Asthma and Respiratory Care
Respiratory Infections
UC Davis Health delivers trusted respiratory tract infection care. We have decades of experience and use today’s best treatments to protect our community’s health.
Medically reviewed by Dean Blumberg, M.D. on Aug. 25, 2023.
Respiratory Infection Care
Respiratory tract infections affect organs and other structures that help you breathe, including your lungs, airways and sinuses. Expert care from UC Davis Health includes a prompt, accurate diagnosis, so you can start feeling better sooner.
Respiratory infection risks are constantly changing. Whether it’s a new flu strain or a little-known virus, we carefully track the germs impacting our community. This information helps us know which infections to watch out for, leading to timely care and lower complication rates.
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Our Difference
Expert, collaborative care
Our highly skilled infectious disease specialists deliver exceptional respiratory infection care, including uncommon bacterial and fungal strains. We often work with the UC Davis Division of Pulmonary Medicine to help care for rare and difficult-to-treat diagnoses.
Innovation
Our researchers developed a respiratory infection test that checks for more than 20 viruses and bacteria. If you are high-risk and showing signs of infection, this test helps us pinpoint the source quickly.
Convenience
Your first step may be visiting your primary care provider if you think you have a respiratory infection. They regularly diagnose and treat common respiratory infections, like colds and the flu. Many clinics offer same- and next-day appointments.
What Are Respiratory Tract Infections?
These conditions occur when an infectious disease attack tissue in your respiratory system. Upper respiratory infections typically affect your nose and throat. Lower respiratory tract infections occur in your lungs and airways.
Common Respiratory Tract Infections
Common Cold
This upper respiratory infection causes mild irritation of the tissue lining your nose and throat. It often goes away on its own.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 is a viral, highly contagious respiratory infection. The virus causes mild to severe illness in humans. This can lead to long COVID, in which symptoms can last for at least two months.
Influenza (Flu)
Flu is a viral respiratory infection. Two types affect humans: A and B. Type A is more severe, but antiviral drugs can help your body get rid of it faster.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection due to bacteria, viruses or fungi. It can lead to severe complications, but most people get better with standard treatments.
Causes of Respiratory Tract Infections
Viruses, bacteria and fungi spread respiratory infections. These germs can enter your respiratory system through bodily fluids, environmental factors or physical contact.
You can increase your chances of preventing respiratory tract infections by:
- Practicing good personal hygiene
- Washing your hands several times a day
- Disinfecting surfaces that carry germs, such as doorknobs and phones
- Getting vaccines for some respiratory infections, including the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine
Infections can transfer through:
Bodily Fluids
When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ droplets carrying the disease spread. Speaking with someone in close physical proximity may also disperse droplets.
Environmental Factors
Conditions such as valley fever spread by inhaling contaminated dust particles from soil and plants.
Physical Contact
Contact from hugging, shaking hands, kissing or sharing personal items allows infections to pass from person to person.
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Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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