As soon as the temperature rises, you often make a big mistake – your doctor has warned you why you can’t trash it

The first signs are fever, runny nose, sore throat.

Upper respiratory tract infections are a fairly broad and disease-specific generic name that defines the location of symptoms and the infectious origin of the disease. Upper respiratory tract infections include all diseases in which the patient experiences characteristic symptoms of infection in the areas of the nose and throat. In addition, it is the most common infectious disease in the world, with about 500 thousand cases diagnosed in Lithuania each year.

According to Jolanta Sauserienė, GP of the Kaunas Clinics, sinusitis, otitis media, laryngitis and tracheitis can be classified as upper respiratory tract infections, and for example, bronchitis is called lower respiratory tract infection. In addition, the term upper respiratory tract infection is used quite often in practice in cases where the patient complains of mild symptoms, his condition does not require a more detailed examination or specific treatment, and the precise identification of the pathogen does not have sense.

According to the doctor, diseases attributed to upper respiratory tract infections may be accompanied by general symptoms such as fever, headache, general weakness, so uncomplicated flu can also be called upper respiratory infection.

“It is important to mention that bacterial and viral infections of the upper respiratory tract are very different, both in their clinical course and in the required treatment. For example, a patient with viral pharyngotonillitis will have a sore throat, may have a fever, a runny nose, but the general well-being will not be very bad and will require a moderate regimen and symptomatic treatment for only a few days. Meanwhile, a person with bacterial tonsillitis, feeling the same sore throat, will heat up to 39-40 degrees, it will be difficult to eat, speak, may feel strong headaches, general weakness and will need antibiotic treatment for two weeks, “he emphasizes. J. Sauserienė.

Check your local pharmacy in advance

In case of fever, runny nose, cough and sore throat, it is recommended to start treatment at home and consult a doctor only if the condition does not improve or worsens for some time. As J. Sauserienė observes, this has always been asked of patients, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, compliance with this procedure becomes even more important.

“I would recommend everyone to check out their local pharmacy today and make sure they have a working body temperature thermometer and a paracetamol leaflet so they don’t have to run to the pharmacy the same day if they don’t get sick and get a flu shot. this year. When you stay home, relax, drink plenty of hot liquids, eat light meals and monitor your condition, “advises the GP.

He also emphasizes that resting without a computer, TV or tablet and not working hard physically in this condition is crucial, as we tire much faster when we get sick and our general well-being seems much worse due to illness.

“I would recommend controlling the frequency of temperature increases, the reaction to medications that lower the temperature. Do not reduce the temperature until it reaches 38 degrees, and if you tolerate fever well, up to 38.5. This will allow the immune system to activate and overcome the infection more quickly, ”says J. Sauserienė.

Healing alone is inevitable for mistakes.

The important question is: when is it time to see a doctor? According to J. Sauserienė, it is advisable to seek help if the condition does not improve for 4-5 days. However, if certain symptoms are observed, an immediate response should be taken.

“If you have been ill for 4-5 days and you do not feel any signs of recovery, respiratory tract symptoms do not decrease, temperature rises as much and as often,” call your doctor. Well, if you have a fever very suddenly, the temperature does not work with the medication, you feel a very severe headache, cough and shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, you notice a hemorrhagic rash on the body, alteration of orientation or sudden general deterioration – call your doctor immediately or ambulance ”, says the GP.

In cases where self-medication is started, it is important to do it responsibly and not make mistakes. Paracetamol preparations are commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, but J. Sauserienė would like to advise that the amount of the drug should be controlled. Otherwise, there is a risk of an overdose.

“I would like to warn you about the dangers of acetaminophen overdose, as acetaminophen is part of many combination cold and flu medications. It is quite common to take multiple doses under different names, so be sure not to exceed 3-4 grams of acetaminophen per day if you are an adult, have a normal body mass index, and a healthy liver. In other cases, the dose should be even lower. You should not bend over and use a variety of home remedies that can harm it. You have to see both the mucosa of the nose burned with garlic and the twig of the plant called Jerónimo in the ear “, warns the doctor.