The common cold is caused by over 200 types of viruses, with runny nose, sore throat, and mild cough being the main symptoms. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, characterized by a sudden onset of a high fever of 38°C or higher, muscle pain, headache, and chills. It can be differentiated within 15 minutes using a rapid antigen test, and a flu vaccine is available.

A cough that persists for more than two weeks may be a sign of conditions other than a simple cold, such as acute bronchitis, asthma, postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux, or pulmonary tuberculosis. Rather than taking cold medicine on your own, thorough examinations such as chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests are necessary.

Bronchitis is a condition in which inflammation occurs in the bronchial mucosa due to viral or bacterial infection or irritation. Acute bronchitis usually heals naturally within three weeks, but antibiotics are necessary in cases of bacterial infection that causes a change in the color of the sputum.

Asthma is approached with the concept of control rather than a cure. Through appropriate treatment, such as inhaled steroids and bronchodilators, and by identifying and preventing allergens, it can be managed to a level where daily life is possible without symptoms.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease in which the airways narrow due to damage to lung tissue caused by long-term smoking and exposure to air pollution. Major symptoms include chronic cough, phlegm, and shortness of breath during exercise, and it is diagnosed through pulmonary function tests.

Antibiotic treatment is the standard for bacterial pneumonia. Mild cases can be treated outpatiently with oral antibiotics, but moderate to severe cases, or the elderly and those with chronic diseases, may require hospitalization. The treatment period is generally 7 to 14 days.

Since more than 90% of colds are caused by viral infections, antibiotics are not always necessary. Antibiotics are required only in cases such as bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinusitis, and Mint Hospital prescribes them only when necessary based on test results.

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by a runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion, which mainly occur during specific seasons or environments (pollen, dust, pets). The common cold is caused by a viral infection, accompanied by fever and a sore throat, and improves within 1 to 2 weeks.

Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for the elderly aged 65 or older, patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disease, and patients with diabetes or kidney disease. The 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine is generally administered every 5 years, while the 13-valent conjugate vaccine is typically administered once in a lifetime.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a highly contagious respiratory virus that starts like a common cold but can cause severe pneumonia in infants, young children, and the elderly. Vaccination is recommended for those with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly aged 60 or older and those with chronic diseases, and it is best to get vaccinated in the autumn (October to November) before the virus begins to spread in earnest.

The causes of severe pneumonia are fundamentally different. RSV is a viral infection that is prevalent primarily during the winter, whereas pneumococcus is a bacterial disease that occurs year-round. Since the causative agents are completely different, a single vaccine does not provide cross-protection; therefore, the elderly must receive both vaccines to completely prevent pneumonia.

Yes, you must get vaccinated again every year. This is because the types of influenza viruses circulating each year change due to mutations, and the protective effect of antibodies produced by the vaccine wears off after about six months. Since it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop after vaccination, it is ideal to get vaccinated in October or early November, before the onset of cold weather and the peak of the epidemic.

It is prescribed to individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia. As it is a treatment for a disease rather than a cosmetic one, a customized prescription of the safest and most effective dosage tailored to the patient's health condition must be obtained through in-depth consultation with an internal medicine specialist and thorough blood tests.

Fine dust particles are so small that they are not filtered out by the mucous membranes of the nose or bronchi, but instead penetrate directly deep into the alveoli and release toxic substances. This causes severe inflammation of the respiratory mucous membranes, leading to coughing and phlegm, rapidly worsening existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and significantly lowering immunity.

Yes, Mint Hospital's Internal Medicine Clinic is located in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, and provides treatment for respiratory diseases as well as general internal medicine. We offer specialized consultations and prescriptions for conditions such as the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and COPD, and same-day X-rays, blood tests, and pulmonary function tests are available.