Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Common Respiratory Disorders

Common Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...

Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract

Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract

The upper respiratory tract plays a vital role in the respiratory system, comprising several structures that facilitate air intake and prepare air for the lungs. It also serves as the first line of defense against pathogens and particles. This tract includes the nose and nasal cavity, the oral cavity, the paranasal sinuses, and the pharynx, each with specific functions and features.
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....

Overview of Respiratory System

Overview of Respiratory System

The respiratory system is a complex biological apparatus that facilitates the exchange of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, between our bodies and the environment. This system plays a vital role in the physiological process of respiration, an essential function for sustaining life.
What is the Respiratory System?
The respiratory system consists of a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The primary function of the respiratory system is to...

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract is critical to patient care. It allows healthcare professionals to identify and manage various respiratory conditions. The process involves a combination of subjective and objective data collection.
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Comparative diagnostic accuracy study of point of care ultrasound techniques for detection of left atrial enlargement by hospital medicine physicians from archived echocardiogram images.

Journal of hospital medicine·2025

Same author

Severe Rheumatic Heart Disease Requiring Mechanical Valve Placement in a Special Operations Forces Soldier.

Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals·2025

Same author

Heart Disease in Children: Inflammatory Syndromes.

FP essentials·2025

Same author

Heart Disease in Children: Cardiac Dysrhythmias.

FP essentials·2025

Same author

Heart Disease in Children: Cardiac Preparticipation Evaluation.

FP essentials·2025

Same author

Heart Disease in Children: Heart Murmurs.

FP essentials·2025

Same journal

Skin Cancer: Management of Cutaneous Melanoma.

FP essentials·2026

Same journal

Skin Cancer: Management of Actinic Keratoses and Keratinocyte Carcinomas.

FP essentials·2026

Same journal

Skin Cancer: Diagnosis.

FP essentials·2026

Same journal

Skin Cancer: Screening and Prevention.

FP essentials·2026

Same journal

Obesity Management: Surgical Interventions.

FP essentials·2026

Same journal

Obesity Management: Pharmacotherapy.

FP essentials·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using Microfluidic Chip

Author Spotlight: Advancing Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using Microfluidic Chip

Published on: March 29, 2024

Respiratory Conditions: Upper Respiratory Tract Infections.

Brian Shahan¹, Craig Barstow², Megan Mahowald¹

¹Hospital Medicine for Family Physicians Fellowship at Womack Army Medical Center, 2817 Reilly Road Fort Bragg, NC 28310-7301.

|November 12, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Most upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are viral and do not require antibiotics. This summary outlines appropriate management for common URTIs like the common cold, rhinosinusitis, pharyngitis, and acute otitis media (AOM).

More Related Videos

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae

Published on: June 29, 2021

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using Microfluidic Chip

Author Spotlight: Advancing Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using Microfluidic Chip

Published on: March 29, 2024

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae

Published on: June 29, 2021

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
General Medicine
Pediatrics

Background:

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common, leading to significant healthcare costs.
URTIs are the most frequent reason for acute care visits and antibiotic prescriptions in adults, despite often being viral.
Common URTIs include the common cold, rhinosinusitis, pharyngitis, and acute otitis media (AOM).

Purpose of the Study:

To review the typical viral etiology of common upper respiratory tract infections.
To outline current recommendations for managing URTIs, focusing on appropriate antibiotic use.
To differentiate viral from bacterial infections and guide treatment decisions.

Main Methods:

Literature review of common URTI presentations and management guidelines.
Analysis of diagnostic criteria for bacterial vs. viral infections.
Summary of evidence-based treatment recommendations for specific URTIs.

Main Results:

The common cold and acute rhinosinusitis are typically viral; antibiotics are not routinely recommended.
Bacterial rhinosinusitis may be suspected with prolonged symptoms (>10 days), high fever, or symptom worsening.
Acute pharyngitis is usually viral; antibiotics are indicated only for confirmed streptococcal infections.
Acute otitis media (AOM) management often avoids antibiotics, with specific exceptions for infants and certain clinical presentations.

Conclusions:

Most URTIs are viral and self-limiting, necessitating symptomatic treatment rather than antibiotics.
Judicious antibiotic use is crucial to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Accurate diagnosis and adherence to guidelines ensure optimal patient outcomes while minimizing unnecessary antibiotic exposure.