An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is an illness caused by an acute infection, which involves the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, sinuses, ...UpperrespiratorytractinfectionFromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopediaJumptonavigationJumptosearchUpperrespiratorytractinfectionConductingpassages.SpecialtyInfectiousdiseaseFrequency(2015)[1]Deaths3,100[2]Anupperrespiratorytractinfection(URTI)isanillnesscausedbyanacuteinfection,whichinvolvestheupperrespiratorytract,includingthenose,sinuses,pharynx,orlarynx.Thiscommonlyincludesnasalobstruction,sorethroat,tonsillitis,pharyngitis,laryngitis,sinusitis,otitismedia,andthecommoncold.[3]Mostinfectionsareviralinnature,andinotherinstances,thecauseisbacterial.[4]URTIscanalsobefungalorhelminthicinorigin,butthesearelesscommon.[5]In2015,17.2billioncasesofURTIsareestimatedtohaveoccurred.[1]Asof2014,theycausedabout3,000deaths,downfrom4,000in1990.[6]Contents1Signsandsymptoms1.1Mouth2Cause3Diagnosis3.1Classification4Prevention5Treatment5.1Antibiotics5.2Coughmedicine5.2.1Decongestants5.2.2Mucolytics5.3Alternativemedicine6Epidemiology7Seealso8References9Furtherreading10ExternallinksSignsandsymptoms[edit]TimelineforcoldsymptomsInuncomplicatedcolds,coughingandnasaldischargemaypersistfor14daysormoreevenafterothersymptomshaveresolved.[4]AcuteURTIsincluderhinitis,pharyngitis/tonsillitis,andlaryngitisoftenreferredtoasacommoncold,andtheircomplications:sinusitis,earinfection,andsometimesbronchitis(thoughbronchiaregenerallyclassifiedaspartofthelowerrespiratorytract.)SymptomsofURTIscommonlyincludecough,sorethroat,runnynose,nasalcongestion,headache,low-gradefever,facialpressure,andsneezing.[citationneeded]Symptomsofrhinovirusinchildrenusuallybegin1–3daysafterexposure.Theillnessusuallylasts7–10moredays.[4]Colororconsistencychangesinmucousdischargetoyellow,thick,orgreenarethenaturalcourseofviralURTIandnotanindicationforantibiotics.[4]GroupAbeta-hemolyticstreptococcalpharyngitis/tonsillitis(strepthroat)typicallypresentswithasuddenonsetofsorethro