Upper Respiratory Infection

How is the infection diagnosed?

The healthcare provider diagnoses most URIs after a history and physical exam.

In some cases, further tests may be ordered. For example, the back of the throat may be swabbed if strep throat is suspected. This swab test, called a throat culture, can check for the bacteria that cause this infection. A blood test called an antibody titer may be done if certain infections are suspected. A chest X-ray may be ordered to make sure pneumonia, a more serious infection deep in the lungs, is not present. Other tests may be ordered in certain cases.