Respiratory Ailments :
Coughs and colds caused by the dry air in Tibet are a common problem with trekkers. Throat lozenges and hard candies are good for soothing irritated throats. Aspirin or acetominophen with codeine will help control coughs, though codeine has a tendency to suppress the respiratory system, making its use at high elevations questionable. If a person is coughing up phlegm, use a cough expectorant rather than a cough suppressant. Yellow or green phlegm is probably a sign of a chest infection.
The common cold is a viral infection. Runny nose, stuffy head, and a low-grade fever are the usual symptoms. Aspirin or acetominophen can offer some relief, as can nasal sprays, cold tablets, or antihistamines.
Sinusitis is a bacterial infection of the sinus passage, which are located beside the nose and the eyebrows. Headache and localized pain at the sinuses help differentiate it from a common cold. Treatment with an antibiotic such as cephalexin is sometimes necessary.
A chest cold that produces thick yellow or green phlegm accompanied by a fever is probably bronchitis, a bacterial respiratory infection. Steam inhalants, especially with eucalyptus oil added, can help break up congestion in the lungs. Using antibiotics is not necessarily recommended, but they can help prevent more serious complications such as pneumonia. Ampicillin, trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole, or erythromycin are usually prescribed.
Pneumonia occurs when the alveoli in the lung tissues fill with infected fluid. Persistent coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a fever of more than 102F(39C) are usually present. Sputum will be yellow or green and may be streaked with blood.
Ampicillin, penicillin, or cephalexin are recommended antibiotics for pneumonia.
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