Orz - forms, causes, signs, symptoms and treatment. Acute respiratory diseases Orz hurts

Often, feeling very unwell, the patient goes to the clinic or calls a doctor at home.

The doctor, after carefully examining the patient and ascertaining the symptoms and complaints, makes a diagnosis of respiratory illness in adults or ARVI.

This definition is not clear to every person. Therefore, the author of this article will try to clarify the following questions for the inexperienced reader:

What it is.
Clinic and signs of acute respiratory infections in adults.
Methods for diagnosing the disease.
Basic principles of treatment of influenza, ARVI, acute respiratory infections in adults.

Acute respiratory infection

If a person has a cold and an acute respiratory infection develops in his body, the following symptoms of acute respiratory infections in adults can be observed:

sore and sore throat;
runny nose;
cough;
severe fever and chills;
weakness throughout the body.

The concept of a problem includes a number of diseases, the occurrence of which is provoked by various viruses and bacteria:

staphylococci;
meningococci;
streptococci;
parainfluenza virus;
influenza A, B, C virus;
enterovirus;
adenovirus.

Getting inside the human body, any of this virus can provoke acute respiratory infections in adults.

Main symptoms of acute respiratory disease

Since the symptoms of most colds (ARI, flu) are the same, this makes diagnosing the disease very difficult. After all, in order to prescribe the right medications (injections, tablets, powders), the doctor must determine the type of infection that has “settled” in the patient’s body. However, there are still some differences and you need to know them.

Flu clinic. Despite the fact that the incubation period of influenza can last three days, the disease develops rapidly, and its onset is characterized by the following symptoms:

general deterioration of condition;
myalgia and arthralgia;
headache;
a sharp increase in body temperature.

It is noteworthy that the flu very rarely occurs without fever.

Parainfluenza clinic. The incubation period for this disease is longer, it lasts four days. The first symptoms of the disease are the same as those of the flu or a cold:

sore and sore throat;
cough;
heat;
runny nose.

However, with parainfluenza, the larynx is the first to suffer, laryngitis may develop, and then bronchitis. If the patient is not given medical assistance in a timely manner, his condition worsens: signs of general intoxication appear (nausea, vomiting).

The symptoms of adenovirus infection are very similar to the first signs of pharyngitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, but sometimes conjunctivitis is added to them. An increase in temperature is not necessary, and often the disease occurs against the background of low-grade fever.

Rotavirus infection clinic. The incubation period of stomach or intestinal flu lasts quite a long time - up to 6 days. The disease begins acutely and has the following first signs:

nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea;
increase in body temperature.

Rotavirus infection in adults is rare.

For respiratory syncytial infection, the typical occurrence is bronchitis or pneumonia, that is, damage to the lower respiratory tract. The first signs of pathology:

general weakness;
nasal discharge;
headache;
paroxysmal painful dry cough.

The coronary virus affects the upper respiratory tract and is quite severe. The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

runny nose;
inflammation of the nasopharynx;
enlarged lymph nodes;
low-grade fever.

Acute respiratory infection in adults and children has a synonym – ARI (acute respiratory infection). People not involved in medicine call this disease a cold. Often in connection with influenza epidemics one hears the abbreviation ARVI. Some believe that this is another name for the disease, but this is not entirely true.

What is the difference between ARI and ARVI?

If the term refers to a wide group of respiratory tract pathologies that occur in an acute form (usually these diseases are caused by a virus, bacteria or microbes), this concept is more precise and narrow. When it comes to ARVI, there is no doubt that the cause of the disease is the virus. This is the difference between these two definitions.

Treatment of respiratory diseases and acute respiratory viral infections differ (although not always), so sometimes a more accurate diagnosis of the disease is required; the virus must be determined. Often, during the development of ARVI, a bacterial factor is added to the initial viral infection.

First, for example, the patient is struck by the influenza virus, and just a few days later the disease is complicated by pneumonia or bronchitis.

Diagnosis of acute respiratory infection

As mentioned above, due to the fact that various respiratory diseases are very similar to each other, doctors sometimes make mistakes when making a diagnosis. The most common confusion arises:

with the flu;
parainfluenza;
respiratory syncytial infection;
adenovirus;
rhinovirus.

Meanwhile, early diagnosis of the disease is of great importance. It is needed so that the doctor can timely prescribe the necessary medications (tablets, injections, powders) that will prevent the development of complications.

