Patient Education
Acute Upper Respiratory Infections
When a cold, the flu, or COVID-19 sidelines you, prompt evaluation and clear guidance help you recover with confidence.
Most upper respiratory infections are viral and resolve on their own, but knowing when symptoms need attention can spare you days of unnecessary worry. At our direct primary care practice in Los Angeles, you have prompt access to evaluation, respiratory pathogen testing, and a clear treatment plan — so you are never left guessing whether it is just a cold or something that needs more.
Symptoms & Warning Signs
- Sore throat, congestion, runny nose, or sneezing
- Cough, sometimes lingering for a week or two after other symptoms ease
- Fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue — more common with influenza or COVID-19
- Sinus pressure or headache
- Warning signs: shortness of breath, chest pain, a fever that will not break, or symptoms that worsen after seeming to improve
Causes & Risk Factors
- Viruses such as rhinovirus, influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
- Close contact in crowded settings, travel, or seasonal exposure
- Underlying lung conditions like asthma or COPD
- Smoking or frequent secondhand smoke exposure
- Older age or a weakened immune system
- Less often, a secondary bacterial infection such as sinusitis or strep throat
How Dr. Golian Manages Acute Upper Respiratory Infections
Dr. Golian begins by listening to your symptoms and examining you, then uses in-office or coordinated testing for COVID-19, flu, and other respiratory pathogens when results would change your care. Most viral infections call for supportive care and rest, but when influenza or COVID-19 is confirmed early, antiviral therapy may shorten illness and lower the risk of complications.
Antibiotics are reserved for true bacterial infections, where targeted antibiotic therapy is appropriate — never prescribed reflexively for a cold. If you have asthma or COPD, Dr. Golian watches closely for flare-ups and adjusts your inhalers as needed; should you require hospital-level care, she coordinates seamlessly with specialists including Cedars-Sinai.
Preventing Respiratory Infections
Staying current on vaccines is one of the most effective protections, and flu vaccine coordination and an annual immunization review are a routine part of your care here.
Frequent handwashing, masking when ill, and not smoking all lower your risk — and if you are ready to quit, Dr. Golian offers smoking cessation support to help protect your airways long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
1Do I need antibiotics for a cold or the flu?
2How do I know if it's a cold, the flu, or COVID-19?
3When should I see a doctor for a respiratory infection?
4Can antiviral medication help if I have the flu or COVID-19?
5Can I get prompt care for a respiratory infection?
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Feeling under the weather? Get seen for Acute Upper Respiratory Infections today.
Schedule a prompt evaluation with Dr. Golian for a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to you.
Schedule a Consultation