Medical conditions that affect the lungs and other tissues that help you breathe are known as respiratory illnesses and diseases.
When these illnesses are caused by infection and affect your throat or the hollow spaces in your head and nose (sinuses), they are known as upper respiratory infections. Conditions that affect your lungs and airways are called lower respiratory infections. Some respiratory illnesses can affect both the upper and lower parts of your respiratory system.
During a respiratory disease, you may experience:
Respiratory illnesses have multiple causes:
You have a higher risk of developing a respiratory infection if you come into contact with others who are sick. In particular, children tend to develop infections more often than adults. Those with lung diseases, heart problems, or weakened immune systems are also at risk.
Some respiratory illnesses can also cause other ones to develop. For example, asthma can increase your risk of COPD, which in turn increases the chances that you will develop lung cancer.
When diagnosing a respiratory illness, your doctor may ask about your symptoms, listen to your chest as you breathe, and look in your mouth or nose.
If there is a chance you may have a more serious disease, your doctor may recommend other tests such as a chest X-ray or lung function test. Infections like tuberculosis may require further testing to look for signs of germs.
Many respiratory infections get better on their own within a week or two. During this time, it is a good idea to drink a lot of fluids and take over-the-counter medications to help control your symptoms.
While most respiratory infections are caused by viruses and can’t be cured with medication, a few of these illnesses are caused by other factors. For example, tuberculosis is caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics.
Conditions like asthma and COPD are treated with pills and inhalers that help open the airways.
You may need further treatment if you have a more severe condition. See your doctor if you develop a high fever, have trouble breathing, can’t stop coughing, or make unusual sounds as you breathe.
You can protect against respiratory infections by washing your hands before eating or touching your face. Additionally, staying away from people who are sick can reduce your risk of coming into contact with germs. Finally, getting vaccinated against respiratory diseases like the flu, COVID-19, and tuberculosis helps you avoid serious complications from these conditions.
Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of infection and protect your lungs from damage. This can lower your risk of COPD, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses.
It may also help to avoid other harmful substances that can affect your lungs. Some homes and office buildings contain radon gas, which you can test for using a radon test kit from a hardware store. Make sure to properly wear protective equipment if you work at a construction site or shipyard where you may come into contact with asbestos.