Anybody who has ever had a common cold knows the symptoms of URI (Upper respiratory infection). It is a contagious infection with your upper respiratory tract which includes, throat, nose, a larynx, pharynx and bronchi. No doubt, the common cold is the most well-known type of URI. While the other types of URI include pharyngitis, epiglottitis, sinusitis and tracheobronchitis.
As per the research, both bacteria and viruses can cause URI. When it comes to viruses: rhinovirus, coxsackie virus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus, are the reason behind the URI. And when talk about bacteria: group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria), Chlamydia pneumoniae (chlamydia), group C beta-hemolytic streptococci and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea), comes as the major reason for URI.
What are the early signs of URI?
The common signs and symptoms of URI are often caused by the inflammation of the mucous membranes in your upper respiratory tract. Some common signs include:
- Discomfort in nasal passages or nasal congestion
- Coughing
- Excess mucus
- A runny nose and sneezing
- Mild fever
- Pressure and pain behind the face
- A sore and scratchy throat.
Sometimes, patients also suffer from the less common symptoms of URI, which include: body aches, headache, bad breath, itchy eyes, hyposmia (losing the ability to sense smell).
Who are the most likely at the risk for URI?
The common cold is one of the most common concerns for which people visit doctors in India and even the United States. URIs can be spread from one person to another through direct hand-to-hand contact or even aerosol droplets. Well, the risks go up in the below-mentioned conditions:
- People who are in crowded areas such as schools hospitals, institutions or daycare centres have an increased risk of URI because of closed-in areas.
- When a person having URI sneezes or coughs without covering his mouth or nose, the droplets containing URI virus are sprayed into the air.
- When a person has a weak immune system.
- when you touch your eyes or nose without washing your hands especially in crowded places.
- During the rainy and winter season, when people prefer to stay in their homes.
How upper respiratory infection is diagnosed?
Most people with URI aware of the symptoms and they may visit their doctors to get relief from those symptoms. Usually, doctors diagnose the symptoms of URI by checking a person’s medical history and doing certain exams. Here are some tests that are used for URI diagnosis are lateral neck X-rays, chest x-ray, throat swab and even CT scan.
However, all these symptoms of URI can easily be treated by cough suppressants, steam inhalation and nasal decongestants. But, it is always recommended to visit an experienced and proficient doctor to get proper treatment and shorten the duration. You can even ask your doctor for prevention to reduce the risk of URI without any hassle.
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