What Are The Common Respiratory Illnesses?

Respiratory illnesses seem to be among the most common conditions in the United States. Individuals appear to experience at least one of these illnesses in their lifetime. Some patients may be at a higher risk of them than others. This may be due to genetics, gender, and age. Patients who work with fumes and those who live in highly polluted areas may be at a higher risk. Outbreaks may be common with respiratory illnesses, since many seem to be contagious.

Patients may want treatment for respiratory illnesses. However, their options may vary. Bronchitis medication seems to be a common choice. This may include an acute bronchitis throat lozenge. Individuals appear to take medicine for pneumonia in most cases. However, they may only need herbal remedies for the common cold. Other options for cold and flu treatment seem to be fever reducers and pain medication. There may also be home remedies for the flu. Of course, individuals may need to understand the most common respiratory illnesses before they receive treatment.

Bronchitis

The bronchial tubes should move air in and out of a patient's lungs. However, if their lining becomes inflamed, a patient has bronchitis. This condition may resolve in seven to ten days if it is acute. Of course, the patient's cough may last for several weeks. Some individuals seem to experience chronic bronchitis. In these cases, their condition may last for several weeks or keep returning. Warning signs of this condition appear to include shortness of breath, a productive cough, fatigue, and chills. Chest discomfort may also occur. The patient's mucus may be clear, gray-yellow, or green. Rare cases may have it be streaked with blood.

Patients may develop acute cases due to a common cold. Smokers appear to be at a high risk of chronic cases. This may be because smoking can trigger constant irritation and inflammation in the lungs. Chronic bronchitis seems to be a major symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Reveal more respiratory illnesses that seem to be quite common now.

Asthma

Asthma seems to make airways narrow and swell. Patients with this chronic illness may have trouble breathing or experience whistling while they breathe. Other warning signs may include coughing, shortness of breath, and mucus production during an asthma attack. Some patients may have mild asthma. However, this condition can be quite severe and impact a patient's day-to-day life. Some asthmas attacks may be life-threatening. If this is the case, patients may need emergency attention or a rescue inhaler.

Unfortunately, asthma does not seem to have a cure. Patients may need to adjust their treatment regularly as well, since their condition can change. This may include avoiding triggers for asthma attacks. For instance, chemicals in the workplace can trigger occupational asthma. Some patients experience attacks due to dry air or exercise if they have exercise-induced asthma.

Continue reading to learn about more potentially common respiratory illnesses now.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia seems to be a lung infection. Specifically, this illness appears to be the result of inflammation in the air sacs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus. This may trigger symptoms such as trouble breathing and a productive cough. Other warning signs of this illness may be vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, fatigue, and chest pain when breathing or coughing. Patients may contract pneumonia due to bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This condition may range from mild to life-threatening. Seniors seem to have more serious cases. This may also apply to individuals with existing respiratory issues, mobility problems, or a weak immune system. These individuals may deal with other symptoms, such as confusion and lower body temperatures.

Discover the details on more respiratory illnesses that seem quite common now.

Influenza

Influenza seems to be a viral respiratory illness. The virus may affect the nose, throat, or lungs. This condition may be referred to as the flu, though it does not seem to be the same as the stomach flu. Influenza symptoms may include cough, sore throat, stuffy now, body aches, fever, chills, and fatigue. Some cases are mild and resolve without treatment. However, this condition seems to be prone to complications. These complications may be highest in certain risk groups. Examples of risk groups include seniors, patients younger than five years old, pregnant women, obese individuals, and those with a chronic illness or weak immune system. There is a vaccine for the flu, though it does not seem to be one hundred percent effective. Of course, it may be the best defense against this illness.

Learn about another respiratory illness that may be considered common now.

Common Cold

The common cold appears to be caused by many different viruses. These viruses seem to affect the nose and throat. Thankfully, the common cold may be harmless most of the time. Adults may contract two to three colds in a year, though children are likely to contract more. The average cold appears to resolve in seven to ten days.

Symptoms of the common cold may appear in one to three days of being exposed to the virus. The frequently reported signs seem to include congestion, sneezing, sore throat, mild fever, headache, and a runny or stuffy nose. Patients may want to call their doctor if their fever is higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. They should also consider doing this if their symptoms do not disappear or improve in ten days.