Are you coughing or sneezing? Do you have a runny nose or a sore throat? If so, you might have a respiratory infection. The respiratory system includes your sinuses, throat, lungs and airways like the mouth and nose. Its main job is to help you breathe. Infections are caused by a virus or bacteria that enters your respiratory system. | 
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The Two Tracts
Your respiratory system has two tracts—the upper and lower. Infections can occur in both.
Upper respiratory infections affect your sinuses and throat. The most common upper respiratory infections are colds, strep throat, laryngitis and sinus infection.
Lower respiratory infections affect your lungs and airways. Bronchitis, chest infection and pneumonia are common lower respiratory infections.
Are Respiratory Infections Contagious?
Respiratory infections are contagious and usually spread through the air. Sneezing and coughing without covering your nose and mouth are the most common ways for them to spread. Germ-filled droplets from the spray fill the air and are either inhaled or land on surfaces touched by others.
Anyone can get an infection. Children are more at risk because they're around other children and spread it quickly. People with heart or lung conditions or people with weak immune systems are more at risk and may get more severe infections.
Symptoms and Treatment
Respiratory infection symptoms can include:
- cough
- fever
- sore throat
- congestion
- tiredness
- runny nose
- headache
Most people recover on their own within one to two weeks. Antibiotics only help bacterial infections. Antibiotics can't help viral infections.
You can take over-the-counter pain medicine to help relieve some symptoms and drink fluids to keep hydrated. If you aren't sure which medications to take, talk to the pharmacist or your primary care provider. They can help you choose the right medication based on your symptoms and health conditions.
When to go to a doctor
Go to a doctor or urgent care center if your symptoms start to get worse after five to seven days, last longer than two weeks or if you have:
- fever over 103° Fahrenheit
- wheezing
- dizziness
- coughing that makes it hard to breathe
Go to the emergency room if you have:
- fainting
- difficulty breathing or catching your breath
- vomiting
- distressed or raspy breathing
- blue or gray color around the face, mouth or lips
Prevent Respiratory Illness
You can do a few simple things to keep yourself and others well. To prevent illness, you can:
- Get regular checkups and stay current on your immunizations. Staying upto date on vaccinations like flu and COVID-19 vaccines helps you and everyone around you stay healthy.
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly. Alcohol-based cleaners, like hand sanitizer, are a good substitute if you don't have access to a sink.
- Cover sneezes and coughs with your arm or a tissue. Wash your hands often.
- Stay home when you're sick. Help protect the people around you by keeping your distance.
- Exercise. Physical activity keeps your body healthy and helps improve lung capacity.
- Get plenty of rest. A rested body can help fight off infection.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. It can prevent germs in your mouth from developing into infections.
- Use the CDC respiratory illness pageto find more information and rates of respiratory infection near you.
Resources for TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard
Provider Finder®
Use Provider Finder® to find a doctor to help you stay up to date on vaccines and preventive care. Search by location, gender or specialty.
TRS Virtual Health
You and your family can get convenient, quality health care from home or on the go through Teladoc® or RediMD™, 24/7. They treat conditions like colds, flu, sinus infections and other acute respiratory infections. They can also send prescriptions to your pharmacy if needed.
Learn more about TRS Virtual Health:
Resources for TRS-Care Medicare
24/7 Nurse Support Helps make your health decisions simple and convenient while providing:
- Quick answers to your health questions anytime, anywhere
- Access to registered nurses with clinical experience
- Information to guide your health care decisions
Call 1-877-365-7949, TTY 711, any time for health information and support—at no added cost to you.
Virtual Doctor Visit
See a doctor anytime using live video chat from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
With Virtual Doctor Visits, you can ask questions, get a diagnosis or even ask the provider to send your medication prescription to your pharmacy. All you need is a strong internet connection.
Consider setting up an account with a Virtual Doctor Visit provider so you're ready when it's time to make an appointment.
Ways to access Virtual Doctor Visits:
1. On your computer, visit uhcvirtualvisits.com and click on Choose a Medical Provider.
2. On your tablet or smartphone, download one of these apps:
- American Well (Amwell)
- Doctor on Demand
Teladoc—or call 1-855-615-8335 to set up an account and request a visit by phone.
