An upper respiratory tract infection is a general term describing a group of diseases that affect the respiratory system, and they include the nose, sinuses, larynx, pharynx, trachea, major bronchi, the common cold, sore throat, sinusitis, and tracheobronchitis. Influenza also affects the upper respiratory tract, but this disease is a systemic illness and is not limited to the upper respiratory tract. 
Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Although we are talking about a group of diseases and germs, there are many common symptoms for these diseases, which include the following: 
•    Nasal congestion. 
•    Sneezing. 
•    Sore throat. 
•    Eye inflammation. 
•    Sudden onset of a sore throat without other symptoms. 
•    Redness in the throat. 
•    Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. 
•    Pain on one side of the sinuses in the upper teeth area and in the head, accompanied by severe nasal congestion. 
•    Sensitivity and swelling over the sinuses. 
•    Acute sinusitis. 
•    Cough with or without sputum. 
•    Wheezing when breathing for one to three weeks. 
•    Tracheobronchitis. 
•    High temperature. 
•    Headache. 
•    Fever. 
•    A nasal voice. 
•    Skin irritation around the nose with an inflamed mucous membrane. 
Causes and Risk Factors of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
These viruses change frequently, so a person can be infected multiple times, such that an adult may contract this infection 2 to 4 times every year, as pathogens are transmitted via airborne droplets and direct contact with a sick person. The causes include the following: 
1. Causes of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
The causes include the following: 
Viruses
The viruses include the following: 
•    Rhinovirus. 
•    Parainfluenza virus. 
•    Coronavirus. 
•    Adenovirus. 
•    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 
•    Coxsackievirus. 
•    Influenza causing a runny nose. 
Bacteria
The bacteria include the following: 
•    Streptococcus bacteria. 
•    Diphtheria. 
•    Gonococcus. 
•    Chlamydia. 
•    Mycoplasma. 
•    Pertussis bacteria. 
Risk Factors
Risk factors include the following: 
•    Allergies. 
•    Weak or suppressed immune system. 
•    Exposure to many people in crowded areas. 
•    Poor hygiene. 
Complications of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Complications include the following: 
•    Otitis media. 
•    Bronchitis. 
•    Bronchiolitis. 
•    Pneumonia. 
•    Sepsis. 
•    Meningitis. 
•    Intracranial abscess. 
Diagnosis of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
A description of the condition by the patient and a physical examination by the doctor are generally sufficient to diagnose the disease, and there is no need for a precise diagnosis. However, in cases that require a specific diagnosis for some reason, the following can be used: 
•    A viral or bacterial culture test. 
•    Blood or urine test. 
•    Taking a throat swab. 
•    Chest imaging. 
•    Radiography or computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck. 
Treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
The most prominent treatment methods include the following: 
•    1. Rest: The primary treatment is rest to make it easier for the patient to fight the disease. 
•    2. Antibiotics: There is a need in the case of a bacterial sore throat to administer antibiotic treatment, which is not effective against viral diseases. 
•    3. Medications: There are many medications containing various drug compounds whose task is to reduce fever, relieve pain, reduce nasal congestion, dilate the airways, help with sleep, and reduce inflammation. 
•    4. Vaporizer: Using a vaporizer helps with breathing and reduces pain in the throat. 
•    5. Vitamin C: The use of Vitamin C for treatment is controversial; it is clear that to obtain a therapeutic result, it is necessary to use relatively large amounts of the vitamin, and this amount may cause diarrhea. 
•    6. Zinc: Taking zinc in large quantities leads to a reduction in the duration of the illness by an average of one day, along with causing a bad taste and nausea in many patients. 
Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Prevention is simple and mainly depends on maintaining the following: 
•    Maintaining hygiene and washing hands before and after meals. 
•    Isolating patients. 
•    Taking the seasonal flu vaccine every year. 
•    Avoiding contact with infected people. 
•    Increasing the intake of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. 
•    Avoiding foods rich in sugars that weaken immunity. 
•    Not touching the eyes and nose without sanitizing hands. 
•    Using tissues when sneezing or coughing.