The relationship of the pneumococcus to acute infections of the upper respiratory tract in Man: Influenza Studies VI

In previous studies of the bacterial flora of the upper respiratory tract and its variations during attacks of acute coryza (Hoyle, 1932), it was found that there was in many cases a striking relationship between the appearance of certain organisms with definite pathogenic properties towards the lower animals, in the upper respiratory tract, and the occurrence of acute infections. This relationship was especially marked in the case of the influenza bacillus, and it was suggested that this organism played a prominent part in the aetiology of upper respiratory infections. The significance of the influenza bacillus in acute coryza has been noted by various workers (Noble, Fisher and Brainard, 1928; Burky and Smillie, 1929; Webster and Clow, 1932; Kneeland and Dawes, 1932), but on the other hand various observers have found the incidence of influenza bacilli in the respiratory tract to be the same in normal health and in acute coryza, and Fleming (1929) and Fleming and Maclean (1930) have devised a technique by means of which they claim to have isolated influenza bacilli in 100 per cent, of normal throats. One possible explanation of these conflicting results may be found in the absence of any very exact criterion of what constitutes a typical influenza bacillus.

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Place of phytotherapy in the treatment of acute infections of upper respiratory tract and upper gastrointestinal tract

Otolaryngologia Polska ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0012.2833 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (4) ◽

pp. 42-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wioletta Pietruszewska ◽

Magda Barańska ◽

Jakub Wielgat

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Persistent Symptoms ◽

Acute Infections ◽

Intranasal Steroids ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal

Acute infections of the upper respiratory tract and upper gastrointestinal tract (mouth and throat) are still the most common reason for reporting to the general practitioner or ENT specialist. Despite the fact that the most common causative agent of these diseases are virurs, antibiotics are still flavored in about 60-80% of patients who report to the doctor. In consensus such as EPOS, WHO reports and other local / national reports, there is a need to limit antibacterial treatment for symptomatic and anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition to intranasal steroids and mucocutaneous decongestants, supplementary treatment should be considered which resolves persistent symptoms. Plant preparations are used here. The growing role of rational phytotherapy is emphasized, especially due to the most frequent etiological factor of these infections, i.e. viruses. Modern phytotherapy is part of pharmacology, and all preparations based on plants meet the standards for medicines and are subject to standard registration procedures. The article discusses the use and mechanism of action of selected herbs, among others: sorrel, elderberry, yarrow and horsetail in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections and upper gastrointestinal tract. The phytotherapy show good efficacy and tolerance, and can be used both in children and adults in recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract. It is worth paying attention to the combined preparations, the components of which have the effect confirmed by randomized trials and long-term registration for use in treatment, both during the first signs of cold and its further duration, and supportive in chronic inflammation especially of the paranasal sinuses.

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