Herbal and Home treatment of Upper respiratory infections

The commonest upper respiratory infections are the cold and flu (or influenza), both caused by viruses. An infection is characterized by running nose, nasal and throat congestion and headache. Fever is usual with flu. If fever develops in a cold and secretions become yellowish, it suggests a bacterial super- infection. A cold or flu lasts about a week.

Note: 1. Respiratory infections spread easily from one person to another. A sneeze or cough releases thousands of tiny droplets carrying germs in the air that can infect others. Coughing or blowing into a kerchief or tissue is essential to reduce the spread of respiratory infections through droplets.

2. The organism that caused the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) scare in early 2003 was a more virulent type of the cold virus that quickly led to lung infection (pneumonia), resulting in a number of deaths. Its spread across the world was checked by effective public health measures, including the strict quarantine of suspected patients and their contacts.

Home remedies for Upper respiratory infections

The usual cold or flu runs its course without any need to see a doctor. Warm salt-water gargles help relieve throat pain and irritation. For relief of pain, fever and headache use simple analgesics. Do not exceed 3-4 minimum strength tablets a day. Drink plenty of warm fluids to moisten dry throat passages. Decongestant nasal drops or oral medications help relieve nasal congestion. (Also see Note under Colds and flu, Chapter 7) For sinus headache and cough with expectoration steam inhalation is useful. Hot fomentation of the forehead, cheeks and upper chest also give relief the doctor may write a simple tablet like bromhexine to loosen and bring out chest secretions. If fever rises above 102 degrees F, in addition to analgesics, apply strips of cloth dipped in cold water to the forehead, hands and feet to bring down the temperature.

Some points to note on Upper respiratory infections

1. A number of other viral infections (like hepatitis and polio) and other infections like typhoid may also begin with symptoms similar to those of a cold or flu. .

2. If fever lasts beyond 4 days or continues to rise, or cough increases and there is breathlessness, or if other symptoms develop like severe headache, vomiting, neck stiffness or impaired consciousness, it could be a more serious illness.

Consult. Bacterial super-infection too can spread down into the lungs and even lead to pneumonia.

3. Antibiotics do not act on virus infections like the cold or flu.