UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION

The symptoms of upper respiratory infection result from the toxins released by the pathogens as well as the inflammatory response mounted by the immune system to fight the infection.

Common symptoms of upper respiratory infection include:

• Nasal Congestion
• Runny Nose (Rhinorrhea)
• Nasal Discharge (May Change From Clear To White To Green)
• Nasal Breathing
• Sneezing
• Sore Or Scratchy Throat
• Painful Swallowing (Odynophagia)
• Cough (From Laryngeal Swelling And Post Nasal Drip)
• Malaise
• Fever (More Common In Children)
• Foul Breath
• Reduced Ability To Smell (Hyposmia)
• Headache
• Shortness Of Breath
• Sinus Pain
• Itchy Andwatery Eye (Conjunctivitis)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Body Aches

The symptoms usually last between 3-14 days. Symptoms which lasts longer than 14 days, must be subject to diagnosis to consider if it is sinusitis, allergy, pneumonia, or bronchitis.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of upper respiratory infection is typically made based on:

• Review Of Symptoms. However, other alternative diagnoses need to be consider for its symptoms may resemble other diseases (such as asthma, pneumonia, influenza, or bronchitis.)
• Physical Examination. A doctor may look for swollen and redness inside wall of the nasal cavity (sign of inflammation), redness of the throat, enlargement of the tonsils, white secretions on the tonsils (exudates), enlarged lymph nodes around the head and neck, redness of the eyes, and facial tenderness (sinusitis). Other signs may include bad breath (halitosis), cough, voice hoarseness, and fever.
• Laboratory Tests. It is occasionally done. Generally, laboratory test is not recommended in the evaluation of upper respiratory infections because most upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses, specific testing is not required as there is typically no specific treatment for different types of viral upper respiratory infections.

Treatment

The following are some of the most common upper respiratory infection or cold medications used to treat these symptoms:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used to reduce fever and body aches.
• Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can be used for body aches and fever.
• Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are helpful in decreasing nasal secretions and congestions.
• Nasal ipratropium (Topical) can be used to diminish nasal secretions.
• Cough medications (antitussives) can be used to reduce cough. Many cough medications are commercially available such as Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin (Robitussin), and Codeine all have shown benefits in reducing cough in upper respiratory infections.
• Honey can be used in reducing cough.
• Steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron) and Prednisone orally (and nasally) are sometimes used reduce inflammation of the airway passage and decrease swelling and congestion.
• Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) Actifed oral, phenylephrine (Neo-synephrine nasal) can be used to reduce nasal congestion (generally not recommended in children less than 2 years of age and not recommended for individuals with high blood pressure).
• Oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal solution is a decongestant, but should only be used for short-term.
• Combination medications containing many of these components are also widely available over the counter.