Cupping Therapy for 103 Cases of High Fever due to Infection of the Upper Respiratory Tract

The cupping therapy has remarkable antipyretic effect in the treatment of fever. In recent years, the author has treated 103 cases of high fever caused by infection of the upper respiratory tract and obtained quite satisfactory therapeutic results. A report follows.

Plasma Metabonomics of Human Adenovirus-infected Patients with Pneumonia and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective Human adenovirus(HAdV)infection is common and can develop to serious conditions with high mortality,yet the mechanism of HAdV infection remains unclear.In the present study,the serum metabolite profiles of HAdV-7-infected patients with pneumonia or upper respiratory tract infection(URTI)were explored.Methods In total,35 patients were enrolled in the study following an outbreak of HAdV-7 in the army,of whom 14 had pneumonia and 21 had URTI.Blood samples were collected at the acute stage and at the recovery stage and were analyzed by untargeted metabolomics.Results Over 90% of the differential metabolites identified between the pneumonia patients and URTI patients were lipids and lipid-like molecules,including glycerophospholipids,fatty acyls,and sphingolipids.The metabolic pathways that were significantly enriched were primarily the lipid metabolism pathways,including sphingolipid metabolism,glycerophospholipid metabolism,and linoleic acid metabolism.The sphingolipid metabolism was identified as a significantly differential pathway between the pneumonia patients and URTI patients and between the acute and recovery stages for the pneumonia patients,but not between the acute and recovery stages for the URTI patients.Ceramide and lactosylceramide,involved in sphingolipid metabolism,were significantly higher in the pneumonia patients than in the URTI patients with good discrimination abilities[area under curve(AUC)0.742 and 0.716,respectively;combination AUC 0.801].Conclusion Our results suggested that HAdV modulated lipid metabolism for both the patients with URTI and pneumonia,especially the sphingolipid metabolism involving ceramide and lactosylceramide,which might thus be a potential intervention target in the treatment of HAdV infection.

Analysis of the Current Situation and Risk Factors of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection among ICU Patients in Guizhou,China During 2019-2022

Objective:This study aims to explore the prevalence,features,and risk factors of lower respiratory tract infections(LRTIs)in the intensive care unit(ICU)of a newly established hospital in Zunyi City.The goal is to devise strategies for preventing LRTIs in the ICU of new hospitals,thereby mitigating the incidence of nosocomial LRTIs in ICU patients.Methods:A case-control study was conducted from March 2019 to December 2022 to investigate the incidence rate of LRTIs in the ICU of a newly constructed hospital in Zunyi City.Patients with LRTIs constituted the case group,while those without LRTIs constituted the control group,where a 1:1 matching principle was adhered to.A single-factor chi-square(χ2)test was employed to analyze the risk factors,with independent risk factors being explored using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 169 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated,comprising 66.28%gram-negative bacteria,17.75%gram-positive bacteria,and 15.97%fungi.The most prevalent pathogens included Acinetobacter baumannii(43.20%),Candida albicans(10.65%),and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(8.88%).Of the 82 strains infected by multidrug-resistant bacteria in patients with LRTIs,81.7%were carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii,9.8%were multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and 6.1%were carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli.Identified risk factors included smoking history,total hospitalization days,ICU stay length,hypoproteinemia,indwelling gastric tube,intubation type,duration of mechanical ventilation,usage of antibacterial drugs,and administration of protein drugs(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that these factors were independent risk factors for nosocomial LRTIs in ICU patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:ICU patients in our hospital were mainly infected by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.To prevent LRTIs in patients,tailored preventive measures should be developed and the rational use of antibacterial drugs should be promoted.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Vitamin C in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Background:The effectiveness of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of pediatric upper respiratory tract infections was evaluated in a meta-analysis.Methods:A total 2,573 children with upper respiratory tract infections were included in the meta-analysis,1,280 of whom received vitamin C and 1,293 who received control medication.The analysis of findings related to the studies included was done through random or fixed effects model to determine whether vitamin C supplementation could stop and control upper respiratory tract infections in children using mean difference(MD)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs).Results:On average,vitamin C-treated children had fewer upper respiratory tract infection bouts,their illness lasted shorter(MD-0.84;95%CI-1.47 to-0.20,P=0.009),and they were less contagious than the control.Conclusions:The number of episodes and illness duration of upper respiratory tract-infected pediatric subjects were considerably reduced in the intervention group(vitamin C)compared to the control.Due to the small sample size in four of 11 studies and the limited number of studies included for comparison,the outcomes should be carefully examined.

