What Are the Dangers of a Cold?
A cold is the most common respiratory infectious disease, with 70%-80% caused by viral infections and a small portion by bacterial infections. Main symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, headache, fever, cough, and general weakness. A cold can reduce human immunity and trigger other diseases such as pharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia, and even empyema, hepatic abscess, pericarditis, and osteomyelitis. Through allergic reactions, it may also cause myocarditis, nephritis, and rheumatic fever. Data show that about one-third of stroke (cerebrovascular accident) patients had a history of cold or fever prior to onset, making colds considered one of the main triggers for strokes. Patients with severe coronary heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or malignant tumors may see their conditions worsen due to a cold, potentially leading to sudden death. Therefore, elderly people should take cold prevention seriously; if they catch a cold, they should rest and treat it promptly instead of ignoring it.
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