About respiratory infections

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) affect the upper airway, which includes the nose, paranasal sinuses, trachea, pharynx and larynx. Conditions affecting these structures can be associated with one another, and one upper respiratory infection can progress to another. It can be difficult to distinguish these infections because they can produce similar signs and symptoms. Common URIs include the common cold, pharyngitis, laryngitis, croup, epiglottitis and sinusitis. However, the incidence of epiglottitis has decreased significantly since the introduction of universal Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination. Understanding these infections can help patients recognise symptoms, use treatments appropriately, and know when to seek medical advice.

The Common Cold

The "common cold" is a group of upper respiratory infections caused by six different virus families. The infection is usually mild and self-limiting, with symptoms lasting 1-2 weeks. In the United States, close to $2 billion is spent each year on over-the-counter cough and cold preparations.

Rhinoviruses cause over 30% of colds. Coronaviruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also among the most common causes. "Cold season" usually begins in late August or September and ends after a spring peak in April or May. Colds often recur throughout the season because many different cold viruses circulate. Each virus type has different patterns of occurrence, and all are easily spread. Colds are probably transmitted in three ways: through direct contact with secretions on skin and in the environment; in large particles of respiratory secretions transported through the air; and in infectious droplets suspended in the air. The incubation period for most cold-causing viruses is 48-72 hours. Helping patients understand how colds spread can reinforce the importance of hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

Classic symptoms of a cold include nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing, and a mild sore or scratchy throat. Fever is usually mild in children and rarely rises by more than one degree in adults. Cough and hoarseness often develop. In most cases, patients self-diagnose colds, and treatment targets the most bothersome symptoms. Topical and oral adrenergic agents can effectively treat nasal congestion, and long-acting products can make adherence easier. Pharmacists should reinforce dosing instructions and emphasise limiting the duration of topical decongestant use to prevent rebound congestion.

Rhinorrhoea can be treated with cholinergic blockers to reduce glandular secretion. Intranasal ipratropium has been approved to treat this symptom. First-generation antihistamines such as clemastine fumarate also reduce rhinorrhoea, probably due to an anticholinergic effect rather than antihistamine activity. Second-generation, non-sedating antihistamines do not appear to affect common cold symptoms.

Cough during a cold is typically caused by postnasal drainage and obstruction and may respond to an antihistamine-decongestant combination. Cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan or codeine and expectorants such as guaifenesin have not been adequately studied in the common cold. A cough that persists after other cold symptoms resolve may be due to a complication such as sinusitis or reactive airway disease. These cases should be referred to a doctor. Persistent or worsening symptoms, high fever, or difficulty breathing should also prompt timely assessment by a healthcare provider.

Treatments that target the viral infection itself and the host inflammatory response are being studied. Vitamin C, once thought to have little effect on preventing the common cold, may decrease the duration of a cold episode by about one day, possibly by affecting the immune response. Well-controlled studies are needed to determine the dose and duration necessary to produce this effect.

A promising antiviral treatment is zinc gluconate. Zinc has been shown to inhibit rhinovirus replication in vitro, but in vivo study results have been inconsistent. This may be due in part to the wide range of formulations, variations in study design, and differences in how results are analysed. It is difficult to recommend routine use of zinc lozenges until more comparative studies are completed, but results to date are encouraging.

Other compounds studied for cold treatment include interferon, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and ipratropium bromide. Prophylaxis with interferon has not proven effective in preventing cold infections. Combination products containing intranasal interferon and ipratropium with oral naproxen have shown some activity in experimentally induced colds. These products may be more effective than single agents alone at shortening the duration of a cold infection.

Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is an acute inflammation of the pharynx. It most often occurs with viral infections such as the common cold or influenza. It may also be caused by bacteria, primarily group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus. Streptococcal infections respond rapidly to penicillins, and serious complications such as acute rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis can be avoided. For clinicians and patients, distinguishing viral from bacterial pharyngitis is important because it guides antibiotic use.

Viral pharyngitis can occur as part of the common cold, but it is usually mild. Pharyngitis accompanying influenza, however, can be severe and is often the main complaint in these cases. Coxsackievirus infections, herpes simplex virus, infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein-Barr virus, and HIV can all be associated with pharyngitis. Bacterial pharyngitis varies widely between patients, depending on the causative agent. In some patients, streptococcal pharyngitis causes the pharyngeal membrane to become bright red with exudate, with high fever and cervical adenopathy. In others, only mild symptoms and physical findings are present.

