How can uri be treated

An acute upper airway obstruction is a blockage that suddenly occurs in your upper airway — the part of your respiratory system that consists of the…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Acute Upper Respiratory Infection. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. What is acute upper respiratory infection? What causes acute upper respiratory infection?

What are the types of acute upper respiratory infection? Who is at risk for acute upper respiratory infection? What are the symptoms of acute upper respiratory infection? How is acute upper respiratory infection diagnosed? How is acute upper respiratory infection treated? How can acute upper respiratory infections be prevented? Read this next. Acute Respiratory Infection.

Bacterial Pneumonia: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Acute Sinusitis. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Bronchitis: Is it Contagious? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Medically reviewed by Adithya Cattamanchi, M. Because your baby has such small nasal air passages, congestion and mucus can cause trouble breathing. Most babies do not eat well when they are having trouble breathing.

Use a small bulb and saline drops to help clear the air passages. Put 1 drop of warm water or saline about 1 teaspoon salt in 2 cups of water into each nostril, one nostril at a time. Gently remove the mucus with the bulb about a minute later. Your healthcare provider can show you how this is done.

Antibiotics can kill bacteria, but not viruses. If your child has a viral illness such as a URI, an antibiotic will not help. If your child has an ear infection caused by bacteria, your healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic to treat it. Do not give a child under age 6 any cough and cold medicines unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. These medicines may be dangerous in young children. Never give honey to babies. Honey may cause a serious disease called botulism in children less than 1 year old.

All Rights Reserved. While different types of URI can cause different symptoms, some common symptoms include:. There are several types, and doctors classify them according to the part of the respiratory tract that they mainly affect. Types of URI include:. The symptoms usually go away with home treatment after 1—2 weeks. Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, and it may stem from an infection in another part of the respiratory system. The inflammation can lead to increased mucus production and blocked sinuses, due to difficulty draining.

The symptoms usually last 2—3 weeks and resolve without treatment. Some common symptoms include:. Pharyngitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the pharynx, or back of the throat. It often occurs with URIs. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

Some, such as a sore throat and a cough, develop in the upper respiratory tract. Viruses and bacteria can cause URIs. When a person with a URI sneezes or coughs, droplets of saliva and mucus that contain the pathogen spray into the air.

Other people may breathe the droplets in, or they can land on surfaces that others touch. If a person touches a contaminated surface and then their own face, they may develop the infection. URIs may resolve without treatment, or the symptoms may be mild and easy to treat at home. However, these infections can cause more serious symptoms or complications that need professional care. Getting a diagnosis may be important, as the initial symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses, such as:.

If any symptoms do not resolve with home care or if they get worse, contact a doctor. This is especially important if there is difficulty breathing. Nasal decongestants and antihistamines may together be an effective treatment approach, according to research.

Treating a URI generally involves making the person more comfortable by relieving their symptoms. Some people find that home remedies help. There is not enough conclusive evidence to show whether these remedies work, but some options include:. Here, find more cold and flu remedies.