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Upper Respiratory Infection Updated 4/2011

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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Pathophysiology
  • Etiology
  • Associated Conditions

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
  • Diet
  • Patient Education
  • Prognosis
  • Complications
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
  • Inflammation of nasal passages resulting from infection with various respiratory viruses
  • Most cases are self-treated.
  • Usually mild–moderate severity, self-limited
  • System(s) affected: ENT; Pulmonary
Epidemiology
Incidence
  • Predominant age: Children > Adults:
    • Preschool children: 6–10 colds/year
    • Kindergarten: 12/year
    • School children: 7/year
    • Adolescents/adults: 2–4/year
  • Predominant sex: Male = Female
Risk Factors
  • Exposure to infected people
  • Touching one's nose or conjunctiva with contaminated fingers
  • Allergic disorders
  • Smoking
  • Immunosuppression
General Prevention
  • Frequent handwashing
  • Limiting exposure to infected persons/children
Pathophysiology

Rhinovirus infects the ciliated epithelium lining the nose, resulting in edema and hyperemia of nasal mucous membranes.

Etiology
  • Usually due to 1 of 200 virus strains from 6 virus families; many strains present ...

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