If the patient accurately describes to the doctor all the symptoms of the disease, this will greatly help the doctor in making the correct diagnosis and prescribing an effective medicine.

Differences between influenza and other types of ARI

Any form of influenza is rarely associated with a cold, but other diseases (especially of bacterial origin) arise precisely as a cold - after hypothermia.

An equally important difference between influenza and other respiratory ailments is that the disease appears most often during an epidemic, while other acute respiratory infections are active all year round.

Influenza always has an acute onset. It only takes two to three hours for a person to go from completely healthy to completely sick. The thermometer readings quickly reach critical values, at which the patient needs to take antipyretic drugs. Other symptoms of the disease quickly appear:

headache;
myalgia and arthralgia;
convulsions;
severe chills;
soreness of the eyeballs;
absolute weakness and weakness.

For other ARIs, a rapid increase in symptoms is not typical. The painful processes reach their peak only two to three days after the onset of the disease.

Even if the patient is familiar with the symptoms of various ARIs, and he is almost sure of the diagnosis, self-medication is contraindicated. That is, you need to take only those medications prescribed by your doctor.

How does infection occur?

Bacteria that cause colds and flu enter the human body most often through airborne droplets. What does this mean?

When talking, and most of all when coughing and sneezing, the patient, completely unintentionally, releases a huge amount of bacteria and viruses into the air around him. The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that the patient becomes dangerous to others even when for himself the disease occurs in a latent form.

A person feels only a slight malaise, which he can attribute to fatigue or poor sleep. At the same time, he goes to work, communicates with the people around him and pretty much imparts his illness to them.

Unfortunately, pathogenic diseases exist not only in the air, they settle on any objects:

on clothes;
on dishes;
on railings and door handles;
on money.

For infection, it is enough that the microbes enter the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and oral cavity. From there they freely and quickly penetrate into the upper respiratory tract, where they begin to actively reproduce and release toxins into the blood. That is why the problem is always accompanied by intoxication to one degree or another.

For this reason, during periods when an epidemic is raging, it is not recommended to unnecessarily visit places with large crowds of people, and upon arriving home, you must wash your hands with soap. At work, this should also be done very often and always before meals.

While at home, you can eat onions and garlic in large quantities. These products are harmful to viruses and bacteria.

How to treat an infection

Before starting to treat the disease (as well as ARVI), the doctor must make sure the diagnosis is accurate. If the diagnosis is carried out correctly, treatment of acute respiratory infections will be much faster and more successful.

However, a large number of people simply love to treat colds without consulting a doctor. The reason for this negligent attitude towards one’s health is medications that can be purchased in pharmacies without prescriptions.

The information presented in this article is not a reason to refuse a visit to the doctor. It is given to the reader for informational purposes only.

So, the disease in the acute phase should be treated primarily with bed rest. If the virus is accompanied by a high temperature, the patient is advised to take the following antipyretic drugs:

Aspirin.
Ibuprofen.
Efferalgan.
Panadol.
Nurofen.
Tylenol.
Anapirin.
Ibusan.
Calpol.
Fervex and other antipyretic drugs.

An important addition: antipyretic medications (tablets, powders and injections) are primarily intended for complex symptomatic therapy. These drugs can pacify pain and remove the main symptoms of the disease, but these drugs cannot affect the disease itself.

A patient with an acute respiratory disease needs to drink as much fluid as possible, since the disease is almost always accompanied by general intoxication of the body.

However, not just any drink can be consumed; in this situation, it is best to drink:

fruit drink made from cranberries;
weak warm tea with milk or lemon;
mineral water (preferably still);
juices that are better to prepare yourself, rather than packaged ones.

Drugs such as Ascorutin help to quickly cure the problem. Ascorutin contains ascorbic acid and the substance rutin. These are not medicines, but vitamins.

Sometimes doctors consider it advisable to prescribe antihistamines (tablets, powders). If active inflammatory processes occur in the larynx, bronchi or lungs, broncho-secretolytic drugs are prescribed:

Ambroxol.
Bronholitin.
Bromhexine.
Marshmallow root syrup.
Ambrobene.
Bronchicum.
Gedelix.
Ambrohexal.
Mukodin.
Tussin.
Mucosol.
Lazolvan and other drugs.

If the causative agent of the disease is a virus, antiviral drugs are prescribed:

Kagocel.
Interferon.
Grippferon.
Amiksin.
Rimantadine.
Arbidol.

