Sore throat with runny nose
introduction
Most of the time a cold starts (Rhinitis) causing a burning sensation and / or tickling in the nose.
Usually, with the onset of a cold, pressure pain in the head, shivering and the urge to sneeze are added.
A little later, in the next phase, the rhinitis is characterized by a clear, very watery secretion that is excreted through the nose. In some people, the eyes also begin to water and redden. An equally important feature is the redness and swelling of the nasal mucosa. This causes the characteristic nasal congestion.
In the final phase, the secretion turns yellow and very thick. Nose congestion means that most people lack a sense of taste and smell at all or a little while they are sick with rhinitis. A cold can occur both alone and as a companion in the case of flu or a flu-like infection / cold.
As soon as there is an earache or severe pain in the forehead, you should urgently consult your family doctor.
Likewise, if the symptoms don't stop.
causes
About 200 different viruses are known to cause a cold.
All of these viruses are transmitted by droplet infection directly from a sick person to those around them. Droplet infection means that the virus is transmitted by the sick person sneezing or speaking. Since the nasal mucous membrane is damaged by the dry heating air in winter, viruses can increasingly nest here.
In addition, hypothermia contributes very strongly to the disease of rhinitis.
The runny nose often subsides after a few days without the need for special treatment. In unfavorable cases, however, the viruses can spread from the nasal mucosa to the pharynx, the throat, the bronchi, the frontal and sinus cavities and via the nose and throat canal into the ear canal.
Read more on the topic: Man flu
The fact that the secretion can drain very poorly and that the nasal mucous membrane is damaged by the viruses, bacteria can multiply and easily settle, which then very quickly lead to sinusitis (Sinusitis) can cause. If you have a sinus infection, you will often feel pressure and pain in the maxillary sinuses.
The spread of bacteria and viruses into the frontal sinus becomes more dangerous.
As a result of the runny nose and the migration of bacteria, small children often develop an otitis media, which is very painful.
In addition to the causes already mentioned, there are other causes, such as hay fever, as a result of an allergy, or handling irritating substances (Chemicals), Nasal polyps (benign growths of the nasal mucous membrane), runny nose caused by the regular use of nasal drops, chronic dry runny nose, which usually occurs in smokers, or in people who always breathe through their mouth or are confronted with a lot of dust and smoke at work.
In old age, some people still have a runny nose, which is caused by vasodilation.
therapy
First and foremost, the sick should very much liquid so that the secretion can be diluted.
It is equally important that Humidify room airto relieve the mucous membranes a little and so that they do not dry out completely. Essential oilsthat you bring near to smell can also lead to the airways being a little more free again and easier breathing through your nose and thus easier to fall asleep.
A Steam bath with chamomile, mineral salts or essential oils, can also help very well against rhinitis, as it moisturizes the mucous membranes. However, it is important that you have one to protect your eyes Inhalation mask or is very careful not to get irritated.
The outer nasal area usually becomes inflamed when the mucous membrane dries out and the skin is irritated by the encrustation of secretion or by blowing the nose. If you have an allergic runny nose, you should bring preventive nasal drops with you Cromoglicic acid to take.
The doctor can easily determine the cause of the treatment, especially if it is about, for example Nasal polyps or one Curvature of the septum acts. Antibiotics are only given if the disease is bacterial.
prophylaxis
You can have a cold, or one in general cold very good prevention by being immune system (his immune system) strengthens.
This is especially true in the autumn important before the cold days and the dry heating air clog our mucous membranes again.
Also, it's important that you get too sick people keep enough distance to protect yourself from infection. In winter you should always ensure sufficient ventilation in heated rooms so that the humidity does not become too small. You can also prevent rhinitis if you dress appropriately for the weather. This means that clothing should neither be too light nor too warm.
Sore throat
Sore throat come acute, recurring (recurrent) and chronic in front.
One or both sides of the neck can be affected. Depending on the findings, the doctors define certain subgroups, for example Inflammation with ulcers, distinguished. One suffers for at most two weeks sore throat, these are referred to as acute. In most cases, however, they disappear after approx. three days again by itself.
