Upper Respiratory Infection Care in San Antonio, TX

An upper respiratory infection is an infection of your nasal passages, larynx, sinuses, and pharynx. The infections are called different names depending on which respiratory area they are affecting. Other types of upper respiratory infections are laryngotracheitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, and pharyngitis.

You will find that an upper respiratory infection is prevalent and can lead to a lot of school and work absences every year. They are more common during our cold winter months but can happen any time of the year.

Most upper respiratory infections are caused by a virus, while others are bacterial. If you are around another with a URI and they laugh, talk, cough, sing, or sneeze, you have a good chance of catching it. Another way of catching an upper respiratory infection is by touching a contaminated surface, followed by rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth.

Most everyone will develop an upper respiratory infection at some point during our lives, but there are ways to reduce your risk. Frequent hand washing, the correct way, is the best place to start.

Kids are experts at spreading URIs. While you can’t avoid contact with your own children, you can try to teach them good hand washing techniques and reduce their chances of contracting an infection while playing with other kids.

Sometimes it is hard to differentiate a URI and a cold. Here are some symptoms of a URI:

  • A general feeling of fatigue
  • Pain when you swallow
  • Coughing
  • Nasal congestion
  • Fever
  • Sinus pain
  • A sore or scratchy throat
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal discharge
While some might feel like a few sick days at home will do the trick, URIs can be bacterial, which will need antibiotics to clear it up. Some of the symptoms of a URI can mimic symptoms of some severe medical conditions, these include:
  • Bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Swine flu
  • Allergic reactions
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Influenza

If you start experiencing any of these symptoms, come to our urgent care as soon as possible. The physicians here will work to find out the cause and treat your symptoms. Visit us at Alamo City Urgent Care, LLC today!

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