Respiratory Tract Infections

What are upper respiratory tract infections?

Upper respiratory tract infections develop when bacteria or viruses settle into any area of your upper respiratory tract, including your nose, sinuses, mouth, and throat.

Common types of upper respiratory tract infections include:

• Colds
• Tonsillitis
• Strep throat
• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Rhinitis (nasal inflammation)

The team at Cali Quick Urgent Care can also diagnose and treat acute infections and chronic diseases in your lower respiratory tract.

What are common lower respiratory tract infections?

Lower respiratory tract infections affect the areas below your voice box, including your lungs. The team at Cali Quick Urgent Care can diagnose and treat common types of lower respiratory infections and diseases, such as:

Bronchitis

Bronchitis describes inflammation in the bronchial tubes that carry oxygen to and from your lungs. 

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs (alveoli). The infection can also cause your lungs to fill up with fluids or pus, leading to symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes sudden inflammation in the airways that makes it difficult to take in oxygen.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD)

COPD describes chronic inflammatory diseases that obstruct the airflow from your lungs. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two types of COPD.

How are respiratory infections diagnosed?

During a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of a respiratory infection, the team at Cali Quick Urgent Care reviews your medical history and your symptoms. They can examine your nose and throat and listen to your heart and lungs.

You may also need a throat culture to identify strep throat or a chest X-ray to confirm pneumonia. The medical team can discuss your options for additional diagnostic testing based on your symptoms and their severity.

Some conditions like COPD and asthma may require lung function testing. This type of test requires you to breathe into a special device that measures how much air you can take in and move out of your lungs during a certain period of time.

Once your testing is complete, the Cali Quick Urgent Care team customizes a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and protect the function of your respiratory system.

How are respiratory infections treated?

Your treatment plan for respiratory infections and diseases may involve antibiotics to clear a bacterial infection in your throat, sinuses, or ears. Medications can also reduce swelling in your lungs or airways.

If your respiratory condition results from a virus, you may not need medications. The team at Cali Quick Urgent Care can recommend strategies that keep you comfortable until the virus leaves your system.

To manage chronic diseases like COPD or persistent shortness of breath, you may need supplemental oxygen.

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of a respiratory infection by calling Cali Quick Urgent Care or by booking an appointment online today.