Upper Respiratory Infections
Treating Colds, Coughs, Sinus & Earaches
If you’ve ever had a cold, cough, or stuffy nose, you may also have had an upper respiratory infection. No matter how hard you try, it’s inevitable that people come into contact with airborne bacteria and viruses. When you sneeze or cough, the infection can spread through the air. Other ways the virus may be transmitted include poor hand washing, a handshake, or touching the nose, eyes or mouth after coming in contact with the virus. Viruses have been found to remain active up to two hours on surfaces such as doorknobs, drawer handles, faucets, tabletops, pens, and computer keyboards.
Many people come to our emergency center seeking relief from upper respiratory symptoms. Unfortunately, patients may be contagious to those they come in contact with while waiting to be treated. We strongly recommend that every patient take hygienic measures to prevent spreading infection. Covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze, regular hand washing, or use of antibacterial cleansers are recommended.
Common symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include:
- Runny nose
- Low-grade fever
- Post-nasal drip
- Cough
- Nasal congestion (stuffiness)
Urgent Care Option Available During Urgent Care Hours Only:
Mon-Fri (8AM-10PM) Sat (8AM-8PM) Sun (9AM-5PM)