What causes bacterial colds

In our daily life, colds are not unfamiliar to us, and we have some superficial understanding and knowledge of some types of colds. Therefore, if we have a cold or headache in our life, we will treat it ourselves. But colds are divided into bacterial colds and viral colds. So what causes bacterial colds? Let’s take a closer look at it below.

1. What causes bacterial colds?

Bacterial cold, as the name suggests, is a cold caused by bacteria. The bacteria that cause bacterial colds mainly include hemolytic streptococci, pneumococci, and Haemophilus influenzae. Colds are usually divided into viral colds and bacterial colds. Bacterial colds are colds caused by bacteria. Viral colds include: common cold, influenza, and viral pharyngitis. Bacterial colds cause bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis. The main difference is the pathogenic factors. Viral colds are caused by viruses, while bacterial colds are caused by bacteria. Generally speaking, bacteria and viruses are the most common sources of infection for babies. The treatment methods for fever caused by these two situations are completely different. If it is a bacterial infection, the treatment effect will be very good as long as the right antibiotics are chosen. If it is a viral infection, there is currently no specific medicine. You can take Virus Ling, Isatis root granules, honeysuckle, etc. The treatment of colds varies according to the type. You must not use all kinds of medicines just because you have a fever.

2. Symptoms of bacterial cold

Bacterial colds have symptoms of an inflammatory response, including:

1. Purulent sputum: Yellow or green sticky sputum indicates purulent infection in the respiratory tract. Green sputum is often caused by bile, denatured hemoglobin or pyocyanin, and is seen in jaundice, slowly absorbed pneumococcal pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the lungs. Bloody sputum is seen in lung cancer, tuberculosis, and bronchiectasis. Rust-colored sputum is seen in pneumococcal pneumonia. Pink or bloody frothy sputum is seen in acute pulmonary edema. Reddish-brown or chocolate-colored sputum is seen in pulmonary amoebiasis caused by amoebic liver abscess ulcerating and penetrating into the lungs.

2. Red and swollen tonsils: Red and swollen tonsils are mostly caused by bacterial or viral infection when the body's resistance is reduced. The onset is acute and usually occurs in tonsillitis. The pathogens are mostly hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, and pneumococci. These bacteria usually exist in the human pharynx and tonsil crypts. Under normal circumstances, due to the integrity of the tonsil surface epithelium and the continuous secretion of mucous glands, the bacteria can be discharged from the crypt opening along with the desquamated epithelial cells, thus maintaining the health of the body. When the body's resistance is reduced due to excessive fatigue, cold, or local effects of physical or chemical factors, the blood supply to the tonsils is reduced, the glandular secretion function is reduced, and the epithelial defense ability is reduced. Bacteria take advantage of the situation to enter, multiply, and cause the tonsils to swell and become congested.

3. Redness, swelling and pain in the throat: Sore throat is one of the most common symptoms. It often occurs in the cold season of the year. Colds, tonsillitis, sinusitis, whooping cough, pharyngitis and viral infections are usually accompanied by sore throat. Most acute sore throats go away on their own within a few days to a few weeks; however, if the pain persists or gets worse over a few days, you should see a doctor. Because, if left untreated for a long time, the disease may lead to rheumatic fever, which can harm the heart and kidneys.

3. Precautions for bacterial colds

1. Patients with cold and fever need to rest in bed, keep warm and reduce activities. The residence should be ventilated frequently and maintained at a certain temperature and humidity.

2. Drink more water and eat light and soft food.

3. Avoid smoking and drinking to avoid irritating the respiratory and digestive tract mucosa and aggravating symptoms. Avoid greasy and fried foods, and eat less or no fish, meat, or other fishy foods.

4. When the fever is high, you can wipe your body with cold or warm water (the water temperature should be 32~34℃), or wipe the neck, armpits, groin, etc. with 30%~50% alcohol, or put an ice pack on your head.

5. Avoid taking medicine randomly: To treat a cold, you must distinguish between cold, heat, deficiency and excess, and take the right medicine for the right effect. Try to choose Chinese herbal preparations with fewer side effects and the ability to enhance immunity. It is generally not advisable to take supplements during a fever.

6. Strengthen daily physical exercise to improve the body's immune ability.