Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms & Treatment

Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) are a very common type of condition that affect any area of your body involved in breathing.

They're generally divided into Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (affecting the airways and lungs) and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (affecting the nose, sinuses and throat).

Our doctors will assess your symptoms and once they've diagnosed which type of RTI you have, they'll recommend the most effective treatment.

Lower RTIs affect your airways and lungs. Examples include bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and bronchiolitis.

Common symptoms include:

A tight feeling in the chest
Breathlessness
Breathing faster than normal
Wheezing
Coughing (either with mucus or without)

This type of RTI affects your sinuses, throat and nose. The common cold, tonsillitis, laryngitis and sinusitis are all examples of Upper RTIs.

Symptoms usually include:

Headaches
A runny and/or blocked nose
Sneezing
A sore throat
Aching muscles
Coughing

Respiratory tract infections can be passed on through contagious viruses or bacteria.

You can catch a virus through direct contact (such as someone's breath) or indirect contact (such as touching a surface that someone with a virus has touched).

As symptoms of viruses often take a few days to appear, it's very easy to become infected without realising.

RTIs can be caused by either viruses or bacteria. Before our doctors can recommend treatment, they'll need to diagnose what sort of RTI you have.

They'll discuss your symptoms with you during your consultation and use the information you provide to make their diagnosis and suggest effective treatment or medication.

If you have a respiratory tract infection, you don't need to wait weeks to see a GP.

Our experienced UK doctors can see you face-to-face in the comfort of your own home, 7 days a week. Simply book an appointment on your smartphone, tablet or computer at a time to suit you.

RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS

What is a respiratory tract infection?

Symptoms: Lower respiratory tract infection

Symptoms: Upper respiratory tract infection

What causes respiratory tract infections?

Respiratory tract infection treatment

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