In a double-blind randomized controlled trial (DBRCT) in 1,000 shift workers [23] the intake of fermented milk drinks containing Lactobacillus casei DN114 001 twice daily reduced the occurrence of CID during the cold season, the time until infections occurred and the duration of fever episodes. During infections the counts of leucocytes, granulocytes and natural killer cells were enhanced. In a...

Viral infection may induce the expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, resulting in increased NO formation that has an antiviral effect. NO may be produced by various cells of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and may be detected in the exhaled air. We have studied the levels of exhaled NO in 18 normal subjects during symptomatic upper respiratory tract infections and during recovery 3 w...

Rhinoviruses, a genus of the family Picornaviridae, are the cause of more than 50% of respiratory tract infections. Complications of rhinovirus infections, which include otitis media, sinusitis, exacerbations of asthma, and other pulmonary diseases, can be significant in certain populations. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction has allowed the identification of rhinoviruses and led t...

The disease is characterised by clinical signs of the upper respiratory tract, such as a (muco)purulent nasal discharge, hyperaemia of the muzzle (red nose disease) and by conjunctivitis. Signs of general illness are fever, depression, inappetence, abortions and reduced milk yield. The virus can also infect the genital tract and cause pustular vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis. Postmortem exam...

This article is devoted to one of the most common manifestations of diseases of respiratory system and upper respiratory tract coughing. While performing a protective function , the cough in some cases significantly impairs a child's condition. The choice of treatment requires a clear understanding of the mechanism of a drug's action, its safety profile and effectiveness. In this paper the auth...

John Fry coined the phrase 'the catarrhal child' to describe the child we all know only too well with ever running nose whose desperate mother begs us to do something to staunch the flow of mucus. An understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of upper respiratory tract viral infections may not enable us to stop the nose from running, but it can help us not to prescribe valueless medicat...