Your guide to upper respiratory infection treatments

URIs, also known as respiratory tract infections (RTIs), can affect your nasal passages, throat, and lungs, causing symptoms like a stuffy nose or a cough. The infection results from a virus or bacteria that enters your system.

The common cold and flu viruses are common examples of URIs. COVID-19 also results from a viral infection. URIs from bacterial infections include strep throat and whooping cough.

You can treat most URIs at home, and they don’t pose a significant risk to your health. However, if bacteria cause a URI, you might need antibiotics. URI treatments can help you feel better faster.

Home treatments for URIs

One of the main recommendations for URIs is to practice self-care: get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. But many other home and natural treatments can help relieve your symptoms:

• Eucalyptus oil: Eucalyptol, found in eucalyptus oil, may improve respiratory tract symptoms of mild COVID-19. However, it shouldn’t be an alternative to medical treatments.
• Chicken soup: Many people traditionally eat chicken soup when they’re unwell because it can be comforting. It can help aid your hydration and is rich in nutrients. Importantly, there is some evidence it can affect your white blood cells and reduce upper respiratory symptoms.
• Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, meaning it may have benefits in reducing symptoms of URIs.
• Honey: Honey also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and you can use it to help soothe a sore throat and treat coughs.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C can help boost your immune system. Some 2020 evidence suggests it may be a good way to relieve your symptoms alongside antiviral medications.
• Saltwater gargle: Gargling with saltwater may ease a sore throat and loosen mucus in your throat.
• Saline nasal flush: Rinsing your sinuses with sterile saline using a spray or a pot can relieve a stuffy nose.

Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for URIs

The main treatments for URIs focus on soothing your symptoms while you recover. URIs like the cold usually last between 7 and 10 days, although they may last longer.

While medications won’t cure a viral infection, some OTC medications may soothe your symptoms. Examples include:

• Decongestants: Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can reduce symptoms of a stuffy nose.
• Cough suppressants: True to their name, cough suppressants can block your coughing reflex. Dextromethorphan (Robitussin) is one of the most commonly used.
• Expectorants: Expectorants can also help with coughs by thinning the mucus in your throat. Guaifenesin (Mucinex) is the most common expectorant.
• Pain relievers: Some OTC medications can help ease headaches, sore throats, muscle pain, and fever associated with URIs. Examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve).

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Prescription medications for URIs

If home remedies and OTC medications aren’t enough to manage your condition, doctors can prescribe medications. This isn’t always necessary, but a healthcare professional can evaluate you and make a decision about your needs.

Antibiotics

You often don’t need antibiotics to treat a URI, as bacterial URIs are much less common than viral ones. Doctors also aim not to prescribe antibiotics if they aren’t necessary to avoid antibiotic resistance.

However, if your URI is due to a bacterial infection, such as with strep throat, antibiotics will likely be necessary to kill the infection.

There are many different antibiotics — the best one will depend on your individual condition and symptoms. Some common examples include:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil)
• azithromycin (Zithromax)
• penicillin

Antivirals

Antivirals aren’t usually necessary for a cold, but a doctor may prescribe them for the flu or COVID-19. These are most effective if started within 1 to 2 days of noticing symptoms.

There are four antivirals doctors generally use to help treat the flu:

• oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
• zanamivir (Relenza)
• peramivir (Rapivab)
• baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)

Doctors can prescribe two antivirals to help treat COVID-19:

• nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid)
• remdesivir (Veklury)

How to tell if your URI is viral or bacterial

A doctor can usually tell you whether your URI is viral or bacterial. However, there are some signs you can look out for:

• your symptoms may be worse with a bacterial infection than a viral one
• your symptoms may last longer than 10 days
• you may continue to feel worse rather than notice an improvement

Vaccination

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu. Although it may not shorten the length of your illness, it can make your condition milder and help prevent complications.

You can also get a vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and up.

These vaccines may not stop you from developing URIs, but they may reduce the severity of your illness and help prevent complications.

Online care for URIs

While you can often treat URIs at home, getting your condition checked out may still be a good idea, especially if you have a weakened immune system and are at risk of more serious complications.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

URIs are very common infections that affect your respiratory system. They’re usually mild but can cause unpleasant symptoms like a cough, sore throat, headaches, and nose stuffiness. They may be viral or bacterial in origin.

URIs generally don’t need medical intervention. Home treatments can help soothe symptoms and include self-care methods like resting, staying hydrated, and eating chicken soup. OTC medications can also help.

If your condition is more serious, a doctor might prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medications depending on the cause of your URI. You can also get vaccinated to help prevent the flu.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.