Upper Respiratory Infection

Upper Respiratory Infection services offered in King George, VA

When you're feeling under the weather with a stuffy nose, sore throat, or nagging cough, you may wonder if it’s just a cold or something more. Upper respiratory infections are among the most common reasons people visit Altamont Family Health & Integrative Medicine in King George, Virginia. Led by family nurse practitioner Amanda Aldridge-Schamp, DNP, FNP-C, you have expert access to integrative strategies and treatments to help you feel better faster. Call now or book your appointment online.

Upper Respiratory Infection Q & A

What is an upper respiratory infection?

An upper respiratory infection is a contagious illness that affects the upper part of your respiratory system, including your nose, sinuses, throat, and ears. Called the common cold, it’s usually caused by a virus that spreads through droplets in the air or by touching contaminated surfaces. A cold is typically mild and nothing to worry about, but an upper respiratory infection can make you feel bad and disrupt your daily routine.

If you get recurring upper respiratory infections, it may be due to:

Smoking
Secondhand smoke
Being over- or underweight
Environmental pollution
Frequent contact with children
Having asthma or other breathing conditions

Upper respiratory infections are highly contagious. To minimize your risk, you should wash your hands often, don’t touch your nose or mouth with your hands, don’t share drinking glasses or eating utensils, and refrain from shaking hands or hugging anyone sick.

What are the upper respiratory infection symptoms?

Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection typically appear within a couple of days after you’ve been exposed and include the following:

Sneezing
Runny nose
Congestion
Sore throat
Cough
Mild fatigue
Headache
Fever
Chills
Watery eyes

Most symptoms usually last about a week, but you may develop a cough that lingers longer.

How are upper respiratory infections treated?

Since viruses cause most upper respiratory infections, Amanda and the team don't typically prescribe antibiotics. Instead, they focus your treatment on relieving symptoms and building up your immune system with these strategies:

Allow your body to recover by getting plenty of rest
Stay hydrated with ample water
Sip on healing broths and herbal teas
Use over-the-counter medications for fever, congestion, and a scratchy throat
Use tried-and-true remedies like steam inhalation and saline nasal rinses

As an integrative medicine provider, Amanda may also suggest immune-supportive supplements like zinc, vitamin C, or elderberry and lifestyle modifications such as high-quality sleep, stress reduction, and better nutrition.

If you need help with the unpleasant symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, or your symptoms aren’t resolving after 7-10 days, call the office to set up an appointment or use the online scheduling option.