How long should an upper respiratory infection last?
Generally, a URI should last as long as 2 weeks. This does not mean that the symptoms worsen with time. Rather, it should take between 3-14 days for you to be free of the infection.
When should I not take mucinex?
Stop using Mucinex or Mucinex DM if your cough lasts longer than 7 days, if it comes back after going away, or if you get a fever, rash, or a headache that won’t go away. These could be signs of a serious illness.
What are the symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection?
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) describes this condition as an infectious process that affects the upper respiratory tract and includes symptoms of congestion, sneezing, coughing, fever, and sore throat. ( 6)
What does an acute respiratory infection ( URI ) mean?
Anyone who has ever had a cold knows about acute respiratory infections (URIs). An acute URI is a contagious infection of your upper respiratory tract. Your upper respiratory tract includes the nose, throat, pharynx, larynx, and bronchi. Without a doubt, the common cold is the most well-known URI.
Can a respiratory tract infection be a bacterial infection?
Whether you know it or not, chances are you’ve had a respiratory tract infection (RTI) or upper respiratory tract infection (URI) at some point in your life. A bacterial respiratory tract infection is an infection of the sinuses, throat, airway, or lungs. Bacterial infections may develop after having a viral illness like a cold or the flu.
Can a common cold cause an upper respiratory infection?
The common cold generally does not cause body aches, but influenza can. While the flu primarily infects the upper airway, it causes symptoms throughout the body that can include fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches. Sometimes flu gets into the lungs themselves to cause mild chest congestion and coughing.
How do you get an upper respiratory infection?
Upper respiratory infections are most commonly caused by viruses and transferred by either direct contact or indirect contact, like through airborne germs. The common cold, ear infection, or a sore throat are the most common forms.
What to know about an upper respiratory infection?
Common symptoms of an upper respiratory infection such as a cold include a runny nose, post-nasal drip, cough, and nasal congestion. If laryngitis develops (larynx=voice box + itis=inflammation), the patient may lose their voice or become hoarse.
Will an upper respiratory infection go away?
Most frequently occurring in the fall and winter, the upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract, which refers to the nose, paranasal sinuses , pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. While most cases are mild and go away on their own without treatment beyond rest,…
How do you test for upper respiratory infection?
A nasopharyngeal culture is a quick, painless test used to diagnose upper respiratory infections. A culture is a way of identifying infectious organisms by allowing them to grow in a laboratory. For this test, your secretions are collected using a swab. Results from this test are generally available within 48 hours.