Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) can affect your:
- sinuses
- throat
- airways
- lungs
Most RTIs get better without treatment. But sometimes you will need to contact your GP.
RTI symptoms
Symptoms of an RTI include:
- a cough - you may bring up mucus (phlegm)
- sneezing
- a stuffed or runny nose
- a sore throat
- headaches
- muscle aches
- breathlessness, tight chest or wheezing
- a high temperature (fever)
- feeling generally unwell
What you can do to ease RTI symptoms
Most RTIs pass within 1 to 2 weeks. You can usually treat your symptoms at home.
Do
-
get plenty of rest
-
drink lots of water to loosen any mucus and make it easier to cough up
-
drink hot honey and lemon to help soothe a cough (not suitable for babies)
-
gargle with warm salt water if you have a sore throat (not suitable for children)
-
raise your head up with extra pillows when in bed - this helps make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus
-
use painkillers for fever and pain, such as a sore throat, headache and muscle pain
Don't
-
do not smoke - it can make your symptoms worse
-
do not give aspirin to children under age 16
How to make a hot lemon and honey drink
- Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water.
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey.
Drink while still warm.
Important
Do not give hot drinks to small children.
How to gargle with salt water
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
- Gargle with the salty water, then spit it out. Do not swallow it.
- Repeat as often as you like.
How a pharmacist can help with a RTI
Ask your pharmacist about things that may help relieve your symptoms. These include decongestants and nasal sprays.
You can also buy cough medicines and throat lozenges. But there's little evidence to show they help.
Check if treatments contain paracetamol and ibuprofen. If you are already taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose.
Some treatments are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women. Your pharmacist can tell you which treatments are best for you or your child.
Non-urgent advice: Call your GP if you have:
you think you have an RTI and you:
- feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse
- cough up blood or bloodstained mucus
- have had a cough for more than 3 weeks
- are pregnant
- are age 65 or older
- have a weak immune system - for example, due to a condition or treatment
- have a long-term health condition, such as a heart, lung or kidney condition
It's important to get help if you are very unwell. If your symptoms are severe, it could be a sign of pneumonia.
What your GP can do to help with a RTI
How your GP treats your RTI will depend on the cause.
Your RTI may be caused by:
- a virus - this usually clears up by itself after a few weeks
- bacteria - your GP may prescribe antibiotics
Take antibiotics exactly as your GP tells you. Make sure to complete the course, even if you start to feel better. Antibiotics do not work for viruses.
Sometimes your GP will ask for a sample of mucus for testing. This can help check what caused your RTI.
How to avoid passing RTIs on to others
RTIs are often spread through coughs and sneezes.
To protect other people:
- cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- wash your hands regularly
- throw away used tissues immediately
How to avoid getting an RTI
You may be at high risk of getting an RTI. For example, because you're over 65 or you have a serious long-term health condition.
If you keep getting RTIs or you're at high risk of getting one, you should:
- ask your GP about the annual flu vaccine
- ask if you should have the pneumococcal vaccine - this helps prevent pneumonia
- stop smoking - get help to quit
- cut down on alcohol - stick to the weekly recommended alcohol guidelines
Types of RTIs
RTIs are often spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone with an infection.
There are several different types of RTIs. They're usually grouped into upper and lower RTIs.
Lower RTIs tend to last longer and can be more serious.
How upper and lower RTIs are different to each other
Upper RTIs (sinuses and throat)
Lower RTIs (airways and lungs)
- Bronchitis
- Bronchiolitis
- Chest infection
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
Flu can be an upper or lower RTI.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
