The best known and most frequent URI to afflict mankind is the common cold. URIs include any infection in the nose, throat, sinuses, and ears. Most are caused by viruses. Technically, Streptococcal pharyngitis (Strep throat) is a URI, but since Strep is primarily a throat infection without respiratory symptoms, doctors don't generally include Strep throat when talking about URIs. Sinus infections and ear infections are usually bacterial complications of viral URIs. For the most part, when doctors talk about URIs they are talking about the common cold, influenza, croup (which we'll talk about in a separate article), and a large variety of viruses that cause cold symptoms but make you sicker than the common cold. The major symptoms of URIs include fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, loss of appetite, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis are not URIs although they may start with a URI or develop as a complication of a URI.

Many patients visit their doctor for URIs because they believe that they need antibiotics to get better. Since virus infections don't respond to treatment with antibiotics, that is a misconception. However, URIs can sometimes lead to bacterial complications like sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia, and many of the symptoms of these complications such as stuffy head, nasal discharge, cough, and fever, are the same as the symptoms caused by the URI. The only distinction may be that the symptoms are more severe or last longer.

URIs are usually minor illnesses even though they may be major nuisances. The symptoms can often be managed at home without a doctor visit. Even if your child has many URIs each year it usually just means that he is unfortunate enough to be exposed to lots of them. Frequent colds don't suggest any underlying medical problem. The best way to prevent colds is to wash your hands and teach your children to wash their hands, especially before touching your face if you've been with someone who has a cold.

For some children colds are more than just a nuisance. Children with asthma may have increased asthma symptoms with URIs. Children who are prone to ear infections are more likely to have an ear infection if they get a cold. Influenza can make children and adults much sicker than colds and has a higher rate of complications such as pneumonia. Any child who seems very sick or has any worrisome symptom with a URI should see the pediatrician. Persistent symptoms such as cough or fever require evaluation to be sure that the child doesn't have bronchitis, pneumonia, or sinusitis. Sore throats with swollen glands may be part of a viral URI, but should be evaluated to rule out Strep throat since Strep should be treated with antibiotics to prevent complications.