Is acute upper respiratory infection a cold?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Acute upper respiratory infection, commonly referred to as the common cold, manifests suddenly in patients with symptoms including fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and coughing. Some patients may also experience varying degrees of headache and dizziness. Generally, most cases of acute upper respiratory infections are caused by the entry of viruses into the respiratory tract, leading to these clinical symptoms. Therefore, in cases of urgent incidents where patients suddenly exhibit these clinical symptoms, it is crucial to promptly coordinate relevant examinations to determine the type of bacterial infection, followed by detailed symptomatic treatment. Typically, this approach can effectively control the symptoms caused by acute upper respiratory infections.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Can I eat eggs with an acute upper respiratory infection?

Patients with acute upper respiratory infections occur quite frequently in clinical settings, and their immune functions are often compromised, making them susceptible to upper respiratory infections with just a little carelessness. For patients with upper respiratory infections, it is generally recommended to consume foods high in vitamins and protein. Eggs, for example, are a high-protein food. Eating more eggs, if appropriate, can help enhance the body's immune system for patients with upper respiratory infections. At the same time, the nutrients found in eggs, such as proteins, vitamin B, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other types of vitamins, are essential and indispensable for the body. Therefore, for patients with acute upper respiratory infections, eating an egg a day is certainly beneficial and can aid in faster recovery from the illness.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Can acute upper respiratory infection cause diarrhea?

Acute upper respiratory infections, also known clinically as the common cold, can be categorized into several types, including bacterial and viral colds. Therefore, based on the different pathogens infecting the upper respiratory tract, the clinical symptoms exhibited by patients can vary significantly. Typically, patients with viral colds not only experience various clinical discomfort symptoms related to the upper respiratory tract but also suffer from varying degrees of gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms indicate a gastro-intestinal type of cold. Hence, for patients with acute upper respiratory infections caused by viral infections, the presence of diarrhea and other related clinical symptoms is quite common. Timely antiviral and symptomatic treatment can alleviate the discomfort caused by the gastro-intestinal type of cold.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Does acute upper respiratory infection require infusion?

Whether or not to use infusion therapy for acute upper respiratory infections mainly depends on the specific conditions of each patient with the infection. Generally, acute upper respiratory infections can usually be controlled within about a week with timely and effective treatment. However, a small number of patients may have persistent high fever or more severe clinical symptoms. In cases where oral medications are not effective, it is appropriate to use infusion therapy for symptomatic treatment. It is important to understand that the type of pathogens causing acute upper respiratory infections differs from patient to patient, as does each individual's immune function. Therefore, the clinical symptoms caused can also vary significantly. For cases of severe acute upper respiratory infections, or those with complications, it is sometimes necessary to use infusion therapy for treatment, as it can be more effective.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Can you drink alcohol with an acute upper respiratory tract infection?

For acute upper respiratory infections, it is best not to drink alcohol during the infection period. This is because an acute upper respiratory infection is a type of acute infectious disease. It occurs when some pathogenic microorganisms infect the area of our nasopharynx, leading to this inflammatory disease. The main symptoms in patients include nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, fever, etc. Alcohol, as a type of consumable, can cause irritation to the throat, especially the mucous membrane of the pharynx, thereby exacerbating the swelling of the inflammation. Some patients experience throat swelling and even fever the day after drinking alcohol. Therefore, we do not recommend drinking alcohol during the acute phase of an upper respiratory infection. It is advisable to wait until the body has recovered for a while before drinking. Drinking during the acute phase can easily worsen the condition.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What should I do if a child has an acute upper respiratory infection?

When children develop acute upper respiratory infections, the main focuses are to ensure plenty of rest, clear the exterior and reduce heat, and prevent complications. During fever, it is advisable to give liquid or soft foods, encourage increased water intake, and for infants, feed small amounts frequently to avoid symptoms of digestive upset like vomiting and diarrhea. Maintain room temperature between 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, and keep a certain level of humidity. If there is excessive nasal and pharyngeal secretion, a prone position can be helpful. For high fevers, initially use a cold towel to moisten the forehead and the entire head, or use fever patches or a warm bath to alleviate discomfort and prevent febrile convulsions. It is beneficial for the baby to drink more water to replenish the bodily fluids lost due to fever and to facilitate the elimination of toxins. Adequate hydration can help thin the secretions in the nasal passages, making them easier to clear. Medication can also be used for treatment.