Respiratory tract infection, treatment, symptoms. Respiratory tract diseases in children and adults

Acute infection upper respiratory tract (ARI/ARVI, also well known to almost all adults and children as a cold) - an “acute infection” that implies the development clinical picture With various symptoms, in contrast to chronic, which can occur without symptoms or with periodic manifestations.

It mainly affects the nose and throat, causing a variety of unpleasant symptoms and noticeably worsening general health. Unlike chronic diseases, the manifestations of which can be erased, a cold is usually acute. When in Airways infection occurs and the immune system is activated. Defensive reaction The body is manifested by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. It is accompanied unpleasant symptoms, bothering a person with a cold.

What causes the disease

The cause of the disease can be a variety of viral infections. According to scientists, there are more than 200 of them. Colds are caused by viruses, which are highly contagious (scientifically speaking, contagious). This infection is easily transmitted from person to person. In most cases, it is difficult to identify the specific causative agent of a cold. That's why they usually say about unspecified acute upper respiratory tract infection. Similar diseases differ, for example, from influenza, which is caused by a certain type of virus and can be easily diagnosed in a laboratory.

Routes of infection

Airborne. Pathogens are contained in tiny droplets that are produced when a person with a cold sneezes or coughs. The infection spreads in this way enters the respiratory tract healthy person along with the air. You can get sick if you stay close to a sick person for some time (for example, in the same room, transport, etc.). Avoiding visiting crowded places during the peak cold season helps reduce the risk of infection.

Contact. Viral infections are also transmitted through a handshake with a person who has a cold or objects that have been left on them. pathogens. For example, you can become infected by sharing utensils or towels. The virus first gets on the skin of the hands and then into the respiratory tract. Good personal hygiene helps reduce the risk of infection from household items.

When and who is at higher risk of getting sick?

An upper respiratory tract infection can occur at any time of the year. But most often outbreaks of the disease occur in the autumn-winter period. This is due to various factors that affect the body’s ability to resist viruses - cold weather, dry air in heated rooms, etc. Children are more likely to get ARVI than adults due to undeveloped immunity to the most common infections. In addition, viruses are transmitted very quickly from one child to another in kindergartens and schools. Does not affect the risk of developing upper respiratory tract diseases hereditary factors and human lifestyle. Men get colds just as often as women.

What are the symptoms of an acute upper respiratory tract infection?

First symptoms acute respiratory tract infection usually appear 12 hours after infection. Usually signs the beginning of the disease become noticeable within 3 days from the moment the virus enters into the body. Cold symptoms are most intense in the first 12–48 hours. This is another difference between common respiratory tract infections and the flu. In the second case, a person’s well-being sharply deteriorates in the first hours after infection. For a cold, the standard set of symptoms includes:

• frequent sneezing, itchy nose;
• severe runny nose (discharge is initially clear and watery, then thickens and acquires a greenish tint);
• headache;
• slight increase in temperature;
• in some cases - cough.

What are the possible complications?

In some patients A common cold can cause more serious respiratory illness. In case of complications, a bacterial infection joins the viral infection. It can affect the nose and throat, as well as other organs. So, against the background of a cold Otitis often develops, accompanied by inflammation and pain in the ears. If you suspect a bacterial infection, you should always consult your doctor. In this case, it is advisable to start taking antibiotics as prescribed by a specialist. Please note: if there are no complications, there is no point in taking such drugs - they do not act on viruses.

What to do if you are sick

During illness it is necessary drink more fluids, especially when the temperature rises and profuse sweating. This helps remove toxins from the body faster and prevent dehydration. IN acute period respiratory tract infection is recommended observe bed rest, eliminate physical and intellectual stress. For get well soon it's important to create comfortable conditions indoors: ventilate it regularly, maintain humidity at 50%. If you feel unwell, you should call a doctor at home. In the absence of complications, the upper respiratory tract infection goes away on its own without treatment within two weeks, but the cough may persist longer.

What drugs can be used for symptomatic treatment

Doesn't exist today universal remedy, which helps eliminate the cause of the common cold. Patients with ARVI are prescribed symptomatic treatment. For this the following means can be used:

• analgesics - to relieve headache and muscle pain, reduce temperature;
• decongestants – to relieve nasal congestion;
• local antiseptics - to relieve sore throat;
• antitussives.

