What is a respiratory tract infection? A respiratory tract infection (RTI) is an infection that affects the respiratory tract, which is a general term used to describe the parts of our body involved in breathing, including the mouth, nose, sinuses, throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), airways and lungs.1 RTIs are very common, especially during…
Bacterial or Viral RTI? Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are mostly caused by either viruses or bacterium. Most upper RTIs are caused by viruses, which cannot be treated with antibiotics (these only work on bacterial infections). Our immune system can fight off most viral infections by itself.1 Some lower RTIs like pneumonia are caused by bacteria.…
The sections below aim to explain common types of RTIs and their associated symptoms. Some symptoms can be common among multiple RTIs and can differ in intensity from person to person. Most RTIs resolve within one to two weeks. You can usually treat your symptoms at home.1 If you are at high risk to the…
Who is at risk? Although anyone can suffer from a respiratory tract infection (RTI), which is highly common, some of us are more vulnerable to the infection. These include1,2: Children under 2 years old People over 65 years old Pregnant women People with a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease People with…