RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

In addition to trivial infections like colds and flu, are caused by different viruses that can occur in the upper and lower respiratory tract bacterial infection and more serious diseases. If the body's own defense is too weak or the number of invading bacteria is too high, there is an infection that is manifested by the typical symptoms of redness, warmth, swelling, pain and loss of function. Depending on the site of infection occur in the upper respiratory tract infections of the ears (otitis), the tonsils (tonsillitis = angina), the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis), throat (pharyngitis) or larynx (laryngitis) on. In the area of the lower respiratory tract can cause inflammation of the trachea and bronchi (bronchitis) or even lead to lung inflammation (pneumonia).

Besides viruses and bacteria, although there are also fungi, protozoa (single cell) and other microorganisms as infectious agents, but these occur on relatively rare. Infection takes place in respiratory infections usually by droplet infection, ie the germs of a sick person by sneezing, coughing or speaking with fine droplets through the air and spun by others absorbed through the respiratory tract. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid, especially in the wet cold season, larger crowds in small spaces.

Depending on the type of infection can cause the following symptoms:
* Sniffles.
* Cough.
* Hoarseness.
* Sore throat.
* Fever.
* Head and body aches.
* Ear pain.
* Chills.
* Fatigue.
Most of them are in acute respiratory infections by disease, but there is also a chronic course, often such as bronchitis. Characterized by a chronic infection is the constant presence of the infectious stimulus, with an occasional, more or less severe flare-ups of symptoms. This does not pass acute infection into a chronic condition, they must be adequately addressed; a prescribed antibiotic must be taken long enough (usually by using up a box).

What can you do?
* Drink plenty! (Not too hot and too spicy, mineral water, hot tea ...)
* Physical protection, fever and bed rest, plenty of sleep.
* The-counter medications, such as for example decongestant nose drops, paracetamol tablets or suppositories for pain and fever, cough and throat lozenges for disinfecting, analgesic or moistening of the throat to relieve the discomfort.
* Inhaling with chamomile tea or essential oils, possibly before the nose drops.
* Mouthwash / gargle with warm chamomile or sage tea or warm salt water (1 / 4 teaspoon salt to 1 glass of water).
Fives * / rubbing e.g. with liniment or balm with essential oils.
* Room air moisten, e.g. Hang wet towels or obscure essential oils.
* No smoking (with).

What your doctor can do?
* The physician can determine the extent and cause of the infection.
* Is this a bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate antibiotic to combat the pathogen.
* Viral infections can only alleviate the symptoms and the spread of infection and secondary infections can be prevented.

Prevention:
* Strengthen the immune system.
* To keep sick people apart.
* Pay attention, especially in the wet cold season appropriate clothing (not too light but not too warm).

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DIPHTHERIA

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae). Diphtheria occurs worldwide. The pathogen is spread mainly by droplet or contact infection or by dust. The diseases are piling up in the winter months. The time from infection to onset of the disease (incubation period) is 2-5 days. The infection is usually localized in the throat.

Symptoms:
The diphtheria pathogens produce a toxin (poison) that is responsible for the actual disease.

Localized diphtheria:
The bacteria remain localized to the throat, nose and throat area. The venom produced by them out at these points to a mucous membrane inflammation with formation of sweet-smelling, gray-white surfaces. Once the documents are rejected and they persist in the mucous membrane ulcers. Diphtherieart This is mostly benign, which means it is cured without leaving any significant damage.

Toxic diphtheria:
The inflammation and the formation of the gray-white documents is spreading to the trachea and bronchi. Breathing is difficult or even impossible hampered made so threatening that the sufferers of suffocation. The toxic effects are evident not only locally, but the poison attacks vital organs. It comes to the heart muscle damage that can lead even weeks after the disease to sudden cardiac death. Due to the damage of the nervous system can paralysis of eye muscles, leading to vision impairment, paralysis in the area of the soft palate, which lead to change hands, and later can form even paralysis of the neck muscles and arms.

Therapy:
As early as possible to the diphtheria antitoxin (antidote) to be administered. The bacteria themselves are fought by means of antibiotic.

