CONTEXT Observational studies have reported an inverse association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). However, results of clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation have been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on incidence and severity of URTIs in healthy adults. DESIGN, S...

INTRODUCTION OR BACKGROUND Heavy exercise induces marked immunodepression, which is multifactorial in origin. Evidence showing clinical significance of this immunodepression is scarce. SOURCES OF DATA We assessed in a systematic manner whether physical activity or intensity of exercise increase susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). A literature search was performed usin...

Age-specific incidences for upper respiratory tract infections in children from a new-town population during 1975-7 were studied, and 965 consecutive upper respiratory tract infections in children aged under 10 during two winters were analysed in detail. Significantly different management plans made by seven doctors did not correlate with the clinical outcome as judged by complications, recall ...

OBJECTIVES To examine the patterns of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in postmenopausal Turkish women and the relationship of moderate aerobic exercise with secretion of salivary IgA and episodes of URTI. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety healthy, sedentary women at ages 45 to 65 years volunteered to participate in a 12-week prospective study. They were randomized to three groups equal i...

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are a fast developing branch of the pharmaceutical industry, in both Poland and rest of the world. The aim of the work was to evaluate the factors that influence the purchase and use of OTC medications in prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. The analysis involved 450 randomly chosen subjects, aged 19-80. The study was performed using...

Overuse of antibiotics among patients with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a worldwide problem, and the problem is especially serious in developing countries, such as China. This systematic review is aimed at summarizing previous findings on outpatient prescriptions of antibiotics associated with URTI in China in order to help policymakers and the public understand and tackle the pr...

BACKGROUND The beneficial effects of traditional herbs of Crete, Greece for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections have been reported in observational and laboratory studies. Following a published, double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an extract of three Cretan herbs on the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection...

Introduction. Among nonantibiotic cough remedies, herbal preparations containing extracts from leaves of ivy (Hedera helix) enjoy great popularity. Objective. A systematic review to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of ivy for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Methods. We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized controlled clinical trials and obser...

OBJECTIVE The Nordic countries have published joint dietary recommendations, the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR), since 1980. We evaluated adherence to the NNR as a measure of a healthy diet and its potential association with self-reported upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). DESIGN A prospective, population-based study with a follow-up period of 4 months. Dietary intake was asses...

BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance in common respiratory tract pathogens is a growing public health threat, especially in the southeastern United States. The excessive use of antibiotics for common infections is a major contributing factor in the emergence of antibiotic resistance. We report results from a multi-site outpatient pilot project in North Carolina to reduce antibiotic prescriptions...