Know the difference between a cold, pneumonia, corona, and flu
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As autumn enters into full-scale, cold winds blow in the morning and evening, and the temperature difference between days and days is widening. At this time, you have to be very careful not to catch a cold. This is because a cold caught in the changing seasons can lead to pneumonia.
In particular, special attention is required to prevent respiratory diseases because a so-called ‘twindemic’ is expected in which the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and the flu are prevalent at the same time this winter.
According to the medical community on the 8th, colds mainly cause symptoms in the nose, bronchial tubes, and throat. The main symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, phlegm, and sore throat. The common cold usually invades the bronchial tubes, so shortness of breath or shortness of breath rarely appear.
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the alveoli that supplies oxygen to the body. Most are caused by bacteria or viruses. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is pneumococcus. In particular, if the respiratory system’s defense once morest bacteria or viruses decreases, or if you catch a cold or flu, the risk of developing pneumonia increases.
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Pneumonia is easy to confuse because symptoms such as fever, cough, and phlegm are similar to those of a cold. Pneumonia is characterized by shortness of breath and rapid breathing. Blood pressure may drop, causing dizziness or increased pulse rate, and yellow sputum may come out. In severe cases, shortness of breath may occur, and symptoms such as high fever, muscle pain, joint pain, vomiting and diarrhea may be accompanied.
If pneumonia is suspected or confirmed, antibiotics are prescribed. A beta-lactam antibiotic such as penicillin or cephalosporin may be used alone, or a macrolide antibiotic such as clarithromycin or azithromycin may be used in combination.
Antibiotics are administered for 7 to 10 days, but the duration of treatment may vary depending on the causative organism, patient condition, antibiotic type, treatment response, and presence or absence of complications. Treatment must be continued for at least 5 days, and there must be no fever for 48 to 72 hours to complete treatment. If one or more clinical signs remain, treatment should be continued until the symptoms disappear.
Mild pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics taken at home, but the elderly often require hospitalization and recovery is slow. If you don’t miss the timing and get proper treatment, you can usually recover within 1 to 2 weeks.
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Treatment is also needed to relieve cough, shortness of breath, sputum (discharge from coughing or flatulence) and chest pain accompanying pneumonia. Antitussives, expectorants, and bronchodilators are administered together. Occasionally, pain relievers may be used to relieve pain.
To prevent pneumonia, it is important to keep the body clean and boost immunity. Frequent hand washing is also helpful to prevent the spread of pathogens. You should avoid alcohol and quit smoking, and drink plenty of water. A balanced diet and regular exercise are also necessary.
Lee Sang-cheol, a professor of respiratory medicine at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, said, “Especially, elderly people with greatly weakened lung function and immunity should be more careful if they get pneumonia, as their symptoms may worsen unlike healthy adults, even if they receive treatment. It is recommended that the elderly 65 years of age or older or those suffering from chronic diseases receive the pneumococcal vaccine.”
Influenza virus attacks the nose, throat, and lungs, causing high fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain that makes daily life impossible. Getting vaccinated makes you less likely to get the flu, and if you do get it, you can pass without getting seriously ill.
People infected with COVID-19 may have a fever, cough, headache, and loss of taste, but often have no symptoms. If COVID-19 progresses to pneumonia, symptoms of shortness of breath and rapid breathing may appear.
Lee Seung-gu, online news reporter lee_owl@segye.com
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