Complete medical reference book/Trans. from English E. Makhiyanova and I. Dreval. - M.: AST, Astrel, 2006. - 1104 p.

TREATMENT FOR ANY DISEASE MUST BE PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR.

Throat infections in children are very dangerous condition, which can be complicated by laryngotracheitis and tracheal spasm. It is necessary to carry out timely diagnosis and treatment. On this page you can see what a throat infection looks like in children in photos illustrating the manifestation external symptoms, such as hyperemia of the pharynx, rashes, swelling, etc. Acute upper respiratory tract infection in children can be caused by a viral or bacterial pathogenic microflora, depending on the type of pathogen, etiotropic treatment is prescribed.

Acute respiratory diseases are the most statistically common pathology in childhood. The causative agents of acute infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract are most often viruses (up to 95%). Any respiratory virus selectively affects a specific part of the respiratory tract, and not all respiratory tracts.

Among children attending nurseries preschool institutions, as well as in hospital infections, a significant proportion are mixed viral-bacterial infections.

An increase in the severity of the disease and its complications, as a rule, indicate the addition or activation of bacterial infection, since there is a violation of the barrier function of the respiratory tract and a decrease in resistance.

At the same time, bacterial lesions of the upper respiratory tract can be primary. Thus, in more than 15% of cases, they are caused by isolated exposure to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus; acute purulent otitis media and sinusitis are often caused by pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and pyogenic streptococcus.

The role of atypical infections in the occurrence of respiratory tract diseases is growing. Thus, 35% of children and adolescents are carriers of mycoplasma, which can lead to recurrent diseases of the nose, paranasal sinuses and larynx.

Possible fungal infections pharyngeal ring, when the fungus candida albicans under certain conditions acquires pronounced pathogenic (disease-causing) properties.

Viral infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract in children (symptoms)

Acute respiratory viral infections of the upper respiratory tract in a child are a large group of viral infections that account for up to 90% of all cases of infectious diseases. In childhood, each child experiences up to 8 acute respiratory viral infections per year. Everyone gets sick with them - some more often, some less often. They get sick more often in winter, since viruses are more active during this period, and less often in summer.

Cause of viral throat infection in children - large group respiratory viruses(more than 200 viruses), they were first discovered in 1892 by the Russian scientist D.I. Ivanovsky. If we compare the size of bacteria - the causative agents of a large number of infectious diseases - with viruses, then one bacterium (streptococcus) contains 1750 particles of the influenza virus. The first symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in children appear after 2-3 days or after the prodromal period.

Any cell in the body performs a number of functions unique to it. When infected with a virus, a number of problems arise. Thus, when the mucous membrane of the bronchi is damaged, a cough, wheezing in the lungs, and rapid breathing appear.

Respiratory viruses have several dozen types and subtypes. At the same time, immunity, i.e. immunity of the body after an illness develops only to one strictly defined type or subtype of the virus. Therefore a person has real opportunity getting ARVI very often.

Greater distribution respiratory diseases promotes airborne transmission of infection. From the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease, very little time passes - from several hours to four days.

The source of infection can be a sick child or adult who, while talking, coughing, sneezing, excretes a large number of viral particles. However, in external environment viruses die quite quickly. A sick person is most contagious in the first 3 to 8 days of illness (with adenovirus infection- up to 25 days).

In most cases, it is not possible to determine the specific pathogen, and this is not necessary, since the disease is treated the same for any etiology. Based only on the clinical picture, the doctor can assume the presence of a specific infection in several cases: influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial infections, which are most common in childhood.

Different forms have their own clinical symptoms viral throat infection in children, but they have a lot in common:

• catarrhal symptoms(runny nose, cough, redness in the throat, hoarseness, suffocation);
• symptoms of intoxication ( elevated temperature, malaise, headache, vomit, poor appetite, weakness, sweating, unstable mood).

The specific symptoms of ARVI will depend on which part of the respiratory tract the virus caused the most severe inflammatory process: rhinitis - damage to the nasal mucosa, pharyngitis - damage to the pharynx, nasopharyngitis - damage to the nose and pharynx at the same time, laryngitis - larynx, tracheitis - trachea, bronchitis - bronchi, bronchiolitis - damage to the smallest bronchi - bronchioles.

