New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Upper respiratory tract infection

Upper respiratory infections, commonly referred to the acronym URI, is the illness caused by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, or bronchi. It is the most common cause of days missed from work or school and one of the most common reasons for a medical visit. It is estimated that the average adult has from two to three URI-type illnesses per year and the average child six to 10. In the United States, this represents approximately one billion acute upper respiratory illnesses annually. Recent studies show that up to 98% of all cases are viral in nature.

Related Stories
 


Health & Medicine News

March 3, 2026

Surviving cancer at a young age may come with an unexpected cost: faster aging at both the cellular and brain levels. Researchers found that survivors often show signs of being biologically older than their actual age, with chemotherapy accelerating ...
Researchers are developing a two-part therapy for type 1 diabetes: lab-made insulin-producing cells paired with custom-engineered immune cells that protect them. The goal is to stop the immune system from destroying transplanted cells — without ...
As millions turn to ChatGPT and other AI chatbots for therapy-style advice, new research from Brown University raises a serious red flag: even when instructed to act like trained therapists, these systems routinely break core ethical standards of ...
A tiny wireless implant is giving new hope to people blinded by advanced age-related macular degeneration. In a major international clinical trial, more than 80% of participants regained meaningful central vision, with many able to read letters and ...
Polyamines—natural molecules found in every living cell—have become stars in the longevity world for their ability to boost cellular cleanup and support healthy aging. But there’s a dark twist: high levels of these same molecules are ...
Scientists have uncovered a powerful genetic switch that helps some of the body’s most important immune cells grow up properly and keep our organs healthy. The switch, called MafB, guides immature precursor cells as they develop into macrophages, ...
Scientists in Brazil have transformed cocoa waste into a functional chocolate-infused honey packed with antioxidants and natural stimulants. Using ultrasound waves, they enhanced honey’s ability to pull beneficial compounds from cocoa shells—no ...
Scientists at Rice University have produced the first full, dye-free molecular atlas of an Alzheimer’s brain. By combining laser-based imaging with machine learning, they uncovered chemical changes ...
That photogenic cup of bubble tea may come with hidden downsides. Tapioca pearls made from cassava can absorb heavy metals like lead, and in large amounts they may slow digestion or even cause blockages. The drink is often loaded with ...
Scientists at Oregon State University have engineered a powerful new nanomaterial that zeroes in on cancer cells and destroys them from the inside out. Designed to exploit cancer’s unique chemistry—its acidity and high hydrogen peroxide ...
Struggling to fall asleep and stopping breathing at night may be a far riskier combo than previously thought. In a study of nearly a million veterans, researchers found that having both insomnia and sleep apnea dramatically raises the risk of ...
Scientists are taking a closer look at the pill forms of Wegovy and Ozempic. In an animal study, the ingredient SNAC, which helps semaglutide survive the stomach and enter the bloodstream, was ...

Latest Headlines

updated 12:56 pm ET