RTIs (respiratory tract infections)
Introduction
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are any infection of the sinuses, throat, airways orlungs.
They're usually caused by viruses, but can be caused by bacteria.
RTIsare thought to be one of the main reasons why people visit their GP or pharmacist. The Cold is the most widespread RTI.
Healthcare professionals generally make a distinction between:
- upper respiratory tractinfections which affectthe nose, sinuses andthroat
- lower respiratory tract infections which affect the airways and lungs
Children tend to get more upperRTIsthan adults because they haven't built up immunity (resistance) to the many viruses that can cause these infections.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 29 Nov 2016
Introduction
Find out more about the different types of lower and upper respiratory tract infections (RTIs), how the infections spread and when you should see your GP.
How respiratory infections spread
RTIs can spread in several ways. If you have an infection such as a cold, tiny droplets of fluid containing the cold virus are launched into the air whenever you sneeze or cough . If these are breathe
Lower respiratory tract infections
Common lowerRTIs include: flu which can affect either the upper or lower respiratory tract bronchitis infection of the airways pneumonia infection of the lungs bronchiolitis an infection
Managingyour symptoms at home
Most RTIs pass without the need for treatment and you won'tusually need to see your GP. You can treat your symptoms at home by taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen , d
When you should see your GP
Visit your GP if: your symptoms suggest you may have pneumonia for example, if you're coughing up bloody mucus and phlegm you have a pre-existing heart, lung, liver or kidney condition you have a
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