The Effect of Comfort Nursing on the Compliance and Efficacy of Treatment for Children with Acute Otitis Media Caused by Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective:To explore and analyze the clinical effect of comfort nursing on children with acute otitis media.Methods:62 children with acute otitis media caused by upper respiratory tract infection who visited the outpatient clinic of our hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected for this study.They were divided into a study group(n=31)and a control group(n=31).Children in the control group received basic care,while children in the study group received comfort nursing along with basic care.The hearing thresholds,body temperature,treatment compliance,and nursing satisfaction of the two groups of children were compared.Results:After the nursing intervention,the hearing threshold and average body temperature of the children in the study group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);the treatment compliance of the children in the study group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05);the nursing satisfaction of the study group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Comfort nursing can improve the treatment effect,treatment compliance,and nursing satisfaction of children with children with acute otitis media caused by upper respiratory tract infection.

Assessment of Prevalence Group A Streptococci (GAS) Associated with Upper Respiratory Tract Infection among Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims

Background: Respiratory tract infection (RTI) is a prevalent infection across the world and is a major health concern linked to the crowding that occurs during the Hajj season. Objectives: To identify how prevalent Streptococcus pyogenes is among Umrah visitors and pilgrims by comparing its presence before and after the visitors perform Umrah and hajj. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on Umrah visitors/pilgrims, for which their throat swabs were taken for assessing the upper respiratory tract infection’s carriage rate, particularly of Group A streptococci (GAS), after they arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and Umrah rituals and befor their leaving. After collecting the swabs, they were inoculated on Columbia agar using 5% sheep blood and then incubated at 37&#730C. VITEK 2 systems were used to identify the isolates. Results: Of the 979/613 Umrah visitors/pilgrims involved, before performing Umrah, their Streptococcus pyogenes percentage was 0.2% and it increased to 0.7 after performing Umrah. Further, the Streptococcus pyogenes percentage before and after performing Hajj was 0.3% and 1.1%, respectively. No statistical significance was found in the difference between the positive Streptococcus pyogenes found before and after performing Hajj and Umrah among Umrah visitors/pilgrims (p-value = 0.2). All bacterial isolates were found to be sensitive to Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone antibiotics (100%). Conclusion: The Streptococcus pyogeneshigh resistance to antibiotics combined with the lack of a vaccine poses a serious risk concerning the resulting infection spread and emphasizes the necessity of ensuring greater global surveillance of such epidemics.

Aspirin plus Pseudoephedrine (Aspirin Complex) for the Treatment of Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Upper respiratory tract infections or common colds are a multi-symptom disease which is usually symptomatically treated with fixed dose multi-active ingredient medicinal products which are commonly used as non-prescription and over the counter. However, the active ingredients combined require a particular and clinically sound justification. Analgesics and decongestant can be combined to treat simultaneously the prominent symptoms cold-related pain (e.g. headache, muscle aches and pains), fever, inflammationand nasal/sinus congestion. This overview provides a summary of the evidence supporting the combination of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and pseudoephedrine available in the common cold product Aspirin? Complex.

A Survey of the Experience and Impact of Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections on People in Six Countries in the 2011/2012 Common Cold and Flu Season

Introduction: Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) are the most common infectious diseases of humankind. While usually mild and self-limiting, they are characterized by a series of simultaneously occurring symptoms/ signs that are sufficiently disruptive to sufferers’ normal activities in which medication is frequently sought. While the literature has many examples of epidemiological studies on these infections, there are few reports on patient experience and impact. This study was designed to investigate these aspects of Common Cold/Flu across six countries. Methods: A minimum of 500 adults aged 18 and older were recruited in each of six countries (Brazil, China, Germany, India, Russia, and the US) using customary survey research sampling techniques. Single 30-minute (online) or 40-minute door-to-door quantitative questionnaires with c. 50 questions were completed with each participant by the global research firm Ipsos. Main Findings: Across countries, incidence and seasonality of infections reported to this study were consistent with published data. There appears to be a need for patient education on the causes and transmission routes of respiratory infections. Getting good quality sleep and being able to continue with daily activities as an infection resolves are significant drivers to therapy. The most common non-prescription therapies reported were multi-ingredient products in line with the simultaneously occurring multi-symptom nature of the condition(s). Conclusions: This study indicated that acute URTIs exert a significant deleterious effect on sufferers. Public health education, possibly best undertaken by Pharmacists has the potential to impact the extent of virus transmission by ensuring that people know the true cause of the infection, how it is transmitted and how best to combat this. The several simultaneously occurring symptoms encourage sufferers to seek multi-ingredient remedies to allow them to continue with normal activities as their infection resolves naturally.

