Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) can affect the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs. Most RTIs get better without treatment, but sometimes you may need to see your Doctor.

Things you can do yourself

Most RTIs pass within 1 to 2 weeks. You can usually treat your symptoms at home.

get plenty of rest
drink lots of water to loosen any mucus and make it easier to cough up
drink a hot lemon and honey drink to help soothe a cough (not suitable for babies)
gargle with warm salty water if you have a sore throat (children should not try this)
raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus
use painkillers to bring down a fever and help ease a sore throat, headaches and muscle pain

Do not;

let children breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water as there is a risk of scalding
give aspirin to children under 16
smoke – it can make your symptoms worse

A pharmacist can help with an RTI. A pharmacist can suggest treatments to help relieve your symptoms, such as decongestants and nasal sprays.

You can also buy cough medicines and throat lozenges, although there is little evidence to show they help. Some treatments contain paracetamol and ibuprofen.

If you are taking these medicines separately, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose.

Certain treatments are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women. Your pharmacist can advise you about the best treatment for you or your child.

Information:
Do not go to a pharmacy if you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it could be coronavirus.

Key Facts

RTIs affect, throat, lungs and sinuses
Symptoms may include fever, cough and sneezing
Respiratory Tract Infections can be spread from one person to another
It is usually caused by bacteria or virus
Most get better without treatment

Symptoms

Symptoms of an RTI include:

a cough – you may bring up mucus (phlegm)
sneezing
a stuffy or runny nose
a sore throat
headaches
muscle aches
breathlessness, tight chest or wheezing
a high temperature (fever)
feeling generally unwell

Diagnosis

In a respiratory exam, the doctor focuses on your breathing. They will check for fluid and inflammation in the lungs by listening for abnormal sounds in your lungs when you breathe. The doctor may peer into your nose and ears, and check your throat.

If your doctor believes the infection is in the lower respiratory tract, an X-ray or CT scan may be necessary to check the condition of the lungs.

Lung function tests have been useful as diagnostic tools. Pulse oximetry, also known as pulse ox, can check how much oxygen gets into the lungs. A doctor may also take a swab from your nose or mouth, or ask you to cough up a sample of sputum (material coughed up from the lungs) to check for the type of virus or bacteria causing the disease.

Causes

RTIs are often spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone with an infection.

There are several different types. They are usually grouped into upper and lower RTIs.

Prevention

How to avoid passing RTIs on to others:

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
Wash your hands regularly
Throw away used tissues immediately

How to avoid getting an RTI

If you keep getting RTIs or you are at a high risk of getting one (for example, because you are over the age of 65 or have a serious long-term health condition), you should:

ask your DOCTOR about the annual flu vaccination
ask if you should have the pneumococcal vaccine – this helps prevent pneumonia
stop smoking if you smoke
drink less alcohol

Treatment will depend on the cause of your RTI:

a virus (like colds) – this usually clears up by itself after a few weeks and antibiotics will not help
bacteria (like pneumonia) – your DOCTOR may prescribe antibiotics (make sure you complete the whole course as advised by your DOCTOR, even if you start to feel better)

Sometimes a sample of your mucus may need to be tested to see what is causing your RTI.

Difference between upper RTIs and lower RTIs
Upper RTIs (sinuses and throat)	Lower RTIs (airways and lungs)
Common cold	Bronchitis
Sinusitis (sinus infection)	Bronchiolitis
Tonsillitis	Chest infection
Laryngitis	Pneumonia (lung infection)

Flu can be an upper or lower RTI.

Lower RTIs tend to last longer and can be more serious.

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Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) can affect the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs. Most RTIs get better without treatment, but sometimes you may need to see your Doctor.

Things you can do yourself

Most RTIs pass within 1 to 2 weeks. You can usually treat your symptoms at home.

get plenty of rest
drink lots of water to loosen any mucus and make it easier to cough up
drink a hot lemon and honey drink to help soothe a cough (not suitable for babies)
gargle with warm salty water if you have a sore throat (children should not try this)
raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus
use painkillers to bring down a fever and help ease a sore throat, headaches and muscle pain

Do not;

let children breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water as there is a risk of scalding
give aspirin to children under 16
smoke – it can make your symptoms worse

A pharmacist can help with an RTI. A pharmacist can suggest treatments to help relieve your symptoms, such as decongestants and nasal sprays.

