The upper respiratory tract encompasses the nose, nasal cavity, mouth, throat, pharynx, and larynx. If one of these components gets infected, it can lead to a number of symptoms, including cough, fever, ongoing fatigue, a hoarse voice, a sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
Some upper respiratory tract infections are more common than others, and each one can cause significant discomfort. This article covers the most common infections that can affect the upper respiratory tract. You can learn more about upper respiratory infections by reading this article.
Table of Contents
Common Cold
The common cold is the most frequent upper respiratory tract infection. It can be caused by several different viruses, mostly rhinoviruses. The common cold is also one of the most contagious because the viruses are spread in air droplets, so when somebody sneezes or coughs, they release lots of viral particles into the air.
The common cold resolves on its own relatively quickly, and even more quickly with rest, adequate hydration, and over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and decongestants.
Influenza
Influenza, colloquially known as the flu, is caused by the influenza virus, and is another very common upper respiratory tract infection. Its symptoms are more severe than the common cold, with many people experiencing muscle aches, fever, congestion, and lethargy.
The flu can be more impactful on children, but the severity of the illness depends on the individual’s health and the strain of the virus (usually, it’s types A and B that are the culprits during ‘flu season’). It can be prevented with annual vaccinations and treated with antiviral medications.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis refers to an infection in the sinuses, which are the air-filled spaces in the cheeks and nose. When pathogens infect the sinuses, they can become inflamed, leading to muscle pain, nasal congestion, and excessive nasal discharge.
Sinusitis can last for months, but the symptoms can be reduced with decongestants, nasal sprays, and antibiotics if the infection is bacterial.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, which are two lymph glands that sit at the back of the throat. It’s most commonly caused by Streptococcus but can also be viral.
The symptoms of tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, a sore throat, a hoarse voice, and pain in the neck region.
Treatment depends on the cause of the infection. A bacterial cause requires antibiotics, whereas a viral infection needs antiviral medications. Recurrent tonsillitis requires the removal of the tonsils.
Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx, which manifests as a sore throat. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria, and causes pain in the throat, particularly when swallowing, swollen lymph glands, and a fever.
The most effective treatments for pharyngitis depend on the cause. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics and viral throat infections are treated with antiviral medications and an appropriate diet. If a person is struggling to swallow tough, solid foods, they might opt for more liquid-based foods until their pharyngitis has resolved.