If a severe bacterial infection is added to the acute respiratory infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

For difficulty breathing and a runny nose, doctors recommend their patients to use nasal drops and aerosols:

Xymelin.
Sanorin.
Nazol.
Tizin.
Nazivin.
Rhinostop.

A sore throat is treated with sprays and lozenges:

Inhalipt.
Ambassador
Faringosept.
Cameton.
Strepsils.
Hexoral.

The video in this article talks in detail about the symptoms of acute respiratory infections and what you have to deal with.

ARI is not a specific disease, but a whole series of viral and bacterial infections that affect the respiratory tract. They can be of complicated or uncomplicated type, taking into account the existing symptoms and signs. The diagnosis of acute respiratory disease is made to those patients who have not had any testing done to identify the causative agent of the problem. Today, acute respiratory infections are the most common diagnosis made to adult patients due to the ease of infection; it occurs through airborne droplets.

Among the main symptoms of acute respiratory infections are the following:

the appearance of chills and weakness throughout the body;
Pain in muscles and joints may occur;
headache is quite common;
the patient may have a fever, this is especially acute in the evening and at night;
lymph nodes may become enlarged;
the patient exhibits nasal congestion, swelling of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nasal cavity;
a runny nose gradually begins to develop;
there is pain in the eyes and lacrimation;
on the second or third day the patient develops a wet or dry cough, which intensifies at night;
many patients have inflammation of the pharynx or larynx;
sometimes conjunctivitis develops;
the appearance of rash and swelling.

Attention! Symptoms of acute respiratory infections can develop sluggishly and rapidly, when they significantly worsen the patient’s condition in just a few hours. In such situations, treatment should begin from the first day to prevent the development of bronchitis and pneumonia.

Drops and sprays for the nose for acute respiratory infections

Rhinostop

Nasal drops that remain effective for six hours from the moment of use. To obtain the desired result, the patient is recommended to instill two drops into each nasal passage up to three times a day. If there is excessive mucus secretion, you can drip the drug up to four times a day. The maximum duration of treatment with Rinostop is seven days, after which they should be discontinued or use another medication. For minor nasal discharge, it is better to use the medicine only before bed. Rinostop does not dry out the nasal cavity so much, which eliminates the possibility of developing cracks and additional irritation.

Nazivin

A modern medicine that allows you to eliminate a runny nose with minimal use. Nazivin should be used twice a day in the morning and evening. When choosing drops, instill two drops into each nasal passage; when choosing a spray, 1-2 injections should be made into each nostril. Nazivin can be used for up to one week. The drug is also used in complicated cases.

Attention! It is advisable not to get carried away with drops and sprays, as they are quickly addictive and can provoke the development of rhinitis.

Anti-cough medicines

Bronholitin

A good medicine that is aimed at suppressing coughing attacks and sputum discharge. The medication is available in syrup form, which improves its effectiveness and ensures good absorption. Adult patients are advised to take Bronholitin in a dosage of 10 ml three times a day immediately after meals. In severe cases, the drug is used up to four times a day. The duration of therapy is approximately seven days. In complicated cases, the medication is used for up to 10 days.

Mukaltin

A traditional medicine that quickly clears mucus and makes breathing easier. The dosage for adult patients is 1-2 tablets. The medicine should be taken immediately after meals, washed down with a small amount of juice or clean water. Mucaltin is used for one to two weeks. If during the first five days of treatment there is no noticeable relief or your health condition worsens, you should contact your physician for dose adjustment or additional examination.

Gedelix

A completely natural medicinal product produced in the form of syrup. For the treatment of adult patients, it is necessary to take 5 ml of the active substance three times a day. The duration of therapy using Gedelix is seven to ten days. The drug is suitable for eliminating the symptoms of wet and dry cough. Before using the medication, you should carefully read the composition and make sure there is no allergic reaction.

Attention! Before starting therapy, it is important to accurately determine the type of cough, since the wrong drug can significantly worsen the condition.

Medicines for fever

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is a traditional medicine for quickly reducing fever

A traditional medicine for quickly reducing fever. Adult patients are recommended to take a daily dosage of no more than 4 g. Taking into account the severity of the condition, the patient can take 0.5-1 g of the active substance. The number of daily doses is 4-8 uses. During treatment with Paracetamol, be sure to stay hydrated, as the body suffers greatly from dehydration.

