• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Infectious Disease

No differences in respiratory tract infection treatments

byAndrew Bishara
October 29, 2013
in Infectious Disease, Pulmonology
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Image: PD 

1. Study found no significant differences in treatment outcomes between ibuprofen, paracetamol, combinations of the therapies, and steam inhalation in treating symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections.

2. Data from this study contradicts an earlier Cochrane review study which showed steam inhalation to provide a marginal benefit to patients with respiratory tract infections.

Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good) 

Study Rundown: This study compared the pragmatic efficacy of independent analgesics and antipyretics (paracetamol & ibuprofen), combinations of these treatments, as well as steam inhalation in treating symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections. The study randomized treatments for patients (n=889) and measured symptom severity on a scale of 0 (no problem) to 7 (as bad as it can be) after two to four days of treatment. Researchers found that there was little to no significant difference in treatment outcomes between the various therapies, except among patients with pre-existent chest infection. This subgroup of patients reported slightly better symptom management with ibuprofen rather than paracetamol. Studies investigating symptom severity can often be viewed with varying confidence based on the subjective nature of the data, however this study also used temperature and return visits as secondary measures which confirmed the results of the symptom severity. Furthermore, evidence in this study showing no significant differences in positive outcomes associated with steam inhalation contradict earlier research from a Cochrane review study.

Click to read the study in British Medical Journal

Relevant Reading: Heated, humidified air for the common cold

RELATED REPORTS

#VisualAbstract: Expectant management of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely premature infants was non-inferior to early ibuprofen treatment

Rapid respiratory pathogen testing does not significantly alter antibiotic prescription rates among children with acute respiratory illness

Paracetamol plus ibuprofen significantly reduces post-operative morphine use in total hip arthroplasty patients

In-Depth [randomized factorial trial]: Over 52 general practitioners across the UK took part in this study from March 2010 to March 2012. No significant differences were identified in this comparative study, except among patients who were also dealing with chest infections who were treated with ibuprofen (-0.40, 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.01). As secondary measures, researchers evaluated the rate of follow-up visits to determine the effectiveness of the treatment and found 12% of patients treated with paracetamol returned compared with 20% of patients treated with ibuprofen, and 17% treated with a combination. Lastly, there were four patients identified who experienced a mild burn injury from steam inhalation. This last piece of data prompted the researchers to advise practitioners not to promote the practice of direct steam inhalation over boiling water for symptom relief.

By Jordan Anderson and Andrew Bishara

More from this author: Slowdown in healthcare costs linked to economic and clinical factors; Economic incentives alter nutritional patterns in South Africa; Emerging coronavirus found to spread in healthcare facilities; CT scans linked to cancer risk in children; Slowdown in healthcare costs linked to economic and clinical factors;

© 2013 2minutemedicine.com. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2minutemedicine.com. Disclaimer: We present factual information directly from peer reviewed medical journals. No post should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors, editors, staff or by 2minutemedicine.com. PLEASE SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IN YOUR AREA IF YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE OF ANY SORT.  

Tags: combination therapiesibuprofenno differenceparacetamolrespiratory tract infectionssteam inhalationtreatment
Previous Post

2 Minute Medicine Rewind October 20th – October 27th, 2013

Next Post

Comparable outcomes suggested across antibiotic spectrum for pediatric CAP

RelatedReports

#VisualAbstract: Expectant management of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely premature infants was non-inferior to early ibuprofen treatment
StudyGraphics

#VisualAbstract: Expectant management of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely premature infants was non-inferior to early ibuprofen treatment

December 13, 2022
Oral amoxicillin as effective as injectable benzylpenicillin-gentamicin for infants with infection in which referral not possible [AFRINEST Trial]
Emergency

Rapid respiratory pathogen testing does not significantly alter antibiotic prescription rates among children with acute respiratory illness

June 9, 2021
Long-term Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy and ADHD
Public Health

Paracetamol plus ibuprofen significantly reduces post-operative morphine use in total hip arthroplasty patients

February 12, 2019
Stochastic resonance stimulation may decrease apnea of prematurity
Infectious Disease

The effects of viral respiratory tract infections on neonatal care

October 4, 2016
Next Post
X-ray after foreign body removal by esophagoscopy is not cost effective

Comparable outcomes suggested across antibiotic spectrum for pediatric CAP

TV associated with higher BMI in teens

AAP policy statement addresses influence of media on children

Classics Series, Landmark Trials in Medicine

The ARISTOTLE trial: Apixaban vs warfarin in atrial fibrillation [Classics Series]

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Aspirin thromboprophylaxis noninferior to low-molecular-weight heparin in patients with fractures
  • Catheter ablation reduces rates of persistent atrial fibrillation and atrial tachyarrhythmia
  • Deep intronic FGF14 repeat expansion associated with late-onset cerebella ataxia
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

Want more physician-written
medical news?

Join over 10 million yearly readers and numerous companies. For healthcare professionals
and the public.

Subscribe for free today!

Subscription options