The difference between acute upper respiratory tract infection and acute pharyngitis

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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The difference between acute upper respiratory infection and acute pharyngitis is actually a matter of the scope and extension of a concept. An upper respiratory infection refers to infections occurring in the nose, pharynx, and throat, collectively known as the upper respiratory tract. If this area is infected by some pathogenic microorganisms, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and sore throat, we call it an acute upper respiratory infection. Acute pharyngitis specifically refers to the occurrence of inflammation in the pharynx following an infection, primarily presenting with sore throat or cough. This condition is called acute pharyngitis. From this perspective, acute pharyngitis is actually a specific type of acute upper respiratory infection. The main focus is still on distinguishing these diseases, giving special attention where necessary, such as providing specific treatment for pharyngitis, whereas a general cold medicine might suffice for an upper respiratory infection. Thus, there are certain distinctions between the two.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
1min home-news-image

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 Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
1min 8sec home-news-image

Why does acute upper respiratory infection cause recurrent fever?

Acute upper respiratory infections are very common in clinical practice, and most patients develop acute inflammatory lesions due to a viral entry into the respiratory tract. A small number of patients may also have combined bacterial or pathogenic microbial infections, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and recurrent fever of varying degrees. In the early stages of acute upper respiratory infections, if medications are not timely and symptomatically administered, and especially if patients have low immune function and do not receive timely medication management, some patients may repeatedly experience fever. The fever is typically high, commonly seen in infants and young children. Therefore, for such patients, it is crucial to provide symptomatic medication promptly and effectively, which usually can effectively control the symptoms of recurrent fever.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
59sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
1min 7sec home-news-image

The difference between acute upper respiratory tract infection and acute pharyngitis

The difference between acute upper respiratory infection and acute pharyngitis is actually a matter of the scope and extension of a concept. An upper respiratory infection refers to infections occurring in the nose, pharynx, and throat, collectively known as the upper respiratory tract. If this area is infected by some pathogenic microorganisms, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and sore throat, we call it an acute upper respiratory infection. Acute pharyngitis specifically refers to the occurrence of inflammation in the pharynx following an infection, primarily presenting with sore throat or cough. This condition is called acute pharyngitis. From this perspective, acute pharyngitis is actually a specific type of acute upper respiratory infection. The main focus is still on distinguishing these diseases, giving special attention where necessary, such as providing specific treatment for pharyngitis, whereas a general cold medicine might suffice for an upper respiratory infection. Thus, there are certain distinctions between the two.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.