Ibuprofen

Simultaneously with the decrease in temperature, the drug helps eliminate headaches and muscle pain. To achieve a good result, you need to take 200 mg of the active substance up to four times a day. If side effects occur, it is first recommended to slightly reduce the dose; if this does not help, the medication is completely discontinued.

Panadol

The drug is an analogue of Paracetamol, which can be used as replacement therapy if side effects from the first medication are observed. Despite one active substance, Panadol has a gentler effect on the body. To obtain a pronounced result, it is recommended to use 1 g of the active substance up to four times a day. The last dose of the medication should be taken before going to bed.

Attention! If you cannot bring down the temperature within three days, you should contact your doctor to prescribe more precise therapy and exclude complications.

Complexes against acute respiratory infections

Fervex

A complex drug that contains several active substances that suppress cough, fever, runny nose and weakness. Take Fervex in a dosage of one sachet up to three times a day. Before use, it is recommended to dissolve the medicine in 100 ml of warm water and drink in slow sips. The duration of therapy using the drug is 3-5 days.

Antiflu

A good powder, the effect of which is aimed at improving general health and quickly eliminating the symptoms of acute respiratory infections. Adult patients should take the medication in a dosage of 1 sachet per 100 ml of warm water. It is allowed to take the product by adding sugar and honey. The recommended number of daily doses is four times, and it is imperative to maintain a four-hour interval between uses. The duration of therapy is no more than five days.

Antigrippin

A powerful complex of active substances to eliminate chills, muscle weakness and headaches. The powder is used in dissolved form. To do this, you need to dissolve one sachet in 150 ml of hot water; if necessary, you can add honey. The maximum number of Antigrippin doses is four sachets. If the patient has kidney problems, he can drink only two doses of the active substance. The duration of treatment is no more than five days.

Attention! It makes sense to use such complexes only at the initial stage of the disease, since in advanced stages they are useless.

Medicines for sore throat due to acute respiratory infections

Grammidin

The drug is available in the form of tablets that must be completely absorbed in the mouth. After this, you should refrain from eating food for one hour. To quickly relieve pain in the throat and pharynx, take one tablet every six hours. The maximum duration of therapy using Grammidin is seven days.

Tantum Verde

A modern drug to eliminate discomfort in the larynx and pharynx. The medicine should be used every three hours for six injections. In severe cases, it is recommended to increase the dosage of the active substance to eight injections at a time. When using the spray, it is important to hold your breath to prevent the development of bronchospasm. The duration of therapy using Tantum Verde is no more than five days.

Attention! Lozenges and sprays should not be used for more than five days. If there is no improvement within three days, you should consult a doctor.

Antibiotics for acute respiratory infections

Ospamox

Ospamox is a good antimicrobial agent

A good antimicrobial agent that is taken for no more than two weeks under the supervision of a physician. To achieve the required therapeutic result, it is recommended that adult patients take up to 3 g of the active substance, divided into 2-3 doses. The exact dosage of the medication and the number of daily doses are determined by the therapist after receiving all the tests and an in-person examination. The drug belongs to the penicillin group and shows a minimum of negative effects at precise doses.

Erythromycin

A good remedy that allows you to quickly suppress the complications of acute respiratory infections with minimal side effects. To obtain a therapeutic effect, you should take 250 mg of the active substance every four hours. For milder degrees of the disease, the drug is used every six hours, also at a dose of 250 mg of the drug. If symptoms of pneumonia and bronchitis appear, the amount of the active substance can be increased to 500 mg at a time. The maximum amount of Erythromycin is 4 g per day. The duration of therapy is no more than 14 days.

Attention! The decision to take an antibiotic is made solely by the doctor, since acute respiratory infections are usually treated without the use of antimicrobial substances. Antibiotics cannot remove the virus; taking them makes sense for bacterial complications.

