Immediate Care for Upper Respiratory Infections
Benefits of a 24/7 urgent care video visit
An Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist provider can manage common upper respiratory symptoms that range from congestion, fatigue, coughing or sneezing right from the comfort of your home to help you get better faster. Benefits include:
- Care available for all ages, 24/7
- No appointment needed
- Medications, if recommended
You can start a 24/7 urgent care video visit now.
Currently a patient? Consider an eVisit or scheduled virtual care visit
If you already have an Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist primary care or virtual primary care provider, you can also get care and relief for your URI symptoms through an eVisit or scheduled virtual care visit.
To start an eVisit, go to MyAtriumHealth and complete our online Symptom Checker and your provider can diagnose your condition and determine the care you need.
Try Symptom Checker to see if an eVisit is right for you.
If you prefer to see your regular in-person primary care provider or virtual primary care provider, you can use MyAtriumHealth to schedule a video visit.
Learn more about virtual primary care and find a doctor.
Upper Respiratory Infection Causes
Upper respiratory infections are usually caused by viruses:
- Rhinovirus (common cold)
- Influenza virus
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Adenovirus
They can also be caused by bacteria, especially in more severe illnesses such as strep throat or sinus infections.
How long is an upper respiratory infection contagious?
Most upper respiratory infections are highly contagious, especially in the first few days. You can spread it through coughing, sneezing or touching shared surfaces. On average, an upper respiratory infection can be contagious for three to 10 days.
Upper Respiratory Infection Diagnosis
Most URIs can be diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a throat swab or nasal swab to identify the virus or bacteria causing the infection.
Upper Respiratory Infection Treatment
There’s no cure for most viral URIs. Instead, treatments focus on relieving symptoms and may include:
- Rest and hydration
- Humidifiers or saline sprays
- Over-the-counter medications for pain, fever or congestion
- Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is confirmed
