7 Ways to Prevent Lower Respiratory Infections

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The best way to not get to sick is to avoid getting sick. It makes sense, but what does that really mean? 

Well, when it comes to respiratory infections — they are avoidable. 

In this article, we will cover symptoms, healing and avoidance, and much more. Keep reading to discover 7 ways to prevent lower respiratory infections.

The Most Common Symptoms of Lower Respiratory Infections

Even though a respiratory tract infection will affect various parts of the respiratory systems, all the from your lungs to the sinuses — they share a commonality in terms of symptoms.

Recognizing the symptoms can help overcome the infection before it worsens.

Fatigue

When you are virally infected, your immune system kickstart in overtime, and you might be fatigued from all of this activity. 

In order to get back your strengths, you have to keep up with a healthy diet, rest, and let your body do its work to overcome the infection. 

Congestion

Nasal congestion is a good thing. No matter what others tell you, it’s a sign of good health. Nasal congestion occurs when your body traps bacteria, organizes it, and helps prevent it from entering your lungs.

In order to support this natural process and still breathe, you should hydrate and dehumidify the room, in which you are in.

When it comes to congestion, the best way for clearing up the nasal passages is by controlled breathing and other various exercises. One wouldn’t think that to prevent lack of breath is to breathe, but that’s the way to go about it. 

For mucus clearing, check out some natural decongestants. They are capable of alleviating shortness of breath in a variety of situations, respiratory infections included. 

Physical Aches

Inflammation is a natural occurrence of a healthy immune response. If your body is aching, it’s fighting the infection. 

Make sure to rest, drink, and eat. If the pain is overbearing, you can take OTC medications to help you out. But it’s not recommended.  

Coughs

The cough is a reactive response to mucus production within part of your respiratory trach. That’s how your body clears your throat and helps you breathe. 

If your cough is too overwhelming, and water/tea doesn’t help – cough medicine can be used, but it can only make the rebound effects worse.

Sore Throat

If your throat is dry and experiencing pain, you should remain hydrated and salt-water rinse your throat to help reduce bacteria. If bacteria enters your body, you can get strep throat, which is even worse. 

Pain can be reduced with OTC medication or lozenges.

If you go to visit your doctor for a respiratory infection, don’t expect them to prescribe an antibiotic. They are used to treat infections and not viral illnesses. 

Comforting Yourself When Sick

If you’re sick, in order to comfort yourself you should:

Drink lots of water. Water acts as a natural aspirin. It reduces fevers and helps you hydrate your immune reactivity. Broth, lemon water, and soup are also great options. Try to avoid coffee and alcohol, as it will only make you weaker. 

It’s recommended to stay at home and avoid your regular activities, such as school or work. Not only will you prevent others from getting sick, but you will also be able to rest and recover quicker.

Dehumidify and regulate temperature. If you are having a hard time breathing, use a humidifier to moisten up the room. Always make sure to clean the humidifier so that mold doesn’t start to grow. 

As mentioned earlier, a saltwater rinse will help you relieve all of the symptoms of a sore throat, and reduce inflammation.

Even though nasal congestion serves a purpose, it can make sleep difficult. You can purchase OTC nasal drops, which will help relieve these symptoms. 

If necessary, you can take OTC medications to relieve pain, inflammation, and soreness. Even though they are effective, they slow down your natural recovery and can prolong your illness. Albeit, at mediocre levels of discomfort. 

How to Prevent a Respiratory Infection In the First Place

If you’re not sick, there are some things that you can do to help prevent lower respiratory infections in the first place. Ever wondered what the secret of those who don’t get sick is?

Well, here it is:

  1. Get all of your regular vaccinations
  2. Sleep at least 8 hours each night
  3. Exercise regularly
  4. Eat a verbose and varied diet, rich in minerals
  5. Avoid constantly touching your orifices
  6. Wash hands regularly
  7. Reduce stress levels with meditation, social activity, and other activities

Those are the 7 ways of preventing a viral infection. They are very effective, but even then — it’s possible to get sick.

For example, the easiest way for germs to spread into respiratory systems is through secretions or droplets of saliva, tears, and mucus. This means that minimizing close contact with people who possess symptoms of illness is a priority. Personal items should not be shared with sick individuals or any individual for that matter. A clean environment should be encouraged within the home. 

So on and so forth.

Overcoming Lower Respiratory Infections

Now that you have discovered the symptoms, methods for comforting yourself, and the 7 ways of preventing lower respiratory infections — you are well on your way to staying healthy all year long. And even if you do get sick, you now know how to overcome the illness naturally and quickly. 

If you would like to learn more about similar topics, check out the rest of our blogs. 

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