Can acute upper respiratory infections heal on their own?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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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.

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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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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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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 Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Do you need to avoid certain foods with an acute upper respiratory tract infection?

Acute upper respiratory infection, commonly known as the common cold, typically manifests with varying degrees of nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, pain, fever, cough, and other clinical symptoms. In treating acute upper respiratory infections, particularly during the cold winter months, antiviral medications and drugs that clear heat and detoxify should be given as symptomatic treatment. Additionally, patients should be advised to drink more warm water and avoid consuming spicy, stimulating, or cold foods. Patients can appropriately consume liquid and light diets, and eat fresh vegetables and fruits which are rich in vitamins essential for the body. Increasing the intake of such foods can facilitate a quicker recovery from the illness.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
51sec home-news-image

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.