Prophylaxis (prevention):
1. Vaccination:
* Against the poison of the diphtheria bacteria can you protect yourself by a vaccination. This consists of a toxoid, which rendered harmless poison the bacteria against which it is formed by the vaccine antibody. If you later come in contact with diphtheria bacteria, the body can immediately defend themselves against the bacterial toxin.
* In infants, the first Vaccination is administered at 3 months, usually in combination with a vaccination against tetanus. At 18 months, he is the 2nd Vaccination. At enrollment and at age 10, a booster dose should be performed. The vaccinations will be about 10 years, and receive should be re-refresh. The vaccine can be made up at any age.
* In recent years, occurred more frequently on diphtheria epidemic in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Should also remain vaccination fatigue persist, in the years to expect a rise in diphtheria disease.

2. Treatment of the bacteria carrier:
* Homemade diphtheria leaves a protection against the poison of the bacteria, but not against the bacteria itself this can spread the disease further support healthy bacteria. It is important to isolate the bacteria carrier and treated until they are free from bacteria.

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NECK PAIN - ANGINA

Neck pain as a symptom of an isolated, caused by viruses or bacteria causing infection, usually but they are symptoms of a cold. By pathogens causes inflammation of the mucous membrane in the neck. Depending on where the pathogen colonizes a distinction between throat infections (pharyngitis), vocal cord or laryngeal inflammation (laryngitis) or tonsillitis (tonsillitis or tonsillitis). When symptoms occur redness, scratching and pain in the neck and difficulty swallowing. In an angina become swollen and red and can infected tonsils. There is often a fever. If the larynx or vocal cords inflamed, it comes in addition to hoarseness. Often, swollen as a sign of alerted immune system, the lymph nodes, lower jaw and neck. Apart from bacteria and viruses, neck pain or inflammation in the throat may also overuse of the voice and irritation of the respiratory system is triggered (e.g. by chemical or dust).

Important: Most tonsillitis is caused by specific types of streptococcal bacteria. These should be treated by a doctor with antibiotics to prevent possible complications such as diseases of the joints, heart or kidney.

Common causes:
* Colds, flu, tonsillitis.
* Overuse of the voice through singing, shouting, long speeches.
* Respiratory irritation from smoke or dusty, dry air.
* Other diseases, e.g. Glandular fever, croup, mumps.

What can you do?
* Drink plenty.
* Keep warm, particularly in the throat and chest, but do not sweat.
* In winter, the air humid.
* Disinfectant gargles, mouth sprays and lozenges (eg hexetidine or cetylpyridinium chloride) can help.
* In mild redness and pain are anti-inflammatory lozenges or rinses (such as chamomile or sage extracts to flush, dexpanthenolhaltige tablets to suck).
* If there is pain and difficulty swallowing help lozenges or sprays with superficial narcotics.
* If pain is stronger anti-inflammatory painkillers to be taken with aspirin or paracetamol sense they reduce fever.
* The local application of antibiotics is usually not useful.

When you need a doctor?
* If the symptoms get worse or do not improve after three days.
* If fever occurs.
* If you suspect tonsillitis.
* If you experience difficulty breathing.

What your doctor can do.
* Determine the cause.
* When a bacterial infection is treated with antibiotic drugs.
* For frequent tonsillitis, it may be advisable to remove the tonsils surgically.

Prevention:
* As for colds (colds and flu).

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Use antibiotics only if your desperate

The general advice from your doctor will be that you don't need antibiotics for a cold or even flu, unless there are complications, and this is good advice. Antibiotics if overused are not good for you and if you do overuse them they simply will not work.

My wife told me an interesting story yesterday, and this is true. Her friends mother, who is in her early seventies has been lucky enough to have never taken antibiotics in her life. Unfortunately due to a disease she has had to have part of her foot removed. She was given antibiotics to prevent infection, but because she has never had antibiotics before the healing process has been amazing, and she is feeling much better.

S0 the moral to the story is don't take antibiotics unless you are desperate. If you do need to take antibiotics it may be better to eat live yogurt after you have completed the course, as the antibiotics will kill off the good bacteria in your gut as well as the bad.

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