"On the fourth day of the first half of spring, the spring color is in the middle." On March 20, 2022, we ushered in the "spring equinox" of the recovery of all things, spring is getting stronger, but respiratory diseases are also eager to move Today Xiaoyin will introduce to you how to prevent and treat upper respiratory tract infections Dear comrades-in-arms, knock on the point Oh!
Question 1: What is an upper respiratory tract infection?
Upper respiratory tract infection, referred to as "upper sensation", is an acute inflammation of the nasal, pharyngeal, and laryngeal tract that is mainly invaded by various pathogenic microorganisms (viruses and bacteria, etc.), and is prone to occur when the system or local defense function of the respiratory tract is reduced. Among them, 70%-80% are caused by viruses, including respiratory syncytial viruses, adenoviruses, etc. In the case of bacterial infection, hemolytic streptococcus is the most common. Upper respiratory tract infections are transmitted mainly through droplets containing pathogens, usually at the turn of the seasons and in winter and spring.
Upper respiratory tract infections can be mainly divided into the following categories:
1. Common cold: It is also commonly referred to as "cold", also known as acute rhinitis or upper respiratory tract catarrhal. Catarrhal symptoms are common symptoms such as sputum production, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and so on. This type of disease can become thick with a runny nose after 2 to 3 days of onset, and can also cause tears and dull taste.
2. Acute upper respiratory tract infection with throat symptoms as the main clinical manifestation:
(1) Acute viral pharyngitis: the main symptoms are itchy and burning sensation in the throat, which may also be accompanied by symptoms of fever and fatigue, rare cough, clinical examination can show obvious congestion of the pharynx, edema, submandibular lymphadenopathy;
(2) Acute viral laryngitis: hoarseness, cough accompanied by sore throat and fever and other symptoms, clinical examination can show laryngeal congestion, edema, mild swelling of local lymph with pressure pain, and sometimes smell stridor;
(3) Herpetic angina: the main symptoms are obvious sore throat, fever, clinical examination can show pharyngeal hyperemia, soft palate, palate prolapse, pharynx and tonsil surface of gray-white herpes and superficial ulcers, surrounded by red halo;
(4) Pharyngeal conjunctivitis: the main symptoms are fever, sore throat, photophobia, lacrimation, etc., which are easily transmitted by swimming;
(5) Acute pharyngeal-tonsillitis: caused by bacterial infection, the main symptoms are obvious sore throat, chills, high fever, pharyngeal hyperemia, and dotted purulent secretions can be seen in the tonsils.
Question 2: What is the identification of upper respiratory tract infections?
Upper respiratory tract infection is a general term for a class of diseases that can be clinically diagnosed based on the signs and symptoms of the nose and pharynx, combined with blood routine examination and chest imaging. Different types of upper respiratory tract infections are distinguished primarily by symptoms, but the diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection must be differentiated from other disorders that initially present as cold-like symptoms:
1. Allergic rhinitis: sudden onset, recurrent or seasonal exacerbations, often manifested as hyperemia of the nasal mucosa and increased discharge, accompanied by sudden continuous sneezing, nasal itching, nasal congestion and a large amount of nasal discharge, no fever, less cough. Most often caused by irritations such as pollen and dust. If the allergen is detached, the symptoms disappear within a few minutes to 1 to 2 hours.
2. Influenza: Caused by influenza virus, it is common in influenza epidemic seasons (such as winter in the north). It can be sporadic or small-scale epidemics. Influenza onset is abrupt, in addition to sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, eye conjunctival congestion, lacrimation and other nasopharyngeal symptoms similar to ordinary upper respiratory tract infections, the systemic symptoms are more serious, accompanied by high fever, systemic soreness, chills, fatigue, occasional complaints of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating and other gastrointestinal manifestations.
3. Acute tracheitis/bronchitis (lower respiratory tract infection): manifested as cough, sputum production, mild nasal symptoms, elevated blood leukocytes, X-ray chest x-ray or CT examination can often see lung changes, such as increased lung texture.
Question 3: How is upper respiratory tract infection treated?
If the upper respiratory tract infection is weak, no medication is required. Pay attention to rest every day, properly replenish moisture, keep the indoor air flow smooth, and prevent cold. In general, the course of upper respiratory tract infection is short, and daily life management helps to recover from the disease.
When the symptoms are more obvious, symptomatic treatment can be carried out, including antipyretic, cough, sputum, etc., and antibiotics should not be abused. In the symptomatic treatment of the disease, decongestant drugs can be selected to alleviate symptoms such as nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea; antihistamine drugs can treat symptoms such as frequent sneezing and runny nose; antipyretic analgesic drugs can treat fever, headache, body aches and other symptoms; proprietary Chinese medicines can choose antipyretic detoxification, antivirals, etc. However, all comrades-in-arms must not take drugs without authorization, and the military doctors must correctly deal with them according to the condition.
Question 4: How to prevent upper respiratory tract infections?
A series of symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose of the upper respiratory tract infection have brought a lot of trouble to the comrades-in-arms, so how can we prevent the upper respiratory tract infection?
1. Avoid the causes of the disease: such as avoiding contact with cold patients; avoid cold, rain and excessive fatigue.
2. Enhance physical fitness: Adhere to regular, moderate exercise, enhance physical fitness is one of the best ways to resist diseases.
3. Create a good environment: pay attention to climate change, increase or decrease clothing in a timely manner, avoid colds; maintain indoor air circulation, open windows frequently for ventilation, and dry bedding.
If there is fever, closely observe the change of body temperature, when the body temperature is above 38.5 ° C, correct and reasonable cooling measures should be used to ensure adequate nutrition and water supplementation, timely change of sweaty clothes, keep the mouth and skin clean, and seek medical treatment in time when symptoms worsen.
"The spring equinox is not warm, the autumn equinox is not cool", the climate during the spring equinox is very suitable for the reproduction and spread of various germs, at this time to carry out physical training and work at the same time, all comrades-in-arms must be timely prevention, beware of upper respiratory tract infections. Enhance physical fitness, pay attention to climate change, increase or decrease clothing at the right time, let's say goodbye to the problem of upper respiratory tract infections together.
Instructor of Xiaoyin Studio, Military Doctor of the Youth League Committee of the Basic Medical College of Air Force Military Medical University: Attending Physician Of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University Lu Xing Attending Physician Pu Xueyin Teaching Experiment Center of Basic Medical College of Air Force Military Medical University Teaching Experiment Center: Mao Yuanhao Liu Peilin Teng Yihui Text: Duan Haokai Zhang Chengkai Chen Ziyan Cartoon: Zhu Rui Ma Yao Li Zhuoyuan Zhou Zhuo
The People's Liberation Army Daily was released on WeChat
Edit: Lei Xiaoxue