Respiratory infections Acute are classified as the first cause of child morbidity and mortality in Guatemala, according to data from the Roosevelt hospital. These are infectious conditions on the respiratory tract, that is, the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi. This can involve other diseases such as cold common, otitis, infectious rhinitis, sinusitispharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis or pneumonia.
“The respiratory tract infection usually goes from the common cold to diseases of greater complexity such as pneumonia,” explains general practitioner Josué Martínez. This type of disease, adds, can be divided into infections of the upper respiratory tract over the vocal cords and those that affect the lower respiratory tract.
In general, these are an invasion of the mucosa that covers the respiratory tract where bacteria or viruses are installed that came into contact when the person inhaled tiny respiratory drops of an infected person.
Many of these are of viral origin, that is, they are caused by viruses. Among them, influenza of type A or B and the parinfluenza. Others have bacterial origin, or those that come from bacteria. One of the important differences between both types is that the virals are treated with antivirals, while antibiotic bacteria.
Some examples of infections of bacterial origin are the pneumococcus and the tuberculosis.
The most frequent symptoms are crying and itchy eyes, nasal secretion, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, headache, fever and fatigue.
The most vulnerable
At home, the most susceptible to these diseases are children and older adults.
In the case of children, those who are less than a year old, malnutrition, HIV, pulmonary conditions (also known as pneumopathies), heart disease (or heart disease) or weakening chronic diseases are especially vulnerable.
The actions to be taken to prevent these infections in children are breastfeeding, providing vitamin A and zinc, seek correct nutrition, balanced diet. In addition, appropriate vaccination is necessary including pneumococcal vaccine and avoid exposure of environments with affected people.
Something similar occurs with older adults, those who are in medical treatments are special, they have HIV or diabetes. The recommendation of the specialists is to seek good care at home and constant checks to have good control of their health and vaccines.
Adults should be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcus, in addition to having proper nutrition and ingesting vitamins and zinc, specialists recommend.
How to prevent Acute respiratory infection
Many of the viruses are stationary, that is, they develop more at some times of the year. Acute respiratory infections occur more in winter and colder times. This is because, when winter arrives, houses, workplaces or schools usually ventilate less. In addition, people agglomerate more during the cold season and this facilitates contagion.
This climate forces us to breathe a drier air and this facilitates the entry of germs, in addition to low temperatures weakens the immune system.
There are preventive measures that can reduce the risk of contracting infections and protecting respiratory health. Martínez recommends the following:
- Hand hygiene: Although it seems a basic and recurring recommendation. As for health, the correct and constant handwashing is one of the improves ways to avoid contagions and infections, in addition to preventing bacteria from entering the body.
- Vaccination: From childhood it is important to meet the corresponding vaccination schemes to avoid these infections.
- Avoid contact with sick people: The use of mask in places where there are possibly contagios risks is ideal. In addition, it is advisable to avoid proximity with people who have a respiratory infection since infection can be given through tiny drops of the sick person.
- Ventilation and cleaning of common areas: To maintain healthy and bacteria -free spaces it is essential to seek cleaning practices to eliminate bacteria in the environment. In addition, ventilation helps keep air clean and free of toxins.
- Maintain a healthy diet to strengthen the immune system: The consumption of rich foods in vitamins a, C, D and AND It can help prevent acute respiratory infections as they strengthen the immune system and respiratory tract.