If you catch a cold, you almost always have clear symptoms. These are uncomfortable, but not so severe that you would stay at home because of them.
Many then go on to work or to sports and hardly ever rest – “After all, it’s just a cold” – but precisely this way of thinking can be dangerous.
We’ll tell you what a delayed cold is all about and what consequences it can have.
What is a protracted cold?
Do you treat yourself to a Get some rest and listen to your body’s signals and you’ll be over it after about nine days.
If you ignore them, on the other hand, this can lead to a so-called delayed cold.
The result: a longer or more severe course of a cold, inflammation in the bronchi, tonsils, paranasal sinuses or in the middle ear.
Symptoms: How to recognize a delayed cold
The symptoms of a protracted cold are similar to those of a normal one cold or flu.
It is therefore not so easy to distinguish between a delayed cold and a normal one.
However, the most common signs are the following:
- Fever
- body aches
- fatigue
- headache
- sniff and cough
- chills
- circulatory problems
- shortness of breath
If the symptoms last longer than nine days, it is very likely a delayed cold.
The cause is usually that you have not sufficiently cured the cold. Because your body needs a lot of rest to fight pathogens.
If there is physical exertion instead, this means a strong additional burden and the body’s own defense mechanism is hindered.
This allows the pathogens to spread further and additional viruses and bacteria have an easy time.
Consequences of a delayed cold
A delayed cold not only makes you sick longer, but it can also lead to further illnesses and serious complications.
We have compiled the four most common diseases for you here:
lung infection
If your bronchitis is left untreated, it can lead to pneumonia. Possible symptoms are: chills, high Fever and chest pains.
bronchitis
Do you have a cough with phlegm? Then it is possible that you have bronchitis. This is where pathogens enter the lower respiratory tract and cause inflammation there.
heart muscle inflammation
If you suffer from severe shortness of breath, chest pain or tachycardia, these are clear warning signs. If a delayed cold weakens your organism, the pathogens can go further afield in the body and lead to heart muscle inflammation.
sinus infection
A cold can turn into a sinus infection. The pathogens have then made their way into the paranasal sinuses.
Typical symptoms are a feeling of pressure and pain in the nose and forehead area.
Avoid protracted cold
If your symptoms subside after a few days, that doesn’t mean you’ve died survived a cold.
In order to avoid delaying a cold, it is advisable to keep physical exertion to a minimum as long as it is not completely cured.
Even with seemingly harmless colds, you should allow yourself plenty of rest and avoid exertion. Only then can your body fully concentrate on fighting the pathogens.
Adequate fluid intake and warmth are also important. Drink at least two liters of water or unsweetened herbal teas to moisten the mucous membranes and keep them warm.
If the symptoms do not subside after a week or if they worsen, then you should definitely see a doctor.
