In the cool season, an acute respiratory illness may appear. Contributing to acute respiratory infections is a deterioration in immunity, as well as frequent stress and overwork. If you notice the first signs of the disease, then you can eliminate it quickly, without complications.
ARI is an infectious disease that affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory system. Toxins from the respiratory tract enter the bloodstream and provoke intoxication of the body.
Sources of the disease are divided into three groups:
- viruses;
- bacteria
- mycoplasma.
Viruses or bacteria are transmitted by airborne droplets, in public places, if you do not wash your hands in time.
Pathogens penetrate the respiratory system, they multiply on the mucous membranes and secrete toxins.
Symptoms of the disease
As a rule, the first signs of the disease develop two to three after a day after infection. It all starts with discomfort in the nasopharynx and throat. In addition, sneezing, rhinitis, general malaise, weakness, dizziness and headaches occur.
In the first stages of the disease, the temperature remains within normal limits or rises slightly. Isolation of mucus from the nose occurs on the second or third day from the onset of the disease.
Symptoms of acute respiratory disease in adult patients are as follows:
- Weakness.
- Pain in the head.
- Chills.
- Lomota.
- Temperature up to 37.5 degrees.
- Loss of appetite.
- Runny nose.
- Sore throat, pain and cough.
Signs that indicate a severe course of the disease or the development of possible complications:
- The disease does not go away within two weeks.
- Heat. The use of antipyretic drugs does not have a positive effect.
- Pain behind the sternum.
- Cough.
- Severe pain in the head.
- Confusion.
As a rule, conjunctivitis, inflammation of the lymph nodes, hoarseness of the voice or pain in the ears join these symptoms.
Fever in acute respiratory infections begins with chills. Body temperature reaches its maximum on the first day. The duration of a febrile state varies depending on the origin of the disease and the severity.
One type of ARI is the flu. It is different from other diseases. A sharp onset with the following symptoms is characteristic of influenza:
- high fever for three to four days;
- Pain in the eyes;
- hyperhidrosis (increased sweating);
- dizziness;
- nasal congestion;
- sneezing.
As soon as the first symptoms of acute respiratory disease develop in adult patients, it is important to respond immediately. To cope with the problem is easier at the very beginning than to eliminate the complications from infection.
Usually ARI lasts for six to eight days and passes without consequences if you know how to treat it.
What will happen if the disease is not treated on time
If the disease is not given a proper rebuff, it can lead to various serious complications:
- Sinusitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of one or more sinuses).
- Otitis (a common disease related to otorhinolaryngology, which is an acute or chronic inflammatory process in various parts of the ear).
- Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges that develops as a result of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection).
- Tracheitis (a clinical syndrome characterized by inflammatory changes in the mucous membrane of the trachea, which is a manifestation of respiratory infections that occurs both acutely and chronically).
- Bronchitis (a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process).
- Pneumonia (inflammation of the lung tissue, usually of an infectious origin with a primary lesion of the alveoli and interstitial lung tissue).
- Pleural empyema (inflammation of the pleural sheets, accompanied by the formation of purulent exudate in the pleural cavity).
- Neuritis (an inflammatory disease of the peripheral nerves in which, along with pain, so-called prolapses are detected, that is, loss or decrease in sensitivity, as well as paralysis and paresis).
- Radiculoneuritis (damage to the spinal nerves and their roots; manifested by pain and impaired sensitivity of a mixed radicular and neuritic type).
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle caused by infectious, toxic or allergic effects and accompanied by impaired heart function).
- Viral encephalitis (an inflammatory process of the brain, which is accompanied by damage to the membranes of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system).
- Damage to the liver.
So that ARI does not develop into complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time to prescribe the necessary drugs.
How to treat acute respiratory infections in adults, what medicines to take? For the treatment of adults who suffer from acute respiratory infections, pharmacological, organizational, hygienic measures are used to isolate the source of the disease, reduce the activity of reproduction of pathogens, activate the individual protective capabilities of the patient, and also to neutralize the main signs of the disease.
The nuances that must be observed:
- Bed rest.
- If the body temperature is not more than 38 degrees, you do not need to bring it down.
