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Suggest Treatment For Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Question: my name is XXXXXXX . I had pneumonia the end of March and most of April. I was in the hospital for a couple of days getting breathing treatments, drugs. Last week I started with a little scratchie sore throat and then the congestion started. Went to hospital and they stated that it was a upper resportory. infection and it had to run its course. Yesterday as the drainage continued I started smelling an oder from it seem like from my nose. When ever I would try to clear my throat I could smell it. And even my son stated that my breath smelled. I have been taking otc drugs Aleve-D, Alka-Selter Plus XXXXXXX cough, mucus & congestion and Ibuprefen. My main concern is the lump of mucus in back of throat and the bad breath smell. No fever, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, pressure in right cheek, head ach in front over right eye.
Brief Answer:
should start antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
Your doctor is right , you have upper respiratory tract infection.
Most upper respiratory tract infections are viral in nature and tend to go away by a week.
But you seem to have been having symptoms for more than a week so you will need antibiotics to clear your infection. Penicillin group of drugs work very well for the upper respiratory tract infections. You need to see a doctor for the prescription.
The bad odour that you have been smelling is because of sinus infection which also explains the pain in the right cheek and right eye and the lump of mucus in your throat.
Since you have sinus infection you should also start a nasal decongestant nose drops like otrivin. These drops help in ventilating the sinuses which hastens recovery. Instill 3 drops of otrivin in each nostril 3 times a day and follow it up with steam.
Apart from the above you have to follow some general measures like -
1) Do warm salt water gargling 4 times daily.
2) Drink plenty of warm fluids upto 4 litres per day.
3) Avoid using air conditioning.
4) Do not drink or eat anything cold.
5) Get plenty of rest.
Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi
should start antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
Your doctor is right , you have upper respiratory tract infection.
Most upper respiratory tract infections are viral in nature and tend to go away by a week.
But you seem to have been having symptoms for more than a week so you will need antibiotics to clear your infection. Penicillin group of drugs work very well for the upper respiratory tract infections. You need to see a doctor for the prescription.
The bad odour that you have been smelling is because of sinus infection which also explains the pain in the right cheek and right eye and the lump of mucus in your throat.
Since you have sinus infection you should also start a nasal decongestant nose drops like otrivin. These drops help in ventilating the sinuses which hastens recovery. Instill 3 drops of otrivin in each nostril 3 times a day and follow it up with steam.
Apart from the above you have to follow some general measures like -
1) Do warm salt water gargling 4 times daily.
2) Drink plenty of warm fluids upto 4 litres per day.
3) Avoid using air conditioning.
4) Do not drink or eat anything cold.
5) Get plenty of rest.
Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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