Analysis of the Real-world Efficacy of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule(莲花清瘟胶囊)in the Treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective:To explore the efficacy of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule(莲花清瘟胶囊)on upper respiratory tract infection,to understand the impact of Lianhua Qingwen Capsule(莲花清瘟胶囊)on the treatment outcome of upper respiratory tract infection,and provide reference for rational clinical drug use.Methods:The HIS database based on 18 large third-grade class-A hospitals was selected to match 1:1 for upper respiratory tract infection patients using and without Lianhua Qingwen Capsule(莲花清瘟胶囊)according to certain standards.The recombination of treatment outcome as"recovery"and"improvement"in the database was defined as effective treatment,"ineffectiveness","death"and"other"as ineffectivetreatment populations,and the effectiveness of treatment outcomes in the remerged 2 groups was compared by propensity score method.Results:After matching,454 cases were in both the patients treated by(experimental group)and without(control group)Lianhua Qingwen Capsule(莲花清瘟胶囊).Analysis was performed by three Logistic regression methods,all showing regression coefficients greater than 0 and statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion:Patients with upper respiratory tract infection treated by Lianhua Qingwen Capsule(莲花清瘟胶囊)are more effective than that without Lianhua Qingwen Capsule(莲花清瘟胶囊),it can improve the clinical efficacy of patients with upper respiratory tract infection。

Detection of Streptococci in the Throat Swabs from Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Kurdistan Region

The study was conducted for the detection of streptococcus bacteria of two groups of people with pharyngitis and tonsillitis. All the plates with α-haemolytic and β-haemolytic colonies were identified by conventional methods. β-haemolytic colonies was further identified by observing its sensitivity towards bacitracin disc tested on sheep blood agar plate. Alpha-hemolytic colonies on blood agar plate were identified with optchin disc. Different bacteria which included Streptococcus pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. pnenmoniae and S. celis that had proportions 48.57%, 51.43%, 59.1% and 40.9% respectively isolated by the sensitivity test （depends on agents bacitracin and optchin）. Isolates of beta-Streptococcal which included S. pyogenes at child group （A） and the isolates alpha- Streptococcal which included S. pnenmoniae at adults group （B） showed marked rise.

Meta-analysis of the comparison between reduning injection and ribavirin injection for acute upper respiratory tract infection in children

Objective:To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of reduning injection in acute upper respiratory tract infection of children.Methods:Use computer to search PubMed,the Cochrane Library,EMBASE,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Database,Weipu database(VIP)and China Biomedical studies Service System(CBM)for randomized controlled trials(RCT)of acute upper respiratory tract infection in children,and the retrieval time is from their establishment to May,2022.After two researchers independently screened the studies,extracted data and evaluated the risk bias of studies,RevMan5.3 software was used to perform meta-analysis.Results:10 studies in total were included,involving 1466 patients.Results of the meta-analysis:total effective rate[RR=1.12,95%CI(1.07,1.16),P<0.00001],cure time[MD=-1.51,95%CI(-1.71,-1.32),P<0.00001],antipyretic time[MD=-1.32,95%CI(-1.72,-0.92),P<0.00001],disappearing time of nasal obstruction and nose running[MD=-1.04,95%CI(-1.45,-0.62),P<0.00001],disappearing time of cough[MD=-1.35,95%CI(-1.58,-1.13),P<0.00001],disappearing time of throat congestion[MD=-1.36,95%CI(-1.68,-1.03),P<0.00001],disappearing time of sore throat[MD=-1.55,95%CI(-1.74,-1.35),P<0.00001],the incidence of adverse reactions[RR=0.34,95%CI(0.20,0.57),P<0.0001].The differences between two groups in total effective rate,cure time,antipyretic time,disappearing time of nasal obstruction and nose running,disappearing time of cough,disappearing time of throat congestion,disappearing time of sore throat and the incidence of adverse reactions are all statistically significant(P<0.05).The sensitivity analysis demonstrates that three outcomes(total effective rate,cure time and disappearing time of sore throat)have unstable results,while others having stable results.Conclusion:Reduning injection is more effective than ribavirin injection in clinical,and it is better than ribavirin injection at relieving fever,nasal obstruction and nose running,cough and throat congestion.In addition,it’s safer in clinical than ribavirin injection.

