Respiratory Tract Infections: A Map to Health for You and Your Family

Steering clear of common "bugs"
Illnesses like a cold, the flu and bronchitis contribute to days lost at work and school. You can help reduce your chances of getting sick by following these simple tips:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don’t have a tissue.
• Put used tissues in a wastebasket.
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Stay at home if you are sick.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of rest.
• Ask your doctor if a flu shot is right for you.

Your doctor can provide additional tips to stay healthy.

What’s bugging you?
This quick guide can help you determine what may be ailing you, a loved one or a coworker. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your doctor immediately.

• The common cold is caused by a virus and usually comes on gradually. You may have a low fever or none at all. You may experience slight body aches and may sometimes feel exhausted. Commonly seen with a cold is a mild or even a hacking cough. If you experience these symptoms, you should:
  • Rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Take over-the-counter cough and cold products to help alleviate the symptoms
  • See your doctor if symptoms persist
    
    
• The flu, also caused by a virus, usually comes on suddenly. Sufferers usually have a high fever, body aches, and a dry cough; exhaustion is also common. If you believe you have the flu, you should:
  • Rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Take over-the-counter medicines to management your symptoms (but don’t take aspirin if you’re under age 18)
  • Call your doctor if you have severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, or are at risk for complications from the flu. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication
    
    
• Bacterial infections, such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia, tend to come on gradually, but occasionally they may appear suddenly. Fever is a common symptom; and you may also have a productive cough. Infections sometimes cause exhaustion. Severe chest pain is common with pneumonia. If your symptoms suggest a bacterial infection, follow these steps:
  • Rest
  • Take over-the-counter medicines to manage your symptoms
  • Call your doctor if symptoms persist. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will determine which type of antibiotic is right for your “bug.”

Antibiotics work differently
Some antibiotics work on 1 or 2 types of bacteria or “bugs,” while others work on a broader range of bacteria. By choosing the right antibiotic, your doctor can help prevent overuse of antibiotics. Overuse may cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotic medication, making it difficult to recover from your illness. Here’s what you can do to help your doctor select the right treatment for your infection:

• Accurately describe your symptoms so your doctor can determine if your infection is mild, moderate, or severe.
• Let your doctor know if you’re a smoker.
• Remind your doctor of other illnesses you may have, such as diabetes, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or conditions related to your immune system.
• Tell your doctor if you have recently taken an antibiotic. Your doctor can provide information on the different types of antibiotics available.

Antibiotic tips to keep you and your family healthy

• Don’t self-treat with an antibiotic—only your doctor can determine if you need antibiotic treatment
• Never take leftover antibiotics or antibiotics prescribed for someone else
• Don’t get upset of your doctor doesn’t prescribe an antibiotic the next time you are sick
  • Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, and you may not always have a bacterial infection
  • Your doctor may suggest other ways to help relieve symptoms that are not caused by bacteria
• Ask your doctor what you can do if your symptoms do not improve.

Did you know?

• A bacterial infection can last up to 4 weeks.
• A study of 216 families showed that, for every 100 children who were sick, parents missed an estimated 20 days from work.
• Bacteria that are not killed by an antibiotic can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates and coworkers.
• According to a 1996 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey, respiratory infections were a leading reason for people missing school or work.

For more information about respiratory tract infections, visit:
www.fda.gov
www.dcd.gov

Source:
The Respiratory Track program. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. © 2009