Jayhawk Infectious Diseases

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are (usually) benign, self‑limited syndromes characterized by clusters of symptoms caused by a wide range of acute respiratory viruses. They represent the most common acute illness in industrialized nations. In the United States, adults experience an average of two to three URIs per year, underscoring their extremely high prevalence. Although typically mild, URIs can lead to more severe disease in immunocompromised adults, in individuals infected with influenza, and in those at the extremes of age, where complications and hospitalizations are more likely. Learn more below.