Upper Respiratory Infection

Upper Respiratory Infection

You get an upper respiratory infection when a virus (or bacteria) enters your respiratory system. For example, you might touch an infected surface or shake hands with a person who’s sick. You then touch your mouth, nose or eyes. The germs from your hands enter and infect your body.

These infections affect your sinuses and throat. Upper respiratory infections include:

• Common cold.

• Epiglottitis.

• Laryngitis.

• Pharyngitis (sore throat).

• Sinusitis (sinus infection).

Symptoms

You may get symptoms, including:

• Cough

• Fever

• Hoarse voice.

• Fatigue and lack of energy.

• Red eyes.

• Runny nose.

• Sore throat.

• Swollen lymph nodes (swelling on the sides of your neck).

How can to prevent upper respiratory infections?

Keep you and your family healthy. Take steps to prevent upper respiratory infections:

Practice good hygiene:

• Wash hands, especially before eating or preparing food.

• Sneeze and cough into your arm or a tissue and wash hands after.

Live a healthy lifestyle:

• Avoid contact with people who are sick.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Get enough sleep.

• Stop smoking.

See your provider:

• Keep up with routine checkups and immunizations.

• Ask your provider if you should get the pneumococcal vaccine, which prevents pneumonia.

• Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms lasting longer than two weeks, a high fever or any other concern.