Explore why erythromycin remains a cost‑effective choice for bacterial respiratory infections, covering its action, dosing, safety, comparisons, and patient tips.
Respiratory Infections: Causes, Treatments, and What You Need to Know
When you have a respiratory infection, an illness that affects your airways and lungs, often caused by viruses or bacteria. Also known as upper or lower respiratory tract infection, it’s one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor — whether it’s a stuffy nose, a sore throat, or a cough that won’t quit. These infections aren’t just annoying; they can turn serious fast, especially if you have asthma, COPD, or a weakened immune system.
Not all respiratory infections are the same. Some start as a cold and settle in your sinuses — that’s a sinus infection, inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses, often triggered by viruses but sometimes bacterial. Others move deeper, like bronchitis or pneumonia, which hit your lungs and can require antibiotics. Then there are infections tied to allergies — like allergic conjunctivitis, eye inflammation from allergens, often linked to airborne irritants that also trigger coughing and nasal symptoms. These aren’t contagious, but they can feel just as bad. And if you have asthma, even a mild cold can spark an attack — that’s why managing triggers matters as much as treating the bug itself.
Antibiotics like cefaclor or minocycline show up in many of the posts here because they’re often prescribed for bacterial respiratory infections — but only when they’re needed. Most coughs and colds are viral, and antibiotics won’t help. That’s why knowing the difference matters. Steroid eye drops? They’re not for your lungs, but they’re part of the bigger picture — allergies and inflammation connect across your body. If your nose is runny, your eyes might be itchy too. Same with asthma inhalers like Ventolin — they’re not just for asthma. People use them during flare-ups from infections too.
You’ll find guides here on how to tell when an infection needs a doctor, when to skip the antibiotics, and how to ease symptoms safely. Some posts dive into specific drugs — what works, what doesn’t, and what side effects to watch for. Others focus on prevention: how to clean your home to reduce allergens, how to avoid triggering asthma, or how to remember your meds when you’re feeling awful. This isn’t about fancy science. It’s about real advice from people who’ve been there — the stuff you actually need to know when you’re stuck on the couch, breathing through your mouth, wondering if this cough will ever end.