Upper respiratory infection

From WikEM
(Redirected from URI)
Jump to: navigation, search

Background

Clinical Features

  • Common cold[2]
    • Sore throat
    • Malaise
    • Low-grade fever
    • Cough (usually 24-48 hrs later)
    • Rhinorrhea
    • Nasal congestion
    • Symptoms peak by day 3 or 4, resolve by day 7

Differential Diagnosis

Influenza-Like Illness

Cough

Acute (< 3 wks)

Chronic (> 8 wks)

  • Postinfectious; pertussis
  • Smoking and/or chronic bronchitis
  • Postnasal discharge
  • Asthma
  • GERD
  • ACEI/ARB
  • CHF
  • Lung cancer or intrathoracic mass
  • Emphysema
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Psychiatric

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis.
  • Rule out other serious causes

Management

  • Supportive care
    • Avoid prescribing antibiotics[3]
    • Mucolytics: little evidence to support usage
    • Bronchodilators if wheezing present

Disposition

Outpatient

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Tallman TA. Acute Bronchitis and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. In: Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski J, Ma O, Cline DM, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD, T. eds. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011
  2. Tallman TA. Acute Bronchitis and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. In: Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski J, Ma O, Cline DM, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD, T. eds. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011
  3. Choosing Wisely. Infectious Diseases Society of America. http://www.choosingwisely.org/clinician-lists/infectious-diseases-society-antbiotics-for-upper-respiratory-infections/

Authors

Neil Young