Everyone Healthy Library
Upper Respiratory Chest Infection
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
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- chest pain, pressure or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back
- trouble breathing, blue lips, severe wheeze or choking
- stroke-like symptoms such as face drooping, arm weakness or speech trouble
- collapse, fainting, seizure, confusion or extreme drowsiness
- severe bleeding, black stools, vomiting blood or major injury
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- severe abdominal pain, severe headache, stiff neck or sudden vision change
- signs of severe dehydration, sepsis, high fever with worsening illness, or symptoms in a baby/young child that concern you
Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Condition overview
Attributes
Commonalityis common
Linked signs and symptoms
15Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
4Medication information is educational only. A doctor or pharmacist should advise whether any medicine is appropriate.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
23Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Medical therapy
1Counselling and support
1Alternative and complementary therapies
12- Andrographis Paniculata
- Echinacea PurpureaNo Recommendation(Moderate Evidence)
- Eleutherococcus Senticosus
- Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica, Hydrocotyle Asiatica)No Recommendation(Low Evidence)
- Honey
- Hot Water
- Kan Jang
- Larch (Larix Occidentalis)No Recommendation(Low Evidence)
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra, Gan Cao)No Recommendation(Very Low Evidence)
- Pelargonium Sidoides
- ReflexologyNo Recommendation(Low Evidence)
- Thuja (Eastern White Cedar, Thuja Occidentalis)No Recommendation(Very Low Evidence)
Alternative medicine
4Vitamins and minerals
4Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
29These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
- 2,3 Diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) Concentration
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Albumin Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Glucose Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- Cerebrospinal Fluid White Cell Differential
- Chloride Concentration (Blood)
- Cholesterol Concentration
- Cholinesterase (Serum Acetylcholinesterase, Pseudocholinesterase)
- D-Dimer Blood Test
- Ferritin Concentration
- Fibrin Degradation Products (FDPs, Fibrin Split Products, FSPs, Fibrin Breakdown Products, Fbps)
- Fibrin Monomers Test
- Fibrinogen Concentration test
- Fibrinopeptide A (FPA) Action Assay
- Glucagon Concentration Test
- Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Concentration
- haptoglobin (Hp) concentration
- Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)
- Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)
- Peak Inspiratory Flow Rate (PIFR)
- Plasminogen Activity
- Platelet Count
- Potassium Concentration (K, Blood)
- Protein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- Spirometry
- Urine glucose concentration
- White Blood Cell (WBC) Count
Biological markers/agents
31This visual map shows biological markers/agents reported as increased or decreased with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
22- 2,3 Diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 10.5–14 µmol/gLinked diagnostic tests2, 3 Diphosphoglycerate (2
- Albumin (Cerebrospinal Fluid, CSF)Reference range exampleAll: 10–35 mg/dL; All: 56–76 %Linked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Albumin Concentration, Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- Alpha-1 Antintrypsin (AAT)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 90–215 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsAlpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Concentration
- Alpha-1-Globulin (Blood, Serum)Reference range exampleAll: 0.1–0.3 gm/dLLinked diagnostic testsProtein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- Alpha-2-Globulin (Blood, Serum)Reference range exampleAll: 0.6–1 gm/dLLinked diagnostic testsProtein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- Cerebrospinal Fluid LeukocytesReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–5 /µL; 1y - 6y: 0–20 /µLLinked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid White Cell Differential
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Total ProteinReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 15–45 mg/dL; Child (< 10y): 15–70 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration
- Cholesterol (Total)Reference range exampleInfant (0 - 1y): 75–180 mg/dL; Adult ( > 16y): 0–190 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsCholesterol Concentration
