Get Well Soon...and Stay Well! Treating and Preventing RTIs

As noted, symptoms of RTIs are often confused with those of other ailments including colds, allergies or “smoker’s cough.” Thus, they often can go undiagnosed or untreated, sometimes causing people to experience symptoms longer than necessary.

Some antibiotics are effective in treating certain RTIs because they destroy the bacteria typically causing the infection. Your healthcare professional will know which antibiotic is right for you.

When symptoms of respiratory trouble linger for more than a few days, consult your doctor. In addition, here are a few tips to maintain good respiratory health if you suffer from:

Bronchitis
• Avoid smoking or secondhand smoke, dust and other air pollutants
• Follow a nutritious, well-balanced diet, and maintain your ideal body weight
• Exercise regularly

  Source: American Lung Association
  https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd

Sinusitis
• Use humidifiers
• Make sure your air conditioning and heating systems are equipped with filters
• Avoid cigarette smoke (as smoke causes the nasal-sinus membranes to swell); drinking alcohol (as it too makes nasal-sinus membranes swell); swimming in pools treated with chlorine (as it irritates the lining of the nose and sinuses)

  Source: National Institute of Health
  https://global.ihi.com/Alarm+Service/Health+fact+sheets/Chronic+sinusitis.aspx

Pneumonia
• Get a flu shot (pneumonia is a common complication of the flu)
• If you are at risk for infection, ask your doctor about a vaccine available to help fight pneumococcal pneumonia, one type of bacterial pneumonia

  Source: American Lung Association
  https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/symptoms-and-diagnosis

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