 in the journal Frontiers in Allergy.
However, the type of respiratory virus also matters.
“Some viral illnesses that we see in children are better known for causing fever and prolonged symptoms than others,” explains Fiorito.
An example is adenovirus, another common virus that usually causes mild colds or flu-like illnesses in people of all ages.
How to prevent colds
There’s no cure for the common cold yet, but supportive care is important, Dr. Jen Caudle, a family physician and associate professor at Rowan University, tells Yahoo Life.
Rest, hydration, a balanced diet, and the use of medications (both over-the-counter and prescription) to relieve symptoms are helpful.
Specialists’ recommendation for those suffering from the classic cold symptoms – nasal congestion, sore throat, body aches, fever – is to keep their distance from others.
Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your face, and frequently disinfecting commonly used surfaces are some other recommended measures, as is the use of protective masks.
2024-01-09 15:05:19
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