Upper respiratory infections are infections that attack the sinuses, pharynx, nose or larynx. To break it down, it’s a lung infection. A buildup of pus or mucus causes the lungs to get swollen. This causes breathing to be more difficult. This is similar to bronchitis, or pneumonia, but not quite. These are lower respiratory tract infections.
Upper respiratory tract infections are also known as colds. They bother the upper part of the lungs, inflamming them, and causing difficulty breathing. They can last anywhere from twenty four hours, to four weeks to be cleared up. This usually involves coughing up the mucus, or allowing the body to digest it naturally. Mucus to lubricate those areas is necessary, but too much can damage the upper respiratory tract, and cause issues to the people infected.
Antibiotics are used to treat the infections, and remove it like a virus. The best treatment is a prescription for Penicillin or Amoxicillin. These fungal medicines will clean out the strain in the body, while getting the patient
healthy.
The best ways to avoid upper respiratory tract infections is to keep the air clean. Some examples are
- Do not smoke
- Vacuum home consistently
- Avoid dusty or very dirty areas
- Wear masks when doing construction work
- Turn on kitchen fan when cooking
By following these steps, the risk of getting a upper respiratory tract infection is reduced. The debris enters the lungs, and settles, and can cause long term issues if not dealt with properly.
Staying Healthy
Eating a balanced diet can help as well, to give the body the nutrients it needs to combat the illness. Drinking six to eight cups of water per day is the recommended dosage for those trying to stay hydrated. As well, eating lots of fruits and vegetables is important, as the vitamins help to keep the body healthy enough and fueled to fight off the germs that attack it. This is a very important step to increase the likelihood of the body fighting off a Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.
By following these guidelines, the body is given a good chance to not get a upper respiratory tract infection, as well as be able to fight it off. But the most important part is to make sure the patient is getting enough sleep. By doing this, they must keep the stress to a minimum, and get as much sleep as possible to fight it off. The body’s immune system needs to recover so it can continue to fight off the germs, so sleep is a necessary part of recovery.