However, the severity of intoxication and the depth of damage to the respiratory tract in different respiratory infections are different.

. Scientists identify three main types of influenza virus - A, B and C. The most fundamental differences are in the ability to change. Thus, the influenza C virus is practically stable. And, having been ill once, a person acquires immunity for almost his entire life. This makes it clear that the extremely rare incidence of influenza C among adults is the lot of children.

Influenza B virus changes moderately, and if influenza C affects only children, then influenza B affects mainly children.

Influenza A- the most insidious, it is he who, constantly changing, causes epidemics.

A distinctive feature of influenza is the acute, sudden onset of the disease with severe symptoms intoxication: high fever, headache, sometimes vomiting, aches throughout the body, redness of the face. Catarrhal symptoms of influenza appear later. The most common symptoms of tracheitis are dry painful cough, runny nose.

The symptoms of influenza are mostly similar to the symptoms of other acute respiratory viral infections. However, the tendency of the virus to predominantly affect the mucous membranes of the trachea and bronchi leads to a more severe course of the disease with influenza than with other acute respiratory viral infections.

Parainfluenza. With parainfluenza (as opposed to influenza), catarrhal symptoms appear from the first hours of illness in the form of a runny nose, a rough “barking” cough, and hoarseness, especially noticeable when a child is crying. Choking may develop - false croup. Symptoms of intoxication with parainfluenza are mild, the temperature does not rise above 37.5 °C.

With adenovirus infection, from the very first days of illness, profuse mucous or mucopurulent runny nose, wet cough, as well as conjunctivitis, acute tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) are observed. The submandibular and cervical lymph nodes are enlarged. Manifestations of intoxication, minor at the beginning of the disease, gradually increase with the development of the disease. The disease is characterized by a long (up to 20-30 days), often wave-like course, when after the disappearance of the main symptoms they reappear after 2-5 days.

Respiratory syncytial viruses mainly affect the lower parts of the respiratory tract - the bronchi and smallest bronchioles. The child develops a strong wet cough, expiratory shortness of breath and signs respiratory failure, i.e. obstructive syndrome develops.

Bacterial and viral-bacterial throat infection in children and its symptoms

A bacterial throat infection in children rarely develops independently in its primary form. As a rule, it is a complication of an improperly treated viral form of the disease. Important to remember: any respiratory viral infection significantly weakens the defenses child's body. This contributes to the addition of a bacterial infection (staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci, etc.) and the development of complications, more often purulent in nature. A viral-bacterial infection develops in children, which is why acute respiratory viral infections in children of early and preschool age often accompanied by pneumonia (pneumonia), inflammation of the middle ear (otitis), inflammation paranasal sinuses nose (sinusitis or sinusitis). In addition, under the influence of respiratory infections, dormant chronic foci of infection in the child’s body are revived. Are escalating chronic tonsillitis, Chronical bronchitis, chronic diseases gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, etc. Viral-bacterial infection in a child in early
age can cause delays in physical and mental development.

How does the human body react to the penetration of the virus? Of course, he begins to fight the “invader” first by means of nonspecific immunity - phagocytosis, lysozyme, interferon, complement system, etc., and then by the production of specific antibodies.

Once a virus enters a cell, it actively multiplies and quickly leads to the death and destruction of the cell it has captured. From the disintegrated cell, viruses enter the blood, and there antiviral antibodies are already waiting for them. Consequently, ARVI will last exactly as long as the body needs to synthesize antibodies. The time frame for antibody production is short and lasts 5-10 days. Antibodies neutralize the virus, and the disease ends.

ARVI is a contagious disease. However, as a rule, if a child feels unwell, has a runny nose, a cough, or an increase in body temperature, the mother will not say that her baby has ARVI, she will say unequivocally and with conviction that he has a cold. pay attention to characteristic symptoms viral and bacterial infections in children, as a rule, they are more severe and have a long-term clinical manifestation.

The word “cold” has several meanings - the cooling to which the body has been subjected, and the illness caused by such cooling (colloquial).

Consequently, a cold most often has nothing to do with ARVI. On the mucous membrane of the nose, pharynx, and bronchi there are a large number of microbes (not viruses, but bacteria), which, when the body's resistance decreases, cause diseases. Hypothermia can contribute to a decrease in a child’s defenses, increased sweating, barefoot, overweight physical exercise, drafts, cold water. When we're talking about about ARVI - this means getting infected from an already sick person.