You can also buy cough medicines and throat lozenges, although there is little evidence to show they help. Some treatments contain paracetamol and ibuprofen.

If you are taking these medicines separately, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose.

Certain treatments are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women. Your pharmacist can advise you about the best treatment for you or your child.

Information:
Do not go to a pharmacy if you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it could be coronavirus.

Key Facts

RTIs affect, throat, lungs and sinuses
Symptoms may include fever, cough and sneezing
Respiratory Tract Infections can be spread from one person to another
It is usually caused by bacteria or virus
Most get better without treatment

Symptoms

Symptoms of an RTI include:

a cough – you may bring up mucus (phlegm)
sneezing
a stuffy or runny nose
a sore throat
headaches
muscle aches
breathlessness, tight chest or wheezing
a high temperature (fever)
feeling generally unwell

Diagnosis

If your doctor believes the infection is in the lower respiratory tract, an X-ray or CT scan may be necessary to check the condition of the lungs.

Causes

RTIs are often spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone with an infection.

There are several different types. They are usually grouped into upper and lower RTIs.

Prevention

How to avoid passing RTIs on to others:

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
Wash your hands regularly
Throw away used tissues immediately

How to avoid getting an RTI

If you keep getting RTIs or you are at a high risk of getting one (for example, because you are over the age of 65 or have a serious long-term health condition), you should:

ask your DOCTOR about the annual flu vaccination
ask if you should have the pneumococcal vaccine – this helps prevent pneumonia
stop smoking if you smoke
drink less alcohol

Treatment will depend on the cause of your RTI:

a virus (like colds) – this usually clears up by itself after a few weeks and antibiotics will not help
bacteria (like pneumonia) – your DOCTOR may prescribe antibiotics (make sure you complete the whole course as advised by your DOCTOR, even if you start to feel better)

Sometimes a sample of your mucus may need to be tested to see what is causing your RTI.

Difference between upper RTIs and lower RTIs
Upper RTIs (sinuses and throat)	Lower RTIs (airways and lungs)
Common cold	Bronchitis
Sinusitis (sinus infection)	Bronchiolitis
Tonsillitis	Chest infection
Laryngitis	Pneumonia (lung infection)

Flu can be an upper or lower RTI.

Lower RTIs tend to last longer and can be more serious.

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Important Notice

Doctallpedia is ONLY a resource center with information on the symptoms, prevention and treatment of common health problems. Doctallpedia should not be a substitute for proper diagnosis, consultation or medical advice from a doctor or other licensed medical practitioners. The information provided on Doctallpedia are based on available data and is solely for reading and general knowledge. External website links and videos are not the property of Doctall and are only provided for further reading. Information on Doctallpedia should NOT be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for proper medical care.

In the event of similar symptoms, kindly book an appointment to see a certified professional for medical advice.

Below is a list of sources referenced in the Health Facts for additional reading:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions
https://www.medicinenet.com/diseases_and_conditions/alpha_b.htm
https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics?ref=global
https://www.who.int/health-topics
https://www.news-medical.net/
https://www.nhs.uk/

https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions
https://emedicine.medscape.com/
https://www.medlineplus.gov/
https://www.uclahealth.org
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Doctall has collated the information contained within this factsheet from several reputable sources listed here

Respiratory Tract Infections

Key Facts

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Prevention

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incessant headache?

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Worried or unsure about incessant headaches?

Respiratory Tract Infections

Key Facts

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Prevention

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Important Notice

Respiratory Tract Infections

Key Facts

Share

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Recent Comments

Most Common

Be proactive about your health.

Worried or unsure about incessant headache?

Browse through health facts on 50+ common diseases

Get the latest health-related tips and information from Doctall Living, our Lifestyle blog

Be the first to find out what’s new on Doctallpedia

Worried or unsure about incessant headaches?

Respiratory Tract Infections

Key Facts

Share

Related Health Facts

Important Notice

Worried or unsure about
incessant headache?