About this topic
Germs cause this health problem. You have signs in your nose, windpipe, voice box or larynx, throat, ears, or lungs that last for days or weeks. It often spreads from a person who is sick to some other person from close contact. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Drink lots of water or watered-down juice or broths. This will help to replace fluids.
- Gargle with a mixture of 1 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water 2 to 3 times a day. You may also try throat lozenges and ice chips. These may help a sore throat.
- Use a cool mist humidifier to help you breathe easier.
- Use 2 to 3 pillows when you lie down to make it easier to breathe and sleep.
- Rest when you need to.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- It may take up to 1 to 2 weeks before your health returns to normal.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
- Dry up a stuffy nose
- Stop wheezing
- Control coughing
Will physical activity be limited?
You need to rest for a few days to let your body recover from the infection. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat soft foods like soup if swallowing is painful.
- Do not drink sports drinks, soft drinks, undiluted fruit juice, or beverages that have too much sugar. These may cause more fluid loss.
- Avoid caffeine, smoking, and drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). These can worsen your signs.
What problems could happen?
- Ear infection
- Asthma attack
- Sinus infection
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill the virus.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. You can also cough into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Get a new toothbrush after signs are gone.
- Get a flu shot each year.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, mouth sores.
- Trouble breathing
- Ear pain
- Cough gets worse or painful
- Trouble eating or drinking
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my breathing and sore throat.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing, more coughing, or I have ear pain.
Where can I learn more?
American Family Physician ‚
http://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=29 ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/campaign-materials/info-sheets/adult-nurti.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Respiratory-tract-infection/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