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Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
About me
Graduated from Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with rich clinical experience.
Proficient in diseases
Treat common and prevalent respiratory diseases in respiratory medicine such as COPD, emphysema, bronchial asthma, and chronic bronchitis with a combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
Voices
The difference between upper respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection.
The difference between upper respiratory tract infections and lower respiratory tract infections mainly lies in the location of the infection. The pathogen causing the infection could be the same. If an upper respiratory tract infection is not treated in time, the pathogen might infect downwards and cause a lower respiratory tract infection. Compared to upper respiratory tract infections, which are commonly seen in clinical practice, lower respiratory tract infections are less common. Therefore, whether it is an upper or lower respiratory tract acute inflammation, sufficient and sensitive antimicrobial drugs should be chosen according to the treatment course for proper treatment.
Symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
In the initial stages of the disease, symptoms such as fatigue, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, and varying degrees of fever may occur. Two to three days later, significant respiratory symptoms appear, including paroxysmal, irritating coughs with a small amount of phlegm, sometimes purulent or blood-streaked. The fever persists for two to three weeks before subsiding, but the cough may continue for a while even after the fever has dissipated, often accompanied by substernal pain. Appropriate diagnostic tests should be conducted for confirmation.
Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection
The symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection mainly manifest as fever, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, and sputum production. Some cases may also present with signs of hypoxia, leading to phenomena like cyanosis of the lips. Firstly, drink plenty of water and measure body temperature. If there is acute inflammation, a sensitive antibiotic must be chosen, accompanied by antipyretic analgesic drugs to relieve symptoms. Additionally, taking medication to dilute the sputum and alleviate spasms of the bronchial smooth muscles is advised for symptomatic treatment. A treatment course generally requires five to ten days and regular follow-up checks are necessary. It is important to quit smoking and drinking, and to drink plenty of water.
Does whooping cough infect adults?
Pertussis, a respiratory infectious disease, can also be transmitted to adults, although the chances are generally small. It mostly occurs in adults with low immunity and those who are frail and ill when they come into contact with the pathogen. The incubation period is about two to three weeks, during which paroxysmal cluster-like coughing occurs, causing facial redness and a runny nose. Some may also experience nausea and vomiting. It is necessary to check chest X-rays, routine blood tests, and sputum pathogen cultures for diagnosis. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent other complications.
How is whooping cough diagnosed?
If the body has chronic cough symptoms that do not heal over time and recur frequently, it is suspicious of pertussis infection. To confirm this disease, corresponding auxiliary examinations are needed, such as a complete blood count and sputum culture. If Bordetella pertussis or Corynebacterium diphtheriae are cultured from the sputum, a diagnosis can be made. It is also necessary to combine clinical symptoms and promptly use sensitive antibiotics and cough-relieving expectorant drugs for symptomatic treatment, adjusting the mindset to avoid mental tension.
Can tracheitis cause a fever?
Tracheitis, in its acute inflammatory phase, can cause symptoms such as fever, although not all cases of tracheitis will lead to a fever. Fever is merely a manifestation of inflammation within the body, and respiratory infections are prone to this symptom. It is necessary to conduct timely examinations, in conjunction with clinical symptoms and supplementary tests, to implement appropriate treatments and interventions. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, it is possible to administer antipyretic medication for symptomatic treatment, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. For acute tracheitis, choosing antibiotics to control the infection is also advised. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, typically manifests as paroxysmal coughing. During the acute phase, the cough is spasmodic, and some patients may produce sounds similar to a dog's bark or a rooster's crow. This type of cough can lead to complications such as a runny nose, tearing, facial flushing, red ears, and vomiting. Diagnosis should be confirmed through routine examination of secretions. During the acute phase, symptomatic treatment should be administered, along with the selection of macrolide antibiotics to eliminate the pathogenic bacteria, which are mostly due to infection by Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Bordetella pertussis. Patients should adjust their mindset, drink plenty of warm water, and maintain clean indoor air.
How to check for bronchiectasis?
How to check for bronchiectasis: generally, corresponding physical examinations and laboratory tests are used for diagnosis. Early physical examinations may not show positive signs. When the condition is severe or secondary bacterial infection occurs, fixed and persistent moist rales can be heard in the affected areas. Some patients may show signs of oxygen deficiency, such as clubbing and cyanosis. During acute infections, routine blood tests will show increased white blood cell counts and neutrophil counts. Sputum examination may reveal elastic fibers and pus cells. A chest X-ray can show thickened and disordered lung periphery, and typical lesions may appear as honeycomb-like curly shadows.
Is bronchiectasis easy to treat?
Bronchiectasis is a complication mainly caused by chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract and is clinically difficult to treat. Symptoms can be alleviated through certain medications or physical manipulations. First, it's important to maintain clear airways and choose medications that can dilute mucus. During the acute phase of inflammation, antibacterial drugs should be chosen for treatment, such as penicillin, which can be administered via muscle injection or intravenously. Surgery is the only curative treatment for bronchiectasis. (Medication use should be based on specific circumstances and under the guidance of a doctor.)
How is bronchitis diagnosed?
In clinical practice, if bronchitis is suspected, it is not very difficult to confirm the diagnosis. It generally involves combining clinical symptoms with results from routine blood tests, chest X-rays, or CT scans for a definitive diagnosis. Most cases will show thickened bronchial or lung markings, and an increase in the total number of white blood cells in the blood. The main symptoms include coughing, expectoration, and difficulty breathing. Diagnosis can be confirmed by combining personal medical history, physical signs, and laboratory test results, allowing for timely anti-inflammatory treatment.