- Do not use antibacterial drugs if the doctor has not prescribed.
- At temperatures above 37.5 degrees, thermal procedures are prohibited.
- Mucolytic drugs and antitussive drugs cannot be used together.
So, we treat ARI at home for an adult.
Antiviral treatment
How to treat acute respiratory infections in adults? ARVI drugs are used with antiviral effects. They are also prescribed for prevention.
As a rule, the following inexpensive drugs are prescribed to an adult in the treatment of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections:
- "Kagocel".
- Interferon
- Grippferon.
- Amiksin.
- "Rimantadine."
- Arbidol.
All of them have antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. The two most popular drugs will be considered in more detail.
Kagocel
How to treat acute respiratory infections in adults? The cure for ARVI with antiviral activity is Kagocel. It activates the production of its own interferon in the body.
It is used in the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections. The use of the drug is indicated for the elimination of acute respiratory infections. This medicine is suitable for adults with ARI without fever.
Taking tablets is prohibited in certain conditions:
- Individual intolerance.
- Lactose intolerance.
- Glucose-galactose malabsorption.
- Pregnancy
- Children under three years old.
Before treatment, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the annotation and pay attention to the features:
- To achieve the pharmacological effect, the use of the medication should be started no later than the fourth day from the onset of the disease.
- The tablets go well with other antiviral agents, as well as immunomodulators and antibacterial drugs.
- The medicine has no effect on attention.
If you have questions or doubts, you should consult a doctor. How to treat ARI in an adult without fever yet?
Arbidol
The medication has an antiviral and immunostimulating effect. It activates the production of interferon, stimulates the humoral and cellular defense of the body, and also enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages.
As a result of treatment with ARI drug in adults, there is:
- Antiviral and immunostimulating effects.
- Reducing the symptoms of toxic effects with the development of the disease.
The use of a medication to eliminate viral infections is considered the most effective for early use.
How to treat acute respiratory infections in adults quickly? Preventive use of the drug greatly reduces the likelihood of infection, and in the situation of the occurrence of acute respiratory infections, it helps its easiest course and a speedy recovery.
Heat
When the temperature is above thirty-eight degrees, you can not do without antipyretic drugs. It should be noted that the combined use of different types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can provoke an increase in side effects, so medications that contain either ibuprofen or paracetamol should be used. A medical specialist will definitely select the necessary antipyretic, taking into account all individual restrictions and determine when and how to use the medication.
How to treat acute respiratory infections in an adult? Medicines (drugs should be taken after consultation with a doctor), which are prescribed at a temperature of:
- Butadion.
- "Aspirin".
- "Uppsarin Upps."
- "Paracetamol".
- Ketorolac.
- Perfalgan.
- "Tsefekon N".
- Askofen.
- Faspik.
- Nurofen
- Efferalgan.
Most often, doctors recommend Paracetamol and Aspirin.
"Paracetamol"
The medicine belongs to the group of antipyretics. "Paracetamol" has a pronounced analgesic effect, as well as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect. The medication is part of many painkillers and a number of drugs that are used to neutralize the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infection.
"Paracetamol" is an effective and inexpensive drug for acute respiratory infections in an adult. The medicine is prescribed to patients in certain conditions:
- Headache.
- Dysmenorrhea (a cyclic pathological process in which severe pain in the lower abdomen appears on the days of menstruation).
- Toothache.
- Neuralgia (a pathological condition that progresses due to damage to certain sections of the peripheral nerves).
- Febrile conditions.
- High temperature.
People who have severe liver damage in the history of the disease should consult a doctor before treatment and it is better to take blood tests.
If you need long-term use of "Paracetamol", the patient needs to monitor blood counts.
"Aspirin"
The drug refers to anti-inflammatory drugs that have antipyretic, as well as analgesic effects. "Aspirin" is used for the symptomatic elimination of pain of various origins and a decrease in temperature during fever.
The drug is not allowed to be used in the following conditions:
- patients under the age of fifteen;
- lactation;
- pregnancy
- exacerbation of ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract;
- increased sensitivity.
The drug is prescribed to patients as a symptomatic remedy for eliminating pain and febrile conditions.
