An upper respiratory infection, also known as URI, is a viral or bacterial infection of the upper airways. Upper respiratory infections are one of the most common illnesses in children and adults worldwide.
This article will discuss upper respiratory infection types, causes, symptoms, treatment by Dr. Naval Parikh.
What is Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)?
An upper respiratory infection is an illness affecting the upper airway. This includes your nose, sinuses, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box) and sometimes even bronchi or lungs.
URI is an upper airway infection that occurs when the upper respiratory tract gets infected by a virus or bacteria. Adults can get upper respiratory infections, but they are more common in children under the age of five years old.
Types of URI
The upper airway is made up of the nose, sinuses, throat and voice box. When upper respiratory infection occurs the most common symptoms are sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), cough, headache and low-grade fever.
The different types of URI include:
Common Cold
A cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. The common cold is the most common upper respiratory infection and often occurs during the winter months. Symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is an upper respiratory infection caused by allergies. It often occurs during pollen seasons but can happen year-round in some individuals with asthma or other upper respiratory problems. Symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose and itchy eyes.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis upper respiratory infection occurs when the sinuses get infected or inflamed. It is commonly caused by a virus, but can also be triggered by bacterial infections and allergies. Symptoms include pressure around the eyes, pain in the upper jaw bone (maxillary) and a stuffy nose that gets worse at night time.
Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis upper respiratory infection occurs when the pharynx gets infected. It is commonly caused by a virus, but can also be triggered by bacterial infections and allergies. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis upper respiratory infection occurs when the larynx (voice box) gets infected. It is commonly caused by a virus, but can also be triggered by bacterial infections and allergies. Symptoms include hoarseness or loss of voice, throat pain and dry cough.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia upper respiratory infection occurs when the lungs get infected. It is commonly caused by a virus, but can also be triggered by bacterial infections and allergies. Symptoms include fever with chills, dry cough that may produce yellow or green mucus, shallow breathing (dyspnea), wheezing chest pain.
Acute Bronchitis
Acute upper respiratory infection occurs when large airways in the lungs get infected. It is commonly caused by a virus, but can also be triggered by bacterial infections and allergies. Symptoms include a cough that produces yellow or green mucus, chest pain, fever with chills.
Acute Laryngotracheitis
Acute upper respiratory infection occurs when the upper airway and trachea (windpipe) get infected. It is commonly caused by a virus, but can also be triggered by bacterial infections and allergies. Symptoms include coughing that produces yellow or green mucus, hoarseness or loss of voice, upper airway obstruction.
Croup
Croup upper respiratory infection occurs when the upper airway (trachea and larynx) gets infected. It is commonly caused by a virus, but can also be triggered by bacterial infections and allergies. Symptoms include barking cough, hoarseness or loss of voice, difficulty breathing.
Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis upper respiratory infection occurs when throat tissues surrounding the windpipe (epiglottis) get infected. It is commonly caused by a virus, but can also be triggered by bacterial infections and allergies. Symptoms include fever, drooling, difficulty swallowing and upper airway obstruction.
Upper Respiratory Infection Causes
The cause of upper respiratory infection is viruses. Humans are the only species known to develop upper respiratory infections, which usually affect mucus membranes in one or both nostrils and sometimes spread to the pharynx (the back of the throat).
There are over 100 types of viruses that can cause upper respiratory infection. The main culprits include:
- Rhinovirus (one of the most common upper respiratory infection causes)
- Influenza virus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Denovirus
- Coronavirus
- Human metapneumovirus
Symptoms of URI
Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection may include:
- Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.78 Celsius)
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Congestion
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Body aches
How Long Do Upper Respiratory Infections Last?
An upper respiratory infection can last from a few days to a week, depending on the symptoms and cause. Treatment is usually conservative, avoiding antibiotics unless necessary.
Prevention
Prevention of upper respiratory infections include:
- Frequent handwashing with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitizer gels frequently when hands are not visibly dirty.
- Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Cleaning surfaces that are frequently touched like doorknobs, countertops, phones, etc.
- Removing clutter that can harbor dust and dirt which are upper respiratory infection triggers.
- Washing clothes often with hot water to kill upper respiratory germs on clothing.
Treatment of URI By Dr. Naval Parikh
Treatment of upper respiratory infection depends on the cause. Antibiotics are not effective against upper respiratory infections caused by viruses, so they are usually unnecessary in most cases.
Here are URI services that Dr. Naval Parikh offers to help upper respiratory infection symptoms:
- URI Therapy
- Rhinoplasty Surgery For Chronic Sinusitis
- Sinus Surgery
- Balloon Sinuplasty – New Non-Invasive Way to Treat Chronic Sinusitis
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
- Laser-Assisted Sinus Surgery By Dr. Naval Parikh
Dr. Naval Parikh is a board-certified upper respiratory infection physician who offers upper respiratory infection services such as Epiglottitis Treatment, Croup Treatment and Acute Bronchitis Treatment.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Naval Parikh Clinic:
Address: 1 West Sample Road, Suite 201. Deerfield Beach, Florida. 33064.
Phone: (954) 782-3170
