Cold: When It Becomes Dangerous – 5 Answers to the Delayed Infection
A seemingly harmless cold can sometimes lead to serious complications if not properly addressed.Experts warn against pushing through illness and neglecting recovery, as this can allow infections to spread and worsen. Here are five key points to understand about when a cold becomes dangerous:
1. Ignoring Inflammation can Lead to Complications:
Family doctors emphasize the importance of allowing the body to fully recover. “You cannot concentrate on combating the inflammation,” says one family doctor, explaining that this can be a starting point for a “kidnapped infection.” Even mild infections with only slight symptoms can develop complications if the immune system is overwhelmed.
2. How Complications Develop:
Complications arise when the immune system struggles to effectively fight off viruses, allowing them to spread further within the body. Torben Ostendorf explains this can result in “a coldness [turning] into a litter or that causes bronchitis or even pneumonia from a cough.”
3. The Risk of Heart Muscle Inflammation (Myocarditis):
A seemingly harmless infection can, in rare but serious cases, escalate to heart muscle inflammation, also known as myocarditis. “at the latest, this cannot be joked at all,” a family doctor states.Myocarditis occurs when viruses affect heart muscle cells, and the body’s immune response can also contribute to cell damage. This can potentially lead to impaired heart function or cardiac arrhythmia.
4.Warning Signs of Incomplete Recovery:
Typically, a cold resolves within about a week. However,certain symptoms indicate a delayed infection. Jakob Maske identifies “persistent physical weakness” and a fever lasting longer than “four days at the latest” as key warning signs. A worsening of symptoms is also a cause for concern. Specific indicators of further complications include:
* Sinus Infection: A strong feeling of pressure in the forehead, nose, cheek, or upper jaw, which intensifies when bending down.
* Bronchitis: Coughing with expectoration, frequently enough accompanied by fever.
* Heart Muscle Inflammation: Variable symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and chest pain.
5. When to Seek Medical Attention:
Jakob Maske advises seeking medical help “whenever the warning signs mentioned occur or if you perceive unusual signs even.” Specifically, a high fever exceeding 39 degrees Celsius should be checked by a doctor. Risk patients - those with chronic diseases – should be especially cautious and consult their family practice for advice. While slight physical activity like walks is permissible, competitive sports should be avoided for up to two weeks post-infection to allow for full regeneration. Rest and avoiding intensive workdays are also crucial for recovery.
(Source: PK/DPA)
