Respiratory infections are the most common disease in cold seasons and can be fatal for some people. In our article you will learn what you can do to stay healthy. The key words are: hygiene, avoiding congestion, increasing the intake of vitamins.
Respiratory infections affect the sinuses, throat, Airways and lungs. They are usually caused by viruses, but can also be caused by bacteria. This type of disease occurs most often in transition periods, especially in cold seasons.
What are respiratory infections and who are they affecting?
There are two categories of respiratory infections:
- upper respiratory tract infections: affects the nose, sinuses and throat.
- lower respiratory tract infections: affects the airways and lungs.
Children are more susceptible to upper respiratory disease than adults because their immune systems are underdeveloped. This condition is widespread throughout the world. Acute respiratory infections can get worse in a very short time in children, the elderly and people with reduced immunity. In this case, specialist treatment is required. According to the World Health Organization (who), acute respiratory infections kill an average of 2.6 million children worldwide each year.
How are respiratory infections transmitted?
Respiratory infections can be transmitted in several ways:
- small airborne particles of pathogenic fluid transmitted by coughing or sneezing (viruses);
- indirect contact: an infected person may pass the infection through the eye or nasal secretions to another person who will later use the same object (touching the eyes or nose before using common objects-a keyboard, a handle, a stick in the middle of transport).
Types of upper respiratory tract infections
- Cold / cold (the causative agent is adenovirus);
- Tonsillitis;
- sinusitis;
- laryngitis;
- Flu.
Cough is the most common symptom of these conditions. In addition, other possible symptoms include nasal congestion, headache, nasal congestion and runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and muscle pain.