Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Treatments
The majority of winter diseases are infection; that creates microbial diseases. It occurs as a result of the cold weather in the winter months, the increase in air pollution, living in crowded and cramped environments, and the constant contagion of the common cold, especially to which children are exposed. In the winter season, there is an increase in children’s upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, throat infections, sinusitis and laryngitis, as well as lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
The reason for the rapid spread of these viruses with the cooling of the weather is that the viruses can survive up to 48-72 hours even on inanimate surfaces. The transmission of viruses can be by direct contact or by droplets. Viral particles in the form of droplets hang in the air when the person sneezes, coughs or even just breathes. The particle size of each virus is different. Viruses with small particles can reach the lower airways much more easily.
While a five-year-old child may have a simple upper respiratory tract infection during the winter months, a newborn baby may experience the disease as bronchitis or pneumonia. Because newborns’ immune system is not yet developed, they need to be protected more carefully. People with immune problems and allergies in lower and upper respiratory tract diseases are at a slightly higher risk. In children with allergies, the respiratory tract is narrowed and blocked, and bacterial and viral colonization can occur very easily.
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections are as follows:
Rhinitis (Flu)
Rhinitis, known as cold or cold, is a disease that affects the upper airways, especially the nose. The disease is caused by viruses and the transmission of these viruses through the droplet, ie sneezing or coughing spills to the environment through the spill. Rhinitis symptoms occur 12-36 hours after the virus enters the body. Nasal discharge and congestion, sneezing, burning in the throat, dry cough, head and sore throat, weakness and mild fever, as well as these symptoms may be seen in the eyes, burning, redness and redness can also be seen.
Treatment
There is no special treatment of the disease. Medications are given for symptoms. If pain and fever are present, syrups containing paracetamol are used. Serum, physiological drops or sprays for nose discharge and obstruction may be preferred. In such conditions, where the antibiotic is useless, the person needs to take plenty of fluids and rest.
Flu
In this disease caused by viruses, the table is slightly heavier than the cold. Shivering, high fever, head and muscle aches can be seen. Headache increases depending on eye movements. A fever of more than 38.5 degrees usually lasts for three days and may be extended to eight days. Pain in the chest due to flu, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain may also occur.
Treatment
Antibiotics are not used in the treatment of influenza. Some treatment methods are used in relaxing. It is recommended that the influenza vaccine be administered in October-November every year before the flu season begins. However, it can be made until March when it is delayed. For the first time, two doses with an interval of one month are applied once if applied in previous years. The vaccine obtained from chicken eggs, egg allergies should not be made to those.
Middle Ear Inflammation
It is the most common disease group after childhood and flu. Two-thirds of children up to the age of three have otitis media at least once. This frequency decreases after 10 years of age. It is important to care about this discomfort because of the danger of hearing loss. Middle ear infections often occur due to influenza and influenza infections, the nose of the large and middle ear of the eustachian tube, shorter, flat and wide can be caused by the ventilation.
Treatment
Antibiotic therapy is applied in an inflammatory and acute contraction. However, antibiotics do not destroy viruses, they only prevent the growth of bacteria. In order for antibiotic therapy to be effective, the type and duration of treatment reported by the physician must be observed.
Sinusitis
Inflammation of air-filled spaces in the forehead, upper jaw and bones around the nose is called sinusitis. It is known that 6-13% of children up to three years old have sinusitis. Nasal discharge, congestion, nasal discharge, cough, reduction in odor, feeling fullness and lasting longer than 10 days suggest sinusitis.
Treatment
The treatment of sinusitis is performed by medication or surgery. At least 10 days of antibiotic treatment should be given. It is also recommended that the patient take plenty of fluids. Sinusitis which does not respond to drugs and sinusitis secondary to the disorder in the anatomical structure is treated by surgical operation.