- D-DimerReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–240 µg/LLinked diagnostic testsD-Dimer Blood Test
- FerritinReference range exampleChild (0 - 16y): 7–140 µg/L; Adult ( > 16y), Female: 18–160 µg/LLinked diagnostic testsFerritin Concentration
- Fibrin MonomersReference range example0–10,000 µg/LLinked diagnostic testsFibrin Monomers Test
- Fibrin Split ProductsReference range exampleAll: 0–1 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsFibrin Degradation Products (FDPs, Fibrin Split Products
- FibrinogenReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 150–400 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsFibrinogen Concentration test
- Fibrinopeptide A (FPA)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 0.7–3.1 mg/mL; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 0.35–2.5 mg/mLLinked diagnostic testsFibrinopeptide A (FPA) Action Assay
- Gamma Globulin (Blood, Serum)Reference range exampleAll: 0.8–1.7 gm/dLLinked diagnostic testsProtein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- GlucagonReference range exampleChild (0 - 16y): 0–147 pg/mL; Adult ( > 16y): 20–110 pg/mLLinked diagnostic testsGlucagon Concentration Test
- haptoglobin (Hp)Reference range example45–200 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testshaptoglobin (Hp) concentration
- PlasminogenReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 65–153 %; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 70–120 %Linked diagnostic testsPlasminogen Activity
- Potassium (K, Blood)AbbreviationKReference range exampleInfant (0 - 1y): 4.1–5.3 mEq/L; Child (0 - 16y): 3.4–4.7 mEq/LLinked diagnostic testsPotassium Concentration (K, Blood)
- PrealbuminReference range exampleAll: 2–7 %Linked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- Urine glucoseReference range example0–2.5; Adult ( > 16y): 0–2.5 mmol/dayLinked diagnostic testsUrine glucose concentration
- White Blood Cell (WBC)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 4.5–10.5 million/mL; Adult ( > 16y): 3.2–10 million/mLLinked diagnostic testsWhite Blood Cell (WBC) Count
Often decreased
9- Chloride (Blood, Cl)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 97–106 mEq/L; Birth - 2wks: 94–106 mEq/LLinked diagnostic testsChloride Concentration (Blood)
- CholinesteraseReference range exampleAll: 6–19 U/mLLinked diagnostic testsCholinesterase (Serum Acetylcholinesterase, Pseudocholinesterase)
- Forced Expiratory Flow Between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75)Reference range exampleAll: 60–100 %Linked diagnostic testsSpirometry
- Glucose (Cerebrospinal Fluid)Reference range exampleChild (0 - 16y): 65–85 mg/dL; Adult ( > 16y): 50–72 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsCerebrospinal Fluid Glucose Concentration
- Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 10.1–18.5 U/gHb; Birth - 2wks: 12–23 U/gHbLinked diagnostic testsGlucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Concentration
- Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 80–180 L/minute; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 140–180 L/minuteLinked diagnostic testsMaximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)
- Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 410–450 L/minute; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 540–590 L/minuteLinked diagnostic testsPeak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)
- Peak Inspiratory Flow Rate (PIFR)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 250–330 L/minuteLinked diagnostic testsPeak Inspiratory Flow Rate (PIFR)
- PlateletsReference range exampleChild (0 - 16y): 150–450 109/L; Adult ( > 16y): 135–380 109/LLinked diagnostic testsPlatelet Count
Introduction / full article
Upper Respiratory Chest Infection
Upper respiratory tract infection
Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:
Vitamin B Complex [1, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help in preventing some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Please note, this acts as a PREVENTATIVE treatment, and not necessarily symptomatic relief. Supplements should only be taken if they contain no more than 100% of the recommended daily value
Recommendation: Strongly in favor (Vitamin B may help in preventing respiratory tract infections due to its role in the body's immune functions)
Grade of Evidence: high quality of evidence
Vitamin A [1, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help in preventing some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Please note, this acts as a PREVENTATIVE treatment, and not necessarily symptomatic relief.