This article has been read 5,586 times.

The most common reason for seeking doctor's help is a cold. By this term, most average people mean diseases that are manifested by a runny nose and cough. But in fact, such ailments can be caused by a variety of factors, and even be localized in different organs respiratory system. Let's look at existing inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, as well as the lower ones, in a little more detail on this page www.site.

List of inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract

This group of diseases includes many diseases that are familiar to everyone and us from childhood. These are acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, rhinitis and pharyngitis, laryngitis and tracheitis. In addition, this group includes tonsillitis with tonsillitis, epiglottitis and sinusitis.

Inflammatory diseases of the lower respiratory tract

Such ailments are considered more complex, they are more likely to cause complications and require more thorough treatment. These include bronchitis, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A little more about inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system

Sore throat is an inflammatory lesion of the respiratory tract, which is acute infectious nature and is accompanied by damage to the palatine tonsils. The inflammatory process with this disease can affect other accumulations of lymphadenoid tissue, for example, lingual, laryngeal and nasopharyngeal tonsils. Patients with angina complain of severe pain in the throat, their temperature increases, and when examining the throat, reddened and enlarged tonsils become noticeable.

Rhinitis is an inflammatory lesion of the upper respiratory tract, which is localized on the mucous membranes of the nose. This disease can be both acute and chronic. This disease can develop after hypothermia or due to exposure to mechanical or chemical provoking factors. Rhinitis also often occurs as a complication of other infectious diseases(for flu, etc.).

Bronchitis is a disease of the lower respiratory tract, it manifests itself as a dry cough. First, the patient develops a runny nose, followed by a dry cough, which eventually becomes wet. Bronchitis can be caused by an attack by viruses or bacteria.

Acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections are ailments that we most often call a cold. In most cases, such diseases affect the nasopharynx, trachea, and bronchial tree.

Pneumonia is a disease of the lower respiratory tract that is localized in the lungs and can be caused by an infectious agent. This pathological condition usually manifested by an increase in temperature up to thirty-nine degrees, the appearance wet cough, which is accompanied by copious sputum secretion. Many patients also complain of shortness of breath and painful sensations in area chest.

Sinusitis is a fairly common disease of the upper respiratory tract, which is an inflammatory lesion of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses, as well as the nasal passages.

Rhinopharyngitis is one of the ailments of the respiratory system in which inflammation occurs upper area larynx, nasopharynx, as well as palatine arches, tonsils and uvula.

Laryngitis is a disease of the upper respiratory tract, which is manifested by inflammatory damage to the mucous membranes of the larynx.

Epiglottitis is another disease of the respiratory system. It is an inflammatory lesion of the epiglottis area.

Tracheitis is a fairly common disease in which the patient develops inflammation of the subglottic region, as well as the mucous membranes of the trachea.

Treatment inflammatory diseases respiratory system

The treatment of the above ailments is carried out by pulmonologists, as well as therapists. Most of them are quite treatable at home, but many patients with pneumonia and complicated bronchitis are asked to go to the hospital. inpatient department.
IN mild form diseases of the respiratory system (especially the upper respiratory tract) are successfully eliminated in just a few days, and the need to use medications does not always arise.

So, if symptoms of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract appear, it is recommended to eat lemon with honey and gargle different solutions(solution of salt and iodine, solution of propolis or potassium permanganate, etc.) and herbal decoctions (etc.). Can be used for instillation into the nose honey water, aloe and beet juice. It is recommended to breathe over the steam of boiled potatoes, finely chopped onions and hot milk with soda. Also worth drinking more liquid – ordinary water and various teas, for example, based on linden color, raspberries, etc.

If you suspect the development of inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, it is better to seek medical help. Bronchitis and pneumonia are most often treated with antibiotic compounds wide range actions, the patient must adhere to bed rest, switch to dietary food. It is recommended to take drugs that dilute sputum and facilitate its removal, as well as drugs that help activate the immune system.

Most diseases of the respiratory system are quite treatable self-treatment at home. However, if you suspect the development of pneumonia, you should definitely seek medical help.

The respiratory organs perform important function in the body, however, more often than other systems, they are susceptible to all sorts of pathologies. Upper respiratory tract diseases are detected in almost every person at least once a year. Despite similar symptoms, the diseases differ in severity and approaches to therapy.

