Colds: beware of the frail

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Extract from the article: The common cold, generally benign, can become complicated and dangerous for some people. When should you seek medical attention for a cold? What are the signs to watch out for? Are some people more at risk than others?

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The common cold, generally benign, can become complicated and dangerous for some people. When should you seek medical attention for a cold? What are the signs to watch out for? Are some people more at risk than others?

Viral in origin, the common cold can be caused by over 200 different viruses. Also known by the medical term rhinopharyngitis, it corresponds to an inflammation of the pharynx and the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities. Contrary to popular belief, this infection is not caused by winter temperatures: you don't catch a cold because it's cold. On the contrary, intense cold kills viruses. Rather, when the seasons and temperatures change, mucous membranes become more fragile and viruses circulate more widely.

How are colds transmitted?

The common cold is highly contagious, which is why it can be referred to as an epidemic.It can be transmitted by direct contact, by hand: shaking hands with an infected person, touching doorknobs, or by indirect contact, by air, i.e. by droplets projected when coughing or sneezing.

How do colds manifest themselves?

A cold manifests itself as a sore throat, cough, runny or blocked nose, headache, muscle aches, moderate fever (around 38°C), watery eyes and general fatigue.These symptoms are not serious in themselves, but they are particularly annoying in everyday life. And there's not much you can do about it: there's no cure for the cause, only symptomatic treatments such as paracetamol and nosewash. It's up to the body's own defenses to do the work of healing.A cold lasts about five days, but can sometimes progress more slowly, and you may still be bothered by symptoms for ten to fifteen days.But this is normal.Because it's viral, and doesn't require a doctor's prescription to treat, the common cold is trivialized.In some cases, however, it should not be overlooked..

Persistent fever, purulent discharge: consult a doctor

Health professionals are clear on this point: if a person suffers from classic cold symptoms that don't suggest a complication or other diagnosis, then no, there's no need to consult a doctor.On the other hand, what should prompt a consultation is the appearance of signs of a bacterial complication.In this case, a medical diagnosis is required, as the doctor will prescribe medication to treat this complication, unlike a viral infection, which does not.

So what are the signs to look out for?

A persistent fever lasting more than three days, earache, facial pain, a purulent discharge (containing pus), a hacking cough, wheezing - in short, much more intense symptoms than those listed above.In short, these symptoms are much more intense than those listed above. They may herald a bacterial superinfection, which in turn may lead to sinusitis, otitis, meningitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, laryngitis or pneumonia.

People at risk

Complications should not be overlooked, as they usually occur in people who are already fragile, and can therefore be particularly dangerous.

Populations most at risk

Those most at risk are: people with weakened immune systems (diabetes, HIV, etc.), who are more vulnerable to complications; smokers, as tobacco already inflames the respiratory tract and weakens the mucous membranes, making them vulnerable to the first virus to enter the air; people with chronic respiratory illnesses, who are much more prone to superinfections that will worsen their condition. Children and the elderly are particularly at risk of more serious respiratory complications than adults. They have more fragile immune systems.

In the event of a cold, these and other at-risk populations are therefore urged to monitor symptoms and consult a doctor at the slightest warning.

William O.

Articla validated by Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at Floréal Clinic (Lomé)