Did you know that a common cold can be triggered by over 200 different types of viruses? They vary in symptoms and treatment methods too.
Everyone is familiar with the common cold. Typical symptoms include a stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, throat irritation, and sometimes a fever. We've all experienced it multiple times throughout our lives. It might seem like it's always the same illness, but that's not the case. The common cold is actually a collective term for more than 200 different types of infections, meaning it can be caused by up to 200 different virus strains.
Which viruses are known to cause a runny nose and cold?
Viruses
that have the ability to infect the upper respiratory tract are divided into several groups. Rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, coronaviruses or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV virus) are among the best-known and most common types of viruses.
All these respiratory viruses commonly circulate in the population, and when the overall or local immunity is weakened, they can manifest as acute upper respiratory tract infections, commonly known as a cold. It's by no means an exceptional illness. An adult can experience such an infection 2 to 4 times a year.
For younger children, it's considered normal to have up to 8 uncomplicated infections a year, and in their first year in a daycare setting, even up to 12 episodes. Especially in the preschool age, overall and local mucosal immunity is not fully developed yet. Furthermore, children often spend time in larger groups of similarly immunologically immature children, facilitating the exchange of these types of viruses among themselves.
Can we tell the type of virus just by symptoms?
Most of the mentioned types of viruses have very similar symptoms, but their intensity also depends on the individual response of the infected person. Some can handle them as a common cold, with a stuffy nose or a mild throat irritation. For others, it can be accompanied by a high temperature, even a fever, along with headaches and body aches.
Exceptions include the influenza virus, parainfluenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus. They cause viral infections that, for most people, pass in a mild form with the possibility of a significant increase in body temperature. However, with these types of viruses, there are always risk groups in which such an illness can become complicated, and treatment continues in the hospital.
If a respiratory illness is mild, we don't actively seek the specific causative agent. Testing is typically done when complications arise.
Is the treatment the same for all types of viruses?
It is said that a treated cold lasts 7 days, an untreated one lasts a week. It is not truth. If a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract is not treated appropriately, it can also spread to the lower respiratory tract or subsequently become complicated by a bacterial infection. This will significantly extend the treatment and the period of incapacity for work.
Therefore, start treatment immediately at the first symptoms and adjust it as the illness progresses. Treatment should consist of symptom management and measures aimed at suppressing the spread of the viruses.
The basis of treatment is good nasal hygiene, regular cleaning, and blowing your nose. The produced mucus must be removed from the respiratory passages as soon as possible because it is an ideal environment for the proliferation of harmful bacteria. If the mucus is too thick, it is harder to remove, so it should be appropriately thinned.
Another unpleasant symptom is nasal congestion and cough. It is important to keep the airways open, so in this case, add medicines designed to deflate the nasal mucosa and appropriate cough treatment depending on its nature. We treat a wet cough differently than a dry one.
Even though symptomatic, symptom-oriented treatment has been the norm for a long time, the possibility of suppressing the reproduction and spread of viruses using VIROSTOP products is a novelty.
How do we directly combat viruses?
A virus particle is a specific unit that cannot exist and multiply for an extended period without utilizing the host's cells. When we catch a cold, the virus must enter the cell lining of our nose or mouth, where it alters the cell and compels it to generate its own copies. Simultaneously, it damages our cell and re-enters the space from which it can attack our other cells.
VIROSTOP comprises a blend of numerous polyphenolic compounds from five plants, which possess a unique capability to bind to the attachment sites of viruses, thus preventing them from entering other cells. Thanks to VIROSTOP, the replication of viruses slows down, and with fewer viruses present, our immune system can more effectively manage the situation. The VIROSTOP solution acts locally, so it is best to apply it to the largest possible area of the nasal and oral mucosa. For comprehensive effectiveness, use VIROSTOP in combination with a nasal spray and your preferred oral application form (oral spray or VIROSTOP pastilles).
VIROSTOP can be used long-term in any situation where there is an increased risk of infection, or as a protective measure for other household members when someone falls ill at home. VIROSTOP is also suitable for children aged 3 and older.
