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General Medicine

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

Jamie Shayna Chan, DO and Manju Mahajan, MD, FAAFP Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

  • Upper respiratory infections (URI) are inflammation and irritation of the upper airways.

  • A common diagnosis that is self-limited, typically caused by viruses or bacteria.

  • This review focuses on v...

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is clinical based on reported symptoms and physical exam. 

HISTORY

  • Nasal congestion: 80–100%

  • Sneezing: 50–70%

  • Throat irritation: 50%

  • Cough: 40%

  • Hoarseness: 30%

  • Malaise: 20–25%

  • Headache: 25...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Smoking cessation

  • Vaporizer/humidifier: no consistent benefit proven

  • Cold preparations do not change course

  • Antibiotics are not indicated

  • Avoid cough and cold preparations in chi...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Contact a physician’s office for prolonged fever, difficulty breathing, or concern for secondary complications. 

DIET

Encourage fluids and adequate hydration. 

PATIENT EDUCATION

REFERENCES

1
Asadi S, Cappa CD, Barreda S, et al. Efficacy of masks and face coverings in controlling outward aerosol particle emission from expiratory activities. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):1–13.

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Kaur R, Schulz S, Fuji N, et al. COVID-19 pandemic impact on respiratory infectious diseases in primary care practice in Children. Front Pediatr. 2021;13;9:7224...

SEE ALSO

Bronchitis, Acute; Pharyngitis; Rhinitis, Allergic 

CODES

ICD10

  • J06.9 Acute upper respiratory infection, unspecified

  • J11.1 Influenza due to unidentified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations

  • B97.4 Respiratory syncytial virus causing diseas...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Supportive therapy is mainstay for most upper respiratory tract infections.

  • Point of care testing can rule out group A Streptococcus infection in the appropriate clinical setting.

  • Limit ...

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Related Images
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<bold>Figure 35.2</bold> Back pressure to blood circulation around the eyes leads to dark areas under the eyes in the child with allergic rhinitis.

 

<bold>Figure 35.2</bold> Back pressure to blood circulation around the eyes leads to dark areas under the eyes in the child wi...

FIG. 11.55. Pharyngitis in infectious mononucleosis. This girl has inflamed, bilaterally swollen tonsils with a diffuse exudate, as is often seen with infectious mononucleosis.

 

FIG. 11.55. Pharyngitis in infectious mononucleosis. This girl has inflamed, bilaterally swollen tonsils with a diffuse exudate, as is oft...

<bold>Figure 19-2</bold> Boggy inferior turbinates seen with allergic rhinitis. (Courtesy of Paul S. Matz, MD.)

 

<bold>Figure 19-2</bold> Boggy inferior turbinates seen with allergic rhinitis. (Courtesy of Paul S. Matz, MD.)

 

Back pressure to the blood circulation around the eye orbit from allergic rhinitis may lead to dark areas under the eyes (allergic shiners). The frequent rubbing of the nose in an upward direction can lead to a peculiar horizontal crease (Dennie's line).

 

Back pressure to the blood circulation around the eye orbit from allergic rhinitis may lead to dark areas under the eyes (allergic shiners...

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