An upper respiratory tract infection is a contagious infection that affects your upper respiratory tract, which includes your nose, throat, pharynx, larynx and bronchi. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, “Upper respiratory tract infections are accountable for greater than 20 million missed days of school and greater than 20 million days of work lost.” We review more about upper respiratory tract infections below.
What Are the Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections?
Common symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections include:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Fever
What Causes Upper Respiratory Tract Infections?
The two causes of upper respiratory infections are viruses and bacteria.
Common viruses include:
- Rhinovirus
- Adenovirus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Coronavirus
- Enterovirus
- Metapneumovirus
- Bocavirus
Common bacteria include:
- Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci
- Group C beta-hemolytic streptococci
- Corynebacterium diphtheria (diphtheria)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea)
- Chlamydia pneumoniae (chlamydia)
What Are the Types of Upper Respiratory Infections?
Some of the many types of upper respiratory infections include:
- The common cold. This is the most well-known upper respiratory tract infection and is usually caused by rhinovirus.
- Strep throat. This very contagious condition is caused by a virus in most cases, but can sometimes be bacterial.
- Sinusitis. This describes inflammation of the sinuses, which are the air cavities located behind your forehead, nose and cheeks. It is usually caused by a viral infection.
- Pneumonia. This is an infection deep in the lungs, usually caused by bacteria but sometimes caused by a virus.
- Bronchitis. This is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which branch off from the trachea and connect to the lungs.
- Laryngitis. This is inflammation of the larynx, also known as the voice box. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections.
- Epiglottitis. This describes inflammation of the epiglottis, which is the upper part of your trachea that protects your airway from foreign particles. This type of infection is extremely dangerous.
How Are Upper Respiratory Infections Treated?
If your upper respiratory infection is bacterial, antibiotics will likely be required to clear the infection. Otherwise, you can manage symptoms with:
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Cough suppressants
- Nasal decongestants
- Analgesics (like acetaminophen and NSAIDs) from Philadelphia Pharmacy on East Lehigh Avenue
- Steam inhalation
- Gargling warm salt water
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Pinnacle ENT today.