What are the symptoms of a respiratory tract infection?

The symptoms of a respiratory tract infection (RTI) depend on:

• what part of the respiratory tract is affected
• what is causing the infection (a virus or bacteria)
• how severe the infection is.

For more information about the symptoms of common respiratory tract infections, follow the links below:

• bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways or bronchioles)
• bronchitis (infection of the large airways or bronchi)
• colds
• croup (infection of the trachea in children)
• influenza (widespread infection of the upper and lower respiratory tracts including the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs)
• laryngitis (infection of the larynx or voicebox)
• pneumonia (infection of the alveoli and surrounding lung tissue)
• sinusitis (infection of the sinuses)
• sore throat (or pharyngitis — an infection of the pharynx)
• tonsillitis (infection of the tonsils)
• whooping cough (pertussis).

If you are not sure which part of the body is which, use our diagram of the respiratory tract to find out more.

Find out about how to manage the symptoms of a respiratory tract infection.