What diseases are there?

TO upper sections The respiratory system includes: the nasal cavity, larynx and pharynx. Pathogenic microorganisms, trapped in these parts of the body, provoke the following pathologies:

• rhinitis;
• inflammation of the adenoids;
• sinusitis and its types - sinusitis, sinusitis, etc.;
• sore throat (tonsillitis);
• laryngitis;
• pharyngitis.

The causative agents of infections are bacteria, viruses and fungi: streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, chlamydia, Haemophilus influenzae, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, candida and others.

Most frequent path transmission of infection - airborne droplets. In addition, pathogens are able to enter the body through contact.

All diseases of the upper respiratory organs can have acute and chronic stage. The chronic form of the disease is characterized by systematic relapses and remissions, while during an exacerbation the same symptoms are observed as in the acute form.

If respiratory diseases are not treated promptly, pathogens can spread to the lower parts of the respiratory system and provoke the addition of other infections, including serious ones (for example, pneumonia).

Rhinitis

One of the most common pathologies, characterized by inflammation of the mucous surfaces of the nose. Rhinitis can be acute or chronic. The causes of inflammatory phenomena are viruses and bacteria, less often - allergens.

On initial stage The patient exhibits the following symptoms:

• swelling, dryness and itching of the mucous membrane;
• violation of nasal breathing;
• decreased sense of smell;
• sneezing;
• prostration;
• sometimes – an increase in temperature.

Most often, rhinitis is not independent disease, but is a consequence of other infections, for example, influenza, measles, diphtheria.

Sinusitis

Inflammatory phenomena in one or more sinuses usually develop as a complication of a runny nose, flu and other diseases. The main symptoms of sinusitis include:

• thick discharge from the nasal passages;
• feeling of constriction in the nose, above the eyes;
• deterioration general condition;
• soreness in the head;
• difficulty in nasal breathing, with mucus blockage most often observed on one side.

Depending on the focus of the inflammatory process, they are divided into the following types sinusitis: ethmoiditis, sphenoiditis, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis.

Adenoiditis

This disease, characterized by the proliferation of nasopharyngeal tonsils, is diagnosed in children from 3 to 10 years old. Most often it is a consequence of any infectious disease.

Clinical manifestations of adenoiditis are as follows:

• violation respiratory function through the nose;
• presence of viscous mucus;
• voice change;
• headaches;
• increased fatigue;
• shortness of breath, cough;
• in some cases, hearing loss.

IN advanced stage There is an “adenoid” mask on the face, laryngospasm, curvature of the sternum and head.

Chronic tonsillitis

Pathology provocateurs are usually fungi and bacteria, as well as other respiratory infections - sinusitis, rhinorrhea, adenoiditis, caries.

Inflammatory phenomena on the palatine tonsils occur with the following symptoms:

• lethargy, loss of strength;
• muscle and headaches;
• chills;
• swelling and proliferation of the tonsils;
• increase in temperature indicators;
• sore throat when swallowing;
• intoxication syndrome.

This disease is most often detected in children and in rare cases– in elderly patients.

Angina

Acute tonsillitis is a disease in which inflammatory processes involves the tonsils and larynx. The causative agents of the infection are streptococci, staphylococci and fungi.

The following forms exist acute tonsillitis:

• catarrhal;
• follicular;
• lacunar;
• phlegmonous.

Any type of acute tonsillitis has following features leakage:

• high temperatures;
• general weakness;
• chills;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• pain when swallowing;
• dry mouth, sore throat;
• swelling of the tonsils.

With follicular and lacunar tonsillitis, a white or yellowish coating is observed on the mucous membranes of the tonsils.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx can develop as a separate pathology or become a complication of ARVI. In addition, the development of the disease is promoted by the consumption of irritating foods, as well as polluted air.

The transition of the disease to the chronic stage can provoke another inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, for example, sinusitis. Signs of pharyngitis are similar to those catarrhal sore throat, however, the patient’s general health is satisfactory, there is no temperature.

Symptoms include:

• swelling back wall palate;
• feeling of soreness and dryness in the throat;
• pain when swallowing food.

Laryngitis

A disease in which inflammation affects the larynx is called laryngitis. Inflammation can be caused by severe hypothermia or intense overexertion. vocal cords, as well as other diseases, such as influenza.

