Respiratory tract infections (RTIs)

Symptoms of a respiratory tract infection include:

• a cough – you may bring up mucus (phlegm)
• sneezing
• a stuffy or runny nose
• a sore throat
• headaches
• muscle aches
• breathlessness, tight chest or wheezing
• a high temperature
• feeling generally unwell

Most respiratory tract infections (RTIs) pass within 1 to 2 weeks. You can usually treat your symptoms at home.

• get plenty of rest

• drink lots of water to loosen any mucus and make it easier to cough up

• drink a hot lemon and honey drink to help soothe a cough (not suitable for babies under 1 year old)

• gargle with warm salty water if you have a sore throat (children should not try this)

• raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus

• use painkillers to bring down a fever and help ease a sore throat, headaches and muscle pain

• do not let children breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water as there's a risk of scalding

• do not give aspirin to children under 16

• do not smoke – it can make your symptoms worse

1. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water
2. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey
3. Drink while still warm

Do not give hot drinks to small children.

1. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water – warm water helps salt dissolve
2. Gargle with the solution then spit it out – do not swallow it
3. Repeat as often as you like

A pharmacist can suggest treatments to help relieve your symptoms, such as decongestants and nasal sprays.

You can also buy cough medicines and throat lozenges, although there's little evidence to show they help.

Some treatments contain paracetamol and ibuprofen.

If you're taking these medicines separately, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose.

Certain treatments are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women. Your pharmacist can advise you about the best treatment for you or your child.

You have symptoms of a respiratory tract infection and:

• you feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse
• you've had a high temperature for more than 3 days
• you cough up blood or bloodstained mucus
• you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks
• you're pregnant
• you're over 65
• you have a weakened immune system – for example, because you have a condition like diabetes or you're having chemotherapy
• you have a long-term health condition, such as a heart, lung or kidney condition

You may have pneumonia if your symptoms are severe.

Treatment for a respiratory tract infection (RTI) will depend on the cause of your infection.

If your RTI is caused by a virus (like the common cold), it will usually clear up by itself after a few weeks. Antibiotics will not help.

If your RTI is caused by bacteria (like pneumonia), a GP may prescribe antibiotics. Make sure you complete the whole course as advised by a GP, even if you start to feel better.

Sometimes a sample of your mucus may need to be tested to see what's causing your RTI.

Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial infections. They're not used for treating viral infections because they do not work for this type of infection.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are often spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone with an infection.

To reduce the chance of passing an RTI on to others:

• cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• wash your hands regularly
• throw away used tissues immediately

If you keep getting respiratory tract infections or you're at a high risk of getting one (for example, because you're over the age of 65 or have a serious long-term health condition), you should:

• ask a GP about the annual flu vaccine
• ask if you should have the pneumococcal vaccine – this helps prevent pneumonia
• stop smoking if you smoke

There are several different types of respiratory tract infection (RTI). They're usually grouped into upper RTIs and lower RTIs.

Upper RTI affect the sinuses and throat. They include:

• common cold
• sinusitis (sinus infection)
• tonsillitis
• laryngitis

Lower RTIs affect the airways and lungs. They include:

• bronchitis
• bronchiolitis
• chest infection
• pneumonia (lung infection)

Flu and COVID-19 can both be upper or lower RTIs.

Lower RTIs tend to last longer and can be more serious.

Common symptoms of a respiratory tract infection include a cough, sneezing, a sore throat, headaches, breathing problems and a high temperature.

There are things you can do to help with a respiratory tract infection. For example, rest, drink lots of water and take painkillers.

If you have a viral respiratory tract infection, it should clear up by itself. If it's a bacterial infection, your GP may prescribe antibiotics.

To reduce the risk of spreading a respiratory tract infection, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands regularly.

If you're at high risk of getting a respiratory tract infection, ask a GP about getting the flu vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccine.