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Lower Respiratory Tract Infection: Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Risk Factors, Home Remedies, Prognosis

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Tests to Diagnose Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

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There are several diagnostic tests for lower respiratory tract infection, in the identification and diagnosis of the diseases like bronchitis or pneumonia. But often these diseases get over treated or drugs are misused. For example in case of bronchitis, if the cough continues for more than 3 weeks and there are sputum discharges, treatment for bronchitis may begin. The lab tests of the sputum would not reveal any bacteria or virus so that the disease can be confirmed Laboratory tests do not confirm the particular virus at times and thus nowadays doctors are following the certain prospects which are empirical approaches for the treatment. These guidelines are mentioned by the American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Other processes like chest radiography is used which will help us to know if it is pneumonia or acute bronchitis. Some of the tests are: Sensitivity testing and also sputum testing might be tested to diagnose lower respiratory tract infection.

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Treatment for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
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Treatment for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

The treatment for lower respiratory tract infection begins with the use of antibiotics. Sometimes if antibiotics are not essentially required the common syrups and pills do the work. Paracetamols and pain killers are suggested to keep down the body aches and the temperature of the body. If pain killers are taken in a larger amount, your health can get compromised. Antibiotics have side effects too which can linger on and become a chronic illness. Therefore never take any dosage of antibiotics without consulting the doctors and always complete the dosage.

The treatment for lower respiratory tract infection also depends upon the stage of illness the patient is in and what is his or her age. Metronidazole Oral helps to fight all kind of bacteria and pathogens. Even then if the infection does not stop growing the Ceftriaxone injection is used. Amoxicillin group of antibiotic is largely used to fight the lower respiratory tract infection.

Prevention of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

You can prevent lower respiratory tract infection from spreading by keeping the patient away from the contact of other people. Also taking medicines of flu at the beginning of getting checked by the doctor can be helpful as it can prevent the disease from getting worse. Always keep the children away from the contact of the affected person. Vaccination for influenza should be kept updated to prevent the virus from attacking you. Always cover your mouth while coughing.

Risk Factors for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

The risk factors for lower respiratory tract infections are common as the diseases causing are usually air borne and highly contagious.

  • For an infant, bronchiolitis can occur when he or she is at a day care centre and the disease spreads through direct contact or by being very close to the patient.
  • Any physical contact may increase the risk of spreading lower respiratory tract infection.
  • The hospital environment may cause the spread of infection since a patient is exposed to the air which carries the virus of such diseases. Also the staff working come in contact with the affected person can then get attacked by the virus.
  • Washing hand after being to a public place is very important since the disease spread through contact.
  • Being with a family member who is affected may definitely lead to the virus affecting you like in the case of scarlet fever, there is a 100% chance that the family member of the patient will get lower respiratory tract infection too.

Complications in Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

The diseases like bronchitis, meningitis or pneumonia are far more complicated and dangerous to a person with lower respiratory tract infection. While treating one, you might be prone to being affected by the other. Like in the case of bronchitis, often influenza viruses and pneumonia virus attack the patient who is already suffering from bronchitis. In case of meningitis the temperature rises so high that sometimes the patient needs to be treated with ice and this may lead to the patient getting pneumonia.

Prognosis/Outlook for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

The lower respiratory tract infection though it is serious, can be treated and you can get well soon and so the prognosis/outlook is excellent. Sometimes antibiotics or pain killers do not work but rather cause damage if you have high blood sugar level. If you do not have any immune deficiency, the medicines shall work for you.

Home Remedies for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Washing your hands after being in contact with any daily used object like a door knob or a fridge door can prevent the spread of diseases and it is a great home remedy for lower respiratory tract infection. Make the patient use a separate towel to stop the spreading of lower respiratory tract infection. Taking vegetable juice or green vegetable will increase the immunity. Garlic and sesame seeds can fight the bacteria or pneumonia. One can make use of onion or honey to prevent coughing.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:August 16, 2022

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