In the affected areas, the mucous membrane swells and becomes bright red color. In addition, there are:

• barking cough;
• hoarseness of voice;
• respiratory dysfunction.

When inflammation spreads to the trachea, the patient is diagnosed with laryngotracheitis.

The respiratory organs are a single system, and there is no clear boundary between its upper and lower sections. Therefore, very often diseases of the lower respiratory tract arise as a consequence of untreated upper respiratory tracts, but they can also develop as independent pathologies.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis begins with a visual examination of the patient, while a specialist can detect swelling and hyperemia of the mucous membranes, impaired respiratory function, and tearing.

A mandatory procedure is palpation of the lymph nodes, as well as listening to the lungs, which will allow you to hear wheezing and evaluate the functioning of the lungs.

The type of pathogen can be determined using bacterial culture from the pharynx and nostrils. To determine the intensity of inflammation, the doctor may recommend donating blood and urine.

Suspecting illness lower organs breathing, X-rays and other diagnostic methods, such as bronchoscopy, are performed.

Treatment

Regardless of the type of disease, treatment of the upper respiratory tract is carried out comprehensively. The goals of therapy are:

• elimination of infection;
• relief of acute symptoms;
• restoration of impaired functions.

For this purpose, the attending physician prescribes medications.

The most common cause of diseases of the upper ENT tract are bacteria, so the main principle of treatment is antibiotic therapy :

• The drugs of first choice in this case are drugs from the penicillin group - Ampicillin, Amoxiclav, Amoxicillin, Augmentin. If there is no desired effect, a specialist can replace them with products from another pharmacological group, for example, fluoroquinolones - Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin. Cephalosporins are used to treat respiratory pathologies - Cefuroxime, Cefixime, Suprax, Zinnat.
• Treatment of viral pathologies is carried out with the help of antiviral medications - Remantadine, Tamiflu, Kagocel, Arbidol. The drugs Amiksin, Cycloferon, Viferon will also help speed up recovery.
• For fungal diseases, she uses antifungal drugs (Nystatin, Fluconazole).
• For stimulation immune system Immunomodulators (Imudon, IRS-19, Bronchomunal) may be prescribed.

Symptomatic therapy is used to improve the general condition of the patient, so the choice of medications depends on the type of pathology:

• for rhinitis, vasoconstrictor drops are indicated (Nazol, Rinostop, Pinosol);
• if the pathology is accompanied by a cough, expectorant syrups Sinecod, Falimint, ACC, Bromhexine will help. Good effect showed medications with mucolytic properties based on thermopsis, licorice, and thyme. Among the most popular are Bronchicum, Stoptussin, Bronchipret, Pertussin, Gedelix, Tonsilgon, Prospan, Erespal;
• To reduce local soreness in the throat, absorbable tablets with an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect are used: Agisept, Strepsils, Lizobakt, Faringosept, Grammidin. Sprays Hexoral, Yox, Ingalipt, Tantum Verde will help to disinfect mucous membranes;
• if there is a fever, antipyretics are used (Nurofen, Paracetamol);
• For sinusitis, sinusitis and rhinitis, nasal lavage is prescribed disinfectant solutions Miramistin and Furacilin, as well as products based on sea salt;
• Ingestion of antihistamine medications Zyrtec, Claritin, etc. will help remove swelling from the tonsils;
• Ibuprofen and Aspirin are used for pain relief.

Physiotherapy, including inhalation sessions, is indicated as an auxiliary method. breathing exercises, dieting. During exacerbations, it is recommended to maintain strict bed rest, limit physical activity, and drink as much water as possible.

Inhalations

Inhalation procedures have shown good results for pharyngitis, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. Inhalations for upper respiratory tract diseases are carried out using antiseptic drugs Fluimucil, Furacilin, Dioxidin.

The procedure is carried out through a nebulizer - special device, which breaks the medicine into small particles, allowing the substance to penetrate into hard-to-reach areas of the nasal cavity and respiratory organs.

Depending on the type of disease in inhalation therapy may be used:

• mucolytics that help thin mucous secretions and improve coughing (Ambroxol, Lazolvan);
• bronchodilators (Berodual, Berotek);
• corticosteroids (Pulmicort);
• antiallergic drugs (Cromohexal);
• antimicrobial (Fluimucil-antibiotic IT);
• products based on alkali and salt (Borjomi mineral water and sodium chloride).

