A Guide to Upper Respiratory Infections, Types, Causes, and Treatments

An upper respiratory infection (URI) is an infection that affects the nose, throat, and large upper airways. The common cold is a well-known type of URI. These infections spread by breathing in infected droplets when a person nearby coughs or sneezes, or by touching an infected surface, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. A URI is not usually a serious illness and may resolve on its own after 7–10 Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source days or as long as 3 weeks. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, rest, and plenty of fluids can ease symptoms and speed recovery.

This article discusses the different types of upper respiratory tract infections as well as their symptoms, causes, treatments, complications, and when to contact a doctor.

A URI Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source can be any infection affecting the upper respiratory tract. This area includes the nasal sinuses, the nasal passages, and the throat. Other names include a head cold or the common cold.

In contrast, a lower respiratory infection is an infection of the lower airway Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source . This includes the upper bronchi (large air passages leading to the left and right lungs) and the lungs themselves or the smaller air passages within the lungs. Sometimes a lower respiratory infection may develop after someone has had a URI.

There are different types of URIs, and many of them have similar symptoms.

Symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of virus causing the infection and the location of the infection in the respiratory tract. Symptoms are often mild and appear 2–3 days after exposure to a virus.

A common cold Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source is the most frequent type of URI. Cold symptoms include:

• sneezing
• runny or stuffy nose
• cough
• sore throat

Pharyngitis is also known as Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source a sore throat. It causes pain, swelling, and irritation in the mucous membranes in the back of the throat. Depending on what caused the sore throat, other symptoms may occur, such as:

• cough
• fever
• headache
• fatigue

Epiglottitis is an infection of the epiglottis. The epiglottis is the flap of tissue that covers the windpipe to keep food from entering the lungs when you swallow. Most people with epiglottitis have a sore throat.

In adults and older children, the most common symptoms of epiglottitis are difficulty swallowing and drooling.

In young children, epiglottitis symptoms are typically hoarseness and difficulty breathing.

Croup respiratory illness Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source that affects the larynx, trachea, larynx, and bronchi. It typically affects children age 5 and younger. Symptoms include:

• barking cough
• hoarseness
• difficulty breathing
• noisy breathing
• fever (occasionally)

Several other illnesses are lumped into the category Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source of URIs because they affect the upper respiratory tract and are typically caused by other URIs. These illnesses include:

• sinusitis
• laryngitis
• strep throat

There are other infections that cause respiratory symptoms but are not considered URIs. For example, acute bronchitis (often called a chest cold) affects Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source the respiratory system but is considered a lower respiratory infection because it affects the lungs’ lower airways.

Influenza (flu) also affects the respiratory system, but it is a systemic illness that affects many parts of the body, not only the upper respiratory tract.

URIs are often mild and may resolve on their own. Symptoms typically last 7–10 Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source days or persist as long as 3 weeks.

Call a doctor if URI symptoms are not getting better, or if you have a chronic disease or compromised immune system.

In some cases, URIs can lead to serious and sometimes life threatening conditions, such as pneumonia. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for a URI with the following symptoms:

• having a high fever, higher than 101°F (38°C)
• experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing
• having pale or bluish coloration of the lips, skin, or fingernails
• retracting of the muscles in the neck or between the ribs when breathing
• having uncontrollable shaking chills
• experiencing lethargy or unresponsiveness

URIs are usually caused by viruses, but they can also be caused by bacteria. For a common cold, symptoms can begin as early as 10–12 hours Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source after infection.

The most common ways people contract URIs include airborne transmission of infected droplets or direct contact with an infected surface. For example, this might occur when a person with a URI sneezes and you breathe in those droplets, or if you touch an infected surface and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

The more common viruses include:

• adenovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• parainfluenza virus
• respiratory syncytial virus
• rhinovirus

Being wet or cold does not cause respiratory infections, although these conditions may lower the body’s resistance to infection.

Anyone can get a URI, but some people have a higher risk of developing URIs.

Adults typically have about two to three colds every year, but young children have an average of six to eight colds annually.

Risk factors for a URI or for developing complications include:

• regular close contact with children in school or daycare
• being very young
• chronic disease, such as asthma or allergies
• smoking
• compromised immune system
• exposure to a person with a URI
• frequently touching the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially without washing your hands

You can lower your risk of catching a URI by:

• avoiding contact with a person who has a URI
• avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• frequently cleaning high-touch surfaces such as counters, keyboards, and doorknobs
• washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

There is no cure for URIs caused by viruses, but you can treat your symptoms while your body fights the infection.

Children under age 4 Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source should not use cold or cough medications because of the risk of serious side effects.

People with a URI, particularly children under age 18, should not use aspirin or products that contain aspirin because of the risk of developing a rare but life threatening condition called Reye syndrome Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source .

OTC pain relievers may worsen asthma and other health conditions, so check with your doctor before taking them.

You can help speed recovery and ease symptoms by getting plenty of rest, drinking extra fluids, or taking OTC pain relievers, cold medications, or cough drops. Antibiotics cannot treat a viral infection.

Antibiotics are usually needed to treat a bacterial upper respiratory tract infection. OTC pain relievers and cold medications along with extra fluids and rest can help ease symptoms and speed recovery.

URIs usually do not cause complications, but in some people, a URI can lower the body’s immune defenses and lead to more serious infections. People most at risk for complications include:

• infants and toddlers
• older adults
• people who have a compromised immune system
• people who have a chronic disease, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, or heart disease

Complications of URIs include:

• acute bronchitis
• sinus infection
• ear infection
• pneumonia
• worsening of asthma

Here are some questions people commonly ask about URIs.

Generally, URIs caused by viruses will get better on their own after 7–10 days Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source . Bacterial URIs will begin to get better after antibiotic treatment.

URIs are highly contagious. They can be spread by touching surfaces with germs and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, or by breathing in germs when someone nearby coughs or sneezes.

Mild cases of COVID-19 typically are limited to the upper respiratory tract. The lower respiratory tract may become infected in moderate cases of COVID-19.

While URIs are common and usually not serious illnesses, sometimes complications can arise. If you have been treating the infection at home but your symptoms do not improve after a week or two, or if they get worse, call your doctor. Sometimes URIs can cause more serious health complications, which may need a doctor’s treatment.