Research Progress of Combined Detection of WBC, CRP and SAA in Early Diagnosis of Respiratory Tract Infection in Children

Objective: To investigate the application of WBC, CRP and SAA combined detection in the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children. Methods: Collect the literature reports on the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children by the combined detection of WBC, CRP and SAA in recent years, and follow up the relevant literature reports from the selection of “new three routine” laboratory items for rapid diagnosis in pediatric outpatient department and the application of the combined detection of WBC, CRP and SAA in the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children. Results: Many literature studies found that the combined detection of WBC, CRP and SAA has important clinical significance in the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children. Conclusion: Through reviewing the relevant literature, we can understand the application of WBC, CRP and SAA combined detection in the early diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in children. To provide more accurate and reliable laboratory data for the early diagnosis and treatment of respiratory tract infection in children in the future.

Prescription practice of antihistamines for acute upper respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients in a local emergency department in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND: Currently there is very limited data in the literature assessing the prevalence of antihistamine prescription, and there is no local prevalence data about the prescription of antihistamine agents among primary practitioner and emergency physicians. The objectives are 1) to report the prevalence of antihistamine prescription for children less than 6 years old with acute upper respiratory infection and 2) to explore the associated factors for the prescription practice.METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. All consecutive cases of paediatric patients aged 6 or below who presented to the emergency department during a study period of one week from April 1 to July 4, 2009 with diagnosis of acute upper respiratory infection were included. Totally 162 patients were included.RESULTS: Among the 162 cases, 141(87%) patients were prescribed one antihistamine of any group. Sixty(37%) patients were prescribed two or more antihistamines. In multivariate logistic regression model, age was found to be signi? cantly(P<0.001) associated with multiple antihistamine prescription(OR=1.042, 95%CI=1.02 to 1.06). Years of graduation of attending physician for more than 5 years was also a strong predictor of multiple antihistamine prescription(OR=4.654, 95%CI=2.20 to 9.84, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: In the local emergency department, patients' age and the years of graduation from medical school of the attending physician were predictors of multiple antihistamine prescription for acute upper respiratory infections for children aged less than 6.

New Progress in the Cause Analysis and Nursing of Respiratory Tract Infection after Abdominal Surgery under General Anesthesia

This article provides a review of the causes of respiratory tract infection after abdominal surgery. These causes include general anesthesia, intubation factors, factors inherent to the patient, surgical factors, the injudicious use of antimicrobial agents, and the environmental factors of the ward. The perioperative management of the respiratory tract should be strengthened. Health education, respiratory function training, oral nursing intervention,atomization inhalation, and personalized expectoration methods should receive more attention to decrease the complications and promote the early rehabilitation of patients after abdominal surgery.

Study on Molecular Mechanism of Yiqing Capsule in Treating Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism of Yiqing Capsules in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection based on network pharmacology. Methods: The main active components of Yiqing Capsules were selected on TCMSP database;the targets of upper respiratory tract infection were selected on GeneCards database. The drug-compound-target network and PPi network were constructed through STRING database and soft Cytoscape 3.7.2. Soft R was used to perform GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of main targets. Results: According to the screening conditions, 48 active compounds and 171 related targets were obtained. GO enrichment analysis obtained 2333 items, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained 2248 items, including Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, Human cytomegalovirus infection, Epstein-Barr virus infection, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, etc. Conclusion: Yiqing capsules play a therapeutic role in upper respiratory tract infection through multi-target and multi-pathway.

Target Prediction and Molecular Mechanism of Compound Honggencao for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective: The target prediction and molecular mechanism of compound Honggencao in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection were investigated based on network pharmacology. Methods: In the database of Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, chemical composition and potential targets of compound Honggencao were mined, and the target gene of upper respiratory tract infection of compound Honggencao was extracted from GeneCards databases. The protein-protein interaction of target genes was constructed. Then, the essential genes of enrichment of KEGG pathway analysis and functional analysis were analysed. Results: Compound Honggencao had 69 kinds of active ingredients. The upper respiratory tract infection of the target gene was 186 that built compound Honggencao on the relationship between upper respiratory tract infections of protein interaction networks, which had a total of 186 nodes, 3515 sides. Fifty-six essential genes were including IL-17, EGFR and CDND1, and so on. Gene ontology analysis had 2567 items, and pathway analysis was 166 items. The main signaling pathways involved with IL-17 signaling pathways, tumour necrosis factor signal pathway and human cytomegalovirus infection, and so on. Conclusion: The pharmacological action of compound Honggencao on upper respiratory tract infection was characterized by the synergistic effect of multiple components and multiple targets, which provided an absolute theoretical basis for the research on the pharmacological direction of molecular signaling pathway and a specific theoretical basis for clinical use.

