A runny nose is a problem that every person who has a cold has repeatedly encountered. Nasal congestion and mucous discharge occurs due to inflammation of the nasopharynx. Allergens or infectious agents (fungus, virus, bacteria) can provoke mucus hypersecretion. Can I go to the pool with a runny nose? Some people are sure that a visit to the pool only accelerates recovery, since chlorinated water helps to flush the nasal passages and disinfect the mucous membranes.
But is it really so and what is the risk of visiting the pool during the period of acute development of a cold? It should be understood that rhinitis is a symptom that indicates the presence of an infection in the body, particularly in the upper respiratory tract. Mucous discharge from the nose occurs, as a rule, with the flu or cold.
Causes and types of rhinitis
The increased production of a viscous secretion of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, in the common people called snot, signals the development of pathological reactions in the nasal cavity. They are usually caused by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Allergens or pathogens - rhinoviruses, streptococci, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, Pfeiffer's bacillus, etc. - can provoke inflammation of the respiratory tract.
The common cold is the most common cause of the common cold caused by pathogenic viruses. The infection destructively affects the condition of the soft tissues in the nasopharynx, causing irritation and inflammation of the upper epithelial layer of the mucosa. In connection with an increase in the concentration of toxins in the foci of inflammation, the body begins to produce a large amount of pyrogens - substances that stimulate an increase in temperature. That is why patients with colds develop such unpleasant symptoms as fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, etc.
Rhinitis is not always caused by infection or allergy. In adults and children, the so-called vasomotor (neurogenic) rhinitis is often diagnosed. Its appearance is largely due to impaired blood circulation in the nasopharynx, dilation of blood vessels and intensive synthesis of viscous secretion by goblet cells, which are located in the mucous membrane.
According to most experts, it is still possible to visit the pool with vasomotor and some types of allergic rhinitis. But regarding the infectious rhinitis, the opinions of doctors were divided. Some believe that moderate physical activity will help cope with the disease, while others argue that the intensification of blood circulation will only accelerate the spread of infection in the body.
Swimming pool with a cold - the pros
Some doctors do not see an urgent need to impose a ban on visiting the pool if a runny nose proceeds without an increase in body temperature. To prevent a closed reservoir from becoming a breeding ground for infection, chlorine must be added to it, which disinfects water and destroys pathogens. In other words, diving in chlorinated water even helps flush out the sinuses and clear the mucous membrane of infection.
With vasomotor rhinitis, experts even recommend visiting the pools. Sufficiently high physical activity stimulates blood circulation, thereby normalizing the trophism of the tissues of the nasopharynx. According to practical observations, people with vasomotor rhinitis who regularly play sports cope with the problem within 2-3 weeks.
In addition, intense exercise stimulates nonspecific immunity and thereby increases the body's resistance to infections. That is why people who constantly go in for sports get colds no more than 2-3 times a year.
Swimming pool with a cold - arguments "against"
The ENT doctors located on the other side of the barricades categorically do not recommend visiting the pools for any type of cold. The fact is that swimming is a separate item of expenditure of precious energy, which the body needs to fight infection. In addition, in acute inflammation of the nasopharynx, chlorinated water only worsens the condition of the mucous membrane, causing severe irritation and swelling of the nasal passages.
Prolonged exposure to water can provoke local hypothermia of the ENT organs and thereby contribute to the spread of infection. Moreover, with the intensification of blood circulation, pathogenic agents with blood flow are spread faster throughout the body, which subsequently leads to complications.
We must not forget that the common cold is a contagious disease that is transmitted by airborne droplets. More or less close contact and conversation with a carrier of the infection can cause the development of respiratory disease in other visitors to the pool. To reduce the likelihood of complications and infection of other people, experts advise refraining from visiting the pool for at least a week.
Swimming in the pool is fraught with hypothermia, complications and infection of other people.
What is the danger?
During the development of infectious rhinitis, the body's immune defenses are weakened, so most doctors still recommend refraining from excessive physical exertion and sports. Large loads - a large consumption of energy, which provokes a decrease in the body's resistance to pathogenic viruses and microbes. However, professional swimmers cannot afford even a week's rest from classes, because this will lead to a loss of physical fitness. Therefore, gentle training programs are developed for them, which allow them not to interrupt their classes in the pool.
An absolute contraindication to swimming in the pool is flu and acute tonsillitis, which can complicate the heart and kidneys.
As a rule, with angina and flu, patients have a very high body temperature. According to experts, it is strictly forbidden to carry these diseases "on their feet" or in this case "on the waves". Severe physical activity can aggravate health conditions and cause complications such as tracheitis, acute bronchitis, pneumonia and meningitis.
Possible complications
Viral and bacterial rhinitis requires adequate drug treatment. No sanitation of the nasopharynx with chlorinated water will help eliminate foci of inflammation in the mucous membrane. Moreover, local hypothermia and irritation of the nasal passages by aggressive chlorine can cause damage to the paranasal sinuses and the auditory tube, the opening of which goes directly into the nasopharyngeal cavity.
Late treatment of rhinitis and attempts to transfer the disease "on the waves" often entail the development of the following complications:
- sinusitis - inflammation of the paranasal (maxillary) sinuses, which usually occurs with the development of a bacterial infection;
- ethmoiditis - a viral or bacterial inflammation of the paranasal sinus, which is located at the base of the nose;
- sphenoiditis - infection of the sphenoid sinuses, which are located near the optic nerve and carotid artery;
- tubotympanitis (eustachitis) - inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the auditory tube, which communicates the ear cavity (middle ear) with the nasopharynx;
- otitis media - acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity and auditory ossicles.
The above diseases are not the whole list of possible complications of rhinitis.The greatest danger to health is a purulent (bacterial) lesion of the nasopharynx, which is fraught with straightening of the mucous membrane and the development of a retropharyngeal abscess.
Summing up, we can say that visiting the pool with a cold can turn into serious complications for an athlete and an amateur swimmer. In this matter, one cannot be guided by the opinion of people who claim that "a wedge is knocked out by a wedge." If nasal congestion is accompanied by fever, body aches and malaise, you should still refrain from exercising for at least 5-7 days.