This treatment method can be used in both adults and children.

ethnoscience

Recipes will help speed up the healing process traditional medicine. However, they should only be used after an accurate diagnosis has been made.

It is recommended to treat diseases of the upper respiratory system at home using herbs:

• Ledum. Based on the plant, decoctions and infusions are prepared, which have proven themselves in the treatment of inflammation of the larynx, cough, and feverish syndrome.
• Oregano decoction. Will help get rid of spasmodic cough. Not for use during pregnancy.
• Viburnum berries and bark. Taking the infusion will reduce the severity of cough reflexes and restore a lost voice.
• Medicinal marshmallow. Used to improve the removal of mucus when coughing.
• Elecampane. Intended for the treatment of cough accompanying pathologies of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
• Birch buds. They showed excellent results in the treatment of sore throat.
• Shoot down high temperature At home you can have tea with raspberries.

In addition, the following recipes are used:

• for a runny nose, juice from aloe, kalanchoe, beets, and carrots can help;
• to restore voice use the following mixture: 2 tablespoons butter, 2 yolks, 2 teaspoons of honey, 5 g of flour. Use the product on an empty stomach 4-5 times a day;
• You can soften a cough and cure a runny nose by inhaling hot potato steam;
• Rubbing the neck and sternum with a mixture of ground onions and goose fat will help improve the extraction of purulent secretions.

Pathologies of the upper respiratory organs can be of infectious, allergic or autoimmune origin. It is very important to accurately and quickly establish the type of disease: this will allow you to select a medicine and short term defeat the disease.

Damage to the upper respiratory tract by infection very often manifests itself in tracheitis. Moreover, this disease most often occurs during epidemics of influenza and ARVI.

Tracheitis is manifested by inflammation of the tracheal mucosa and can occur in both acute and chronic form. According to doctors, infections are the main cause of inflammation of the trachea.

Trachea looks like a cartilaginous tube, consisting of one and a half dozen segments - rings. All segments are interconnected by ligaments of fibrous tissue. The mucous membranes of this tube are represented by ciliated epithelium. Mucous glands are present in large numbers on the membranes.

When the trachea becomes inflamed, its mucous membranes swell. There is tissue infiltration and the release of large amounts of mucus into the tracheal cavity. If the source of the disease is infection, then clearly visible pinpoint hemorrhages can be seen on the surface of the mucosa. When the disease enters the chronic stage, then the mucous membrane of the organ first hypertrophies and then atrophies. With hypertrophy, mucopurulent sputum is produced. With atrophy there is very little sputum. Moreover, the mucous membranes dry out and may even become crusty. Against this background, the patient develops a persistent dry cough.

may develop for the following reasons:

1. Infectious path of development. Various viruses and bacteria enter the upper respiratory tract and cause inflammation, which then spreads to the trachea. The disease can be caused by influenza virus, pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci and fungi.
2. Non-infectious path of development. Inflammation of the trachea can develop due to hypothermia of the upper respiratory tract or exposure to dust, chemicals, or steam.

The likelihood of developing tracheitis is much higher if a person is exposed to the following factors:

Infectious infection, which causes inflammation of the trachea, usually occurs upon contact with a sick person or contaminated object. By the way, the carrier of the infection may not even suspect that he is infected. He may not have any clinical manifestations diseases.

Infection can occur through airborne droplets and household contact. For this reason, almost all people experience tracheal inflammation at least once in their lives.

Symptoms of the disease

Tracheitis can be acute or chronic. Each form of the disease has its own symptoms and characteristics.

Acute inflammation of the trachea

The disease manifests itself on the 3rd day after the onset of symptoms of inflammation of the nasopharynx and damage to the larynx. The first symptom of acute tracheitis is low-grade hyperthermia. Less commonly, body temperature can rise to 38.5 ° Celsius. Next come signs of intoxication. The patient begins to complain of weakness, pain throughout the body, and sweating. Often the patient's nose is stuffy.

A characteristic symptom of the disease is a severe dry cough that does not bring relief at night, and a morning cough that produces a large amount of sputum.

In children, inflammation of the trachea manifests itself in coughing attacks, which can be provoked by laughter, sudden movement, or a breath of cold air.

