The doctor called the dangerous signs of SARS on the fifth day of the disease

By the fifth day of an acute respiratory viral infection, a person's condition usually begins to improve, as the body produces the first protective antibodies. If relief does not occur and the temperature remains high or begins to rise, this may indicate the development of complications. Vera Seryozhina, an expert doctor at the LabQuest medical company, told Izvestia about this on March 11.

According to her, SARS is a large group of infections caused by more than 200 viruses. They have similar symptoms and are transmitted by airborne droplets. On average, the disease lasts from five to seven days, but with complications, its course may be prolonged.

Acute respiratory viral infections are characterized by a short incubation period — from several hours to one or two days. The first signs of the disease are usually nonspecific: fatigue, weakness, headache, nasal congestion, sore or scratchy throat appear.

"Based on these symptoms, it is impossible to determine which virus caused the disease. Therefore, when the first signs appear, it is important to carry out a laboratory diagnosis as early as possible," the specialist explained.

According to the doctor, early diagnosis allows you to identify the pathogen on the second or third day of the disease and choose the right therapy. For example, specific antiviral drugs may be used for the flu, and if a bacterial infection develops, antibiotics may be required.

On the second or third day of the disease, intoxication of the body usually increases, associated with the spread of the virus. The temperature rises, weakness increases, body aches and headache appear. At temperatures up to 38 degrees, antipyretic drugs are not recommended, since moderate fever helps the immune system fight infection.

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In addition, Seryozhina added, a temperature of about 38 degrees can persist until the fifth day of the disease and is considered an acceptable variant of the infection. However, if it continues to grow or does not respond well to antipyretics, this may indicate bacterial complications.

Sometimes the temperature, on the contrary, decreases sharply against the background of deterioration. According to Seryozhina, this is an unfavorable sign that may indicate the development of pneumonia and depletion of the immune response.

By the fourth or fifth day of the disease, class M immunoglobulins begin to be produced, which bind viral particles. During this period, intoxication decreases, the headache disappears, and the temperature can drop to subfebrile values — about 37.5 degrees. At the same time, cough, sore throat and mucous discharge may persist for several more days.

The doctor noted that mild forms of infection usually go away in about a week. However, the flu is often more severe, accompanied by high fever and severe intoxication. After it, the immune system can remain weakened for up to one and a half months.

During the recovery period, patients may be prescribed symptomatic therapy and vitamins, in particular vitamin D and vitamin C to support the immune system.

With a prolonged course of the disease, bacterial complications may develop — tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media or pneumonia. In some cases, other organs may be affected, so doctors recommend monitoring blood and urine levels.

It is necessary to urgently seek medical help at temperatures above 39.5 degrees, a sharp deterioration in well-being, a decrease in blood oxygen levels below 93%, severe shortness of breath or loss of consciousness, and if the fever persists for more than five days.

On February 17, internist Alexander Novikov reported on the danger of improper actions when trying to bring down the temperature with home experiments. According to the expert, rubbing with alcohol or vinegar is strictly contraindicated, since alcohol is instantly absorbed through the skin and respiratory tract, causing intoxication, convulsions, respiratory depression, and a sharp vasospasm.

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