In most cases, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made based on clinical findings alone. Rapid antigen detection tests help determine the need for antibiotic therapy. Family members and other close contacts who develop symptoms should also be tested. If a test is positive, a 10-day course of penicillin V or amoxicillin should be started. Amoxicillin is often chosen for young children primarily because of its palatability. A single dose of benzathine penicillin is also acceptable and virtually eliminates adherence issues. In penicillin-allergic patients, the newer macrolides such as clarithromycin and azithromycin are associated with a much lower incidence of gastrointestinal distress than erythromycin. If the antigen test is negative, the swab should be cultured to confirm the absence of streptococcus. Treatment may be started and then discontinued if the culture is negative, or it can be withheld while awaiting culture results.

If a 10-day course of penicillin fails, viral pharyngitis may be present. Treatment may also fail because adherence was not adequate. Frequent daily dosing, poor patient acceptance, adverse gastrointestinal effects, improper storage, and early discontinuation of therapy due to symptomatic improvement all contribute to poor adherence. Pharmacists' counselling can greatly improve adherence and treatment outcomes.

Laryngitis

Infectious laryngitis is a common illness that is almost always caused by a virus. However, hoarseness can develop with bacterial respiratory infections and even candidal infections in immunocompromised patients. The most common viruses associated with laryngitis are influenza virus, rhinovirus and adenovirus. Infectious laryngitis often occurs with symptoms such as cough and sore throat. In children, laryngitis is usually part of another upper respiratory infection, such as croup. Viral laryngitis is usually mild. Severe hoarseness and airway obstruction with respiratory distress, inspiratory stridor and air hunger are unusual.

The primary symptom of laryngitis is a lowered vocal pitch, hoarseness and sometimes complete loss of voice. Physical examination usually shows little more than pharyngeal inflammation. If the larynx is examined using laryngoscopy, the vocal cords and subglottic tissue show inflammatory oedema. Treatment for laryngitis is primarily voice rest. Inhaling moistened air may provide some relief. Because laryngitis is typically viral, antibiotics are not beneficial in most cases. If hoarseness continues beyond 2 weeks, laryngoscopy must be performed to rule out other diseases. Patients should be advised to seek care promptly if they notice progressive difficulty breathing, pain, or blood in sputum.

Croup

Simple croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis) is a viral respiratory tract infection in children that results in inflammation of the subglottic region. Case severity depends in part on the child's age, the infecting virus and the child's predisposition to develop croup. It is most frequently seen in children aged 3 months to 3 years, although it can complicate respiratory infections in older children. Young children have more difficulty with respiratory distress during croup because their airways are smaller. As a result, inflammation and oedema cause a greater degree of obstruction than in older children. The most common viral causes of croup are parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and RSV. The incidence varies seasonally, with outbreaks usually occurring in autumn, winter or early spring.

Most children have an upper respiratory infection for a few days before croup symptoms begin. There may be a slight or moderate fever and sometimes hoarseness, but there are usually few other symptoms apart from rhinitis or conjunctivitis. Mild croup causes a characteristic "croupy" or "brassy" cough that sounds like barking. This cough is usually non-productive. Symptoms usually worsen at night, often waking the child suddenly with shortness of breath and a feeling of apprehension. Symptoms may improve substantially, and may even disappear, during the day but return at night. Symptoms improve slowly over several days. However, if laryngeal obstruction progresses, inspiratory stridor and respiratory distress may follow. Small children may become agitated and cry, which can worsen symptoms and make breathing even more difficult. In some children, a high fever (>39°C (102°F)) and respiratory distress can progress to hypoxia, cyanosis and cardiopulmonary arrest. This situation must be treated as a medical emergency.

Most patients who develop croup can be adequately treated at home. Laryngeal spasm is often relieved by placing the child in a closed bathroom and running a hot shower or bath to create a warm, humid environment. Cold outdoor air may also adequately relieve symptoms. Once breathing becomes more comfortable, a bedroom humidifier may help prevent recurrence of laryngeal spasm over the next few evenings. If a child does not respond to home treatment, a visit to a doctor's clinic or an emergency department is the next step. Nebulised adrenaline has been shown to improve symptoms, but the effect is transient, and patients who respond to adrenaline require continued observation. In many cases, oral or parenteral steroids (typically dexamethasone) for 1 to 3 days are used to reduce inflammatory oedema. Although the efficacy of steroids remains controversial, this treatment often dramatically improves the clinical picture, with a small risk of adverse effects.

