, also popularly known as either the acronym '''URTI''' or '''URI''', is the disease characterised by an acute ,
Sinus es,
Pharynx , or
Larynx .
Symptoms of URTIs include
Cough ,
Rhinorrhea (running nose),
Sore Throat ,
Fever ,
Pain and
Myalgia .
Infective agents for URTIs include respiratory
Virus es,
Bacteria and
Fungi . The most common form of URTI by far is a viral infection, otherwise known as the
Common Cold .
Common diagnoses include the
Common Cold ,
Rhinitis ,
Sinusitis ,
Pharyngitis ,
Strep Throat ,
Tonsillitis , and
Laryngitis .
Otitis Media is an infection of the
Ear (which is part of the
Auditory System ) often associated with upper respiratory infections.
Influenza is a more systemic illness which can also involve the upper respiratory tract and should be recognized as distinct from other causes of URI.
Although viruses are the most likely cause of URIs and do not respond to
Antibiotic treatment, antibiotics continue to be widely prescribed for this illness. Judicious use of antibiotics can reduce unnecessary adverse effects of antibiotics and development of antimicrobial resistance. In patients with URTIs, antimicrobial therapy generally has been shown to result in symptom resolution 1 to 2 days sooner than when symptomatic measures alone are used.
Some high risk patients with underlying pulmonary disease, such as
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), are more likely to benefit from antibiotics when they develop symptoms consistent with a URTI.
Health care providers generally try to educate their patients about the self-limited nature of most URI's and the hazards of inappropriate use of antibiotics for the individual patient and the community.
