Respiratory infection

Key points

Respiratory infections are common and can spread easily between both adults and children.

The symptoms of respiratory infections are very similar, and it is not always possible to tell if a patient has COVID-19, influenza or another respiratory infection based on symptoms alone.

Symptoms of respiratory infections include:

• continuous cough
• high temperature, fever, or chills
• loss of, or change in normal sense of taste or smell
• shortness of breath
• unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
• muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
• not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
• headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
• sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
• diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick

Transmission

Droplet, airborne or by direct or indirect contact.

Incubation period

2 to 14 days depending on the organism.

Period of infectivity

12 hours to 32 days depending on the organism. Some organisms can be infectious before the onset of symptoms.

Information for individual organisms is available in the IPC manual and A to Z of pathogens.

Infection prevention and control precautions

• Standard and transmission-based precautions are required.
• Personal protective equipment must be worn including fluid resistant surgical face masks (FRSM).
• Eye protection may need to be used if there is a risk of contamination to the eyes.
• Aerosol generating procedure (AGPs) are considered to have a greater likelihood of producing aerosols compared to coughing. Transmission is by mucous membrane contact or inhalation. FFP3 masks are required. The list of AGPs can be found in the NIPCM.
• Where there are several patients with the same organism or infection, they may be cohort nursed in a bay. Ensure patients are at least two metres apart and keep privacy curtains closed to minimise opportunities for close contact.
• Isolate the patient until the patient has been asymptomatic for 48 hours.
• The door to the single room or bay must always remain closed.
• Treat linen as contaminated (red alginate bag) and waste as infectious (orange waste bags).
• Twice daily environmental cleaning with chlor-clean (1,000 ppm).
• Decontaminate patient equipment thoroughly with Clinell universal wipes.
• Dedicate a toilet if in a bay or the single room is not ensuite.
• Terminal clean of the room is required when isolation is discontinued.
• Community colleagues should plan to visit symptomatic patients last, where possible.
• Notify the IPC team of any suspected or confirmed inpatient cases:
  • Phone: 03000 214872
  • Email: rdash.ipcteam@nhs.net

Linked to respiratory pathway in quick guides.

Page last reviewed: October 17, 2024
Next review due: October 17, 2025