People are prone to suffer from respiratory tract infection induced by drastically changing weather conditions in the seasonal transition from autumn to winter.
 
Respiratory tract has two integral parts: the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The respiratory tract infection generally referred to is upper respiratory tract infection, a general term for nasopharynx or acute pharyngitis. About 70% -80% of upper respiratory tract infection is virus-induced, and only a few cases are caused by bacteria.

Virus-induced diseases with primarily nasopharyngeal symptoms are called colds. Common virus-induced colds have catarrh symptoms including stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing and so on, and accompanied by sore throat, tears, and slight coughing, etc. In general, there are no serious symptoms, no fever or symptoms in other parts of the body and can be cured in 5-7 days. However, bacteria-induced upper respiratory tract infection is usually accompanied with some fever and sometimes purulent sputum. Among acute upper respiratory tract infection diseases, the most common are bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Such infection is usually accompanied with more serious symptoms including acute onset, hurting sore throat, tonsil enlargement and hyperemia, chills, fever, etc. And the body temperature can go up to 39 ℃.

Many people tend to urge doctors to give them intravenous drips or antibiotics injection whenever they are contracted with upper respiratory tract infection, thinking they would recover faster. But this is totally unnecessary. Besides, many patients mistakenly regard antibiotics as a “magic medicine” capable of curing all kinds of infection, and thus having intravenous drips is the best treatment. The fact is, antibiotic treatment only works for bacterial infection, and has no efficacy for viral infection. It does more harm than good if intravenous drips are applied to every disease. Long-term use of antibiotics can lead to bacteria resistance, disrupt normal flora inside the human body and give rise to secondary infection.

Symptom treatment is commonly applied in curing viral flu. Patients need to take a good rest, eat non-spicy food and drink more water. Antibiotic treatment is not necessary for patients without bacterial infection.

Patients with bacteria-induced acute upper respiratory tract infection should not take antibiotics as a “cure-all medicine” and “anti-fever medicine. Patients must take medicine as prescribed by the doctor.

Acute upper respiratory tract infection can attack people any time of the year. Winter sees the most outbreaks of the disease, as it can spread through air droplets or contact. Most outbreaks are isolated cases; however, in time of sudden weather changes, it can develop into an epidemic. To prevent the disease, we should first of all exercise regularly to enhance disease resistance; secondly, alternate work and rest to avoid over-fatigue; thirdly,  pay close attention to temperature variations and stay warm to avoid catching a cold; fourthly, have a balanced diet with more intake of vegetables and fruits high in vitamins; fifthly, pay attention to personal hygiene, wash hands frequently and ensure good ventilation to keep indoor air fresh; sixthly, the elderly, children, pregnant women and other people of weaker physique should try to avoid public places, hospitals and other places with high concentration of patients. When going to the hospital, it is advised to wear masks to avoid cross-infection.