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.

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.