Cost of drugs against acute respiratory infections

A drug	Price in Russia	Price in Belarus	Price in Ukraine
Rhinostop	102 rubles	3.2 rubles	41 hryvnia
Nazivin	160-200 rubles	6.4 rubles	66-82 hryvnia
Bronholitin	120 rubles	4 rubles	61 hryvnia
Mukaltin	3-77 rubles	24.6 rubles	32 hryvnia
Gedelix	360 rubles	11.5 rubles	148 hryvnia
Paracetamol	2 rubles	0.34 kopecks	0.82 hryvnia
Ibuprofen	20-100 rubles	0.64-3.2 rubles	8-41 hryvnia
Panadol	100 rubles	3.2 rubles	41 hryvnia
Fervex (5 sachets)	350 rubles	11.2 rubles	144 hryvnia
Antiflu (5 sachets)	320 rubles	10 rubles	132 hryvnia
Antigrippin (10 sachets)	345 rubles	11.5 rubles	141 hryvnia
Grammidin	300-400 rubles	9.6-12.8 rubles	123-164 hryvnia
Tantum Verde	400 rubles	12.8 rubles	164 hryvnia
Erythromycin	100 rubles	3.2 rubles	41 hryvnia
Ospamox	320 rubles	10 rubles	132 hryvnia

Attention! All the medications described have analogues, which may differ slightly in dosage and cost. You can find out about their availability from your GP or pharmacist.

Folk remedies against acute respiratory infections

Coltsfoot

The herb can significantly improve the patient's health by eliminating headaches, muscle aches and slightly elevated temperature. To prepare the medicine, you need to pour three tablespoons of the herbal mixture into 500 ml of boiling water. Coltsfoot is infused for half an hour under the lid. After this, you need to take an infusion of 80 ml three times a day. Store the home remedy in the refrigerator. The duration of therapy is five days.

Yarrow

To prepare a good tonic, you need to pour 5 g of herbal mixture into 0.2 liters of boiling water. After this, the yarrow should be simmered over low heat in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. After cooking, the herb is infused under the lid for another hour, then the grounds are filtered through cheesecloth. To quickly improve the condition, take a tablespoon every two hours and also use it as a gargle. Duration of therapy is up to three days.

Video - How to treat acute respiratory infections with folk remedies

soda water

This remedy removes germs from the mouth and relieves a sore throat. To prepare the product, you need to dissolve two teaspoons of the substance in 200 ml of warm boiled water and carefully gargle. You can repeat this procedure up to six times a day. You can use soda water until symptoms are completely eliminated. The same solution can be used against a runny nose. To do this, you need to instill 2 drops of soda water into each nostril up to four times a day.

Attention! It is advisable to include traditional methods in combination therapy to achieve quick results.

If obvious symptoms of acute respiratory infections are detected, you should immediately begin to suppress them, since with a quick response, the disease can be eliminated in three to four days. In other cases, an acute respiratory disease may develop further and increasingly affect the respiratory system. When treating acute respiratory infections, adult patients are also recommended to visit a specialist’s office to exclude the presence of complications and hidden infections.

Good afternoon, dear readers! ARI - what is it? Let's find out! ARI (acute respiratory disease) is a disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by various infections.

Since there are quite a large number of viruses that cause acute respiratory infections. That acute respiratory disease is a general name for various diseases with similar symptoms.

These are influenza viruses, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, adenovirus and many more. Sometimes there is one infection, sometimes it is a mixed infection.

Based on the characteristics of the course, it is sometimes possible to guess which virus is causing the disease. For example, the flu occurs with high fever, photophobia, and may not be accompanied by anything else for several days (neither a cough nor a runny nose).

Parainfluenza - clinical manifestations are similar to those of influenza, but less pronounced. Rhinovirus is characterized by a profuse runny nose, sometimes against the background of an almost normal temperature; adenovirus often occurs with the involvement of the lymph nodes. These are just some of the features of various viruses.

Stages of acute respiratory infections

No matter what pathogen causes the disease, it occurs in several stages, each of them has its own characteristics.

1. Infection occurs through airborne droplets or household contact. Understanding the routes of infection is important for taking preventive measures.

2. After infection, an incubation period begins during which the pathogen actively multiplies without the control of the immune system until the damage from its presence in the body becomes noticeable. The incubation period is asymptomatic and can last from 2 hours to 7 days (on average).

3. Then comes a period of nonspecific manifestations (prodromal), lasting from several hours to several days, when it is already obvious that the person is not healthy, but it is impossible to understand from the symptoms what he is sick with.

The mass of viruses or bacteria in the body has increased, the immune system has already turned on, but the “battle” is not yet in full swing. At this time, the patient develops general weakness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, body aches, and headache.

4. This is followed by the clinical stage - when characteristic symptoms appear.

5. If the course is favorable, the infectious process ends with the recovery stage.

Acute respiratory infection: symptoms

Symptoms of acute respiratory infections in adults

Clinical manifestations at the height of the disease vary depending on the level of damage to the respiratory tract.

