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Conditions
Respiratory tract diseases
Respiratory tract infections
Upper respiratory infection

Upper respiratory infection

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An upper respiratory infection refers to an infection that involves the lining of the breathing passages above the lungs. It usually refers to infections that involve multiple areas simultaneously such as the nose, sinus, ears, throat, voice box, or windpipe.

Dr. Steven Dankle reviewed this

41 year experience in ENT and Head and Neck Surgery

Is a type of:

Respiratory tract infections • Infection

How long it usually lasts:

Short-term (lasts days to weeks)

How common it is:

Very common
Baby
0-2
Very common
Preteen
6-13
Very common
Teenager
14-18
Very common
Young adult
19-40
Very common
Middle-aged adult
41-60
Very common

How it can usually be treated?

Can be managed without a doctor visit

How is it usually diagnosed?

Self-diagnosable

Body locations

Chest, Neck (front), Head

Types of

Adenovirus infection
Condition
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Symptoms

Bad breath
Sneezing
Muscle pain
Fever
Cough
Load more

Medications

Ratings show how effective doctors think these medications are at treating Upper respiratory infection
Guaifenesin and dextromethorphan
2.8
24 reviews
Guaifenesin and codeine
2.7
22 reviews
Dextromethorphan
2.4
20 reviews
Naproxen
2.4
26 reviews
Guaifenesin
2.4
21 reviews
Load more

Procedures

Ratings show how effective doctors think these procedures are at treating Upper respiratory infection

Surgery

Nasal saline irrigation
3.0
33 reviews

Other treatments

Watchful waiting
Throat lozenges
Load more

Tests

Rapid flu test
Group A strep rapid test
Load more

Vaccinations

Flu vaccine nasal spray
Flu shot
Load more

Risk factors

Personal

Recent contact with coronavirus infected person
Recent travel
Prior covid-19 illness with positive test result
First dose of covid-19 vaccine more than 2 wks ago
Cigarette smoking
Long plane rides
Recent sore throat

Related questions

A 44-year old asked:

What meds treat upper respiratory infections?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

What are the most common causes of upper respiratory infections?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

Why might one get an upper respiratory infection?

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

What are the tests for upper respiratory infection?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 25-year old asked:

Can you exercise with a upper respiratory infection?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

When can a cold turn it a upper respiratory infection?

2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old female asked:

How can you tell if you have an upper respiratory infection?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 46-year old asked:

I have an upper respiratory infection, could you please help me?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 27-year old asked:

How do you know if child has upper respiratory infection or cold?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 45-year old asked:

Would you go to work if you had a bad upper respiratory infection?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

Should i go back to work after 3 days with an upper respiratory infection?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 24-year old male asked:

What are the long-term complications of an untreated upper respiratory infection?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

Is there a type of diet should an adult with a significant upper respiratory infection be on?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old female asked:

Is covid considered an upper respiratory infection?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 29-year old asked:

Are upper respiratory infections contagious to elders?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 32-year old female asked:

What kind of antibiotic helps sinusitis and upper respiratory infections? Cause if have this then Amoxcillin isn't going to help me.

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 28-year old asked:

Can upper respiratory infection be contagious?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old female asked:

Can an upper respiratory infection cause dizziness?

4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

How will smoking cause upper respiratory infection?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

I was wondering is an upper respiratory infection contagious?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

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

A 27-year old female asked:

Can nadolol make upper respiratory infections worse? Aka more shortness of breath

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

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

A 23-year old female asked:

Hi, i get viral upper respiratory infection like every two months. Otherwise healthy, should i worry?

2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 43-year old female asked:

Can anything be given to treat an upper respiratory infection or does it just have to run it's course?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 40-year old female asked:

Went to dr and have upper respiratory infection and all he gave was cough pills..should i see another dr?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old asked:

Could you tell me what's the best medicine you can buy over-the-counter for an upper respiratory infection?

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 34-year old female asked:

What are the symptoms of upper respiratory infection and what kinds of drugs can give to baby of 8 month old?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 61-year old male asked:

Good morning doctors. Does the Pfizer vaccine offer any protection against colds/upper respiratory infections/flu?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 22-year old female asked:

6month old has upper respiratory infection goin on day 9 and she's worse. Could it have turned into something else?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

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