How Do I Treat a Respiratory Infection?

Diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms that invade and reproduce the respiratory tract are called respiratory infections. According to its location, it is divided into upper respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection. The former includes rhinitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis; the latter includes bronchitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

English name: respiratory tract infection
Visiting department: Respiratory
Whether it is contagious: no

Disease site: lung
Can it be cured: Can be cured
Common symptoms: Such as fever, cough, sputum, dyspnea, etc.

Causes of respiratory infections

Respiratory tract infections are infectious diseases caused by a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, fungi, parasites, and the like.

Upper respiratory tract infections: About 90% are caused by viruses. Bacterial infections are often secondary to viral infections. The disease can occur in all seasons and at any age, and is transmitted through droplets, mists, or contaminated equipment containing viruses. Often when the body's resistance is reduced, such as cold, fatigue, rain, etc., viruses or / and bacteria that already exist or are invaded by the outside world quickly grow and reproduce, causing infection. The disease has a good prognosis and is self-limiting. It usually heals in 5 to 7 days. Bronchitis, pneumonia, and paranasal sinusitis are often followed. A few people may be complicated by acute myocarditis, nephritis, and rheumatic fever.

Lower respiratory tract infections: The number of clinically available antibiotics is increasing, and the number of resistant strains is also increasing. The application of high-dose cephalosporins has led to an increase in nosocomial infections, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus infection. Whether it is a lower respiratory tract infection or an upper respiratory tract infection, most are caused by a virus, which is called a viral respiratory infection.

Viral infections are acute respiratory infections caused by a variety of viruses. It is divided into viral upper respiratory tract infection and viral lower respiratory tract infection. The former is common cold, acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and laryngitis, and the latter is tracheobronchiolitis and pneumonia. The incidence of this type of disease is high, the population is generally susceptible, and children, the elderly, malnourished and those with chronic diseases are more susceptible. In winter and spring more incidence.

Clinical manifestations of respiratory infections

Corresponding symptoms may appear clinically, such as fever, cough, sputum, and dyspnea.

Throat, nasal mucosa, and nasal infections are mainly manifested as cough, sputum, sneezing, runny nose, fever, etc. There are also some symptoms of sore throat. In severe cases, if there is edema in the throat, it will affect Our breathing may even develop symptoms such as vocal edema and hoarseness to the vocal cords.

Respiratory infection check

1. Blood routine examination.

2. Chest X-ray examination.

Respiratory infection treatment

During the treatment, the pathogen causing the infection must be identified to select an effective antibiotic.

Prognosis of respiratory infections

Different conditions of upper respiratory tract infection have different prognosis. The vast majority of patients have a good prognosis and can be cured within a week. However, some patients with complications such as those with pneumonia will have a disease delay of two. More than a few weeks, a small number of elderly and frail patients with more basic diseases may have a poor prognosis due to serious complications.

Respiratory infection prevention

1. Drinking boiled water often, the weather is dry in winter, the human body is prone to water shortage. Drinking boiled water often can not only ensure the body's needs, but also play a role in diuretic detoxification and eliminate waste.

2. In summer, pay attention to avoid getting cold and avoid physical decline.

3. Strengthen physical exercise and enhance physical fitness. Get outdoors and get fresh air.

4. More rest and adequate sleep can ensure the recovery of mental and physical strength, while ensuring the improvement of immunity.

5. Do not smoke or smoke second-hand smoke, do not stay in places with poor air quality and crowded places for a long time to prevent infection.

6. Keep indoor air fresh and strengthen indoor ventilation.

Respiratory infections diet

Pay attention to nutrition, eat light, easy to digest food, do not eat greasy, big fish and meat, cold, irritating (spicy, alcoholic) things, and drink plenty of water. Usually pay attention to eat more foods with high vitamin content to enhance physical fitness.