Can acute upper respiratory infections heal on their own?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Acute upper respiratory infections can be self-limiting in clinical settings. It is important to know that upper respiratory infections, mostly caused by viruses, account for about 70% to over 90% of cases. When an upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus occurs, it is a self-limiting illness. Thus, when acute upper respiratory infections present symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and even coughing or sore throat.

If the infection is caused by a virus, the patient can be completely cured. However, it is also important to drink plenty of water during this period and eat foods high in vitamins and proteins to boost the body's immune system. Patients should also be advised to avoid cold and cooling foods, as acute upper respiratory infections can generally heal on their own.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can acute upper respiratory tract bacterial infections heal by themselves?

Acute upper respiratory infections are very common in clinical practice, mostly because viruses invade the body causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Only a small number of patients might have bacterial infections on top of the viral infection, or are suffering from an upper respiratory infection caused by a specific bacterium. Clinically, some of these patients can recover on their own, as the severity of respiratory infections varies and some patients have strong immune systems. Therefore, by exercising appropriately in their daily lives, drinking plenty of warm water, and consuming foods high in vitamins and proteins, a small number of these patients with mild conditions can heal on their own.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Do acute upper respiratory infections require infusion?

Whether acute upper respiratory infections require fluid administration mainly depends on the patient's condition; the vast majority of acute upper respiratory infections do not require fluid administration. An acute upper respiratory infection, commonly referred to as a cold, is primarily caused by various pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, infecting our upper respiratory tract, including the nose, pharynx, and larynx, which are commonly referred to as the upper respiratory tract. The symptoms of an upper respiratory infection mainly manifest as a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, etc. For most people with normal immune function, young and middle-aged adults, or older adults in good health, upper respiratory infections can heal on their own, with or without medication. However, for some individuals in poor health, or older adults, an upper respiratory infection could potentially trigger heart failure, pneumonia, etc. Therefore, in these cases, some fluid therapy might be necessary, so the decision should be made based on the individual and specific medical condition, not arbitrarily applied across all cases.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can you drink alcohol with an acute upper respiratory tract infection?

Acute upper respiratory infection, commonly known as the common cold, typically presents clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and even varying degrees of fever. Clinically, these symptoms arise due to lowered immune function in patients, who inadvertently contract viruses or bacteria. Upon experiencing these discomforts, patients are generally advised to promptly use antiviral medications for symptomatic relief. It is common for those with acute upper respiratory infections to avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet, as well as abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol. It is recommended that these patients favor a bland diet and consume an adequate amount of fresh fruits and vegetables to timely replenish the nutrients needed by the body, which aids in faster recovery from the illness.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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What to do if an acute upper respiratory infection causes a headache?

Acute upper respiratory infection, commonly known as a cold, is usually just the common cold. Patients typically display various degrees of fever, along with nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and coughing as clinical symptoms. Therefore, when a patient has an upper respiratory infection and exhibits fever, they may experience varying levels of headache, dizziness, and general weakness. In such cases, upper respiratory infections are generally caused by viruses. Thus, it is necessary to administer antiviral and detoxifying medications, and if the patient has a high fever, antipyretics should be used. Once the body temperature returns to normal, it usually stabilizes quickly, and the headache caused by the upper respiratory infection will naturally subside. (Please take medication under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can you eat mangoes with an acute upper respiratory tract infection?

Patients with acute upper respiratory infections display various clinical symptoms due to differences in the immune function of their bodies. If some patients with upper respiratory infections show only symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, without fever or cough, they can eat mangoes. Mangoes are highly nutritious and can enhance the immune system and also have anti-cancer properties because they contain a high amount of Vitamin C, often more than other fruits, especially when fresh. Eating mangoes can strengthen the immune system, aiding in the recovery from symptoms of upper respiratory infections. However, it is generally not recommended to eat mangoes when acute upper respiratory infections involve fever and cough, as mangoes are tropical fruits and might exacerbate coughing symptoms in some patients.