Recommendation: Strong in favor (Vitamin A may help to prevent respiratory tract infections due to its role in the body's immune function)
Grade of Evidence: high quality of evidence
Thuja (Eastern White Cedar, Thuja Occidentalis) [1, 20, 21, 22]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Little is known about the full effects of Thuja, so it is not recommended for medicinal use. Thuja can be poisonous if ingested in large amounts.
Recommendation: no recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Thuja helps to treat respiratory tract infections)
Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence
Licorice (Glcyrhiz Gaba) [1, 16, 17, 18, 19]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Licorice has been shown to have potentially harmful side effects in people with high blood pressure, liver or kidney diseases)
Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that licorice helps treat respiratory tract infections. More research is needed)
Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence
Larch (Larix Occidentalis) [1, 12, 13, 14, 15]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (Available evidence does not support claims that Larch helps to treat respiratory tract infections)
Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence
Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica, Hydrocotyle Asiatica)[1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: no recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Gotu Kola helps in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in any way. More research is needed.)
Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence
Echinacea Purpurea [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: no recommendation (Evidence has shown that Echinacea has no effect in the treatment or prevention of respiratory infections)
Grade of Evidence: moderate quality of evidence
Reflexology:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: no recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Reflexology can help to treat upper respiratory tract infections in any way)
Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence
* www.gradeworkinggroup.org
Summary References
Treatments:
1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009
2. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/echinacea
3. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/echinacea/ataglance.htm
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16049208
5. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/29145.php
6. Winston, D., Maimes, S., Adaptogens: Herbs For Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, 2007, pp. 226-7
7. "A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on the Effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on Acoustic Startle Response in Healthy Subjects". Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 20(6):680-684, December 2000. Bradwejn, Jacques MD, FRCPC *; Zhou, Yueping MD, PhD ++; Koszycki, Diana PhD *; Shlik, Jakov MD, PhD
8. B. M. Hausen (1993) "Centella asiatica (Indian pennywort), an effective therapeutic but a weak sensitizer." Contact Dermatitis 29 (4), 175–179 doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1993.tb03532.x
9. Cataldo, A., Gasbarro, V., et al., "Effectiveness of the Combination of Alpha Tocopherol, Rutin, Melilotus, and Centella asiatica in The Treatment of Patients With Chronic Venous Insufficiency", Minerva Cardioangiology, 2001, Apr; 49(2):159-63
10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotu_kola#Medicinal_effects
11. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/gotu-kola
12. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/larch
13. http://www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/plants/lichen.html
14. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1998.
15. Bown D. New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. New York, NY: DK Publishing Inc; 2001.
16. Winston, David; Steven Maimes (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Healing Arts Press.
17. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15190039
18. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/licoriceroot/
19. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-licorice.html
20. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002769.htm
21. http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_thoc2.pdf
22. http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v%3Aproject=medlineplus&query=thuja&x=0&y=0
23. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-vitamina.html
24. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vitamina.html
25. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamina.asp
26. http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/vad/en/
27. Latham, Michael E. (1997). Human Nutrition in the Developing World (Fao Food and Nutrition Paper). Food & Agriculture Organization of the United. ISBN 92-5-103818-X.
28. Sommer, Alfred (1995). Vitamin a Deficiency and Its Consequences: A Field Guide to Detection and Control. Geneva: World Health Organization. ISBN 92-4-154478-3.
29. http://www.unicef.org/worldfitforchildren/files/A-RES-S27-2E.pdf
30. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/vitamin-b-complex
31. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-folate.html
32. Butterworth RF. Thiamin. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, editors. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 10th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006.
33. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18220605
34. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6935482.stm
35. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19061687
36. Gropper, S. S, Smith, J. L., Groff, J. L. (2009). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage learning.
37. Otten, J. J., Hellwig, J. P., Meyers, L. D. (2008). Dietary reference intakes: The essential guide to nutrient requirements. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press
38. http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/vitamin-b1.htm
39. Higdon, Jane (2003). "Biotin". An evidence-based approach to vitamins and minerals. Thieme. ISBN 9781588901248.