NONSPECIFIC URIs
- Definition: Nonspecific URIs (the “common cold”) have no prominent localizing features.
- Etiology: A wide variety of viruses (e.g., rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses) can cause nonspecific URIs.
- Clinical manifestations: an acute, mild, self-limited catarrhal syndrome, typically characterized by rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, cough, and sore throat
- Hoarseness, malaise, sneezing, and fever are more variable.
- The median duration of symptoms is ∼1 week (range, 2–10 days). Cough secondary to upper respiratory inflammation may last 2–3 weeks and does not necessarily indicate a need for antibiotics.
- Secondary bacterial infections complicate 0.5–2% of colds and are associated with a prolonged course and/or increased severity of illness, often with localization of signs and symptoms. Purulent nasal and throat secretions are poor predictors of bacterial infection.
- Treatment: Symptom-based treatment (e.g., with decongestants, NSAIDs) is typically all that is required. Antibiotics are not indicated.
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Citation
Kasper, Dennis L., et al., editors. "NONSPECIFIC URIs." Harrison's Manual of Medicine, 20th ed., McGraw Hill Inc., 2020. harrisons.unboundmedicine.com/harrisons/view/Harrisons-Manual-of-Medicine/623572/all/NONSPECIFIC_URIs.
NONSPECIFIC URIs. In: Kasper DLD, Fauci ASA, Hauser SLS, et al, eds. Harrison's Manual of Medicine. McGraw Hill Inc.; 2020. https://harrisons.unboundmedicine.com/harrisons/view/Harrisons-Manual-of-Medicine/623572/all/NONSPECIFIC_URIs. Accessed October 10, 2024.
NONSPECIFIC URIs. (2020). In Kasper, D. L., Fauci, A. S., Hauser, S. L., Longo, D. L., Jameson, J. L., & Loscalzo, J. (Eds.), Harrison's Manual of Medicine (20th ed.). McGraw Hill Inc.. https://harrisons.unboundmedicine.com/harrisons/view/Harrisons-Manual-of-Medicine/623572/all/NONSPECIFIC_URIs
NONSPECIFIC URIs [Internet]. In: Kasper DLD, Fauci ASA, Hauser SLS, Longo DLD, Jameson JLJ, Loscalzo JJ, editors. Harrison's Manual of Medicine. McGraw Hill Inc.; 2020. [cited 2024 October 10]. Available from: https://harrisons.unboundmedicine.com/harrisons/view/Harrisons-Manual-of-Medicine/623572/all/NONSPECIFIC_URIs.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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