Most of us often overlook our health, especially if the problem seems to be a minor one, such as a throat infection or a cough. However, if the condition is not treated in time, it could worsen and become bigger in the long term.
One of the most common breathing conditions in people is a respiratory tract infection. Though it can happen at any time of the year it is more common in winters. Now, as the pandemic has made people keep their health on priority and pay more attention to it, they can identify the symptoms and causes of a condition much before it becomes serious.
What is a respiratory tract infection?
A respiratory tract infection is a common health issue among people in India. There are two types of respiratory infections: Upper infection and lower infection. An upper respiratory infection is caused by viruses and its symptoms include sneezing, cough, fever, runny nose, nasal breathing, sore throat, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and a scratchy throat.
Lower respiratory tract infections show signs of a slight headache, a low fever, sore throat, a runny nose, and a dry cough. In some severe cases, the symptoms include a blue tint to the skin, difficulty in breathing, an extreme cough that produces phlegm, wheezing, and chest pain. If you do not treat the condition at the right time, it could become severe and cause a lot of trouble breathing. No matter how the condition is, you must meet a doctor at the earliest to avoid severe consequences in the future.
Treatment and Cost
For respiratory tract infections treatment, the cost will vary from one medical professional to another. There may not be a lot of inpatient hospitalization in this condition. A lot of doctors prefer to treat the condition through antibiotics and, only in severe cases, there arises a need for hospitalization. In case of hospitalization at a private institution, the cost will be around Rs 18,000 while for a public institution, it will be nearly Rs 14,000. The respiratory tract infection cost is on the higher side for individuals above 65 years of age and the indirect cost due to missed work amounts to around 20% of the total cost of treatment.
How can health insurance help me?
Health insurance is an important investment you make for your health and wellbeing. One may not consider a respiratory tract infection as a reason enough to buy health insurance but if you consider the costs associated with the medication and treatment, you will realize that it sums up to a huge amount. If you are not well prepared to tackle the illness, it could drain your savings and put you in a difficult financial situation.
Health insurance coverage can help cover the cost of treatment and hospitalization. In case of severe infection, you may need hospitalization and the policy will cover the cost for the same. If you do not have adequate coverage, you may have to bear high out-of-pocket costs and this could disrupt your budget.
Besides a respiratory tract infection, the policy will cover several other medical conditions that can lead to a huge cost in terms of treatment. A single policy will keep you covered for a long time and will ensure that you can afford the best treatment from the best professionals in the industry. One of the top
health insurance benefits is daycare coverage and cashless claims. It will help speed up the process of recovery without putting a strain on your budget. Even if you have an employer health insurance cover, an individual cover for yourself will work as an extra cushion and will keep you protected.