Indications:
- Treatment of toothache and headache.
- Myalgia (a pathological condition characterized by the appearance of muscle pain).
- Arthralgia (pain in the joints of a volatile nature in the absence of objective symptoms of the lesion).
- Menstrual cramps.
- Heat.
A sore throat
How to treat ARI in an adult with sore throat? Usually recommended to use sprays, candies, lozenges:
- Ingalipt.
- "Proposol".
- "Faringosept".
- "Cameton".
- Strepsils.
- Hexoral.
We will consider some of them below.
Ingalipt
The drug is an agent that has an antimicrobial, as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. "Ingalipt" is widely used for inflammatory lesions of the oropharynx and upper respiratory organs.
When the drug enters the mucous membranes, the patient feels a relief of pain. Under the influence of the medication, edema is eliminated, an attack of dry cough is neutralized, microbes that cause inflammation are eliminated.
After spray irrigation, the patient must refrain from consuming food and water for thirty to forty minutes, in the opposite situation, the pharmacological effect of "Ingalipta" is significantly reduced.
The absorption of the drug into the bloodstream is insignificant, but since ethanol is part of the medication, during treatment with the spray it is important to refrain from driving the car and controlling mechanisms that require increased attention.
"Ingalipt" is not recommended for the treatment of patients under the age of twelve. People with diabetes need to be careful with the use of the drug, since the drug contains sugar.
"Faringosept"
The medication is an antiseptic for local use. "Faringosept" is used to eliminate the infectious and inflammatory pathological process of the respiratory system.
The use of tablets is indicated for the elimination and prevention of diseases of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, tonsils, gums. In addition, the medication is used to eliminate infectious and inflammatory processes after tooth extraction.
Before therapy, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the annotation to the "Faringosept". After resorption of the drug, it is necessary to refrain from consuming food and water for two hours, which will make it possible to obtain the most pronounced pharmacological effect.
The possibility of using Faringosept for women during pregnancy and during lactation is determined by the doctor for strict medical reasons, if the likely benefit for the expectant mother exceeds the risks for the fetus or newborn.
The active component of Pharyngosept has no effect on the functioning of the central nervous system.
Respiratory involvement
Regardless of whether the throat is affected or not, it is necessary to wash out the nasopharyngeal mucosa from pathogens. A positive effect is given by rinsing with sea salt. Take a third of a teaspoon of salt in half a glass of warm water. Then gargle thrice three times a day.
With inflammation of the bronchi, lungs and larynx with the release of pathological secret, mucolytic agents are prescribed for adults:
- Ambrobene.
- "Ambroxol".
- "ACC".
- Bromhexine.
- "Broncholitin".
Below we describe the first two drugs from the list.
"Ambroxol"
Mucolytic drugs have an expectorant, as well as secretolytic and secretory effect. The pharmacological effect occurs half an hour after the use of the drug. The duration of action varies from six to twelve hours.
Indications for use:
- Acute and chronic pathological processes of the respiratory system.
- Acute bronchitis (a form of diffuse inflammation of the bronchial tree, characterized by increased bronchial secretion and impaired patency of the bronchi).
- Chronic bronchitis (diffuse progressive inflammatory process in the bronchi, leading to morphological rearrangement of the bronchial wall and peribronchial tissue).
- Bronchiectatic disease (a disease characterized by irreversible changes (expansion, deformation) of the bronchi).
- Bronchial asthma (a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, characterized by asthma attacks of varying duration and frequency).
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a progressive disease characterized by an inflammatory component, impaired bronchial patency at the level of the distal bronchi and structural changes in the lung tissue and blood vessels).
- Bacterial pneumonia (infection of the lungs with certain bacteria, such as hemophilic bacillus or pneumococcus).
Ambrobene
An expectorant medicine has a secretolytic, as well as secretory motor and mucolytic effect. Indications:
- Acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
- Acute bronchitis.
- Bronchiectatic disease.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Bacterial pneumonia.
Restrictions on the use of the drug:
- Increased sensitivity to components.
- Epileptic syndrome.
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
- Lactation.
- The first trimester of pregnancy.
- Severe liver disease.
- Impaired functioning of the kidneys.
