Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
URI
Introduction
For patient information click here Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox
Synonyms and keywords: URI; URTI
Overview
Overview
Upper respiratory tract infection is the illness caused by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx or larynx. In the United States, this represents approximately one billion acute upper respiratory illnesses annually.
Causes
15% of acute pharyngitis cases may be caused by bacteria, commonly Group A Strep (“Strep Throat“). Generally, patients with “Strep Throat” start with a sore throat as their first symptom, and they usually do not have a runny nose, cough, or sneezing.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Upper respiratory tract infection is the illness caused by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract. In the United States, this represents approximately one billion acute upper respiratory illnesses annually.
Risk Factors
Any individual can be afflicted with the common cold, but children, geriatric patients, and people with a decreased immune system are affected more commonly.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Historical Perspective
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References
Pathophysiology
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References
Causes
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Overview
15% of acute pharyngitis cases may be caused by bacteria, commonly Group A Strep (“Strep Throat“). Generally, patients with “Strep Throat” start with a sore throat as their first symptom, and they usually do not have a runny nose, cough, or sneezing.
Causes
Causes by Organ System
| Cardiovascular | No underlying causes |
| Chemical/Poisoning | No underlying causes |
| Dental | No underlying causes |
| Dermatologic | No underlying causes |
| Drug Side Effect | Alfuzosin, Amlodipine besylate and Valsartan, Apremilast, Basiliximab, Botulinum toxin, Butorphanol, crofelemer, Desmopressin,Ecallantide, Eculizumab, Eribulin, Febuxostat, Glyburide and Metformin, Golimumab, Ibrutinib, Latanoprost, Linagliptin, Losartan and Hydrochlorothiazide, Meloxicam, Metronidazole Topical, Naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium, Olodaterol, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Pirfenidone, Pramipexole, Rifaximin, Rilonacept, Ropinirole, Saxagliptin, Saxagliptin hydrochloride and Metformin hydrochloride, Secukinumab, Sertraline, Siltuximab, Tamsulosin, tasimelteon,Thalidomide, Triamcinolone acetonide, Topiramate, Valganciclovir hydrochloride |
| Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes |
| Endocrine | No underlying causes |
| Environmental | No underlying causes |
| Gastroenterologic | No underlying causes |
| Genetic | No underlying causes |
| Hematologic | No underlying causes |
| Iatrogenic | No underlying causes |
| Infectious Disease | No underlying causes |
| Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic | No underlying causes |
| Neurologic | No underlying causes |
| Nutritional/Metabolic | No underlying causes |
| Obstetric/Gynecologic | No underlying causes |
| Oncologic | No underlying causes |
| Ophthalmologic | No underlying causes |
| Overdose/Toxicity | No underlying causes |
| Psychiatric | No underlying causes |
| Pulmonary | No underlying causes |
| Renal/Electrolyte | No underlying causes |
| Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy | No underlying causes |
| Sexual | No underlying causes |
| Trauma | No underlying causes |
| Urologic | No underlying causes |
| Miscellaneous | No underlying causes |
Causes by Alphabetical Order
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Differentiating Upper Respiratory Tract Infection from other Diseases
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References
Epidemiology and Demographics
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Overview
Upper respiratory tract infection is the illness caused by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract. In the United States, this represents approximately one billion acute upper respiratory illnesses annually.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Risk Factors
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Overview
Any individual can be afflicted with the common cold, but children, geriatric patients, and people with a decreased immune system are affected more commonly.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Complications
- Abscess
- Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Meningitis
- Skin infection around the eye (orbital cellulitis)
- Bronchitis
- Ear infection
- Pneumonia
- Sinusitis
Prognosis
An upper respiratory tract infection usually gets better after a few days, and it normally has a good prognosis. However, the cough may last 18 days according to a systematic review.[1]
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Treatment
Medical Therapy | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]