Upper respiratory tract infection is a concept that generally describes infectious diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract
. With the arrival of autumn and winter, the weather gets colder, and schools open, upper respiratory tract infections become an important health problem.
On average, 70% of children admitted to the hospital have URTI.
Two important reasons for this are;
-- Cold weather and sudden temperature changes weaken the immune system
-- Contagion increases in this season.
In cold weather, more time is spent in closed environments and ventilation is inadequate due to concerns about thermal insulation. Cold, flu, pharyngitis (throat infection), laryngitis (larynx infection), tonsillitis (tonsil infection), sinusitis, middle ear infection are among the upper respiratory tract infections. /p>
FLU;
It is the most common upper respiratory tract infection.
Viruses are the causative agent.
Nasal congestion, It progresses with runny nose, sneezing, cough, weakness, and mild fever.
Treatment includes rest and drinking plenty of fluids, painkillers, nasal decongestant sprays, and medications to reduce complaints to stop nasal discharge
It is used.
There is no need to use antibiotics. Complaints pass in an average of 5 days.
FLU;
Complaints are like the flu, but are more severe.
It is an infection caused by viruses.
Muscle aches, joint pains and weakness are evident. It may be accompanied by severe cough and high fever.
It may be more severe and progress rapidly in those with chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetes, diseases that impair the immune system).
Treatment requires rest, plenty of fluid intake and supportive treatment.
PHARYNGITIS;
It is the most common cause of sore throat. It is a throat infection usually caused by viruses.
It causes complaints such as dryness in the throat, burning, cough, fever, weakness.
Treatment includes painkillers, throat spray or gargles, and antibiotics when necessary. is given.
LARYNGITIS;
It is an infection of the larynx area, In addition to complaints similar to pharyngitis, there is hoarseness and a feeling of a foreign body in the throat.
TONSILLITIS;
It is an infection of the tonsils.
>It occurs with complaints such as high fever, weakness, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, and swelling of the glands in the neck.
Antibiotics and painkillers are used in its treatment.
>Rarely, heart and joint rheumatism may develop after tonsil infection.
One of the main purposes of treatment is to prevent such diseases.
SINUSITIS;
It is the inflammation of the spaces called sinuses located in the bones around the nose.
Nasal congestion, dark discharge from the nose, postnasal drip, fever, headache, bad breath, cough
It causes complaints.
Antibiotics, painkillers and auxiliary treatments to open the nose are applied. Treating structural disorders and allergies in the nose, if any, is also helpful in preventing relapses.
MIDDLE EAR INFECTION;
Generally causing nasal congestion. It develops after another upper respiratory tract infection.
Complaints such as earache, fever, hearing loss, and fullness in the ear are observed.
Antibiotics are frequently used in its treatment. After a middle ear infection, a perforation in the eardrum and fluid accumulation in the middle ear may occur, so recovery should be monitored under the supervision of a doctor.
While upper respiratory tract viral infections are rare in infants, in young children, the average per year is
/p>
6-7 cold-flu infections occur. The incidence in adults is approximately 2-3 infections per year
. The frequency is similar in the elderly, but the possibility of complications is high.
PREVENTION FROM UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS
Care is required, especially during winter months and transition periods. However, absolute
protection from these diseases is not possible.
Measures that can be taken to reduce the frequency of upper respiratory tract infections can be summarized as follows
:
- Regular, balanced and natural nutrition, especially foods rich in vitamin C
-Regular fluid intake,
-Regular sleep, ensuring a regular life.
-Regularly exercising at a light pace.
-Avoiding sudden hot-cold weather changes.
-Ventilating closed spaces regularly.
-Avoiding close contact with people with cold and flu without damaging social relations.
-Wearing appropriate clothing by monitoring the weather conditions
-Patient People should cover their mouth and nose area with a tissue when coughing and sneezing.
-Sick people who work and work in risky places (hospital, nursery, nursing home, barracks, school, etc.) should use a mask
-Sick people should not be in crowded environments as much as possible
to prevent contamination.
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