Superinfection: symptoms, development, treatment. Superinfection is ...

Superinfection is what? How does this pathological condition manifest itself and how should it be treated? These and other questions will be answered further.

Basic information

Superinfection is what? In virology, this term is used to refer to a process in which an infected cell is after some time co-infected with another strain or other virus. In other words, superinfection is an infection following another infection, including infection with resistant microorganisms. Thus, this condition is caused by a sharp increase in bacteria of a different type than the primary ones.

Endogenous disease

The development of superinfection after taking antibiotics is caused by the immediate multiplication of opportunistic or apatogenic bacteria. This occurs against a background of suppressed microbiota, suppressed by tuberculostatic drugs, antibiotics and sulfanilamide drugs.

Endogenous disease can be caused by intestinal and pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as anaerobic bacteria, enterobacteria, pathogenic fungi and others.

Such superinfection can affect the urinary, respiratory, biliary tract, mucous membranes, ENT organs and skin. In addition, it often causes brain abscesses and meningitis.

A particular case of this pathology is the Yarisch-Gerxheimer reaction or the bacteriolysis reaction. Typically, this disease occurs due to a large amount of endotoxin, which was released as a result of mass death of microbes due to intensive antibiotic treatment.

Exogenous superinfection

What is the reason for such reinfection? Superinfection due to re-infection can be caused by the same pathogen that previously led a person to develop a primary infection, but with a different sensitivity to antibiotics or new bacteria.

Most often, exogenous diseases occur because of the virus entering the body through the respiratory tract. As you know, in a healthy person, the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses of the nose and lungs is covered with a protective layer. But after a common cold or flu, it can be disturbed. As a result, people are very often infected with sinusitis, bacterial sinusitis, pneumonia or sore throat.

It should be specially noted that exogenous bacterial superinfection, unlike endogenous, can easily be transmitted by airborne droplets.

Who is exposed?

Superinfection is a pathological process that affects people with unformed or reduced immunity. To such patients carry:

• Pregnant women;
• Elderly people;
• Children;
• Patients with diabetes;
• People with cardiovascular diseases, as well as those on dialysis;
• Suffering from obesity in varying degrees.

It should also be noted that exogenous infections most often affect those who are diagnosed with such respiratory illnesses as emphysema, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. By the way, heavy smokers are also at risk.

Superinfection: Symptoms

This disease is always secondary. According to experts, it can occur only on the background of a primary disease.

About its occurrence, such signs as:

• headache;
• Wheezing, shortness of breath, shortness of breath;
• Fever and chills;
• cough;
• Pain in the intestines or chest;
• Pain syndrome, manifested when pressing on the superciliary arches or maxillary sinuses;
• Discharge from the nose yellowish-green color.

It should immediately be noted that all of the above symptoms of superinfection appear soon after or right on the background of successful therapy of primary disease. If these symptoms occur, you should immediately contact a doctor.

Superinfection: treatment

To treat superinfection, you need to know the exact diagnosis. To do this, contact an experienced technician. Self-medication with such a disease is contraindicated, since with improper therapy it can be complicated.

In no case should superinfections not take antibiotics without the appointment of a doctor. In this case, three times a day gargle with saline. This procedure reduces the risk of the disease by 40%.

It is also recommended to lubricate the nasal mucosa with olive, sesame or any other vegetable oil. Such measures will soften the mucous membrane, and also make it less susceptible to viruses and all kinds of microbes.

Among other things, experts recommend that you include yoghurts and other dairy products with probiotics in your daily diet. By the way, the latter significantly activate the immune system.

Prevention of disease

In view of the fact that the emergence of superinfection is directly related to the human immune system, the right way to good health is to strengthen the defenses of the body.

As you know, immunity is two-layered. The first layer is specific. We receive it together with the parents' genes. As for the second - nonspecific, it is developed independently throughout life. By the way, viruses constantly mutate, and the human body is forced to regularly reflect their attacks. Therefore, from time to time, he rebuilds his complex defense system, and our duty is to help him in this.

Strengthening the immune system is not an easy matter. It is only necessary to follow the simplest rules. Do this regularly, throughout life.

• A good way to increase your immunity is to do fitness, sports or dancing.
• Daily exposure to fresh air also improves the well-being of a person. At the same time just go out on the balcony or look out the window is not enough. To improve the functioning of the immune system, one should actively move and give the body a certain load.
• Hardening. The first rule of tempering is gradualness. Sharp steps such as dousing with cold water can not improve your body, but provoke a cold. As hardening, you can use a contrast shower. But even in this case it is necessary to start with small temperature differences.

• Proper nutrition and the use of natural, rich in antioxidants and vitamins food also contributes to the rise of immunity. A person prone to the development of superinfection, should often include in their diet of fruits and sour-milk products. By the way, the latter well colonize the gastrointestinal tract with useful bacteria, which allows the patient to feel much better.
• If you feel that you are ill, then use immunomodulators. However, it is also not necessary to constantly use immunostimulating agents . Their task is to provide temporary support for the body's defenses. As you know, immunity strengthens tinctures of echinacea, dog rose, eleutherococcus, ginseng and Chinese magnolia vine. Before taking these drugs, you should always read the instructions, because they have contraindications.
• To prevent the development of superinfection, you should wash your hands with soap more often, especially in the "viral" season.

Let's sum up the results

According to the experts, the best way to strengthen immunity is rest and good mood. It has been scientifically proven that people working without leave and emotionally overloaded, are more prone to various diseases than others.