Also called: URI, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection An upper respiratory infection (URI) is an infection that affects the nose and throat. A cold is the most common type of URI. Croup and sinusitis are also URIs. More to Know URIs may cause swelling inside the nose, which is what gives a person that "stuffed up" feeling. Other common symptoms include a sore throat, sneezing, and a runny nose. URIs are highly contagious and spread through coughing, hand contact, and even by touching objects an infected person has touched. Kids in childcare and grade school get the most colds. Infections like this are most widespread in winter months. Keep in Mind Most colds clear up in a week with no treatment. If a URI lasts longer than a week or your child is getting worse instead of better, talk to a doctor. Pain in the chest, ears, or sinuses could be signs of a more serious infection. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Adenovirus Adenoviruses can infect the lining of the eyes, airways and lungs, intestines, urinary tract, and nervous system. They're common causes of fever, coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and pinkeye. Read More Why Does My Nose Run? You may have heard the old joke: If your nose is running and your feet smell, you must be upside down! But did you ever wonder why your nose runs? Read More First Aid: Sore Throat Sore throats are usually caused by viruses. Here's what to do if your child has a sore throat. Read More First Aid: Common Cold Kids can get up to eight colds a year - or more. The common cold sends more kids to the doctor than any other illness. Read More Coping With Colds Most teens get between two and four colds each year. Read this article for the facts on colds and ways to feel better when you catch one. Read More Hand Washing: Why It's So Important Did you know that the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands? If you don't wash your hands frequently, you can pick up germs from other sources and then infect yourself. Read More Respiratory Syncytial Virus Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of this contagious infection. Read More Is It a Cold, the Flu, or COVID-19? Your child has a sore throat, cough, and a high fever. Is it COVID-19? Could it be the flu? Or just a cold? Here are tips on what to look for, and what to do. Read More Croup Croup often causes kids to have a loud cough that sounds like a seal barking. Most cases of croup are caused by viruses, are mild, and can be treated at home. Read More Sinusitis Sinus infections, or sinusitis, are common and easily treated. Read More Sinusitis If you've been waking up with headaches, feeling stuffy or congested, and experiencing swelling around your eyes, you may have sinusitis - an infection of the sinus air spaces found in the bones around the nose. Read More Colds Colds are the most common infectious disease in the United States - and the top reason kids visit the doctor and miss school. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.