Suggest Treatment For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Posted on Thu, 21 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 Answered on

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I have been smoking since 2005-06
1) Initial 4 years, I smoked a small Hard or regular cigarette about 6-7 cigarettes per day
2) Then for 2 years I smoked a Hard normal length cigarette about 8 cigarettes per day
3) Then for rest 3 years I am smoking a normal length Light cigarette about 7-8 cigarettes per day + from last 3-4 months I am drinking 700 ml of beer for 3-4 days in a week
Now the problem I am facing are:
1) Sore throat
2) Mucous, specially in night
3) Dry cough
4) now for last 3 days I am not able to swallow anything without pain
every time I swallow any liquid or solid I feel pain in throat right side even while swallowing saliva.
5) 1-2 year back I quit smoking for about 2 weeks and done my health checkup
including Chest X-ray and MRI both reports were clean so due to this after 2 weeks I again started smoking.

Now for a final time I wanted to quit smoking and I have started meditation
for keeping my self away from alchohal and Cigretts.
Please suggest

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
upper respiratory tract infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic,

From your symptoms it looks like you have developed an upper respiratory tract infection.

Upper respiratory tract infections are frequently viral in nature and hence require only symptomatic treatment.

For the sore throat you can take a pain killer like paracetamol or ibuprofen after checking your dose.

For cough you will need a central cough suppressant. See a doctor for a prescription.

Along with the above you have to follow some general measures like -
1) Warm salt water gargling 5 times daily.
2) Avoid air conditioning and cold foods.
3) Drink 4 litres of fluids everyday.
4) Get some rest.
5) Give your voice some rest.
6) Do steam inhalation 4 time sdaily.

If you do not feel better in the next 2 days then see a doctor because you may need a course of antibiotics.

Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (19 minutes later)

Hi Doc,

I am already taking Antibiotic: Azithral A (250 Mg) Morning and Night from today and One more issue was sometime in night I feel like choked & dry mouth completely and I couldn't breath until I drink some water and this swallowing problem is like killing me.

I am following these measures:
1) Warm salt water gargling 5 times daily. 1 time in Morning
2) Avoid air conditioning and cold foods.: I can't avoid this because I work in a IT MNC and building is A/C completely.
3) Drink 4 litres of fluids everyday. I drink about 6 ltrs of water everyday.
4) Get some rest. 9 hours of sleep
5) Give your voice some rest. I am not talking to anyone from last 3 days due to swallow problem
6) Do steam inhalation 4 time sdaily. I will start inhaling steam for 2 times as 4 time is not possible, Any medicine to add the steam water for better relief.

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
antibiotics may not help you.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Antibiotics may not help you.
As I already said, upper respiratory tract infections are frequently viral in nature, hence taking antibiotics will not help you. Antibitoics are typically started afetr 5 days of illness when secondary bacterial infection suprevenes. Since you have already started azithral , do not stop it, please finish the course.

If you cannot avoid air conditioning, then sit away from the vent. Also double your intake of fluids.

For the pain you can also use tantum oral gargles. Gargle 15 ml for 30 seconds and spit it out. Do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes. It provides pain relief. You can eat food after 30 minutes. You can use it for 3-4 times daily for 3-4 days.

Regards,
Dr rajkishori Godhi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar