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.

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.

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.

Any individual can be afflicted with the common cold, but children, geriatric patients, and people with a decreased immune system are affected more commonly.