The "trivial matter" of catching a cold cannot be taken lightly by patients with rheumatism!

*It is only for medical professionals to read for reference.
Why should a small cold be so important? Outpatient clinics often encounter some rheumatism patients who say "Doctor, I have recently caught a cold".
When I look at the laboratory indicators, I found that the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significantly increased, accompanied by changes in white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets
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At this time, doctors are often very cautious, especially in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis or vasculitis, if they are accompanied by cough and sputum, they will often do a lung CT to confirm whether there is lung infection
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Patients often wonder: Why should a small cold be so important? "Cold" is another term common people call for "respiratory tract infection.
" For rheumatic patients, a cold may not be just a simple cold, because it can often induce rheumatism
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Uncontrolled colds can cause more serious lung infections and even respiratory failure, threatening the lives of patients with rheumatism
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Studies have found that infection plays an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of various rheumatism.
Bacteria and viruses can induce rheumatism
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In addition, patients with rheumatism often take immunosuppressants, glucocorticoids or biological agents for treatment, their own immunity is lower than that of normal people, and they are more likely to increase the risk of infection
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So, how should patients with rheumatism cope with the "cold"? To judge the severity of a cold, if it is a simple sore throat, a mild cough with low-grade fever, it may be just a common cold or flu, and the condition is relatively mild.
If you take symptomatic drugs to relieve it, you generally don't need to worry too much
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However, if the cough gets worse, the fever is repeated, and the sputum is green or yellow, you need to pay attention to it, do not take medicine by yourself, and you need to see a rheumatologist immunologist for follow-up consultation
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There are many kinds of cold medicines for choosing cold medicines.
Western medicines are often symptomatic with compound ingredients, such as paracetamol and pseudoephedrine tablets II, amoxicillin tablets, and compound paracetamol tablets
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Antiviral western medicines such as Ribavirin and Oseltamivir, Chinese patent medicines include Antiviral Oral Liquid, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, Lianhua Qingwen Granules, etc.
Patients should pay attention to the following points when choosing cold medicine by themselves: ▎1.
Antipyretic Antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as ibuprofen, sinocontec, paracetamol and indomethacin can reduce fever and improve the symptoms of headache, general weakness, muscle and joint pain during the onset of the disease
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However, patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, abnormal renal function and taking large amounts of hormones should use such drugs with caution and need to take the drugs under the guidance of a doctor
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▎2.
Anti-allergic drugs chlorpheniramine maleate, loratadine and other anti-allergic drugs are mainly used to reduce small respiratory secretions and improve the symptoms of sneezing and runny nose during the illness, but they will Causes people to be sleepy
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▎3.
​​Antitussive drugs such as dextromethorphan, compound methoxyphenamine, etc.
, the former is a central antitussive, and the latter is a bronchial antispasmodic antitussive, which can relieve bronchial smooth muscle spasm and inhibit lung stretch and reflexes.
For coughing, this type of drug should be used with caution in pregnant women and those with poor liver and kidney function
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▎4.
Expectorant drugs ambroxol, myrtle oil, etc.
can improve the movement of tracheal mucosal cilia and promote the secretion of respiratory glands.
Other Chinese patent medicines such as Suhuang Cough Capsules, Chuanbei Loquat Syrup, Lung Li Cough Mixture, etc.
are required Taking Chinese medicine dialectically
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▎5.
Antiviral drugs such as amantadine, ribavirin and oseltamivir are mainly used for antiviral effects, but there are some side effects that need attention.
For example, oseltamivir is mainly used for influenza.
However, some patients have adverse reactions such as abdominal pain and diarrhea
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▎6.
Chinese patent medicine antiviral cold Chinese patent medicine includes many types, the common ones are antiviral oral liquid, Shuanghuanglian oral liquid, 999 Ganmaoling and Lianhua Qingwen granules
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Taking these drugs requires dialectic of Chinese medicine.
If they are applied properly, the effect is obvious; if they are applied improperly, they will not have any effect and may aggravate the condition
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▎7.
Some patients with antibiotics have a sore throat or cough and sputum, suggesting that the cold may be accompanied by bacterial infection.
At this time, they need to take azithromycin, moxifloxacin or cephalosporin antibiotics.
Prescribe medications for oral treatment
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Some anti-rheumatic drugs can temporarily suspend the use of biological preparations for rheumatism patients who catch a cold during the period of time, so the biological preparations should be temporarily stopped and resumed after the cold improves
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When taking other oral immunosuppressants such as hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, it is generally not necessary to stop the drug, but can be taken in a reduced amount
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However, if the cold is serious and the lung infection is complicated, you need to be hospitalized under the guidance of a rheumatologist to adjust the medication.
Patients who take intravenous cyclophosphamide can take a long time interval when they have a cold
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In short, if a patient with rheumatism develops a cold, it is recommended to go to the rheumatology and immunology outpatient clinic to be judged and treated by the doctor, because infection can cause rheumatism to worsen and is the most common cause of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, dermatomyositis, etc.
Common causes
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Strengthen resistance to prevent colds ▎ 1.
Pay attention to keep warm and avoid colds.
Patients with rheumatism have lower immunity than normal people, and they are more likely to catch colds after being cold
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▎2.
Regularly go to the rheumatology and immunology clinic to adjust the medicine.
Sometimes rheumatism patients have repeated colds that indicate low immunity and need to reduce the dose of hormones or immunosuppressants
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▎3.
​​Regular diet, regular work and rest Regular diet and work and rest can enhance the immunity of patients, so patients with rheumatism should be careful not to be tired and eat reasonably
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▎4.
Wash hands frequently, wear masks, and reduce gatherings.
Patients with rheumatism have low immunity and are more likely to catch colds.
In the flu season, especially during the new crown epidemic, personal awareness of prevention should be strengthened, and masks should be worn when going out
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▎5.
Proper exercise.
Proper exercise can make people feel happy, help sleep, and improve their immunity.
Therefore, patients with rheumatism can exercise properly, take a walk after meals, go to the park and climb mountains on weekends, and breathe more fresh air
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