OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for ARI in the Australian community. METHODS We used a national survey of 7578 randomly selected respondents in 2008-2009 to identify the risk factors of ARI. A case was defined as a person experiencing cold or flu with one or more symptoms of: fever, chills, sore throat, runny nose, or cough in the previous four weeks. ...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess whether it was possible to change clinical practice through the introduction of an evidence-based protocol for the management of sore throats. The impact of the changed clinical practice on patients was also assessed. METHOD An observational study was carried out comparing management of patients with sore throats in a semi-rural general practice ...

About 12 years ago, I was asked to do a domicillary visit to see a 10 year old girl who in the spring had taken her secondary school entrance examination; caught a heavy cold with a persistent sore throat, which was taking a long time to clear; had a perpetual headache; dizziness on standing; extreme tiredness, which became worse if she tried to do anything; paraesthesia of the hands and feet i...

BACKGROUND Echinacea purpurea stimulates the immune response and is promoted to reduce symptom severity and the duration of upper respiratory tract infections. We sought to determine the efficacy of a standardized preparation of E purpurea in reducing symptom severity and duration of the common cold. METHODS A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used. Patients received eit...

A sore throat is the most frequent adverse side effect of general anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between intravenous lidocaine given during induction of general endotracheal anesthesia and postanesthesia sore throat. In addition, the study examined selected variables (bucking; gender; smoking; type of laryngoscope blade; and use of succinylcholine, conde...

INTRODUCTION Post-operative sore throat and cough are common complications of endotracheal intubation. These conditions may be very distressing for the patient and may lead to unpleasant memories. This study was performed in order to determine whether beclomethasone and lidocaine spray could reduce the frequency of post-operative sore throat and hoarseness after tracheal extubation. MATERIALS...