Regardless of age, a person with tracheitis begins to feel a sore throat and rawness in the sternum. Because of deep breaths provoke painful attacks cough, the patient begins to breathe shallowly.

When in acute inflammation the trachea involves the larynx, then the patient has a barking cough.

When listening to the patient's breathing using a phonendoscope, the doctor may hear dry and moist rales.

The disease passes into this form when the patient has not received timely treatment with acute tracheitis. However, there are often cases when chronic inflammation trachea develops without acute stage. As a rule, such a pathology is observed in people who smoke a lot and drink large amounts of alcohol. This can also happen to patients who have other chronic diseases of the respiratory system, heart and kidneys. These diseases can provoke stagnation of blood in the upper respiratory tract, which provokes the development chronic tracheitis.

The main symptom of chronic tracheitis is cough. In the chronic form of the disease, it is painful and comes in the form severe attacks. During the day, a person may not cough at all, but at night attacks will prevent him from falling asleep. The sputum with such a cough is often purulent.

Chronic inflammation of the trachea always occurs with periods of exacerbation, during which its symptoms become similar to those of acute tracheitis.

Complications of inflammation of the trachea

In most cases, with an isolated course, this disease does not cause any complications. However, if the disease occurs in combination, then different, quite dangerous complications. For example, laryngeal stenosis. It is usually detected in young patients with laryngotracheitis. In adult patients with tracheobronchitis, obstruction of the upper respiratory tract may develop.

If you start treating tracheitis on time, it can be dealt with in just a couple of weeks.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis is made based on medical history and instrumental methods research. Initially, the doctor listens to the patient’s complaints, identifies concomitant diseases, finds out the living conditions of the patient. After additional auscultation, the doctor can already set primary diagnosis, but to clarify, conducts several additional research. In particular, he does laryngoscopy. With such a study, he can determine the degree of change in the tracheal mucosa: the presence of mucus, hemorrhages, infiltrates.

The patient may be prescribed a chest X-ray, sputum testing and spirometry.

A general blood test completes the diagnosis of tracheal inflammation.

Treatment begins with medication. The fact is that in most cases this disease is caused by an infection. Therefore, medications can quickly eliminate the cause of the disease. In most cases, when drug treatment Broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. Medicines from the group of natural penicillins perform best.

If tracheitis is complicated by bronchitis, then natural penicillins are added semisynthetic antibiotics last generation.

In cases where infectious tracheitis is not complicated in any way, the following drugs are used in the treatment of the disease:

• Antitussives.
• Antiviral.
• Immunomodulators.
• Antihistamines.

It is most effective to use the above drugs in the form of aerosols. In this case, they quickly penetrate into all parts of the trachea and bronchi.

For tracheitis, the most effective medications are:

• Sumamed.
• Lazolvan.
• Berodual.
• Sinekod.
• Bioparox.

If the patient has hyperthermia, then antipyretics are prescribed for treatment. But he can only use them under the supervision of a doctor.

Tracheitis can also be treated by inhalation. For this treatment you need to use a nebulizer. This device sprays medicines, but at the same time ensures their concentrated impact directly on the affected areas.

According to doctors, inhalations are the most effective remedy home treatment tracheitis.

Tracheitis can be treated at home using the following medications:

Antibiotics in treatment inflammation of the trachea are used in the following cases:

• There are signs of developing pneumonia.
• within 14 days.
• Hyperthermia occurs for several days.
• Enlarged tonsils and lymph nodes in the area of ​​the nose and ears.

They show themselves to be quite good at treating tracheitis folk remedies. They can be combined with traditional means treatment, but cannot be used as independent therapy.

For tracheitis, a hot drink consisting of from milk with honey. To prepare it, you need to heat a glass of milk and add a teaspoon of honey to it, and add a little soda.

Also, treatment of inflammation of the trachea can be carried out using rinsing solutions based on decoctions of sage, chamomile and calendula.

Physiotherapeutic treatment can effectively combat tracheitis. It includes UHF, massage and electrophoresis.

Prevention

To never encounter tracheitis you need follow simple rules:

• Aim for healthy image life.
• Temper your body regularly.
• Try not to get too cold.
• To refuse from bad habits.
• Treat upper respiratory tract diseases in a timely manner.

Attention, TODAY only!