What should I do if I have an upper respiratory tract infection?

Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

Updated on September 22, 2024

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What to do with an upper respiratory tract infection? Firstly, one should choose antimicrobial agents to treat the inflammatory response of the body, that is, anti-infection treatment. It is necessary to check routine blood tests, mycoplasma, C-reactive protein, or undergo sputum pathogen culture. If it is caused by mycoplasma infection, one can choose macrolide antibiotics. If it is due to common bacterial or viral infections, one can choose beta-lactam antibiotics, or some Chinese patent medicine preparations that clear heat and detoxify, all of which can treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract infection.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu

Pulmonology

1min

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What medicine to take for respiratory infection?

If there are signs of a respiratory infection, it is mostly caused by bacteria, viruses, and other microbial infections. It is advised to undergo a routine blood test under the guidance of a doctor to determine the type of infection, and then to treat it with appropriate anti-infective medication as directed by a doctor. Symptomatic treatment should also be given. Common symptoms of respiratory infections include coughing, sputum production, and sore throat. During such times, it's advisable to take cough suppressants and expectorants, or use throat lozenges to alleviate sore throat. Additionally, drinking more water to aid metabolism and enhance immunity, eating a light diet, avoiding staying up late, maintaining a relaxed mood, and avoiding excessive stress or emotional excitement are recommended.

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Written by An Yong Peng

Pulmonology

58sec

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Difference between acute upper respiratory tract infection and upper respiratory tract infection

In clinical terms, acute upper respiratory infection and upper respiratory infection usually mean the same thing, and there is no significant difference between them. Upper respiratory infections are typically acute, so sometimes they are simply referred to as upper respiratory infections without specifically mentioning 'acute.' Acute upper respiratory infections and upper respiratory infections generally have no difference; patients are often infected by viruses, typically presenting symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, and sometimes accompanied by fever. There may also be associated muscle soreness, fatigue, and headaches, but patients often experience low-grade fever rather than high fever. For these issues, symptomatic treatment is usually needed, and through such treatment, patients often recover on their own.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu

Pulmonology

1min 12sec

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What to eat for upper respiratory tract infections

Patients with upper respiratory tract infections should pay attention to their diet by preferring light meals, drinking more water, consuming more juices such as fruit and vegetable juices to supplement vitamins, or eating fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C to enhance their immunity and promote cellular repair, which can facilitate recovery from the infection. Additionally, they should avoid spicy, greasy, cold, and irritating foods. Treatment should also involve taking anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications, as well as cold remedies under the guidance of a doctor. It is also advised to frequently ventilate rooms to maintain fresh and circulating indoor air, ensure the environment is not too dry, and that temperature and humidity are appropriate. Moreover, one should avoid staying up late and ensure sufficient sleep to boost their immune system. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medications should be administered under the guidance of a professional physician, and self-medication should be avoided.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

41sec

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Upper respiratory tract infection symptoms

The typical symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection include nasal congestion, coughing, swelling and pain in the throat, phlegm, and difficulty breathing. During the acute phase, it can also cause chills, high fever, and loss of appetite. It is important to determine whether the infection is caused by bacteria, a virus, or mycoplasma, and to treat it accordingly with targeted antibiotics or antiviral medications. Avoid eating highly irritating foods, measure body temperature twice daily, and treat the cause while managing the symptoms. Generally, one can gradually recover back to normal health within three to seven days.

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Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

51sec

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How many days does an upper respiratory tract infection last?

Upper respiratory tract infections caused by common bacteria or viruses generally recover after about a week of treatment. If caused by Mycoplasma, the course of the disease is relatively longer, requiring about half a month to twenty days. If the upper respiratory tract inflammation is due to whooping cough or tuberculosis bacteria, the course of the disease will be even longer. Whooping cough requires at least half a month to twenty days of medication, while tuberculosis-induced respiratory infections need at least three to six months for full recovery. Common respiratory tract infections seen clinically generally recover completely within three to seven days, and the specific duration of the disease depends on the pathogen causing the infection.