As the chilly season approaches, it’s essential to arm ourselves with knowledge on common winter lung related ailments, their symptoms, and effective treatments.
This invaluable chart serves as a handy reference, offering an overview of prevalent conditions like the ‘flu, common cold, bronchitis, and more. Each ailment is accompanied by a detailed list of symptoms, enabling prompt identification. Equally crucial, the chart provides a range of proven treatment options and self-care measures.
Whether you’re seeking relief from a persistent cough or battling seasonal allergies, this chart will be your go-to companion for a healthy and comfortable winter season.
| Type of respiratory illness | What is it? | How did I get it | How will I feel? | What should I do? | How long will it last? | When can I go back to work? | How common is it? | When must I see a doctor? |
| Common Cold | A viral infection of the nose, throat and sometimes ears | Viruses can be transmitted via the air, by droplets or on surfaces | Sneezing, coughing, body aches and pains, sore throat, chills, low fever | Rest. Keep hydrated. Decongestants, throat lozenges and nose sprays can be helpful | A few days to several weeks | After the period when you are contagious, which is normally one week. Take care to still avoid close contact, and remember to wash your hands | Very. | Only if your symptoms last longer than 4 days or you struggle to breathe |
| ‘”flu” | A viral infection of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs | Viruses can be transmitted via the air, by droplets or on surfaces | You will feel really horrid.
Sneezing, coughing, body aches and pains, sore throat, chills, low fever, maybe vomiting or diarrhea |
Rest. Keep hydrated. Decongestants, throat lozenges and nose sprays can be helpful. On rare occasions anti-viral medication might help if started early enough | 3-5 days for the worst of it, but you might have lingering symptoms (cough, general tiredness) for a few weeks still. | Wait at least 5 days from the start of symptoms, and at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. | Very. Many people may need to be hospitalised, especially if they have co-morbidities or other complications. | Please see you doctor if you know you have co-morbidities of if the symptoms get worse. |
| Acute Bronchitis | Inflammation in the larger airways resulting in too much mucus in the lungs. | A “cold’ or a virus. You may be more vulnerable if you have existing co-morbidities. | Constant coughing. Initially a dry cough which soon becomes mucus producing. | Rest. Keep hydrated. Nebulise. See your physio to help with mucus clearance. | 2 weeks unless you develop pneumonia. You may have a few lingering symptoms for months | This is not a contagious sickness. Once the viral phase is over, you can return to work. | Equally common in children and adults. | Only if the symptoms don’t get better. |
| Chronic bronchitis | Inflammation in the larger airways resulting in too much mucus in the lungs. This needs to happen at least 3 months per year, and for 2 years in a row. | Smoking and pollution. | Persistent mucus producing cough, difficulty breathing, reduced exercise tolerance | Stop smoking. Keep hydrated. Nebulise. See your physio to help with mucus clearance. | Your lung tissue is damaged. The symptoms will get a little better and worse again over time, but rarely go away. | This is not a contagious sickness. You can work if you are able to. | Extremely common among smokers. | You will probably already be under chronic care. Do not delay seeing your doctor. Early treatment limits lung damage. |
| Pneumonia | The air sacs in your lungs fill with infected mucus, pus and other fluids. | Inhaled virusses, bacteria and fungi. | Confusion, fever, wet cough, sweating, chills, reduced appetite, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, chest pain worse on deep breathing. | Rest. Keep hydrated. Nebulise. See your physio to help with mucus clearance. | 3-7 days, but may last longer and is potentially fatal. | 3 days after starting anti-biotics. But don’t rush back to work. | Common in people with weakened immune systems (older people, after surgeries, Smokers | If you have a fever, or struggle to breathe, go right away. Otherwise, it Depends on the severity of the symptoms. If mild, and the sputum is clear, then no. If the mucus is yellow, green, brown or red, see you doctor immediately. |
Look after your health this winter and seek professional guidance from your health practitioner if you experience complications or severe symptoms.