Children who have had croup appear to be predisposed to future episodes. These children may have hyperreactive airways with an allergic component to their symptoms. This theory is based on the frequent finding of positive skin tests and a family history of allergies in children who are predisposed to croup. It is often recommended that these patients use a bedroom humidifier during any upper respiratory infection to help prevent croup. However, this measure has not been proven effective.

Epiglottitis

Epiglottitis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening swelling of the epiglottis and surrounding tissues. It is usually caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b. Typically, patients are boys aged 2 to 4 years who have experienced 6-12 hours of fever and difficulty swallowing. Older children and adults complain of a sore throat. The hallmark of epiglottitis (which differentiates it from croup, diphtheria, angioneurotic oedema, or foreign body aspiration) is the patient's appearance. These patients are often described as "toxic" and may be pallid, lethargic, irritable, hypotensive and dehydrated, with a rapid heart rate and rapid breathing. They are usually in respiratory distress, leaning forward while sitting and drooling oral secretions because they cannot swallow. Inspiratory stridor and hoarseness may be present. Diagnosis is made by examining the epiglottis, which appears bright red. Epiglottitis may result in complete airway obstruction within as little as 30 minutes after symptoms begin. An immediate airway must be established by inserting an endotracheal tube. The tube must remain in place for 3-5 days until the inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis have subsided. Conventional treatment includes 7-10 days of an appropriate parenteral antibiotic. Household contacts under the age of 4 years should receive rifampin prophylaxis 20 mg/kg/day (maximum 600 mg/day) for 4 days. Patients should be discharged with the same regimen to prevent reintroduction of the organism into the household. Because of routine Hib vaccination, epiglottitis is now less common in many regions, but any suspected case still requires emergency care.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infection of the paranasal sinuses that often follows a viral upper respiratory tract infection or occurs as a complication of allergic rhinitis. If not effectively treated, sinusitis can lead to serious infections such as bacterial meningitis, subdural or epidural abscess, or brain abscess.

Sinusitis may be acute or chronic. Most acute cases are due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Anaerobic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus are predominant causes of chronic sinusitis and its intracranial complications. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes sinusitis in immunocompromised patients or those with nasal tubes or catheters, and fungi can be the culprit in patients with HIV.

Acute sinusitis is often accompanied by greenish-yellow nasal discharge, although it may be purulent or even clear. Many patients also complain of cough and postnasal drip from sinus drainage, low-grade fever, headache and decreased appetite. There may be tenderness over the maxillary or frontal sinuses and areas of opacity on sinus X-rays. Empiric use of ampicillin or amoxicillin for 10-20 days is commonly employed. Tests to confirm the pathogen (sinus cavity aspiration) are invasive and expensive. Oral antibiotics may be discontinued if symptoms have disappeared after 10-14 days of therapy. If symptoms persist, an additional 10-14 days of treatment may be necessary. Decongestants (topical or systemic) and oral antihistamines are useful in patients with allergic rhinitis. Intranasal steroids may increase the risk of developing fungal sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms continue for more than 6 weeks. These infections are often caused by anaerobes, Staphylococcus aureus, or organisms resistant to previously used antimicrobial therapy. Treatment may require beta-lactamase inhibitors (for example, amoxicillin/clavulanate), cephalosporins, or newer macrolide antibiotics. Resistant infections may require additional diagnostic tests to determine appropriate antibiotic therapy. Chronic sinusitis can lead to permanent mucosal damage.

Complications and When to Seek Urgent Care

Although most upper respiratory infections are self-limited, they can occasionally lead to serious complications. The table below summarises selected complications mentioned in this article and highlights situations in which urgent assessment is important.

Handwashing is the most effective way to stop the spread of sinusitis. In atopic patients, controlling allergic rhinitis should help decrease episodes of acute sinusitis. Although this is not a proven method, prompt use of nasal decongestants when nasal stuffiness occurs may help prevent poor sinus drainage and impending infection. Adequate treatment of acute sinusitis may also prevent progression to a more chronic condition. Across all upper respiratory infections, careful symptom monitoring and early contact with a healthcare provider when concerns arise can improve safety and outcomes.