Recognizing upper respiratory tract infections and how to prevent them

Upper respiratory tract infections include: flu, sinusitis, acute and chronic laryngitis...

Upper respiratory tract infections are not dangerous, but if not treated promptly, they can easily lead to complications, affecting health and daily life.

Recognizing upper respiratory tract infectionsFlu

Flu is spread through the respiratory tract. Usually mild, recovery after 2-7 days. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, runny nose, etc. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases or immunodeficiency are more susceptible to infection than others.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a disease characterized by the phenomenon of the respiratory mucosa lining the sinuses next to the nose being attacked by inflammatory reactions causing infection. When suffering from sinusitis, the patient has signs of fever, discharge, stuffy nose, loss of smell, headache, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, pain around the eyes in episodes and pulse. Pain every time sneezes hard, the patient cannot concentrate, does not want to eat. If sinusitis is severe, it can cause optic neuritis leading to blurred vision.

Sinusitis has two main forms: acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis.

- Acute sinusitis. Usually occurs in the ethmoid sinus, frontal sinus, sphenoid sinus and pansinusitis. The disease only lasts for a short period of time, less than 4 weeks.

- Chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis that lasts more than 12 weeks means that the patient has turned into chronic sinusitis. The cause can be due to infection, but mainly comes from nasal polyps (tumors with soft stalks that form in the mucosa) and a deviated nasal septum. Allergies to certain fungi, or fungal sinus infections are also considered causes of chronic sinusitis.

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is a common disease in many subjects, both children and adults. When the larynx is inflamed, the vocal cords are easily irritated. This causes swelling in the vocal cords, distorting the sound when air passes through. As a result, the voice becomes changed and weakened. In some cases, people with laryngitis may lose their voice..

Laryngitis can be short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Most cases of laryngitis are caused by a viral infection that is temporary and not serious.

Causes include colds, weather changes, and environmental pollution. For young children, it is due to excessive crying or talking combined with viral or bacterial factors that cause the disease. When suffering from laryngitis, the patient has a fever, hoarseness, cough, wheezing, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. There is a feeling of itching, burning, or mild burning in the larynx.

Respiratory tract infections are not too dangerous but are easy to catch and often recur, especially when the weather changes. The elderly, children, and people with underlying diseases are more susceptible. Illustrative photo

Effective preventive measures

Although respiratory infections are not too dangerous, they are easy to catch and often recur, especially when the weather changes. The elderly, children, and people with many underlying diseases are more susceptible. In addition to treatment with medication prescribed by a specialist, disease prevention is very important:

Wash your hands regularly and properly. Wear a mask when going out. Drink enough water even when you are not thirsty. Avoid sour and spicy foods. Limit alcohol and stimulants. Clean your throat and mouth every day, gargle with salt water. Wear loose, sweat-absorbent clothes. Exercise and move your body regularly. Avoid contact with sick people. Get enough sleep.