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An upper respiratory tract infection ( URTI) is an illness caused by an acute infection, which involves the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx or trachea. [3] [4] This commonly includes nasal obstruction, sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis media, and the common cold.
Viscous lidocaine relieves pain by numbing the mucous membranes. [33] Antibiotics are useful if a bacterial infection is the cause of the sore throat. [34] [35] For viral infections, antibiotics have no effect. In the United States, they are used in 25% of people before a bacterial infection has been detected.
Adenovirus infection is a contagious viral disease, caused by adenoviruses, commonly resulting in a respiratory tract infection. [ 1][ 10] Typical symptoms range from those of a common cold, such as nasal congestion, coryza and cough, to difficulty breathing as in pneumonia. [ 10] Other general symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches ...
Other viral causes include influenza A and B, measles, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). [5] Spasmodic croup is caused by the same group of viruses as acute laryngotracheitis, but lacks the usual signs of infection (such as fever, sore throat, and increased white blood cell count). [5]
Symptoms may include sore throat, fever, enlargement of the tonsils, trouble swallowing, and enlarged lymph nodes around the neck. [1] [2] Complications include peritonsillar abscess (quinsy). [1] [3] Tonsillitis is most commonly caused by a viral infection and about 5% to 40% of cases are caused by a bacterial infection.
Acute cases usually occur as part of a viral upper respiratory tract infection, [1] other infections and trauma such as from coughing are other causes. [1] Chronic cases may occur due to smoking, tuberculosis, allergies, acid reflux, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis. [1] [3] The underlying mechanism involves irritation of the vocal cords. [2]
A viral disease (or viral infection) occurs when an organism's body is invaded by pathogenic viruses, and infectious virus particles (virions) attach to and enter susceptible cells. [ 1 ] Examples are the common cold, gastroenteritis and pneumonia. [ 2 ]
Antiviral drugs directly target the viruses responsible for influenza infections. Generally, anti-viral drugs work optimally when taken within a few days of the onset of symptoms. [3] Certain drugs are used prophylactically, that is they are used in uninfected individuals to guard against infection. [medical citation needed]