Jan. 30, 2020 | A nagging cough, a headache and a fever that refuses to go away. These, along with sneezing and sniffling, are some of the most common symptoms of the flu or the common cold. Such symptoms are widespread during the winter months because people spend more time in close contact with each other. But it may surprise you that there are a number of complications that can arise from even a minor case of the flu or the common cold, some that can have a drastic or even deadly effect on your health. For example, blindness can occur as a result of acute necrotizing encephalopathy, or ANE, secondary to viral infections, among which influenza types A and B are the most common. ANE is a rare type of encephalopathy characterized by multiple bilateral brain lesions that can progress to brain damage and brain death. Because ANE is so rare, few clinical studies have offered insight into the disease and, more importantly, its treatment.

Jan. 30, 2020 | Guillain-Barré syndrome, or GBS, is an autoimmune disorder, which can be a complication of a serious case of the cold or flu, in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its nerves. As a result, muscle weakness and even paralysis can occur. Although the causes of the syndrome are unknown, some experts believe that it is triggered by a bacterial or viral infection. GBS usually manifests one to three weeks after a viral infection, such as the cold or flu, but it may also occur following a Campylobacter infection, which can occur after eating contaminated food like undercooked poultry. The symptoms of GBS include tingling or prickling sensations in the fingers and toes, difficulty walking steadily, severe lower back pain, and muscle weakness in the legs that travel to the upper body. Although uncommon, the syndrome can have devastating health effects, including paralysis, which may be partial, temporary or permanent, and death.

Jan. 30, 2020 | When you have a head cold or the flu, congestion can cause a buildup of fluid in your sinuses and ears, resulting in muffled hearing, otherwise known as conductive hearing loss. People with this type of hearing loss mainly have difficulty with the overall loudness of sounds, but not the clarity. They may find themselves turning up the volume on the TV to improve their ability to hear. Conductive hearing loss is usually lasts only a few days to a few weeks. However, in some cases, congestion can lead to infection. If not treated with antibiotics, long-standing bacterial infectious fluid buildup can cause permanent, sensorineural hearing loss. Individuals with this type of hearing loss have difficulty with both the loudness and clarity of sounds. They may have problems following a conversation with two or more people speaking simultaneously or in quick succession, and may often experience a feeling of being off-balance or dizzy.

Jan. 30, 2020 | Encephalitis is irritation and inflammation of the brain. In most cases, a virus causes this inflammation. Although rare, encephalitis can manifest as a result of the common cold. The symptoms of the disease can range from a mild headache to severe neurological complications like memory loss, seizures and deafness. Because encephalitis can happen during or after common viral illnesses, the symptoms of these illnesses can start before encephalitis happens. But often, it appears without warning. Encephalitis is rarely life threatening, but it is difficult to predict how the disease will affect each person. Left untreated, encephalitis can cause grave injury to the brain, resulting in coma or death. For that reason, a timely diagnosis and treatment are key to positive outcomes. Treatment usually involves acetaminophen for fever and headache, antiviral drugs for cases caused by a virus and steroids to reduce any swelling of the brain.

Jan. 30, 2020 | While most people recover from the cold or flu without complications, some may develop meningitis. In people with weakened immune systems, such as those recovering from a cold or the flu, the infection can sometimes spread to the brain and cause meningitis. In 2018, there were 330 cases of meningococcal disease reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The symptoms of early meningitis can mimic the flu and appear mild in severity, including headache with nausea or vomiting, a lack of appetite or thirst, and sensitivity to light. However, a sudden high fever, seizures, and severe headache can be signs of a more severe disease. The best way to protect yourself and others from cold- and flu-related health complications is to get a flu shot and to practice proper hygiene. That includes washing your hands often with soap and water and sanitizing any frequently used surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant.