Main
- Urgent reason: difficulty breathing, confusion or a temperature that is slow to come down require calling an ambulance.
- Who treats: adults with ARVI are seen by a therapist, children by a paediatrician, and a family doctor consults both.
- How it is transmitted: the virus spreads by airborne droplets, as well as through handrails, door handles and dishes.
- Common signs: a runny nose, a sore throat, a cough, a rise in temperature, a headache and general weakness.
- What happens at the appointment: the doctor clarifies the complaints day by day, examines the nose and throat, listens to the lungs and measures the temperature.
What is an acute respiratory viral infection
ARVI is a group of acute respiratory viral infections that affect the nose, throat, trachea and bronchi. The illness usually presents with a runny nose, cough, sore throat and a rise in temperature.
What happens in the body
ARVI begins when a virus lands on the mucous membrane of the nose or throat and penetrates inside the cells. There it multiplies, and the infected cells are gradually damaged, while some of them die. The body recognises the foreign particles and launches a defensive reaction aimed at destroying the pathogen. The flow of blood to the mucous membrane increases, it swells, and nasal congestion appears. Irritated nerve endings cause sneezing, a tickling sensation and pain when swallowing. A rise in temperature helps the body fight the virus more actively, although it is hard to tolerate. Rest and warm drinks in the first days noticeably ease the general condition and help you get through the illness more easily.
What causes it to develop
- Airborne route: the virus is released with droplets of saliva and mucus when a person nearby breathes, talks, coughs and sneezes.
- Contaminated surfaces: viral particles settle on handrails, door handles and dishes, and are then transferred to the face by the hands.
- Close contact: prolonged contact with a sick person indoors increases the chance of inhaling a sufficient amount of the virus.
- Seasonal decline in immunity: in cold weather the body's defences weaken, and the mucous membranes become more vulnerable.
- Exposure to cold: spending a long time in the cold constricts the blood vessels and impairs the work of local defences in the nose and throat.
Who encounters it more often
ARVI occurs more often in children who are just starting to attend nursery or school. In children's groups viruses are transmitted especially easily, because children interact closely and observe hygiene less often. Adults working in offices, on public transport and in retail also fall ill often because of constant contact with people. Older people and those who have chronic diseases get through the infection more severely and for longer. The frequency is also influenced by lifestyle: lack of sleep, overwork and constant stress weaken the body's defences. Crowding in rooms without ventilation noticeably increases the risk of infection for everyone nearby. Regular ventilation and hand washing reduce the likelihood of encountering the illness during the season when the incidence rises.
What symptoms can occur?
ARVI manifests gradually, and individual signs may appear simultaneously. It is important to understand which symptoms occur with this condition and in which cases urgent medical help is required.
How it is noticed at the very beginning
The first signs of ARVI usually begin with mild malaise, which is easily attributed to fatigue after a working day. A person may feel run-down, a desire to lie down and a slight heaviness in the head. Then nasal congestion or profuse discharge appears, making breathing uncomfortable. A tickling or sore throat occurs, intensifying when swallowing and talking. The temperature may not rise immediately, but over the course of the day, sometimes remaining low. Gradually a cough joins in, at first dry, and then with sputum, and general weakness persists. If you notice such changes in yourself or a child, measure the temperature and monitor the condition, and if it worsens, consult a doctor.
Signs that occur most often
- Runny nose or nasal congestion: nasal discharge and difficulty breathing, which disrupts sleep and reduces working capacity.
- Sore or tickling throat: discomfort when swallowing and talking, which often becomes the first noticeable sign of an incipient illness.
- Cough: at first dry, then with sputum, it may persist longer than other symptoms and interfere with night rest.
- Raised temperature: usually low, but sometimes significant, it is accompanied by chills and requires monitoring of how you feel.
- General weakness and malaise: a feeling of being run-down and reduced activity, in which you want to lie down more and move less.
- Headache: a pressing or throbbing sensation in the head, intensifying with fatigue and helping to suspect the onset of illness.
When to seek help urgently
Examinations and tests
Examination for ARVI is not always necessary: the diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms and examination. Additional tests are added if there is a suspicion of a complication or another disease.
How the examination begins
Examination for ARVI begins with a doctor's examination and collection of complaints, because it is this conversation that sets the direction for all further investigation. The doctor clarifies when the first signs appeared, how they changed day by day, and what is most bothersome right now. Then they measure the temperature to understand how pronounced the body's reaction to the infection is. Next, they examine the throat and nose, assessing redness, swelling, and the nature of the discharge. After that, they listen to the lungs, checking whether there are wheezes and other signs that do not occur in the usual course. If the picture is typical, no additional tests are needed and the person is explained how to behave at home. But when something is concerning, the doctor decides which laboratory tests will help clarify the situation. Therefore, it is worth coming to the appointment ready to tell everything that you have noticed in yourself or in your child.
What is prescribed and what it shows
What is worth preparing for the appointment
- Date of onset: recall when the first signs appeared, because the assessment of the course of the illness depends on this.
- Temperature measurements: write down when and how many times it rose, so that the doctor sees the dynamics, not just one figure.
- Complaints by day: note what appeared earlier and what appeared later, because the order of signs helps to distinguish one condition from another.
- Previous discharge summaries: bring the results of recent examinations, if there were any, since they save you from repeat procedures.
- List of questions: formulate in advance what you want to clarify with the doctor, so that you do not forget anything at the end of the conversation.
Which doctor should I see?
