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Upper respiratory tract infection overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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

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

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

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

References

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