Respiratory infections

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are infections of parts of the body involved in breathing, such as the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs. Most RTIs get better without treatment, but sometimes you may need to see a GP.

1. What are the five most common respiratory infections?
2. What can cause a respiratory infection?
3. How long do respiratory viruses last?
4. What is the strongest antibiotic for upper respiratory infection?
5. Do respiratory infections go away?
6. Can you have a respiratory infection without fever?
7. Can I buy amoxicillin over the counter?
8. Will a bacterial upper respiratory infection go away on its own?

What are the five most common respiratory infections?

Types of upper respiratory infection include the common cold (head cold), the mild flu, tonsillitis, laryngitis, and sinus infection. Of the upper respiratory infection symptoms, the most common is a cough. Lung infections may also lead to a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, achy muscles, and headache.

What can cause a respiratory infection?

Viruses and bacteria can cause URIs. When a person with a URI sneezes or coughs, droplets of saliva and mucus that contain the pathogen spray into the air. Other people may breathe the droplets in, or they can land on surfaces that others touch.

How long do respiratory viruses last?

Acute viral URI last on average 7 to 11 days but may last up to 14 days. However, the most contagious period is during the first 2 or 3 days that a person has symptoms, and rarely after 1 week.

What is the strongest antibiotic for upper respiratory infection?

Amoxicillin is the preferred treatment in patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Short-course antibiotic therapy (median of five days' duration) is as effective as longer-course treatment (median of 10 days' duration) in patients with acute, uncomplicated bacterial rhinosinusitis.

Do respiratory infections go away?

In most cases, respiratory infections will go away within a few days or a week. But if you aren't finding relief, there are other steps you can take.

Can you have a respiratory infection without fever?

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection where the tiny air sacs in your lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid. It can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Although fever is a common symptom of pneumonia, in some cases you can have pneumonia without a fever.

Can I buy amoxicillin over the counter?

No, you cannot get amoxicillin over the counter. You cannot buy amoxicillin over the counter because it only treats certain conditions that need to be diagnosed by a doctor and it has potentially dangerous side effects and drug interactions. You will need a prescription from a doctor in order to buy amoxicillin.

Will a bacterial upper respiratory infection go away on its own?

Most symptoms go away on their own within 7 to 10 days, however, if symptoms persist beyond that or start to worsen, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.