Can you drink alcohol with an acute upper respiratory tract infection?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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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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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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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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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.

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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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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.)