1. If the nasal mucosa is involved, rhinitis develops, the mucous membrane swells, which makes nasal breathing difficult, watery discharge appears, changing its character to mucous, sometimes purulent.

2. If the paranasal sinuses are involved, (,) develops - a headache appears, sometimes discharge from one nostril.

3. When the Eustachian tube is involved (it connects the nasal cavity to the ear), ear congestion and autophony occur (when it hurts to hear your voice in your head).

4. The process can spread to the inner ear, resulting in ear pain. If the pharynx is involved in the process, it develops and is manifested by sore throat and sore throat when swallowing.

5. If the inflammation descends lower into the trachea, a cough appears, a characteristic symptom of tracheitis and.

6. Inflammation of the bronchi may also cause shortness of breath.

7. When lung tissue is involved, pneumonia develops, a serious disease that requires serious treatment. It is diagnosed by a doctor by listening to the lungs, and fluorography or radiography of the lungs is performed to confirm.

The severity of acute respiratory infections is determined by the severity of the intoxication syndrome, the main criterion of which is temperature.

To assess the prognosis and the amount of necessary intervention, it is more important to assess not what pathogen caused the disease and which parts of the respiratory tract are involved, but how strong the overall reaction of the body is, although these factors are certainly interconnected.

From a banal acute respiratory infection, it is necessary to differentiate other diseases that have similar manifestations and an infectious nature, since their treatment requires a fundamentally different approach - these are tonsillitis, scarlet fever, diphtheria and some others.

Damage to different “floors” of the respiratory tract can be isolated (for example, rhinitis only), or in combination (rhinitis-pharyngitis). It can develop simultaneously, or alternately (rhinitis is complicated by sinusitis).

Sometimes the prodromal period does not progress to the clinical stage, then they speak of an interrupted course. This is due to the fact that the immune system coped quickly. There is still an erased course, when the symptoms are mild.

Thus, acute respiratory infection is not just one obvious disease; it can occur in different forms, with varying degrees of severity, and be complicated by other diseases. Uncontrolled use of medications is unacceptable; treatment must be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account all the features.

Acute respiratory infections: treatment in adults

Treatment of acute respiratory infections in adults

First of all, it is necessary to relieve the symptoms of acute respiratory infections: weakness, runny nose, cough, fever.

1. The body must rest in order to overcome the disease on its own! Therefore, bed rest is a MUST!

Wearing warm socks, putting a heating pad under the blanket and hot tea is the best treatment. It will immediately become easier!

2. Get rid of pathogens (so as not to infect your family) - wet cleaning and airing the room. Provide the patient with dishes and a towel.

Treatment of acute respiratory infections in adults at home

Acute respiratory infections: treatment in adults

1. You need to drink more - 7-8 glasses a day! Suitable hot tea with, , lemon, black currant, , . You can prepare decoctions of various herbs or fruit drinks.

2. Steam your feet if you don’t have a fever! Prepare a bowl of hot water, add a handful of mustard, and immerse your feet in the basin. If the water has cooled, add hot water (as much as you can stand).

Legs hover for 15-30 minutes. Afterwards, wipe your feet with a dry towel, put on woolen socks and under the blanket. You can drink some more hot tea.

3. To warm up the respiratory tract, it is good to do inhalation. You can simply breathe over boiling water (cover your head with a towel) with the addition of a few drops of essential oil (eucalyptus) or medicinal herbs (

Acute respiratory infections are a group of acute respiratory diseases that affect various parts of the respiratory system as a result of viruses entering the body and a stable decrease in the activity of immune cells. The maximum number of cases of acute respiratory infections is recorded in mid-autumn and early spring - during periods when the weather is unstable, and the inability to choose the right outerwear leads to overheating or hypothermia. Despite the fact that acute catarrh of the upper segments of the respiratory tract (the medical name for acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections) is not a serious disease, treatment is best carried out under the supervision of a specialist.

This is due to the difficulties of diagnosing viral infections, since acute respiratory infections and influenza have similar symptoms, and it can be quite difficult to distinguish one disease from another. To do this, you need to know the characteristic symptoms and signs of both infections, be able to differentiate them from each other and understand the basics of antiviral therapy in both cases. If the diagnosis of acute respiratory infection is confirmed, treatment can be carried out at home. If therapy is started early (on day 1-2 of illness), the pathology can be overcome even without the use of medications.