The most common cause of Sore throat are respiratory diseases. With children you have to approxuntil ten times a year with Runny nose and sore throatjust like coughs count.
As with rhinitis, it is here too Viruseswhich in most cases lead to a sore throat and this usually in late autumn or winter.
Very rarely, however, are other viruses that cold-like clinical pictures cause, flu, Tonsillitis and sometimes so-called teething problems.
If the mucous membranes are damaged, they often migrate bacteria one and cause Throat and tonsillitis and also Scarlet fever.
Causes of the Sore Throat
Most Sore throat are originally from Colds and they are very often closely related sniff together.
Often spread over the already strong aattacked nasal mucosa Viruses and bacteria (in most cases streptococci) into the mouth and throat and affect the tonsils, larynx, in severe cases the larynx and many other areas there.
Sore throat are in some cases the harbingers of far more serious diseases such as Scarlet fever or diphtheria.
Goes with the sore throat hoarseness hand in hand, one must assume that in addition also the vocal cords were attacked.
Another cause of a sore throat disease is irritation from environmental substances. It is here above all Tobacco smokecausing irritation. But also solvent and Dusts cause a sore throat.
Furthermore you can Allergies, chemotherapy, Treatment with cortisone, inadequate oral hygiene and ill-fitting prostheses, Defensive weakness, chronic sinus infection (chronic sinusitis) and radiation therapy as a potential cause of the sore throat.
Symptoms of a runny nose with a sore throat
Depending on Type of illness, or depending on the nature of the cause, the symptoms may vary slightly. Basically, however, the following complaints can be associated with a sore throat: Sore throat, burning sensation in the nose, runny nose, urge to sneeze, headache, fever and to cough.
The disease can spread even further and so it can Toppings on the almonds, difficulties swallowing, Bad breath, Earache, lumpy language, swollen lymph nodes, hoarseness, fatigue, with children Stomach pain and vomiting and itching in the throat Allergies come.
Diagnosis of sore throat
The doctor, in most cases, is the one Family doctor, always creates an extensive anamnese. He asks the patient carefully and then examines him thoroughly.
Most importantly, one Epiglottitis ruled out, as this can be very dangerous. The respiratory tract close completely and become one knee-jerk cardiac and circulatory arrest come.
This is an emergency and must be in the hospital be treated. In some cases there is also a Blood test of importance to for example Glandular Pfeiffer fever to exclude.
In this disease, for example, the liver values would be greatly increased.
Furthermore, examinations from a ENT doctor are required and / or imaging procedures such as Computed tomography (CT), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Ultrasonic (Sonography) be performed.
Sore throat therapy
Usually the patients make it Sore throat with simple home remedies like Gargle with salt water, Sucking ice cubes and Neck wrap, such as various teas, for which you can buy the herbs or ready-made tea blends in health food stores or pharmacies.
antibiotic may only be prescribed if the infection is on a bacterial cause is based.
Irritants such as cigarette smoke should be avoided as much as possible Go away. All more specific and serious diseases are specially treated according to the diagnosis. The doctor concerned chooses the right treatment method.
When should a doctor be consulted?
Usually sound Sore throat if left untreated, it disappears by itself after a few days. In some cases, however, a visit to the doctor is inevitable.
If the feeling of weakness and illness is very pronounced, if the fever for a long period of time 39 degrees is or is even higher if the Voice fails and you feel a lump in your throat when you work hard coughs and under chills you should see your family doctor as soon as possible.
This is just as important, or almost more important, for Chest pain and Anxiety in the chest area, as well as shortness of breath.
Sometimes it happens too Vomit or to one Lock jaw, sometimes mouth ulcers and bad breath.
Again, these are symptoms that make a doctor's visit urgently necessary.
Exercise during a cold with a sore throat
Do not exercise if you have a sore throat. Sore throats indicate a weakened immune system and are often associated with a cold or runny nose. Sport would only put unnecessary strain on the body. Heart muscle inflammation in particular is a dreaded complication of a prolonged cold. If you don't want to do without fresh air and some exercise, you can go for a walk.
