Upper Respiratory Infection

An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) impairs the upper airways, including the nose, sinuses, throat, and larynx, or voice box. Typical symptoms are congestion, a runny nose, sore throat, and head pressure. Types of URTIs include sinusitis, which inflames the sinuses; the common cold affecting the nose and throat; pharyngitis, causing throat inflammation; and laryngitis, involving inflammation of the larynx. Though URTIs usually resolve on their own, understanding their causes, treatments, and when to seek medical help is essential.

Causes

Viruses are the primary cause of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), while bacteria cause them less frequently. These infections spread easily, especially in colder months, through saliva, nasal secretions, or respiratory droplets from an infected person. Coughing, sneezing, talking, and poor hand hygiene facilitate such spread. Key viruses include:

• Rhinovirus, responsible for up to 80% of URTIs during peak seasons

• Influenza virus

• COVID-19 virus and other coronaviruses

• Adenovirus

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

• Enterovirus

Bacterial causes, like strep throat from group A streptococcus, are less common. Certain people, such as children in group environments, individuals with asthma or allergic rhinitis, smokers, and those with a compromised immune system, are more vulnerable to URTIs.

Symptoms

Upper respiratory infections (URTIs) present varied symptoms depending on the affected area. Common symptoms by condition include:

• Common Cold:

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Nasal congestion

• Sneezing

• Sinusitis:

• Headache

• Facial pain

• Nasal congestion or runny nose

• Pharyngitis:

• Sore or dry throat

• Pain with swallowing

• Cough

• Bad breath

• Laryngitis:

• Hoarse or lost voice

• Sore throat

• Dry cough

Symptoms can overlap, with conditions like the common cold developing into sinusitis, or viruses causing both pharyngitis and laryngitis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection begins with assessing symptoms. A healthcare provider will ask about your experience, perform a physical exam, and check your nose, mouth, throat, and lungs. Further tests, like throat swabs for strep bacteria or virus identification (e.g., flu or COVID-19), might be necessary. While most infections resolve on their own, see a doctor for severe symptoms or if they persist beyond seven days without home care improvement.

Treatments

Because URTIs are usually viral, antibiotics are not effective. Treatment emphasizes comfort and self-care: rest, stay hydrated, and allow time to heal. Home remedies include drinking hot tea with honey, using extra pillows at night to aid mucus drainage, and saline nasal washes with a neti pot. Steam baths in showers can also provide symptom relief by moistening airways.

Medications

When home remedies aren't enough, medications can help manage URTI symptoms:

• Over-the-counter cold and flu medications:

• Decongestants (nasal sprays or pseudoephedrine like Sudafed)

• Pain relievers (Ibuprofen like Advil or Acetaminophen like Tylenol)

• Cough medicine tailored to your cough

• Flu and COVID treatments:

• For flu: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)

• For COVID: Treatments like nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir (Paxlovid), molnupiravir (Lagevrio)

• Antibiotics:

• Specific for bacterial infections like sinusitis (Amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate) and strep throat (Amoxicillin)

• Alternatives for those with penicillin allergies