URTI - Overview
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) are the most common
reasons for doctor visits. The most common symptoms of URTIs are common cold,
bouts of sneezing, blocked nose or a red, irritating, running nose and a
hurting throat, and, sometimes, fever.
This occurs due to a viral infection of the upper respiratory
tract, affecting the nose and throat. Children under age five tend to catch
infections more easily than others. However, adults, too, have a tendency to
catch a cold with changes in weather.
Stress due to long working hours, emotional turmoil and a
history of allergies can make one prone to infections and catching colds
easily.
Recurrent infections tend to make our defence system weaker with
each bout of cold, even though one may recover easily with home remedies or
antibiotics.
Recurrent cold causes further stress to our bodies, making us
feel tired, exhausted and less productive, leading to frequent absenteeism at
school and work.
URTI - Causes
Weak immune system: a weak immune system causes URTIs, as it makes
one more susceptible to catching infections.
Physical contact: Hand-to-hand contact or sharing objects with a
person suffering from cold can give one an attack of URTI.
Viruses: There are at least 200 different variants of cold viruses, out of
which three to four are particularly harmful. A child gets all these infections
upon being exposed to new viruses. The child's body will build up defences
(immunity) against these viruses upon exposure. However, this takes many years
to build immunity towards cold viruses.
Risk factors and
triggers
·
A child is more likely to be exposed to URTIs if they attend a day care,
play group, play outside or are left under the care of a babysitter.
·
Older brothers and sisters may bring home infections from school. Colds
are more common in large families.
·
The rate of colds triple when people spend more time crowded together
indoors, breathing recirculated air.
·
Smoking at home increases a child's susceptibility to colds.
·
Inadequate sleep or lack of quality sleep can make the immune system
weak, making one prone to frequent colds.
·
Environmental pollutants are toxic to the airway passage, causing it to
get inflamed and easily infected.
·
Infants are highly vulnerable to URTIs, owing to an immature or
underdeveloped immune system and narrow airway passages.
·
Elders with illnesses such as diabetes, blood pressure or any other
illness that can make the immune system weak are susceptible to respiratory
infections.
·
Deviated nasal septum leads to the narrowing of the nose passage, making
one vulnerable to URTIs.
URTI - Symptoms
Physical symptoms
include the following:
- watery
nasal mucus
- sneezing
- blocked
nose
- headache
- fatigue
- fever
(occasional)
- sore
throat
- cough
- abrupt
bouts of cold for children
Psychological symptoms
- The
child may become extremely irritable.
- The
child may be unable to concentrate on studies or work.
URTI - Diagnosis
An individual
suffering from cold more than three times a year or on frequent antibiotics is
considered to suffer from low immunity. Our doctors will examine their airway
passages, eyes, nose, ears and throat, and their breathing sounds. They will
investigate the causative and triggering factors for URTIs.
Complications
·
A blocked nose can lead to post-nasal drip, and the child may come up
with frequent sore throats and coughs, which will prevent or disturb sleep. The
cough is often experienced during the night, as there is an increase in
post-nasal discharge while lying down, which causes throat irritation. This
irritation tends to cause tickling in the throat, producing cough.
·
Wheezing, pneumonia or lower respiratory tract infections may result if
the URTI is left untreated.
·
There can be pain, tenderness and inflammation of sinuses.
·
The face may become puffy or swollen.
URTI - Treatment
Homeopathy builds immunity faster, helps in acute attacks and
brings down the frequency and duration of attacks.
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