LRTI

Supportive Management

For cough:

  • Drink clear liquids all day (e.g. water, tea, broth, water with lemon). Drink around 8 glasses (or 2 liters total) of fluid per day. Avoid juices with high sugar content.
  • Take immune-boosting food, like food rich in Vitamin C (e.g. orange, pineapple, grapes, and broccoli).
  • Have plenty of rest. Sleep for 7-8 hours every night in a dark room, as melatonin – a powerful anti-oxidant that promotes healing through boosting the immune function – are found to be produced in higher amounts when sleeping in darkness. If sleeping in a dark room is not possible, wear an eye patch instead.

For fever:

  • Apply cool, wet towel on the forehead, groin, and armpits.
  • Have a warm bath or a tepid sponge bath using comfortably warm water (43°C – 46°C). Perform sponge bath for 20-30 minutes. Avoid using cool water, ice, or alcohol for the bath as they may cause shivering, which, in turn, may further increase body temperature.
  • Dress in light clothing and remove excess clothes. Sleep with a light layer of blanket.
  • Keep room well-ventilated, and at a moderate, comfortable temperature. If the room feels warm, place a fan nearby.
  • Keep self hydrated.
    • Drink around 8 glasses (or 2 liters total) of fluid per day.
    • Avoid dehydrating drinks such as caffeinated drinks (e.g. cola, coffee, tea, energy drinks), as well as alcohol.

For shortness of breath:

  • Perform deep breathing exercises:
    1. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you can be alone with yourself.
    2. Sit upright in bed or chair, and find a comfortable position.
    3. Place one or both hands over the abdomen, just below the ribs.
    4. Deeply breathe in through the nose, while keeping mouth closed. Breathe in for a count of four.
    5. Feel the abdomen rise with each inhalation, and as far as possible.
    6. Through a pursed-lip, breathe out. Breathe out for a count of seven.
    7. Feel the abdomen sink with each exhalation.
    8. Perform deep-breathing exercises for 5-10 minutes at a time, and as many times each day.
  • Stay in a cool, smoke-free, dust-free room with low humidity. Let breeze from an open window or from a fan be directed to face, this may lessen sensation of breathlessness.
  • If a smoker, consider to stop smoking.

For weakness:

  • Provide self with adequate rest periods.
  • Limit activities to within tolerance to limit fatigue.
  • Perform oxygen-conserving techniques:
    • Sitting instead of standing to perform tasks
    • Eating small meals
    • Performing slower, purposeful movements

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Herbal Medicine

  • Salabat
    • Boil three middle-finger-sized luya in 3 glasses of water. Boil in low heat for 15-minutes. Strain and serve. May add calamansi and honey for flavor.
  • Strong Ginger Tincture
    • This is intended to be used by adults only. Keep it away from children.
    • Fill a jar with 50g peeled fresh ginger. Pour 90% alcohol (e.g. tuba) over the top to make 100 mL. Shake the jar well. Keep the jar stored in a dark cabinet and shake periodically for two weeks. After two to three weeks, strain and store the ginger tincture in a cool, dark place. For use, take 0.25 to 0.5 mL.
  • Lagundi Leaves Decoction
    • The amount of lagundi leaves to be used corresponds to the age of the person the decoction is intended for. For a person aged 2-6, use either 1 tablespoon of dried leaves or 1 ½ tablespoons of fresh leaves; for a person aged 7-12, use either 2 tablespoons of dried leaves or 3 tablespoons of fresh leaves; and for those older than 12, use either 4 tablespoons of dried leaves or 6 tablespoons of fresh leaves. Boil the leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes or until the water is halved. Strain. Divide the decoction in 3 doses, and take each dose 3 times a day.
  • Calamansi or Lemon Juice
    • Squeeze out the juice from the calamansi or lemon, add warm water and sugar or honey to taste. Drink as tolerated.
  • Garlic Syrup
    • Mix a pounded clove of garlic in a glass of thick sugar water or honey. Take three to four times a day.
    • Garlic can be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. Do not take on an empty stomach.
  • Mangga Leaves
    • Boil chopped young leaves (dried or fresh) in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. Divide the decoction into 3 parts. Take 1 part 3 times a day. Amount of water leaves to be boiled:
      • If dried leaves:
        • For adults: 4 tablespoons
        • For ages 7-12: 2 tablespoons
        • For ages 2-6: 1 tablespoon
      • If fresh leaves:
        • For adults: 6 tablespoons
        • For ages 7-12: 3 tablespoons
        • For ages 2-6: 1 ½ tablespoons
  • Sampaloc Leaves
    • Boil chopped young leaves (dried or fresh) in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. Divide the decoction into 3 parts. Take 1 part 3 times a day. Amount of water leaves to be boiled:
      • If dried leaves:
        • For adults: 8 tablespoons
        • For ages 7-12: 4 tablespoons
        • For ages 2-6: 2 ½ tablespoon
      • If fresh leaves:
        • For adults: 10 tablespoons
        • For ages 7-12: 5 tablespoons
        • For ages 2-6: 2 ½ tablespoons
  • Balanoy Leaves
    • Boil dried leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. Divide decoction into 3 parts. Take 1 part 3 times a day.Amount of dried chopped leaves to be boiled:
      • For adults: 4 tablespoons
      • For ages 7-12: 2 tablespoons
      • For ages 2-6: 1 tablespoon
  • Mani
    • Take a handful of the peanut kernels, add water and boil, then mash. Drink the water and eat the residue. Do this twice a day.
  • Onion Juice and Honey
    • Mix equal amounts of onion juice and honey. Take 3-4 teaspoons of this mixture daily.
    • This is not recommended to be taken if with gas pain.
  • Saha ng Saging/Balat ng Punong Saging (Sheathing Leafstalks of the Banana)
    • For decreasing temperature (for fever)
    • Wrap the fresh sheathing leafstalks of the banana around the neck, armpits, and groins of the person with fever. Replace the used sheathing leafstalks with a new one as needed (e.g. when the sheathing leafstalks have become warm).

Recommendation

Consult Doctor

  • For proper diagnosis and pharmacologic management of the condition.

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Please note that the information provided by this tool is provided solely for educational purposes and is not a qualified medical opinion. This information should not be considered advice or an opinion of a doctor or other health professional about your actual medical state, and you should see a doctor for any symptoms you may have. If you are experiencing a health emergency, you should call your local emergency number immediately to request emergency medical assistance.