Is It a Cold or Something Else?

Last updated November 21, 2023

Upper respiratory illness and sickness can affect the lungs, throat sinuses and nasal passages, and the eyes. Causes of an upper respiratory infections may include bacteria, virus or mold.

A bacterial infection may go away on its own, or antibiotics may be used. A virus is usually cured by the body with antibodies that are created in the blood, and the body learns how to fight the virus. A respiratory illness caused by mold is less common.

If symptoms continue to persist longer than two weeks, giving some indication that the ailment is caused by a fungus or mold. It is important to identify sources of mold exposure and eliminate them. Usually the body can overcome the infection once the exposure is eliminated, but sometimes anti-fungal medication is necessary to combat the infection. This type of medication should be used as a last result as side effects can be severe. A blood test can be given to determine is an individual has a mold infection.

Symptoms of all respiratory illnesses may include:

Coughing: Dry coughing produces no phlegm, a cough with phlegm is considered a wet cough. Note the properties of a wet cough, as phlegm may be clear, yellow, green, or it may contain blood or tar particles from smoke.

Sore throat: A sore throat can be painful, and make eating or swallowing difficult or uncomfortable. Mix two tablespoons of salt with one half cup of warm water. Gargle the mixture in the back of the throat as symptoms persist.

Clogged/fluid filled sinuses- a stuffy nose is an uncomfortable symptom of respiratory illness. This condition may cause sneezing/runny nose. Blowing the nose can cause broken, irritated skin around the nostrils and lip. Also the person suffering from the clogged nose will be breathing through their mouth, causing their lips to become dry and chapped. Pressure from the increased volume of fluid may also cause headaches.

Fever - The body's natural response to an invasion of a microbe is to make the biological environment inhospitable for the pathogen. Most pathogens that affect humans thrive at normal human body temperature. The body produces a fever condition to help to kill the pathogen as it does not live as well in a higher temperature environment.

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