Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Also known as: Common Cold,
Influenza,
Sore Throat
What is it?
The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose, nasal
cavity, larynx, and trachea, as well as some of the
sinuses and air cells. Upper respiratory tract infections
include the common cold (rhinitis), influenza, laryngitis
(inflammation of the voice box), pharyngitis (sore
throat), sinusitis, tonsillitis, and croup (in children).
Who gets it?
Most people have a minimum of two colds per year.
Children tend to get more upper respiratory tract
infections than adults.
What causes it?
There are over 200 viruses that can cause upper
respiratory tract infections. These types of viruses are
extremely contagious and are spread by direct contact,
such as shaking hands, sharing food or drink, and kissing.
They can also be spread through coughing and sneezing. A
virus can be spread from the hands to the upper
respiratory tract by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.
What are the symptoms?
The common cold has symptoms ranging from sneezing,
coughing, and runny nose, to congestion, headache, and
sore throat. Colds may or may not include a fever. Most
common colds last for about one week. Influenza begins
suddenly and causes more discomfort than a cold. In
addition to cold symptoms, flu sufferers usually have high
fever, headache, chills, body aches, weakness, and
fatigue. Laryngitis symptoms include hoarseness and voice
loss, while pharyngitis is a severe sore throat. Sore
throat caused by a bacterial infection is called strep
throat. The symptoms of sinusitis may follow a cold that
doesn’t seem to go away and generally include headache
pain and pressure in the forehead, cheek, and nasal
region, in addition to cold symptoms. Tonsillitis is an
inflammation of the tonsils that causes sore throat and
difficulty swallowing. The most telltale symptom of croup
is a harsh, bark-like breathing sound called stridor.
Croup symptoms in children usually occur at night. See
your doctor whenever cold symptoms do not go away within a
reasonable period of time, worsen, or include high fever,
earache, severe headache, and severe sore throat.
How is it diagnosed?
Upper respiratory tract infections are diagnosed
according to the types and durations of symptoms. Cold
symptoms that last for months, but are not caused by sinus
problems, may actually be allergy-related.
What is the treatment?
The most recommended treatment for upper respiratory
tract infections is rest and plenty of fluids.
Over-the-counter cold, flu, and sinus remedies and pain
relievers may provide temporary relief from symptoms, but
do not shorten the duration of the infection. Gargling
with salt water may relieve sore throat symptoms. A
steaming bowl of soup can help relieve congestion by
loosening nasal secretions. Antibiotics are not effective
in treating viral infections and are only prescribed when
the cause of symptoms is bacterial, such as with strep
throat, tonsillitis, earaches, or sinus infections. The
best treatment for laryngitis is to rest the voice.
Repeated bouts of tonsillitis are treated with surgery to
remove the infected tonsils. Mild croup can be treated at
home with rest, fluids, and a humidifier. However,
children with severe croup may need to be hospitalized.
Self-care tips
If you have an upper respiratory tract infection, get
plenty of rest and fluids. Call your doctor if symptoms
get worse or last longer than one week. Keep mucous
membranes moist with a humidifier and petroleum jelly
around the nose. Saline nosedrops can also help loosen
mucus. Your doctor can tell you how to make this solution
and how frequently to use it. You can help prevent upper
respiratory tract infections by avoiding touching your
eyes, nose, and mouth, which will spread any virus your
hands have contacted.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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