Do you ever wonder what is causing you to feel as if a Mack truck has hit you? Well, here are some tips to help you identify what ails you. Below are descriptions of the 5 most common respiratory infections.
The common cold causes mild symptoms that include tiredness, stuffy nose, sore throat, and headache. The drainage is usually clear and runny during the first few days and a bit yellow or green for a few more days. Generally, you will feel much better in about 5 days, although the drainage and coughing may last up to two weeks. If symptoms persist longer or become more severe, it could be another type of infection.
Influenza (the flu) is more severe than a common cold, but produces man of the same symptoms. Some of the additional symptoms include muscle aches, fatigue, a high fever and a bad cough. See WebMD for more information - http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/default.htm.
Swine flu (H1N1) is turning into a major pandemic. It has similar symptoms to the regular flu but might include vomiting and diarrhea. If you have any flu symptoms this year, go to your doctor and get tested. See WebMDs swine flu guide - http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/swine-flu/default.htm and the Center for Disease Controls swine flu update - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
Strep throat is a serious bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, and difficulty swallowing. It does not include any of the nasal symptoms that accompany the common cold. See - http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/strep-throat-topic-overview for more information.
Acute bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tubes. A cough that produces phlegm is a sure sign. It can take up to a month to clear up. See - http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/acute-bronchitis-topic-overview for more information.
Pneumonia is the most serious of the common respiratory infections. It attacks the lining of the lungs. The symptoms are severe coughing, high fever, and weakness. In addition, phlegm may be bloody, thick, and green or brown. See - http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/pneumonia-topic-overview for more information.
Now that you are armed with the information to help you identify what type of infection you may have, you will hopefully be back on the road to recovery much faster.