When you develop a cold, you might be ill for a week or probably more. And just when you are starting to feel better, you suddenly develop a fever and your symptoms get worse.
Super infections are infections that overlay a previous existing infection. They usually develop when your immune system is still fighting a virus like the flu or a cold. The bacteria that causes the super infections are usually already in your body. It’s while you’re still fighting off the existing virus that they have the chance to invade our sinuses or lungs causing a superinfection. Imagine suffering from that while riding your newly bought electric skateboard.
One common type of super infection is bacterial sinusitis which is also called rhinitis. It commonly develops after you have the common cold. One day you’re just experiencing sniffles then the next thing you know your temperature spikes, severe headaches come and go, and your nasal discharge become greenish-yellow and thicker. This is called developing a case of superimposed bacterial sinusitis.
Risks
When you already have an infection, try to avoid drinking unnecessary antibiotics. Why? Because this makes you susceptible to super infections. Like the scenario above, super infections are not related to the pre-existing infection. Keep in mind that viruses cannot be treated by antibiotics. In fact, it is taking antibiotics that makes the super infection possible.
Antibiotics disturb the normal flora in the body and this can last for several months up to a few years. Once the normal flora in your body is reduced, it gives an opening for pathogenic microorganisms to invade your body and multiply triggering a new infection.
In comparison to narrow spectrum antibiotics, the risk is higher when taking broad-spectrum antibiotics because the latter affects a larger quantity of bacteria.
Poor health, suppression of the general flora in an area of the body, and extended period of antibiotic usage increase the risk.
Prevention
To avoid developing a super infection, prevention of viral infections is the key.
Wash your hands frequently
During the flu season, don’t touch your mouth, nose, and eyes during the flu season without washing your hands. Hand washing eradicates germs from your hands. Remember that viruses are spread from an infected person to a healthy person directly or indirectly by hand.
People frequently touch their mouth, nose and eyes. Viruses can get into your body though your mouth, nose and eyes and make you sick. Germs from dirty hands can be transferred to other objects like toys, handrails and table tops which in turn will be transferred to another person’s hands when they touch them.
washing hands with soap helps remove these germs by creating mechanical friction to rinse and loosen microbes thus preventing you from getting infections.
Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain a minimum of 60% alcohol ready in your bags or pockets. If you don’t have any access to soap and water at the moment, the next best substitute is to use a hand sanitizer.
These products kill most of the viruses and bacteria on your hands.
Get vaccinated
Vaccines will keep you and your loved ones healthy. Vaccines have a vital role to play in keeping everyone healthy. They are one of the most convenient and safest preventive measures available today. They give you immunity from diseases and are administered by needle injections, by aerosol or by mouth.
Rest
You need the extra rest whenever you are not feeling well because of a virus. Getting enough rest will help your body fight against the infection that’s causing you to be ill. If bouncing back to good health is your top priority, remind yourself to get plenty of sleep.
Avoid getting stressed
Stress forces your immune system to work harder. During the flu and cold season you will need your immune system to be in tip top shape in order to recover quickly. The more stressed a person is, the more their illness will last. Practice relaxation and calming techniques to de-stress yourself.