Upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses or bacteria entering the upper respiratory tract, which includes the nose, sinuses, pharynx and larynx. The major diseases of the upper respiratory tract are rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, the common cold, and influenza. These conditions cause inflammation and irritation of the affected areas and common symptoms include sore throat, cough, fever and loss of voice. Viruses like rhinovirus, coronavirus and influenza virus are common causes of upper respiratory infections.

1. Diseases Of Upper Respiratory
Tract
“Upper respiratory tract infections (URI or URTI) are the
illnesses caused by an acute infection”
The Upper respiratory tract.
- nose,
-sinuses,
-Pharynx or larynx
Etiology
Upper respiratory tract infections occurs when a
micro organisms either virus or bacteria are inhaled.
Examples of viruses that causes URTIs includes;
1)rhinovirus
2)Coronavirus
3)coxsackie virus
4)Influenza virus and
5)Adenovirus

2. Examples of bacteria which causes URTIs
includes:
1)Haemophilus influenza
2)S. pneumoniae
3)S. pyogenes and
4)C. diphtheriae
Diseases:
Followings are the major diseases.
1) Rhinitis:
 It Is the inflammation and irritation of the mucous
membrane of the nose.
 This condition co-exist with other respiratory
problem like asthma
 Rhinitis may be acute or chronic, allergic or non
allergic.
Signs and symptoms:

3. 2) Sinusitis:
-Sinuses are normally protected from infection by
mucociliary.
Sign and symptoms:
3) Pharyngitis
This is the inflammation and irritation of the pharynx.
This condition may be acute or Chronic.
Signs and symptoms:

4. 1)sore throat
2)dysphagia
3)fever
4)malaise
5)cough
6)and elevated wbc count
Etiology:

5. viral pharyngitis includes; adenovirus,
influenza virus.
bacterial pharyngitis is streptococcus pyogenes.
4) Tonsillitis
“Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, typically of
rapid onset. It is a type of pharyngitis.”

6. 5) Laryngitis:
“This is the inflammation and irritation of the voice
box/larynx. The inflammation causes narrowing of the
upper airways which leads to a hoarseness of the voice,
in some circumstance aphonia ( complete loss of voice).”
Sign and Symptoms:
6) Common cold (coryza):
 Cause: viral in origin, most commonly rhinovirus

7.  Transmissionof common cold: infections is mostly
through hand-to-hand contact, with subsequent
passageto the nostrils or eyes—rather than, as
commonly perceived, through droplets in the air
 Incubation period: 12hours to 5 days
Symptoms :
7) influenza
Caused by: Influenza viruses
transmitted primarily from person to person through
respiratory droplets disseminated during sneezing,

8. coughing, and talking, and through contact with
contaminated surfaces
Incubation period: 1-3 days
Sign and Symptoms: