The ten commandments of Respiratory Infections
❌💊 In most cases these are viral infections and there is no need to receive antibiotics.
🤧🦠 A sudden onset with very high fever and symptoms affecting multiple parts of the respiratory system (nasal congestion and runny nose, sore throat, cough) points toward a viral infection.
🔬🧫 Bacterial infections—which do require antibiotics—are the minority, and fever is usually accompanied by symptoms focusing on a single area (e.g., severe sore throat when swallowing).
⚠️🩻 Even in cases where the cough is very intense, making bronchitis possible, nearly 90% of cases are due to viruses and antibiotics are unnecessary.
👃👂 It is important to treat the full range of symptoms with supportive measures from the beginning until the virus runs its course, in order to avoid chronicity, bacterial superinfections, and relapses.
🆘🧪 Be very cautious with the arbitrary use of cough syrups; not all types of cough are the same. Cough caused by nasal, nasopharyngeal, or sinus secretions is not productive. Ideally, cough syrups should be used only when they are recommended by a doctor.
❗️📅 Caution is also needed regarding the regimen duration of nasal sprays and substances such as pseudoephedrine. In additon, appropriate antipyretics must be taken at the correct dosage.
🧑⚕️✅ If congestion or cough persist for several days, or if the fever relapses, medical consultation is necessary, along with specific drug recommendations depending on the case (sinusitis, pneumonia, post-infectious cough, etc.).
🧐💭 Even the common cold is a viral infection and is contagious. Intense muscle aches and involvement of the gastrointestinal system often accompany viral infections.
🥤🥗😴 Good hydration, adequate nutrition, and plenty of rest… cure everything!