Sore throat, a cough or a cold?

What is a respiratory tract infection? 

A respiratory infection is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in your nose, throat or airways. It is usually caused by a virus, such as a common cold or flu virus.

Both the upper and lower respiratory tracts can become inflamed. In the case of an upper respiratory tract infection, the mucous membrane of the nose and/or throat becomes inflamed. Sometimes the nasal and throat adenoids are (also) affected.

An infection of the lower respiratory tract can be caused by either a virus or a bacterium and can lead to serious conditions, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Treatment is often required in such cases.

How can you tell if you have a respiratory infection?

Respiratory infections are common in autumn and winter. These infections are often caused by a virus. The most common symptoms of this respiratory infection are:

• coughing
• hoarseness
• sneezing
• sore throat
• a runny nose or a stuffy nose

Sometimes a person may also have other symptoms, such as:

• fever
• muscle ache
• headache
• fatigue

Treatment of respiratory tract infections

A respiratory infection is unpleasant, but usually clears up on its own after 1 or 2 weeks. Antibiotics often do not help, as the cause is usually a virus. You can ease the symptoms with painkillers, cough syrup and nasal spray. It is also important to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. It is best to stop smoking.

Advice on complaints

If you have a respiratory infection, you can pass it on to those around you. For example, when you talk, cough or sneeze. The virus or bacteria are present in droplets of saliva, phlegm or snot. Some people can become seriously ill from a respiratory infection. Older people and those with chronic illnesses or severe immune disorders are at particular risk.

By following these guidelines, you can reduce the risk of passing the virus on to someone else:

• Are you ill? Stay at home.
• Are you not ill, but are you experiencing symptoms? Work from home if you can. If necessary, discuss this with your employer.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Keep your distance from others.
• Avoid contact with people who could become seriously ill from a respiratory infection.
• If contact is unavoidable (for example, when providing informal care), please wear a face mask.

Good hygiene helps to limit the spread of the virus and can help prevent you from falling ill yourself. You should therefore wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, and ensure indoor spaces are well-ventilated.

When should you contact your GP?

• You’re breathing quickly or with difficulty, even when you’re sitting still.
• You make a wheezing or whistling sound when you breathe.
• You may feel drowsy, sleepy or find that you are no longer responding properly.
• You have had a fever (38 degrees or higher) for more than 5 days
• You’ve had a fever, and after a few days it comes back.
• You’re still coughing a lot after 3 to 4 weeks.

Vaccinations

Some people are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from a respiratory infection. These include older people, people with chronic conditions and people with a weakened immune system. Vaccinations are available for these groups, such as the flu jab, the COVID-19 vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine.