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

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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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
56sec home-news-image

Can acute upper respiratory infections heal on their own?

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 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
1min 1sec home-news-image

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
58sec home-news-image

Can I eat beef with an acute upper respiratory infection?

Acute upper respiratory infections are usually caused by patients accidentally catching colds and contracting certain viruses or bacteria, leading to varying degrees of clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, fever, and sore throat. For such patients, it is generally not recommended to eat beef. Although beef is highly nutritious, it tends to increase internal heat, especially in patients with heat-type colds. Eating beef at this time may cause the patient to experience increased fever, as well as worsening cough and sore throat symptoms. Therefore, it is suggested that patients with acute upper respiratory infections drink more water and consume more fresh vegetables and fruits to facilitate a quicker recovery.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can acute upper respiratory infections heal on their own?

Acute upper respiratory tract infection is clinically localized above the nasal cavity and pharynx. Symptoms typically seen in such patients include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy throat, and coughing. The onset is usually sudden, and some patients may experience sore throats, while others may have an itchy throat. In most cases, these infections are viral. For such patients, the course of the disease is about one week and is usually self-limiting. For elderly individuals or infants and young children, who are generally more frail, it is advisable to prescribe appropriate medications for symptomatic treatment when they contract an acute upper respiratory tract infection, to prevent the aggravation of symptoms and further discomfort.