Upper Respiratory Infection

A respiratory infection is a contagious illness that affects your sinuses, throat and lungs. Together, these parts of your body control your breathing. But an upper respiratory infection only impacts your sinuses and throat. These infections can include:

• Common cold
• Epiglottitis (inflammation in your windpipe that may be life-threatening)
• Laryngitis
• Sinus infection (sinusitis)
• Sore throat (pharyngitis)

Upper respiratory infections are different from lower respiratory infections. Lower respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia affect your lungs. These infections are more serious and last longer than upper respiratory infections.

Viruses or bacteria can cause an upper respiratory infection. These germs can enter your respiratory system when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. You can come in contact with a virus or bacteria in several ways, including:

• Breathing in virus or bacteria particles when someone coughs, sneezes or talks
• Direct contact with someone who is sick (like shaking hands or hugging)
• Touching an infected surface

Upper respiratory infections can affect anyone. But some groups are at a higher risk.

Children under age 5 are at the greatest risk. They may wash their hands less often than adults, and they are more likely to put their fingers in their eyes, nose and mouth. In addition, children frequently visit settings like daycare or school, where infections can spread easily. As a result, the average preschool-age child gets between six and 10 upper respiratory infections every year. Older school-age children can get as many as 12 infections.

Some adults are also at an increased risk for upper respiratory infections. You are at a higher risk if you have:

• Heart problems
• Lung problems
• Weakened immune system caused by another disease

Symptoms of upper respiratory infections are generally mild. Most signs disappear on their own after one to two weeks.

Common symptoms of upper respiratory infections include:

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Hoarse voice
• Red eyes
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck

If these symptoms linger longer than two weeks, seek medical attention. You may have a more serious infection like bronchitis or pneumonia.

Most of the time, our providers can diagnose your upper respiratory infection with a physical exam. They will look in your ears, nose and throat. They will also listen to your lungs to check your breathing.

If our providers need more information or think you may have a more severe infection, they may recommend additional tests. These tests can include:

• Chest (lung) X-ray
• Lung CT scan
• Pulmonary function test (to determine how well your lungs are working)
• Nasal swab (to detect other conditions like COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus or meningitis)
• Throat swab (to identify other conditions like pneumonia or strep throat)
• Sputum test (to identify other conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD))

Our providers will determine which treatment is best for you based on the cause of your infection. If bacteria cause your illness, our providers might prescribe antibiotics like amoxicillin or penicillin. Infections caused by a virus will not respond to antibiotics. Instead, most viral infections clear up within a couple of weeks without treatment.

Although treatment options for upper respiratory infections are limited, you can still take steps to control your symptoms and reduce your discomfort. Our providers recommend the same over-the-counter medications that they suggest for the common cold:

• Antihistamines.
• Cough suppressants.
• Decongestants.
• Expectorants.
• Pain relievers.

In addition to these medications, our providers also recommend these self-care behaviors:

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Water is best.
• Gargle with warm salt water to relieve pain from a sore throat (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 4 to 8 ounces of water).
• Get plenty of sleep to help your body fight infection.
• Humidify the air to relieve a stuffy nose.
• Soothe your sore throat with ice chips, hard candy or lozenges.

The best way to prevent an upper respiratory infection is with healthy behaviors. These steps will limit the risk of illness for you and your loved ones.

Our providers recommend these behaviors to reduce your chances of getting an upper respiratory infection:

• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get enough sleep.
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue, then wash your hands.
• Stop smoking.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating or touching food.

Most upper respiratory symptoms get better and disappear within a couple of weeks without treatment. But sometimes, they can linger or get worse. If you experience these signs, seek medical care:

• Difficult or rapid breathing
• Dizziness
• Consistent, severe coughing (may include vomiting)
• Fever over 103°F
• Loss of consciousness
• Retraction (more apparent view of your rib cage when breathing; can indicate a blocked or narrowed airway)
• Vibrating, raspy, seal-like sound when you breathe