Upper<unk>  The upper respiratory tract is considered the airway above the glottis or vocal cords; sometimes, it is taken as the tract above the cricoid cartilage. This part of the tract includes the nose, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. Typical infections of the upper respiratory tract include tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis media, certain influenza types, and the common cold. Symptoms of URIs can include cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, low-grade fever, facial pressure, and sneezing. Lower<unk>  The lower respiratory tract consists of the trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, bronchioles, and the lungs. Lower<unk> s are generally more severe than upper respiratory infections. LRIs are the leading cause of death among all infectious diseases. The two most common LRIs are bronchitis and pneumonia. Influenza affects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, but more dangerous strains such as the highly pernicious H5N1 tend to bind to receptors deep in the lungs. Respiratory System Anatomy
Respiratory tract infection
Lower respiratory tract infection
Upper respiratory tract infection
Respiratory disease
Mouth infection
Pulmonary aspiration
Smoke inhalation
Airway obstruction