Upper Respiratory Infections

Upper Respiratory Infections services offered in Jefferson City, MO

If you’re coughing, sneezing, and generally feeling under the weather, an upper respiratory infection may be the cause. At Innovative Medical Clinic in Jefferson City, Missouri, Elochukwu Osoego, PA-C, and Dara Osoego, FNP-C, provide evaluations, prompt care, and advice for managing upper respiratory infections. If they prescribe medications, you can get them in the clinic’s on-site mini pharmacy. Call Innovative Medical Clinic, book an appointment online, or walk in for the care you need today.

Upper Respiratory Infections Q & A

What are upper respiratory infections?

Upper respiratory infections are usually viral but sometimes bacterial illnesses affecting your airways. This includes your throat and sinuses but doesn’t include your lungs. However, it’s possible for some upper respiratory infections to spread down into your lungs where they become more severe, but most of them go away on their own before this can happen.

Some common upper respiratory infections you might be familiar include:

The common cold
Sinusitis (sinus infection)
Pharyngitis (sore throat)
Laryngitis (voice hoarseness)

Not all of these involve the exact same symptoms, but they share some commonalities. Innovative Medical Clinic provides the necessary testing to identify your infection.

What are the symptoms of upper respiratory infections?

Upper respiratory infections can cause uncomfortable symptoms that are typically mild to moderate. Since many conditions cause similar symptoms, you’ll most likely need diagnostic testing. You should report symptoms like:

Sniffling
Sneezing
Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Fatigue
Hoarse voice
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat

Even without treatment, you can usually expect symptoms to last for one or two weeks. The team at Innovative Medical Clinic can provide you with home care advice and possible medications to help alleviate your symptoms sooner.

How are upper respiratory infections treated?

Since most upper respiratory infections are viral and not bacterial, they don’t go away when you use antibiotics. Fortunately, there are plenty of remedies to reduce your symptoms. The team at Innovative Medical Clinic may recommend:

Intravenous (IV) hydration
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
Nasal decongestants
Rest
Drinking plenty of fluids
Humidifiers
Antibiotics (for bacterial infections only)

Most respiratory infections are contagious, so the team recommends staying home until you no longer have symptoms. This can stop you from spreading the infection to classmates, coworkers, family members, and friends.

Through your recovery process, the team may follow up with you to ensure your medications are working effectively and make sure you’re on the path to wellness. You can also reach out to the team anytime you have concerns. They’re happy to help answer any questions you might have.

Call Innovative Medical Clinic, book an appointment online, or walk in for upper respiratory infection care today.