1. Understanding COPD Slideshow
2. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Quiz
3. Energy Foods for COPD Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University.

View Full Profile

History and physical examination

The diagnosis of a cold or upper respiratory infection is usually made by history and physical examination. The health care practitioner may ask questions in regard to the onset and duration of symptoms. The physical examination may concentrate on the head, neck, and lungs.

Examination of the ears may reveal fluid behind the ear drums suggesting Eustachian tube swelling due to the cold. Nasal examination may show a clear discharge and throat examination may reveal some redness and post-nasal drip.

If the health care practitioner suspects sinusitis, he/she may use their fingers to tap on the face in areas overlying the large sinuses; the forehead for the frontal sinus and the cheek for the maxillary sinus.

The neck may be palpated or felt exploring swollen lymph nodes associated with an infection.

The lungs may be assessed with a stethoscope to listen for wheezing (a whistling noise) or crackling sounds, both signs of inflammation or infection.

Few tests are required for the diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection.

Imaging and testing

If strep throat infection is suspected, a rapid strep test or throat swab may be performed.

If sinusitis is a suspected, plain X-rays of the sinus structures may be ordered to examine air fluid levels or clouding of the sinuses consistent with infection; or a limited CT scan of the sinuses may be an ordered to look for infection.

Must Read Articles Related to Upper Respiratory Infection

Bronchitis Bronchitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. There are several viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis. Exposure to pollutan...learn more >>

Colds The cold is the most commonly occurring illness in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. Symptoms and s...learn more >>

Coughs A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healt...learn more >>

See the Entire Upper Respiratory Infection Topic Guide »