Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Tract Infections: A Primary Care Approach

Overview

Respiratory infections are among the most common problems in office practice. Review a practical approach to the common cold, pharyngitis, influenza, and (COVID-19). Learn when testing and antiviral treatment are most useful, how to recognize important complications, and how to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

Click here to answer audience response questions, access downloadable slides, and ask questions to the presenter.

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate common viral respiratory infections from clinically important causes of pharyngitis using patient characteristics, symptoms, and appropriate diagnostic testing.
• Identify patients with influenza or COVID-19 who are most likely to benefit from antiviral treatment based on illness severity, risk factors, and timing of presentation.
• Recognize important complications of respiratory infections, including secondary bacterial pneumonia, infectious mononucleosis, and Lemierre syndrome.