Side effects:
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Skin rashes.
- Itching
- Nettle rash.
- Angioedema of the face (acute condition, which is characterized by the rapid development of local edema of the mucous membrane, subcutaneous tissue and the skin itself).
- Migraine (a neurological disease characterized by periodic or regular bouts of headache).
- Weakness.
- Febrile conditions.
- Rhinorrhea (a special condition in which an increased amount of mucus is formed in the nose and subsequently expires from the sinuses).
- Drying of the mucous membrane of the mouth and respiratory system.
- Dysuric disorders (violation of urination, pain and pain during it).
- Exanthema (skin rashes that look like spots, papules, vesicles).
In case of drug poisoning, signs of intoxication were not detected. In this situation, in the first two hours after application, the patient needs to do a gastric lavage, and also, if necessary, use other methods of intensive treatment. In the future, symptomatic therapy is prescribed to the person.
Antibiotics
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed to eliminate bacterial as well as mycoplasma infection. In severe condition and the possibility of complications, the patient is subject to hospitalization. Basically, when ARI is prescribed:
- Penicillins (Augmentin, Ampicillin, Amoxil). They fight staphylococcal, pneumococcal, streptococcal infections.
- Cephalosporins ("Cefuroxime", "Cefixime", "Suprax"). They are prescribed for complications in the form of pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy.
- Macrolides (Macropen, Erythromycin, Frolimid). Assign with complications of ENT organs.
- Fluoroquinolones (Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin). They are struggling with mycoplasma.
We treat ARI at home for an adult: nutrition
The diet of a sick person should be easy - it is not recommended to starve, as well as overload the body with food. The diet must be full.
To increase the body's resistance to the infectious process and restore the concentration of vitamins, it is necessary to use the following products:
- citrus fruits, rosehip broth;
- eggs, chicken, vegetables, cottage cheese, butter.
In case of loss of appetite, one cannot force a sick person to take food against his will. During this period, all forces are aimed at combating an infectious disease, so nutrition should be easy. As soon as a person recovers, the appetite is restored, you can return to the previous diet.
In addition, vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed: Revit, Undevit - two tablets, Dekamevit - one tablet three times a day.
Heavy drink
The patient needs to use as much fluid as possible, since the disease is almost always accompanied by intoxication of the body.
But you can not drink any drinks, but best of all:
- Fruit drinks.
- Weak tea with lemon.
- Mineral water.
- Juices.
ethnoscience
As a rule, the treatment of acute respiratory infections in adults is carried out at home. In this situation, folk remedies are often used:
- From inflammatory lesions of the tonsils, rinsing with sage broths, as well as chamomile and calendula (2 tbsp. Per 200 ml of water) helps well.
- With hoarseness, a googol-mogul is effective - two egg yolks should be ground with sugar until white, taken in between meals.
- A cough helps radish with honey. Take a black radish, cut off its lower part, leaving the upper (with a tail) untouched. Then, with a knife, make a deepening in the root crop, fill it with honey. The cut part covers the hole above and gives time for the formation of healing juice inside the fruit. Take juice in a tablespoon three times a day.
- Inhalation with camomile. One spoon with grass must be poured with a glass of hot water. Then cool the solution a little and breathe over the steam for twenty-five minutes. Inhalation can also be done with potatoes.
- Raspberries and oregano should be mixed in a ratio of two to one and brewed with boiling water. Infusion should be consumed hot three times a day for half a glass.
- Infusion of linden flowers - pour two tablespoons of the plant with two glasses of hot water. The drink should be insisted for thirty minutes, then strain and drink half a glass after eating, up to five times a day.
- Averin tea is an effective tool in the fight against pathogens. For its manufacture, 30 grams of a string and a three-colored violet with half a stem of black nightshade must be filled with hot water. Then take a tablespoon four times a day.
Conclusion
Of course, the doctor should choose the right therapy and tell in detail how to treat acute respiratory infections in adults. With severe signs of acute respiratory diseases, self-medication cannot be practiced, as this can aggravate the course of the disease and cause certain complications.
To avoid infection, adults are required to take care of prevention. Proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, airing the room, healthy sleep and giving up bad habits are the key to health.