Treatment of acute catarrhal processes in the respiratory system can be done at home, but only with correct diagnosis. It is very important to be able to distinguish acute respiratory infections from influenza: influenza is much more severe, more often causes complications in the bronchopulmonary tissue and heart, and can even cause death from acute intoxication in both children and adults. Despite the fact that influenza is a viral disease, it cannot be treated without the use of medications, since influenza and parainfluenza viruses are resistant to high temperatures, freezing and other factors that can destroy viruses of other groups.

If a person with acute respiratory infections symptoms does not want to see a doctor and is going to treat himself at home, he should start with a diagnosis and analysis of the existing symptoms. The basics of differential diagnosis of influenza and acute catarrh of the upper respiratory tract are given in the table.

How to distinguish influenza from acute respiratory infections?

Symptom	For the flu	For acute respiratory diseases
	It rises sharply and from the first days stays at high levels: above 38.5°-39.3°	In most cases, it remains within the subfebrile range, increases gradually, reaching a maximum value on the third day of illness
	Appears on the second or third day after the temperature rises. The cough is usually dry, painful, and there is no sputum production.	Appears on the first day of the disease, can be dry or wet, responds well to treatment
	Severe fever, fever, chills, increased sweating during the day and night, painful headaches. A distinctive feature is pain in the joints and muscles	Headache, loss of appetite, drowsiness, poor performance
	Usually absent	May be moderate or intense, decreases on the third day of illness
	Usually absent	Nasal congestion, excessive nasal discharge, sneezing

Important! Only acute respiratory infections can be treated at home. If you suspect you have the flu, you should immediately consult a doctor, as hospitalization may be required.

How to deal with a cough?

Traditional medicine offers many ways to treat cough at home. The main method of home treatment for cough caused by inflammatory processes in the respiratory system is inhalation. They can be done with saline solution or mineral water (the dosage is approximately 3-4 ml for an adult and 2-3 ml for a child over 3 years old). Inhalations should be carried out only at normal body temperature (not higher than 37.3°) 2-3 times a day. The duration of one inhalation should be at least 10 minutes.

There are also many ways to quickly get rid of a cough at home. The most effective of them are listed below.

Ginger candies

This is the simplest and most enjoyable way to combat cough, which children really like. Lollipops with the addition of ginger have a pleasant taste, destroy pathogenic flora on the mucous membranes of the larynx and help thin mucus and remove it from the lungs.

Ginger lozenges are the easiest and most enjoyable way to fight a cough.

To prepare these lollipops, you need:

grate 100 g of ginger root (the peel does not need to be removed, but you need to rinse it thoroughly with running water);
melt 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar over low heat and add a teaspoon of water;
when the mixture begins to boil, add ginger and a spoonful of honey to the container (if desired, you can add a pinch of cinnamon);
cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring constantly so that the mixture does not burn.

Pour the hot syrup into molds and place in the freezer for 8 hours. Take 3-4 lozenges a day until complete recovery.

Important! Ginger is a very allergenic product, so if skin rash, itching and other allergy symptoms appear, treatment with this method should be stopped.

Cloudberry drink

Cloudberry is a healing berry that grows in northern swamps. It contains a huge amount of vitamins and useful elements, helps strengthen the immune system, increase the body's resistance to infections, improve blood circulation and brain function. Cloudberry dolls (sepals) are a powerful expectorant that helps cope with cough not only with acute respiratory infections, but also with bronchitis, tracheitis, as well as pneumonia and inflammation of the pleura.

To treat a cough, cloudberry dolls must be brewed with boiling water (1 teaspoon - 150 ml of water) and left for about 10 minutes. You need to drink the infusion 3 times a day between meals. It is recommended to take the medicine for the last time before 18:00 in the evening to provoke an increase in cough during night sleep.

Video - Treatment of cough at home

How to lower the temperature?

Temperature is a normal reaction of the body that occurs as a result of increased activity of lymphocytes and cells of the immune system. It is not recommended to lower the temperature during acute respiratory infections, since it rarely rises above 38°, and this is precisely the threshold that allows you to destroy the virus without the use of antiviral drugs. If the patient’s condition does not allow him to do it on his own, you can use one of the recipes below.

Raspberry infusion with mint

Raspberry leaves are the only natural remedy that has a pronounced antipyretic effect and allows you to get rid of high fever in just a couple of days. They can be brewed instead of tea or prepared as a special infusion.

