Bacterial or viral infections of the respiratory tract

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Bacterial or viral infections of the respiratory tract

Viral illnesses are the most common cause of upper respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of a viral illness often appear over several hours without prior illness. Common viral illnesses include colds and the flu (influenza).

Antibiotics are not used to treat viral illnesses and do not alter the course of viral infections, unless the viral infection is influenza A and medication is started within the first 24 to 36 hours.

Bacterial respiratory tract infections are less common than viral infections. Bacterial infections may develop after a viral illness such as a cold or the flu. Bacterial infections may affect the upper or lower respiratory system, and symptoms tend to localize to one area.

The most common sites of bacterial infections in the upper respiratory system are the ear, the sinuses, or the throat. Pneumonia is the most common bacterial infection of the lower respiratory system.

Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections only after they have developed, so most health professionals do not prescribe them until a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed.

Credits

Last updated:	March 06, 2006
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Donald Sproule, MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer