Upper Respiratory Infection

What causes upper respiratory infections (URIs)?

Upper respiratory infections develop when bacteria or viruses settle into the upper part of your respiratory system, which includes your throat, nose, and sinuses. Common causes of infection include the common cold, flu, COVID-19, and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

URIs are contagious and spread from person to person through respiratory droplets in the air produced by coughing, sneezing, and talking. You can also develop an infection if you touch a contaminated object then touch your mouth or nose.

Infections in the upper respiratory tract don’t typically cause severe health problems. However, URI symptoms can be uncomfortable and interfere with your ability to work and take care of yourself.

EL Elyon Medpsych Services provides high-quality care for upper respiratory infections in adolescents and adults. Acelise and the team use the latest treatments to ease URI symptoms and prevent the infection from getting worse.

What are the symptoms of upper respiratory infections?

Your upper respiratory infection symptoms will vary based on its root cause. Typically, URI symptoms include:

• Losing your voice voice (laryngitis)
• Fever
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Persistent cough
• Nasal congestion
• Lymph node swelling

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at EL Elyon Medpsych Services if you can’t relieve URI symptoms with rest and over-the-counter medications, or if your symptoms continue to worsen.

Acelise and the team offer health assessments through a virtual telehealth platform. They may request bloodwork or other diagnostic tests to determine if the infection is bacterial or viral and create an appropriate treatment plan.

How are upper respiratory infections treated?

If your upper respiratory infection stems from a virus, Acelise and the team can recommend over-the-counter medicines to relieve a cough and reduce nasal congestion. You can also use saline nasal spray to remove excess mucus from your sinuses.

Bacterial infections may require a course of antibiotics. It’s important that you take the medications as prescribed to prevent a recurrence of the infection.

The team also recommends lifestyle modifications you can use to increase your comfort. You may need to isolate yourself from other people until your symptoms improve to prevent the spread of infection.

Call EL Elyon Medpsych Services today to schedule an evaluation of upper respiratory infection symptoms. You can also book an in-person or telehealth visit online.