To do this you need:

Finely chop 3-4 raspberry leaves and a couple of mint sprigs and place in a cup or teapot;
pour a glass of boiling water;
leave for an hour.

Drink the strained infusion every 2 hours throughout the day. If everything is done correctly, the temperature usually does not rise the next day.

Onion medicine

Onion pulp also has an immunostimulating, antiviral, antibacterial and antipyretic effect. To prepare a natural cure for colds, you need to squeeze the juice from one medium onion and add half a spoon of sugar to it, then mix everything. Instead of sugar, you can use honey - it contains vitamins that help support a weakened body and improve immunity. You need to take the product 1 teaspoon 5 times a day for 5-7 days.

What to take for a sore throat?

A proven recipe for severe sore throat, which will help not only with colds, but also with diseases of the lower respiratory tract (for example, sore throat and tonsillitis), is a milk drink with honey and butter. It doesn't have a very pleasant taste, but it can cure a sore throat in just a couple of days without the use of antibiotics or other strong drugs. It is prepared simply: stir a spoonful of honey and a piece of natural butter in a glass of heated milk. You need to drink the drink within 5 minutes after preparing it. The product should be taken 3-4 times a day until symptoms disappear completely.

Important! The temperature of the milk should not be too hot, so as not to cause a burn to the throat mucosa. The optimal indicator is 37°-40°.

Video - How to treat a throat with folk remedies at home

How to boost immunity and cope with intoxication?

To cure acute respiratory infections at home, you must observe strict bed rest from the first day of illness. The body is quite capable of overcoming the virus on its own, but for this it needs strength and energy, so physical activity should be limited as much as possible. To remove toxins you need to drink plenty of fluids. It is better if these are fortified drinks (compotes, fruit drinks from fresh berries, rosehip decoction): they will not only help cleanse the blood of toxic substances, but also strengthen the immune system to fight infection.

The diagnosis of acute respiratory disease (ARI) means a wide range of respiratory diseases that can be caused by:

microbial pathogens (some types of pneumococcus, staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella, etc.);
viral pathogens (adenoviruses, enteroviruses, influenza viruses, coronoviruses, etc.);
mixed pathogens (viral-microbial).

Signs and symptoms of the disease

The first signs of acute respiratory infections appear, most often, on the third or fourth day after infection. Sometimes the incubation period of the disease increases to 10-12 days. In adults, symptoms of acute respiratory infections appear smoothly, with a gradual increase:

runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing are the most common and striking symptoms;
lacrimation – present in most cases of the disease;
sore throat and redness, sometimes a white coating is possible;
chills and fever;
enlarged lymph nodes located in the neck and under the jaws.

In addition to these main signs, acute respiratory infections in adults may have the following manifestations:

An increase in temperature, despite chills, is most often not observed or is small (37-37.5 degrees).
Headache, general weakness, lethargy, aches in muscles and joints - all these characteristic signs of intoxication of the body during acute respiratory infections are weakly expressed at the very beginning of the disease.
A cough in acute respiratory disease occurs, in most cases, at the very beginning it is dry and hacking. As the disease progresses, most often, the cough becomes wetter and may continue for some time after other symptoms have disappeared.
When infected with an adenovirus, there may be symptoms of acute respiratory infections such as abdominal pain and redness of the eyes.

As a rule, acute respiratory disease lasts for 6-8 days and passes without consequences. Possible complications of acute respiratory infections may include:

bronchitis;
pharyngitis;
pneumonia.

Flu symptoms

One type of acute respiratory disease is influenza. The manifestations of the disease with this virus are strikingly different from other acute respiratory infections. Influenza is characterized by a sudden onset of the disease with the following symptoms:

high temperature (up to 39-40 degrees), persisting for 3-4 days;
pain and pain in the eyes;
intoxication of the body (eye reaction to light, sweating, weakness, dizziness);
mild nasal congestion, sneezing.

From the nasopharynx, in the first days of the disease, one can observe hyperemia of the palate and posterior pharyngeal wall without redness. White plaque, as a rule, is absent, and its appearance may indicate the addition of another infection or a sore throat, not the flu.

A cough may be absent or occur on the 2-3rd day of illness and be accompanied by pain in the thoracic region, which is explained by the inflammatory process in the trachea.

Also, a distinctive feature of this type of acute respiratory disease is the absence of enlarged lymph nodes.