What is an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)?
Infections of the throat (larynx), or the main airway (trachea), or the airways going into the lungs (bronchi) are common. These infections are sometimes called laryngitis, tracheitis, or bronchitis. Doctors often just use the term URTI – upper respiratory tract infection – to include any, or all, of these infections. Most URTIs are due to a viral infection. What are the symptoms of a URTI? Cough is usually the main symptom. Other symptoms include fever, headache, aches and pains. Cold symptoms may occur if the infection also affects the nose. Symptoms typically peak after 2-3 days, and then gradually clear. However, the cough may persist after the infection has gone. This is because inflammation in the airways caused by the infection can take a while to settle. It may take 2-3 weeks after other symptoms have gone for a cough to clear completely. What is the treatment for an URTI? • Take paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin to reduce fever (high temperature), and to ease any aches, pains
