What is meant by ARI? If you're still looking for it, ARI is an abbreviation for Acute Respiratory Infection, which is a type of infection that affects your respiratory tract. Some examples of ARI include the common cold, influenza, sinusitis, and strep throat.
ARI can attack anybody, both children and adults, especially those whose physical condition is less than optimal. To get a deeper understanding, let's explore this article to the end!
ARI Symptoms
Symptoms of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) usually last for one to two weeks. In most cases, sufferers will feel improvement after the first week.
However, keep in mind that the symptoms of ARI in the upper and lower respiratory tract can be different. The following are some symptoms of ARI in the upper respiratory tract that may appear:
- Coughing and sneezing with a stuffy nose.
- Have a cold.
- Fever and headache.
- Throat pain.
- Wheezing or shortness of breath.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
Meanwhile, symptoms of ARI in the lower respiratory tract can include cough with phlegm, shortness of breath and fever.
Possible Causes of ARI
ARI is a condition that can affect anyone, and is included in the category of easily transmitted diseases.However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing ARI, including:
- Individuals with weakened immune systems, especially children.
- Babies who are in an environment with lots of people.
- People who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or heart failure.
- Individuals with a compromised immune system, such as people with HIV/AIDS, leukemia, or those who have undergone an organ transplant.
- Children who have a history of congenital heart disease or lung problems since birth.
How to Treat ARI
As a first step, it is important to understand that ARI is generally caused by viruses. Therefore, specific treatment may not be necessary. However, there are things you can do at home to relieve ARI symptoms:
- Prioritize getting enough rest and consuming more water so that phlegm can be expelled more easily.
- Enjoy warm drinks such as lemon or honey to relieve coughs.
- Gargle with a solution of warm water and salt if your throat feels sore.
- Try inhaling steam from hot water mixed with eucalyptus oil or menthol to relieve a blocked nose.
- When sleeping, position your head higher with the help of a pillow to help breathe more smoothly.
However, if your symptoms do not improve, it is highly recommended to consult yourself with a doctor. Doctors can prescribe certain medications to relieve ARI symptoms, such as:
- Ibuprofen or paracetamol to treat fever and muscle aches.
- Diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine to treat colds and nasal congestion.
- Guaifenesin to relieve cough.
- In certain cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the ARI is caused by a bacterial infection.
This is important information about ARIs, namely Acute Respiratory Tract Infections that you need to know. If you are experiencing ARI symptoms as described above and do not see improvement, immediately consult a doctor to get appropriate treatment.
References:
https://www.siloamhospitals.com/informasi-siloam/artikel/apa-itu-ispa
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