What are the complications of an upper respiratory infection?
Some of the common complications of upper respiratory infections are the following: • respiratory compromise from epiglottitis; • secondary infection by bacteria (viral infection can cause impairment of the physical barrier in the respiratory airways making it easier for bacteria to invade) resulting in bacterial sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia; • formation of abscesses in the tonsils; • rheumatic fever from strep throat; • spread of infection from sinuses to the brain (meningitis); • involvement of the ears resulting in middle ear infections (otitis media); • worsening of underlying chronic lung disease (asthma, COPD); • spread of infection to the heart (pericarditis, myocarditis); • spread of the infection to the brain or the fluid around the brain causing encephalitis or meningitis; and • muscular pain and rib fractures from forceful coughing. Can an upper respiratory infection be prevented? There are several measures hat can reduce the risk of infections in general. Smoking cessat
