{"id":5650,"date":"2019-04-22T11:22:16","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T11:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5650"},"modified":"2021-06-03T23:04:51","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T23:04:51","slug":"14-warning-signs-of-rhinovirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-warning-signs-of-rhinovirus\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Warning Signs of Rhinovirus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rhinovirus can cause a person to experience upper respiratory tract infections. This is the most common. However, at times, the rhinovirus may infect the lower respiratory tract. Rhinoviruses are the most common causes of common colds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While rhinoviruses can happen all year long, the incidence of these viruses causing people to feel ill occurs most often in the spring and fall. Wintertime can also see a high amount of people infected by the rhinovirus. Typically a person who is infected with the rhinovirus will experience symptoms within a day or three. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms may persist for up to a week to eleven days, but in some cases can last even longer. There are many signs and symptoms associated with rhinovirus. Some symptoms may be more severe than others. Here are some warning signs to look for if you think that you have been infected by the rhinovirus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Nasal Irritation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first warning signs that you may experience if you have been infected by the rhinovirus <\/a>is nasal irritation. You may notice that your nasal passages have become extremely dry. They may be swollen and irritated. The rhinovirus will typically start inside of the nose and then spread throughout the body. When infected by the virus it can start by first drying out the nasal passages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This symptom can be unpleasant as the nose starts to itch and just feel uncomfortable. You may also start to sneeze quite often as irritants enter the nasal passage and the body tries to expel them. During this time it is a good idea to start taking some vitamin C and other nutrients that can help to boost the immune system to fight off the infection. Catching the symptoms early and starting preventative measures can lower the amount of time your cold lasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Nasal Congestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another warning sign that you may have contracted rhinovirus is a stuffy nose. You may start to experience nasal congestion<\/a> and nasal discharge. You may also notice that you are starting to sneeze quite often. This symptom will typically intensify over two or three days. The discharge may start out as being clear or a lighter color. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the course of the infection, the discharge will often turn darker in color and may have a greenish appearance. This nasal congestion and discharge is a sign of the virus settling in. Preventative measures can be taken in order to help shorten the length that the cold lasts. You may want to take an over the counter medicine to help clear out the nasal passages. In addition, you can use a neti pot as well as other home remedies to help further alleviate the symptoms and get you on the way to feeling better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Headache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign that you may be developing a cold is a constant headache<\/a>. Headaches that are associated with rhinovirus typically start behind the nasal cavity. It may seem like that there is added pressure in the head. The headache may feel like it is behind one or both of the eyes as well. The reason for this is because the nasal passages become swollen when you have been infected by the rhinovirus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the nasal passages are inflamed and swollen it can add pressure behind the nose and around the eyes. Over the counter medications can help alleviate some of the pain associated with a cold. You can also use a neti pot to help clear out the sinuses. When the sinuses are clear it can alleviate the pressure and the swelling that may be the cause of the headache. Make sure that you are eating and drinking enough as dehydration can be the cause of headaches as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Ear Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once the rhinovirus has set in it can cause you to experience other symptoms as well. Since the nasal passages<\/a>, eyes, and ears are all connected, it goes without saying that your ears can be affected by the virus as well. It may seem like there is pressure built up within the ears. You may notice that your ears feel full. You may also struggle with hearing as your ears may become clogged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A popping of the ears may occur during this time as well. One of the best things that you can do when you are suffering from a cold is to make sure that you are getting enough rest. It is also important to eat healthy foods that can help your body fight off the infection. If you develop severe ear pain it is important to make sure that you see a doctor determine the cause as a cold may cause an ear infection to develop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Loss of Taste and Smell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you are infected with the rhinovirus it can cause your nasal passages to be clogged up. Many people may or may not realize exactly how much their sense of smell really affects their sense of taste. When your nasal passages are inflamed <\/a>and clogged up, it can be quite difficult to smell anything. When you cannot smell anything your sense of taste is affected as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that when you are suffering from rhinovirus you may not feel like eating or drinking much because nothing tastes very good. Not eating or drinking enough can actually make your symptoms worse as your body needs nutrients in order to fight off the infection and get better. It is especially important to make sure that you are drinking enough fluids. If you are not drinking enough your body can become dehydrated quite quickly. This can cause further complications from the cold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Cough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another warning sign that you have been infected by the rhinovirus is a cough that develops. The type of cough that you develop may vary depending on the virus. Some people may experience a deep cough that produces phlegm<\/a>. This occurs when the nasal passages drain into the chest cavity. The body then tries to expel this mucus through a cough. A dry cough is also common when someone is suffering from rhinovirus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cough may be caused by dry nasal passages. The dryness in the nose and throat can cause it to become itchy. This itching in the back of the throat can cause a person to cough. Cough drops and zinc lozenges can be beneficial when it comes to dealing with a cough associated with rhinovirus. Warm ginger tea with some honey can also help to alleviate this symptom as it will soothe the throat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Posttussive Vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At times a cold can cause a person to cough excessively. This coughing can lead to posttussive vomiting<\/a>. This occurs as the body is trying to get rid of the virus. When there is excess phlegm and mucus being produced by the body, the body will try to do whatever it can in order to get rid of it. Coughing profusely is one of the ways the body is trying to get rid of the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the coughs can become quite violent and this can cause a person to vomit. The vomit that is caused by coughing will likely be full of phlegm. Posttussive vomiting is one of the later signs of infection as it is caused once the virus has spread throughout the body. It is important to make sure that you are resting and drinking plenty of fluids during this time as this is what is going to help your body to heal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Irritability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you are infected with rhinovirus, your body is going to use all of its energy to fight the infection. Since your body is busy fighting it can leave you feeling tired all the time. When you are tired, there is a good chance that you are going to be more irritable<\/a>. If you notice that you are starting to have less patience than normal and even little things are bothering you more than normal, there is a good chance that you may be getting a cold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best thing that you can do is to make sure that you are getting enough rest. When your body is fighting any type of infection it is important to make sure that you rest as much as possible in order to allow your body the time that it needs in order to properly heal. Taking time for yourself can go a long way in shortening the length of time that you are sick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Dehydration
