RTIs (respiratory tract infections)

Lower respiratory tract infections

Common lowerRTIs include:

flu which can affect either the upper or lower respiratory tract
bronchitis infection of the airways
pneumonia infection of the lungs
bronchiolitis an infection of the small airways that affects babies and children aged under two
tuberculosis persistent bacterialinfection of the lungs

As with upper RTIs, the main symptom of a lower RTI is a cough. However, it's usually more severe and you may bring up phlegm and mucus. Other possible symptoms are a tight feeling in your chest, an increased rate of breathing, breathlessness and wheezing.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for rtis (respiratory tract infections)

Introduction

Find out more about the different types of lower and upper respiratory tract infections (RTIs), how the infections spread and when you should see your GP.

How respiratory infections spread

RTIs can spread in several ways. If you have an infection such as a cold, tiny droplets of fluid containing the cold virus are launched into the air whenever you sneeze or cough . If these are breathe

Lower respiratory tract infections

Common lowerRTIs include: flu which can affect either the upper or lower respiratory tract bronchitis infection of the airways pneumonia infection of the lungs bronchiolitis an infection

Managingyour symptoms at home

Most RTIs pass without the need for treatment and you won'tusually need to see your GP. You can treat your symptoms at home by taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen , d

When you should see your GP

Visit your GP if: your symptoms suggest you may have pneumonia for example, if you're coughing up bloody mucus and phlegm you have a pre-existing heart, lung, liver or kidney condition you have a

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