Respiratory tract infections (RTIs)
Overview
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.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a respiratory tract infection include: acough– you may bring up mucus (phlegm)sneezinga stuffy or runny noseasore throatheadachesmuscle achesbreathlessness, tight chest or wheezinga high temperaturefeeling generally unwell
Causes
Viruses (Cold/Flu/Covid) or Bacteria (Pneumonia).
Treatment
Most respiratory tract infections (RTIs) pass within 1 to 2 weeks. You can usually treat your symptoms at home. get plenty of rest get plenty of rest drink lots of water to loosen any mucus and make it easier to cough up drink lots of water to loosen any mucus and make it easier to cough up drink a hot lemon and honey drink to help soothe a cough (not suitable for babies under 1 year old) drink a hot lemon and honey drink to help soothe a cough (not suitable for babies under 1 year old) gargle with warm salty water if you have a sore throat (children should not try this) gargle with warm salty water if you have a sore throat (children should not try this) raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus use painkillers to bring down a fever and help ease a sore throat, headaches and muscle pain use painkillers to bring down a fever and help ease a sore throat, headaches and muscle pain do not let children breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water as there's a risk of scalding do not let children breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water as there's a risk of scalding do not give aspirin to children under 16 do not give aspirin to children under 16 do not smoke – it can make your symptoms worse do not smoke – it can make your symptoms worse Treatment for a respiratory tract infection (RTI) will depend on the cause of your infection. If your RTI is caused by a virus (like thecommon cold), it will usually clear up by itself after a few weeks. Antibiotics will not help. If your RTI is caused by bacteria (likepneumonia), a GP may prescribeantibiotics. Make sure you complete the whole course as advised by a GP, even if you start to feel better. Sometimes a sample of your mucus may need to be tested to see what's causing your RTI. Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial infections. They're not used for treating viral infections because they do not work for this type of infection.
Prevention
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are often spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone with an infection. To reduce the chance of passing an RTI on to others: cover your mouth when you cough or sneezewash your hands regularlythrow away used tissues immediately If you keep getting respiratory tract infections or you're at a high risk of getting one (for example, because you're over the age of 65 or have a serious long-term health condition), you should: ask a GP about the annualflu vaccineask if you should have thepneumococcal vaccine– this helps prevent pneumoniastop smoking if you smoke
When to see a doctor
See GP if: high fever >3 days; coughing blood; difficulty breathing.