| Just about everyone at some point in their life | | | | effectiveness in situations where they were really |
| contracts an upper respiratory infection. In the | | | | needed. |
| medical profession these are referred to as URI's. | | | | There is actually no cure for a URI. The very best |
| They start at the beginning of the respiratory | | | | treatment is rest and hydration. Extra rest helps |
| system, which is in the back of the nose. And it is | | | | strengthen your immune system so it can effectively |
| through the nose that most pollutants and airborne | | | | fight off the virus. Keeping well hydrated by ingesting |
| toxins enter our bodies. Although a URI can occur at | | | | liquids thins out the mucous in the lungs and sinuses |
| any time of the year, they are more prevalent in the | | | | easing the discomfort of congestion. You can use |
| fall and winter in temperate climates. They never | | | | over-the-counter medications but they will not cure |
| constitute a medical crisis as they will run their course | | | | the infection. They will only make the symptoms |
| and disappear without medical intervention. However | | | | easier to bear. Since it is normal to have a low fever, |
| they are costly to society as they are responsible for | | | | Tylenol or any acetaminophen will reduce it and |
| forty percent of the absenteeism in the workforce | | | | relieve the general felling of malaise. Since a URI may |
| and millions of lost school days. | | | | involve congestion in the sinuses and lungs, a sore |
| Most URI's are caused by viruses. Some are the | | | | throat and ear pain or all of these, you will need |
| result of bacteria and others may be a combination | | | | something to relieve each symptom that you have. |
| of the two. It is possible for people to build up a | | | | There are various other medications to soothe sore |
| natural immunity against viruses through contact with | | | | throats coughs, and congestion. |
| them. So if a URI is caused by a virus that has | | | | However if your fever is higher than 102 degrees, |
| invaded your system before you will no doubt have | | | | does not go away, or does go away but then |
| a milder case and recover faster. But if you are | | | | returns with new symptoms, you need to see a |
| exposed to a new virus, your URI may last longer. | | | | doctor. A URI should run its course in seven to |
| The strength of your immune system is another | | | | fourteen days but if it lasts longer, you also need to |
| factor that determines the severity of your illness | | | | consult your doctor. Occasionally a viral infection will |
| and also controls whether you are infected to begin | | | | cause a secondary bacterial infection. In this case you |
| with. | | | | need to be treated with antibiotics and need to see |
| In the past, URI's were often mistaken for bacterial | | | | your physician. URI's are highly contagious and difficult |
| infections and treated with antibiotics. This was a | | | | to prevent. Avoiding others who are sick and |
| serious error on the part of the medical profession | | | | frequent hand washing can help as can strengthening |
| for two reasons. First, viral infections do not respond | | | | the immune system through diet, exercise and |
| to antibiotics. Secondly, this helped bacteria build up a | | | | proper rest. |
| resistance to antibiotics thereby compromising their | | | | |