This section explains which doctor to consult when symptoms of an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) appear, what happens at the first appointment and what components make up the care. It also shows separately which part of the result depends on the patient themselves.
Which specialist manages this condition
ARVI is managed by a physician (therapist), and for children — by a paediatrician; a family doctor sees both adults and children. If there is no relevant specialist nearby, start with a therapist at the polyclinic at your place of residence. At the first appointment the doctor clarifies the complaints, when they appeared and how they changed day by day. They examine the nose and throat and listen to the breathing in order to distinguish an ordinary course from complications. Then they select therapy taking into account age, concomitant conditions and how the person tolerates the malaise. If the condition does not fit the usual picture, the doctor refers you to a more specialised specialist. Write down in advance which remedies you have already taken and how you reacted to them. This noticeably speeds up the assessment of the situation and helps the doctor avoid prescribing anything unnecessary.
What the treatment consists of
- Selection of therapy by the doctor: the specialist assesses the condition and decides which measures are appropriate right now and which are better avoided.
- Plenty of fluids: warm liquid replenishes moisture losses and eases the sore throat, so it is worth drinking often and in small amounts throughout the day.
- Rest and sleep: rest gives the body the resources for recovery, while lack of sleep noticeably prolongs the period of feeling unwell.
- Rinsing the nose with saline solutions: the procedure moistens the mucous membrane and removes accumulations, thanks to which nasal breathing becomes easier.
- Fever-reducing medicines as prescribed by the doctor: they are not always used, but only when the doctor considers it necessary taking into account how you feel.
- Monitoring changes: if the condition worsens or lasts longer than expected, this should be reported to the doctor rather than waiting for it to pass on its own.
What depends on the patient themselves
The regularity of monitoring your condition largely determines how calmly the period of malaise will pass. Note your temperature, appetite, sleep and how your nose breathes in the morning and in the evening — this way the dynamics are visible, rather than individual sensations. Write down what you drink and eat, because when you feel unwell this is easily forgotten. If the doctor has prescribed measures, carry them out to the extent you have agreed upon, and do not add anything at your own discretion. If new complaints appear, do not postpone the conversation with the doctor: they see the whole picture and will assess whether anything needs to be changed. Your relatives should know about your condition so that they can notice a deterioration in time from the outside. A calm routine and attentiveness to details help get through this period without unnecessary complications.
What helps prevent an exacerbation?
The risk of an exacerbation depends not only on external circumstances, but also on the person's own everyday decisions. Below are habits, observations and regular visits that help keep the situation under control.
What changes in habits
Frequent handwashing with soap remains the simplest measure that reduces the risk of infection during the cold season. In public places where many people gather, it is useful to wear a mask and try not to touch your face with dirty hands. At home, it is important to air the rooms regularly, because stale air increases the load on the respiratory tract. If someone close to you is already ill, it is worth avoiding close contact and, where possible, separating dishes and towels. The habit of not going to work with signs of feeling unwell protects both the person themselves and those around them from additional strain. Following these rules noticeably reduces the likelihood of a repeat episode and eases the course of one that has already begun. It is worth agreeing with loved ones in advance on how you will act at the first signs of a cold, so as not to decide this in a hurry.
What should be kept under control
- Handwashing: regular washing with soap after being outside and before eating reduces the transfer of pathogens to the mucous membranes.
- Airing: fresh air in the rooms reduces the concentration of pathogens and makes breathing easier during the cold season.
- Contacts with sick people: close contact with someone who is ill increases the risk of infection, so distance should be reduced.
- A mask in crowded places: in places where people gather, it reduces the entry of pathogens onto the mucous membranes.
- Touching the face: dirty hands transfer pathogens to the eyes, nose and mouth, so this habit should be kept in check.
- How you feel: early signs of feeling unwell help you change your routine in time and not let the condition get worse.
How often to see a doctor
A regular check-up with a doctor is needed even when a person feels quite well and does not notice any warning signs. The doctor assesses the general condition, pays attention to breathing and the mucous membranes, and also clarifies how often episodes of feeling unwell recur during the season. Such observation makes it possible to notice changes earlier than they become noticeable to the person themselves, and to adjust the lifestyle in time. If colds recur often or are more severe than usual, the visit should not be postponed and this should be discussed with a specialist. If you feel stable, routine check-ups are enough, as they help track the dynamics and not miss important signals. Keeping a simple observation diary makes the conversation with the doctor easier and makes the picture clearer. This approach does not replace the prescribed treatment, but it helps build everyday habits consciously and reduce the risk of exacerbations.
What is worth remembering
ARVI most often ends well, but the course of the illness largely depends on how attentively a person treats their condition. Below are a few conclusions that help make a calm and reasonable decision.
Main conclusions
ARVI is not a single disease but a whole group of similar conditions, so no two cases are alike. In one person it is limited to a runny nose and a sore throat, while another develops marked weakness and a high temperature. It is not individual signs that help notice something is wrong, but their combination and how they change from day to day. If the condition worsens or lasts longer than expected, it is reasonable not to wait but to see a doctor. Many dangerous complications develop unnoticed, and that is precisely why an examination by a specialist is more valuable than one's own guesses. An infection that has been through does not create long-lasting protection, so similar episodes may recur throughout life. Relying on simple habits — proper sleep, sufficient fluids and rest during the acute period — noticeably eases recovery. The main thing worth remembering: with ARVI it is more important to monitor your condition than to look for a universal remedy.