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The vomiting symptoms associated with rhinovirus infection may leave the patient in a dehydrated <\/a>state. We need water to survive, and without it, we won’t last very long before our body starts to shut down.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the dehydration effects of vomiting, doctors recommend that patients replace body fluids after each purge. Some patients may receive more severe vomiting symptoms than others, but regardless of the intensity of the symptoms, the patient must rep0lace their body fluids.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drug stores and pharmacies sell specialized rehydration formulas designed to put the electrolytes and minerals back in your body after vomiting. Mix the powder supplement into purified water and drink it down to replenish and rehydrate the body.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the patient is struggling with holding down liquids, let them suck on an ice cube to provide relief from dry lips and cottonmouth symptoms. Should the patient still not be able to hold down fluids after 48-hours, take them to the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Loss of Appetite
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with rhinovirus infection may start to feel the nausea symptoms within 6 to 8-hours after contracting the disease. Nausea <\/a>progresses to vomiting, and these symptoms can last for days on end if the immune system of the patient is not healthy.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients with nausea and vomiting symptoms will not feel like eating or drinking, but it’s vital that caregivers keep persisting in their attempts to get the patient to eat and drink. When the vomiting symptoms start to subside, and the patient starts to look like they are in recovery, feed them some dry crackers. Crackers have no preservatives or additives, and they are easy to digest.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the patient can hold down the crackers, move them onto a more substantial meal. Try to feed the patient fermented foods as they recover, and avoid allowing them access to foodstuffs containing sugar or saturated fats, as this may affect their immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Fever and Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The development of fever is one of the first symptoms to arrive after the patient experiences rhinovirus infection. When the brain detects invading viruses, it increases the production of pyrogens. These proteins attach to nerves, causing the CNS to increase the body’s core temperature.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fever is the body’s natural defense against a pathogen, and by turning up the heat, the virus cannot spread and do more damage to other areas of the body. While the body reaches the new temperature setpoint created by the nervous system<\/a>, the patient may start to notice the beginning of chills.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These chills occur while the body adapts to the new setpoint temperature. There is a lag between when the CNS establishes the setpoint, and how long it takes the body to reach the new temperature. During the period where the body catches up to the current temperature, the patient may develop symptoms of shivering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Bronchiolitis
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the more common complications associated with rhinovirus infection is the development of bronchiolitis in children. Bronchiolitis is different from bronchitis<\/a>. With bronchiolitis infection, the patient experiences inflammation of the bronchiole \u2013 the tiny tubes reaching from the lungs to the alveoli.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the bronchiole inflames, they produce symptoms of wheezing while breathing, as well as shortness of breath. The infant or child will not experience the mucus symptoms like many adult patient’s experiences with bronchitis, and they typically only have to deal with respiratory problems.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In severe cases, young children and infants may require hospitalization for monitoring while the infection clears. Infants are most at risk of developing this complication, and parents should watch their child for any signs of tightening in the stomach muscles or widening of the nostrils in infants that are unable to speak.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look out for a bluish color on the lips and fingertips of infants \u2013 this is a sign that they are not receiving sufficient oxygen in their blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Pneumonia
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with rhinovirus are at risk of developing other infections as a complication of their condition. Along with bronchiolitis, patients may also develop signs of infection with the bacteria that causes pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae<\/a>.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pneumonia infection is challenging for adults to deal with, and it can be life-threatening in infants and children. When patients coping with the effects of rhinovirus develop nasal congestion, the fluid may leak down into the lungs where it pools and causes a cough. This situation provides the ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, such as that which causes pneumonia.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pneumonia requires treatment with antibiotics, and children need monitored care while they recover from the disease. Should the patient fail to receive treatment and allow the bacteria to progress, they run the risk of the Streptococcus pneumoniae spreading to both lungs, where it may cause a life-threatening situation in the form of lung collapse and respiratory failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Risk Factors
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a set of risk factors<\/a> that make some individuals more likely to catch rhinovirus than others. If you find yourself on the list of high-risk categories mentioned below, then it’s best if you take the necessary precautionary steps to avoid infection.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhinovirus is most active during the months of the years where seasonal changes occur. Winter to spring and summer to fall are the most high-risk periods of the year for rhinovirus infection.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowded environments also play a role in the spread of the disease. Children attending playschool may pick up the virus by sharing contaminated food and beverages with their friends. They then infect the parents which spread the disease throughout the community.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with poor personal hygiene are also at risk of catching rhinovirus. The virus lives on surfaces outside of the body for hours, and coming in contact with the contaminated surface may result in infection with rhinovirus.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming in contact with the body fluids of an infected person is another leading cause and risk factor of rhinovirus infection.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>