What are the anti-inflammatory drugs for respiratory diseases

The respiratory "anti-inflammatory drugs" we often talk about are actually a general term among the people. Clinically, they correspond to two completely different types of drugs. One is anti-infective drugs targeting pathogens, and the other is symptomatic anti-inflammatory drugs targeting inflammatory reactions. Which one to use depends entirely on the cause of the disease, and there is no one-size-fits-all option.

Last week I was working in a community clinic and saw a mother rushing in with her 3-year-old baby in her arms. The baby had a fever of 38.7 degrees and the sputum she coughed up was yellow. The mother asked her to prescribe "the best anti-inflammatory drug" as soon as she opened her mouth. After checking the fingertip blood, it was found that the white blood cells and C-reactive protein were both high, which was obviously a bacterial infection. She prescribed amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium and told her to take the full course of treatment. If it were a child with a common viral cold, there would be no need to take antibiotics at all, just prescribe some antipyretics to relieve the sore throat, drink plenty of warm water and it would be over in a few days.

This is the misunderstanding that many people have about "anti-inflammatory drugs". They always think that cephalosporins and amoxicillin are universal anti-inflammatory drugs. In fact, to use an analogy, inflammation is like a fire caused by an attack on the respiratory mucosa. Antibiotics are specifically designed to kill arsonists such as bacteria and mycoplasma. They are only useful when the arsonists are bacteria. If the fire is caused by viruses or allergic stimulation, antibiotics will not touch the arsonist at all, and no matter how much you take, you will not be able to put out the fire. For common bacterial pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bacterial pneumonia, or stubborn cough caused by mycoplasma infection, corresponding drugs such as penicillins, cephalosporins, azithromycin, and levofloxacin will be used, and the drugs suitable for different groups of people are also different. For example, levofloxacin can affect cartilage development and cannot be used by children under 18 years old.

If there are no signs of bacterial infection, such as common colds, early stages of influenza, or allergic coughs or asthma attacks, the redness, swelling and pain in the respiratory tract, coughing and asthma are all caused by inflammatory reactions. At this time, taking antibiotics is of no use. The so-called "anti-inflammatory" actually means using symptomatic anti-inflammatory drugs. Not long ago, I met a young man whose throat was so swollen due to a viral cold that it hurt to swallow his saliva. I took cephalosporin at home for five days, but it didn't help at all. When I came to check his blood count, it was completely normal. I gave him a box of ibuprofen and told him to take one tablet when he felt pain. He came back for a follow-up visit in two days and said he was much better. If you have severe wheezing or a cough that lasts for more than two weeks, there are also topical hormones such as nebulized budesonide. Many people are frightened when they hear about hormones. In fact, the dosage per time is only micrograms. It only acts on the respiratory mucosa and basically does not enter the systemic circulation. If used according to the doctor's instructions, there are no side effects. It can also quickly eliminate edema in the airway, which is much more comfortable than carrying it.

There are a lot of controversies about this type of medicine on the Internet now. Either some people treat antibiotics as a scourge, and even if there is a clear bacterial infection, they still fight it. Last time, a college student's tonsils suppurated and burned to 39 degrees, and it turned into a peritonsillar abscess for 3 days. In the end, they had to be punctured and aspirated; After all, there is no absolute good or bad medicine. When you are really unsure, don't prescribe medicine based on online posts. Go to a community hospital to get a blood test for about ten yuan, and let the doctor listen to the condition of your lungs. It is most worry-free to use the right medicine.