Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Respiratory tract infection

URTIs are usually obvious if you have one – the experience of a common cold is universal.

Although many people can tell if they have a chest infection, many ‘chesty coughs’ do not represent an LRTI. LRTIs are diagnosed on the basis of certain breathing sounds heard on chest examination with a stethoscope. A chest X-ray is helpful to confirm it and to be sure of the extent of the infection.

Analysis of the coughed-up phlegm helps discover which germ has caused the infection, although the results are not usually available until after treatment has been started.

• RabiesRadiationRadiotherapyRaynaud's phenomenonRectal examinationRed blood countReiter's syndromeRelapsing feverRenin testRepetitive strain injuryRespiratory distress syndromeRespiratory tract infectionRespite careRestless leg syndromeRestricted growthRetinal detachmentReye's syndromeRhesus factor diseaseRheumatic feverRheumatoid arthritisRhinitisRicketsRingwormRisks and benefits of treatmentRoot canal treatmentRosaceaRoundwormRubella

  ---