URTI vs LRTI

Compare symptoms of URTI – Upper Respiratory Tract Infection and LRTI – Lower Respiratory Tract Infection.

After your doctor sees and examines you, they will be able to figure out what is causing your illness:

  • If caused by a virus (most common cause of URTIs): usually requires no prescribed treatment, just rest and checking in on you regularly. If you’re not better after a week you should have a yarn with your doctor
  • If caused by bacteria: antibiotics will be given to you after seeing your GP
  • If caused by a fungus: anti-fungal medicine will be given to you after seeing your GP

Sometimes you might need a puffer to help make breathing easier until you are better, your GP can prescribe one if you need it.

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