A 28-year-old member asked:
can upper respiratory infection be contagious?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Aaron Milstone answered
Pulmonology 27 years experience
Yes: Because respiratory infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria they can be contagious. Good handwashing techniques and sneezing "into your sleeve" are ways to help spread infectious particles to other patients.
6278 viewsReviewed Dec 28, 2019
Dr. Tim Conrad answered
Ophthalmology 34 years experience
Yes: They nearly always are contagious.
5036 viewsReviewed Dec 28, 2019
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
Princeton, WV
A 69-year-old female asked:
Is this upper respiratory infection going around now in princeton wv is it contagious?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Douglas Arenberg answered
Pulmonary Critical Care 31 years experience
Almost all are: The vast majority of colds/upper respiratory infections are viral, highly contagious, and self limited. The average person gets 1-3 colds per year. Princeton, wv, or anywhere else, hand washing and common sense should prevail in defense against colds. It stinks to have one, but buying some kleenex, hand sanitizer and waiting it out are usually the best approach.
5598 viewsReviewed Aug 6, 2019
A 36-year-old member asked:
I was wondering is an upper respiratory infection contagious?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Bernstein Joel answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 60 years experience
Yes: An upper respiratory tract infection is always contagious. The word that you use, infection, means that it is usually viral and much less frequently bacterial. Therefore, if you cough or sneeze you are shedding infectious material to the next person or into the environment.
4208 viewsAnswered Jan 5, 2019
Picayune, MS
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr said i have upper respiratory infection, how long is that contagious for?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Munshower answered
Family Medicine 30 years experience
Depends: That depends on the infection and what virus/bacteria is causing it. Generally, use proper hygiene and never forget that proper hand washing is the number one means for preventing the spread of infection.
3569 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Dec 28, 2019
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.