Qingkailing injection for the treatment of acute upper respiratory infection in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qingkailing (QKL) injection for pediatric acute upper respiratory infection (AURI).Methods:We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pediatric AURI treated by QKL and western medicine (WM) in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,China Science and Technology Journal Database,Wanfang,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,PubMed and Cochrane Library from inception to August,2016.Two reviewers independently retrieved the RCTs and extracted information.The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of RCTs.The data were meta-analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software.Results:Ultimately,21 RCTs that involved 2364 participants were included,and the quality of RCTs was generally poor.According to the meta-analysis,the combined use of QKL and WM for treating AURI can be effective,with a higher total effective rate,less defervescence time and less recovery time of tonsil and throat inflammation.Twenty-five adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were reported in three RCTs,but there were no serious ADRs.Conclusion:The combination of QKL and WM for treating pediatric AURI can result in better effects,but no definitive conclusions can be made regarding its safety.More rigorous RCTs are needed to support the clinical application of QKL.

Influence of pidotimod combined with conventional drug therapy on the infection status and immune function of children with recurrent respiratory tract infection

Objective: To study the influence of pidotimod combined with conventional drug therapy on the infection status and immune function of children with recurrent respiratory tract infection. Methods: A total of 118 children with recurrent respiratory tract infection who were treated in the hospital between January 2015 and January 2017 were collected and divided into control group and observation group by random number table method, 59 cases in each group. Control group received conventional therapy, and observation group received pidotimod combined with conventional therapy. The differences in serum levels of inflammatory mediators, acute phase proteins and Th1/Th2 cytokines were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Before treatment, the differences in serum levels of inflammatory mediators, acute phase proteins and Th1/Th2 cytokines were not statistically significant between the two groups. after 1 week of treatment, serum TNF-α, PCT, CRP, PAB, TRF and IL-4 contents of both groups of children were lower than those before treatment while IFN-γ contents as well as IFN-γ/ IL-4 levels were higher than those before treatment, and serum TNF-α, PCT, CRP, PAB, TRF and IL-4 contents of observation group were lower than those of control group while IFN-γ content as well as IFN-γ/ IL-4 level was higher than those of control group. Conclusion: Pidotimod combined with conventional drug therapy can effectively inhibit the infection status and optimize the Th1/Th2 cellular immune function of children with recurrent respiratory tract infection.

Effectiveness and Safety of Jinye Baidu Granules(金叶败毒颗粒)for Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infection:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Jinye Baidu Granules(金叶败毒颗粒)for acute upper respiratory tract infection(AURTI).Database such as CNKI,Wan-fang,VIP,Sino Med,Web of science,Clinical Trials gov,Medline、EMBASE,CENTRAL,Cochrane Library were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials(RCTs)on Jinye Baidu Granules(金叶败毒颗粒)in treating AURTI from the estabslishment of the database to March 2019.A total of 2 reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,and extracted material and the quality evaluation of the included studies.Quality evaluation adopted Cochrane Handbook 5.1 evaluation standards and tools.Rev Man5.3 was used to perform Meta-analysis for the adopted study.Finally a total of 4 RCTs involving 636 patients were included.Meta-analysis results showed that:compared with conventional Western medicine alone,Jinye Baidu Granules(金叶败毒颗粒)combined with Western medicine in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infection can improve the total effective rate of clinical efficacy[RR=0.13,95%CI(0.06,0.29),P<0.00001],shorten the time of antipyretic time for acute upper respiratory tract infection[MD=–1.22,95%CI(–1.43,–1.00),P<0.00001],shorten the time of pharyngeal pain[MD=–1.97,95%CI(–2.97,–0.96),P<0.0001]and shorten the cough disappear time[MD=–1.97,95%CI(–2.97,–0.96),P<0.0001].There were 2 papers reporting adverse reactions during the study period,and one of them specifically reported diarrhea,nausea,vomiting and stomachache in the experimental group.In the control group:diarrhea,nausea and adverse reactions disappeared after drug withdrawal;the incidence of adverse reactions was 3.92%in the control group and 5.88%in the observation group.There was no significant difference between the 2 groups(P>0.05).Based on existing data and methods,the systematic evaluation showed that,compared with Western medicine alone,Jinye Baidu Granules(金叶败毒颗粒)combined with Western medicine alone could improve the total effective rate of clinical efficacy,reduce the time of fever,sore throat,and the disappearance of cough with less adverse reactions.However,due to the low quality of the included study,large samples,multicenter,randomized,double-blind trials and trials are still needed to randomized controlled trials with reference to the CONSORT standard and the STRICTA statement.