Respiratory tract infection

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Is an upper respiratory tract infection easy to recover from?

Upper respiratory tract infections are clinically categorized as respiratory diseases and occur at a very high frequency. Patients with upper respiratory tract infections generally recover easily as long as their immune system is in good condition. Most upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses, and patients with decent immune function can often recover without medication within about a week. However, some infections in the upper limbs, which may be caused by bacteria or mycoplasma, present various clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, and cough. Patients like these generally require appropriate anti-infection treatment, as well as medication to combat the mycoplasma, and their recovery might take slightly longer.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Respiratory infection symptoms

The symptoms of respiratory infections vary among individuals. Common clinical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, swollen throat, coughing, runny nose, sneezing, tearing, as well as difficulty breathing, phlegm, chest pain, and body aches. Some may also experience nausea, vomiting, and even sleep disturbances. Severe cases can lead to oxygen deprivation due to inflammation, manifesting as cyanosis of the lips, and increased and rapid breathing.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Causes of upper respiratory tract infections

There are many causes of upper respiratory tract infections, the most common being due to factors such as exposure to cold, staying up late, fatigue, mental stress, and lack of sleep, which lead to a decrease in the body's resistance. The normal pathogenic bacteria in the body gain the upper hand, easily causing respiratory infections. Additionally, it's also possible for patients with weak constitutions to come into contact with pathogens, for example, being around patients with pneumonia or influenza. The exhaled gases from these patients can contain certain pathogens, making it easy to inhale them through the respiratory tract and cause infections.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Does upper respiratory tract infection cause bleeding?

Upper respiratory tract infections can potentially cause bleeding. The so-called upper respiratory tract refers to the part of the respiratory tract from the throat upwards to the nose. It is highly susceptible to respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, influenza virus, and parainfluenza virus, making it particularly prone to infection symptoms, also commonly referred to as the common cold. When the infection is severe, it can cause bleeding on the surface of the respiratory tract. For example, there may be blood in the nasal mucus or in the phlegm when coughing. These are symptoms caused by the infection and increased vascular permeability. Therefore, there is no need for excessive fear. Generally speaking, a respiratory tract infection can heal on its own within 7-10 days, and the bleeding symptoms will also improve as the infection resolves.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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Can you eat oranges with an upper respiratory tract infection?

Upper respiratory infections can include orange in the diet; these infections are usually viral, and typically there are no specific therapeutic drugs available, only symptomatic treatment is provided. Additionally, patients should also consider eating some fruits and drinking more plain water while maintaining a light diet; fruits like oranges and apples are suitable. Furthermore, patients with severe symptoms of upper respiratory infection may also need to use some cold medicines to alleviate their symptoms. Generally, upper respiratory infections are self-limiting, and patients can gradually recover with symptomatic treatment and dietary adjustments mentioned above. However, it is important to note that some upper respiratory infections may be bacterial, such as acute suppurative tonsillitis, which is a bacterial infection and requires anti-infection treatment.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Upper respiratory tract infection current treatment

Upper respiratory infections are the most common infectious diseases, most of which are caused by viral infections, with a minority being bacterial infections. Regarding the treatment of upper respiratory infections: If it is a bacterial infection, sensitive antibiotics should be chosen for treatment. Commonly used antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolide lactones, etc. If it is a viral infection, there are currently no particularly effective antiviral drugs for treatment. However, if chosen appropriately, some antiviral drugs can still be effective. Treatment for upper respiratory infections also involves symptomatic management, such as using antipyretic analgesics for fever, and cough suppressants for coughing, etc. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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How is an upper respiratory tract infection caused?

Upper respiratory infections are mostly caused by pathogenic microorganisms. They are related to factors such as exposure to cold weather, low immunity, weak resistance, frequent staying up late, and excessive fatigue. Additionally, viral infections, such as influenza virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus, and Coxsackievirus, can also cause upper respiratory infections. Some may be due to bacterial infections. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone should actively seek symptom-targeted treatment under the guidance of a doctor, and it's important to identify the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan based on test results. Key to the treatment is the active cooperation of the patient with the doctor's plan. In terms of diet, it is advised to eat light foods, drink plenty of water, rest adequately, and avoid spicy, greasy, raw, cold, and irritating foods. Smoking and drinking alcohol should also be avoided while actively cooperating with the treatment.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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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 Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Can respiratory infections heal on their own?

Respiratory infections can be self-healing, usually in individuals who are physically strong or have a robust immune system. During an infection, drinking plenty of water, resting adequately, timely replenishing vitamin C, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, exercising appropriately to enhance physical fitness, and dressing appropriately according to the weather can potentially lead to self-healing. However, for elderly and frail patients, the self-healing rate from respiratory infections is very low. They should be treated under the guidance of a doctor, actively taking anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications, as well as cold remedies. It is also important to ventilate rooms frequently to maintain fresh air circulation indoors, avoid overly dry environments, and keep indoor temperature and humidity at comfortable levels. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid spicy, greasy, cold, and irritating foods, and not to consume seafood to prevent exacerbating cold symptoms by promoting the production of phlegm.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Upper respiratory tract infections include which?

Upper respiratory tract infections encompass many diseases, such as acute rhinitis, sinusitis, accessory sinusitis, chronic pharyngitis, tonsillitis, as well as bronchitis and bronchopneumonia. They all fall under the category of upper respiratory tract infections. Treatment should be based on the site of infection, specific symptoms, and the pathogenic bacteria involved, using appropriate antibiotics for symptomatic treatment. During treatment, it is important to drink plenty of water, rest, and also use medication in conjunction with clinical symptoms to alleviate discomfort.