Overview

A respiratory tract infection affects the respiratory system, the part of your body responsible for breathing. These infections can affect your sinuses, throat, lungs or airways. There are two types of respiratory infections:

• Upper respiratory infections.
• Lower respiratory infections.

Upper respiratory infections include:

• Common cold.
• Epiglottitis
• Laryngitis.
• Pharyngitis (sore throat).
• Sinusitis (sinus infection).

Lower respiratory infection include:

• Bronchitis, a lung infection that causes coughing and fever.
• Bronchiolitis, a lung infection that mostly affects young children.
• Chest infection.
• Pneumonia

Sinusitis

Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, is a common problem. It happens when your sinuses become inflamed. Sinuses are hollow spaces located behind the bones of your face. You have sinuses in your:

• Cheeks
• Behind your forehead and eyebrows
• On the sides of your nose bridge
• Beyond your nose, in front of your brain

Most often, viruses infect the sinuses, causing inflammation. You may feel or have:

• Postnasal drip, when you feel mucus dripping into your throat.
• Green mucus from your nose.
• Stuffiness or congestion.
• Pain when you press on your face, especially on the bones right under your eyes.
• Bad breath.
• Cough.
• Fatigue.
• Fever.
• Headaches.

If you have these symptoms lasting longer than 7-10 days, or if your symptoms worsen after 5-7 days, you may have a bacterial infection.

common respiratory infections in children

Respiratory infections are common in children. They happen more often when children are in daycare or school. Siblings can infect each other as well. It’s normal for kids to have up to six respiratory infections per year. And they can last up to two weeks. Most of the time, at-home remedies are enough to help your child feel better until the virus passes. But if you have any concerns, see your child’s healthcare provider. Certain infections require antibiotics. And if your child has worrying symptoms, such as a high fever or difficulty breathing, contact your provider or go to the emergency room.

• Bronchiolitis, an infection that causes wheezing and coughing.
• Common cold, which usually involves a runny nose, cough and feeling run-down.
• Croup, which causes a hoarse cough that sounds like a seal.
• Ear infections, when bacteria infect the middle ear, causing pain.
• Pink eye, an eye infection, usually bacterial, that can cause a thick yellow discharge from the eye.
• Sinus infection, when viruses or bacteria infect and inflame the sinuses, causing pain.
• Sore throat, which can be viral or bacterial (strep throat).

prevention for upper respiratory infections

Practice good hygiene:

• Wash hands, especially before eating or preparing food.
• Sneeze and cough into your arm or a tissue and wash hands after.

Live a healthy lifestyle:

• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get enough sleep.
• Stop smoking

Bronchial Asthma

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out and shortness of breath.

Symptoms

Asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu

Signs that your asthma is probably worsening include:

• Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome
• Increasing difficulty breathing, as measured with a device used to check how well your lungs are working (peak flow meter)
• The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often

Causes

Common asthma triggers include:

• Animals (pet hair or dander)
• Dust mites
• Certain medicines (aspirin and other NSAIDs)
• Changes in weather (most often cold weather)
• Chemicals in the air (pollution) or in food
• Physical activity
• Mold
• Pollen
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold and many other viruses
• Strong emotions (stress)
• Tobacco or other inhalation that is smoked

Substances in some workplaces can also trigger asthma symptoms, leading to occupational asthma. The most common triggers are wood dust, grain dust, animal dander, fungi, or chemicals.

Exams and Tests

Tests that may be ordered include:

• Allergy testing -- skin test or a blood test to see if a person with asthma is allergic to certain substances
• Chest x-ray or CT scan of the chest -- to check other conditions
• Lung function tests, including peak flow measurements

Our Services

We have Qualified doctors to provide consultation and treatment along with life style manage such as diet,physical workout,counseling to overcome stress and anxiety. After consultation patients are able to collect medicine from our Pharmacy itself.For lab investigation we also have laboratory facility.