09/07/2021
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are diseases involving the respiratory tract, (the breathing area). An infection of this type usually is further classified as an upper respiratory tract infection or a lower respiratory tract infection. Lower respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, tend to be far more severe than upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold.
The upper respiratory tract is considered the airway above the vocal cords. This part of the tract includes the nose, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx.
Typical infections of the upper respiratory tract include tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis media( infections of the ares), certain influenza types, and the common cold. Symptoms can include cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, low-grade fever, facial pressure, and sneezing.
The lower respiratory tract consists of the windpipe, all the way to the lungs.
Lower respiratory tract infections are generally more severe than upper respiratory infections. They are the leading cause of death among all infectious diseases. The two most common are bronchitis and pneumonia. Influenza affects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts
The diagnosis is made by talking to your doctor if you have a running or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, chest pains or fever. You might need to undergo some blood tests and even have a chest x-ray. Since we are living in the era of Covid-19, you might undergo a nasal swab to rule out Covid.
Do not rely entirely on self medication since some respiratory infections are self limiting while others can get severe if left untreated.
Treatment usually involves medication or reassurance depending on the doctor’s findings.
Prevent yourself and those around you from these infections by wearing a mask, sneezing onto your elbow or into a tissue and disposing it off, coughing away from people around you, and keeping proper hygiene by hand washing with soap and water, or sanitizing with an alcohol based sanitizer.
