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Written & Reviewed by Clinics Asia Healthcare Team | Learn more about our expert review process.
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.
Types of respiratory tract infection
There are several different types of respiratory tract infection (RTI). They're usually grouped into upper RTIs and lower RTIs.
Upper RTI affect the sinuses and throat. They include:
- common cold
- sinusitis (sinus infection)
- tonsillitis
- laryngitis
Lower RTIs affect the airways and lungs. They include:
- bronchitis
- bronchiolitis
- chest infection
- pneumonia (lung infection)
Flu and COVID-19 can both be upper or lower RTIs.
Lower RTIs tend to last longer and can be more serious.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a respiratory tract infection include:
- a cough – you may bring up mucus (phlegm)
- sneezing
- a stuffy or runny nose
- a sore throat
- headaches
- muscle aches
- breathlessness, tight chest or wheezing
- a high temperature
- feeling generally unwell
Treatment Options
Most respiratory tract infections (RTIs) pass within 1 to 2 weeks. You can usually treat your symptoms at home.
Do
- get plenty of rest
- 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)
- 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
- use painkillers to bring down a fever and help ease a sore throat, headaches and muscle pain
Don’t
- 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 smoke – it can make your symptoms worse
A pharmacist can help with an RTI
A pharmacist can suggest treatments to help relieve your symptoms, such as decongestants and nasal sprays.
You can also buy cough medicines and throat lozenges, although there's little evidence to show they help.
Some treatments contain paracetamol and ibuprofen.
If you're taking these medicines separately, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose.
Certain treatments are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women. Your pharmacist can advise you about the best treatment for you or your child.
Treatment for a respiratory tract infection (RTI) will depend on the cause of your infection.
If your RTI is caused by a virus (like the common cold), it will usually clear up by itself after a few weeks. Antibiotics will not help.
If your RTI is caused by bacteria (like pneumonia), a GP may prescribe antibiotics. 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.
Important: Use of antibiotics
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 Tips
How to avoid spreading a respiratory tract infection
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 sneeze
- wash your hands regularly
- throw away used tissues immediately
How to avoid getting a respiratory tract infection
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 annual flu vaccine
- ask if you should have the pneumococcal vaccine – this helps prevent pneumonia
- stop smoking if you smoke
When To See A Doctor
See a GP if you have symptoms of a respiratory tract infection and:
- you feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse
- you've had a high temperature for more than 3 days
- you cough up blood or bloodstained mucus
- you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks
- you're pregnant
- you're over 65
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because you have a condition like diabetes or you're having chemotherapy
- you have a long-term health condition, such as a heart, lung or kidney condition
You may have pneumonia if your symptoms are severe.
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