Other symptoms associated with a cold
Earache
Earache can various causes to have.
Most of the time they go with one Sore throat and are a so-called accompanying symptom. This Earache is then referred to as secondary otalgia.
In addition, there are mostly fever, hoarseness, difficulties swallowing and to cough.
Earache can also be caused by a Tonsillitis, throat, or sinus infection caused.
fever
With the diseases mentioned at the beginning like Sore throat and or sniff also works sometimes fever along with or more often an increased temperature and shivering.
Then the disease is usually referred to as a flu-like infection or in some cases it is the real one flu (Influenza) or another disease like Glandular Pfeiffer fever, diphtheria or Scarlet fever.
In general, if you have a fever, the 3 days or more persists it is important to see a doctor. Especially when the fever is at 39 degrees or more reached. In the case of small children or even infants, this limit is of course set lower and you have to visit the pediatrician from 38 degrees and most of them from one day.
a headache
Usually a headache can be observed as an accompanying symptom with a cold.
Since the nasopharynx is usually blocked / blocked with a cold, a proper pressure equalization can no longer take place. The more the pressure increases, the more it becomes noticeable in the head.
In addition, the researchers assume that the "cold headache" is a reaction of the body to certain endogenous proteins, so-called cytokines, which the immune system releases in the event of viral infections.
Usually the headaches that accompany rhinitis are a harbinger of an incipient sinus infection.
To relieve the headache, it is important to give the body plenty of rest. Since the headache is "only" a side effect in this case, most patients will not be able to move much anyway due to the common cold or more serious illnesses. It is also recommended to give your head enough fresh air when there is no fever. If you want to counteract the headache quickly, drugs from the pharmacy with the ingredient acetylsalicylic acid can usually help.
diarrhea
Sore throat and diarrhea can be put together in one flu (Influenza) or a cold occur.
However, this is rather rare. That's why you count diarrhea related to runny nose and sore throat are not among the main symptoms.
Diarrhea always shows an involvement of the Gastrointestinal tract on and it can too nausea and Vomit come.
For one, this can go through Influenza viruses In addition, flu weakens the immune system so that it is easy to become one secondary infection in the stomach and intestines.
Allergic runny nose
One can at Allergies distinguish very well whether it is hay fever (Pollinosis) or House dust allergy, such as Animal hair or Molds acts that cause runny nose and sore throat, because complaints due to hay fever only occur seasonal on. The other allergies mentioned cause discomfort all year round.
Symptoms of an allergic runny nose
Itching in the throat, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, watery runny nose, Sneezing fits and often it hurts or scratches the throat, are the typical symptoms.
Also, sometimes it does partial dermatitis, to Sinus infections, allergic asthma, to cough and also to diseases of the ears.
Furry feeling in the mouth and swollen lips, possibly swollen larynx area, one can often stop eating Hazelnuts or stone fruit lead back. Then it is an oral allergy syndrome.
A pollen allergy is differentiated from this insofar as one can also deal with it when consuming, for example Apples, as well as the Tree pollen and especially birch pollen, which is allergic. Often times, allergies can also cross and one person will experience all of the above symptoms.
Diagnosis of an allergic runny nose
The diagnosis for a allergy usually provided by the specialist (allergist).
An extensive anamnese is of great importance at the beginning of the investigation. In addition, a physical exam is always done, which is then followed by a Allergy test on the skin follows.
Therapy of an allergic runny nose
The most important thing is the stuff that one allergy evoke or intensify them, avoid.
In other words, you should avoid foods that cause symptoms. If the complaints are still very large, it often becomes one Immunotherapy (Desensitization) seized.
It is done with injections under the skin, tablets that dissolve under the tongue or liquid solutions.
This method must always repeated and usually lasts over a period of three years. There is also Antihistamines and Cortisone preparationsthat are applied locally or used inside the body. These should be taken early if necessary.
