Upper respiratory infection (URI) affects the upper part of your respiratory system, including the throat, nose, sinuses, bronchi, and larynx.

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Types of URIs

Upper respiratory infections affect your throat and sinuses. Some of the most common URIs are:

  • Common cold
  • Sinus infection — inflammation of sinuses
  • Sore throat
  • Epiglottitis — inflammation of the epiglottis
  • Laryngitis — Inflammation of the larynx
  • Bronchitis — inflammation of bronchial tubes
  • Note: influenza isn’t a URI.

What Causes Upper Respiratory Infections?

URIs are transmitted when a virus or bacteria enters your respiratory system. This can happen if you touch an infected surface or have hand-to-hand contact with a sick person.

Who Is At Risk?

Upper respiratory infections are common and can affect anyone. However, certain people are at a higher risk of contracting them.

Some situations that have a higher risk include:

  • When someone sick sneezes or coughs without covering their nose and mouth.
  • Being in crowded areas and spaces like institutions, schools, daycares, offices, and hospitals
  • Touching the nose or eyes too often
  • Contracting it in the colder months
  • Low-humidity
  • Having a weak immune system

Symptoms for Upper Respiratory Infections

A few common symptoms of URIs include a runny nose, congestion, cough, and sneezing. Others include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Pain during swallowing

When Should You See a Doctor?

  • Typically, URIs last around one to two weeks and mostly go away on their own. You can take over-the-counter pain killers to help you feel better.
  • You can also use nasal sprays or decongestants to breathe better, and gargle with salt water to get relief from a sore throat.
  • However, if your symptoms persist or are too severe, you need to call a healthcare provider.

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