Why Do You Keep Getting Upper Respiratory Infections?

5.20.2025 0 comments

Author: Trisha Houghton, CNS, ASIST

Are you tired of being hit with one upper respiratory infection after another? It’s exhausting and sometimes alarming. From rhinovirus to coronavirus to adenovirus and more, loads of pathogens are in circulation at any one time. And we’re all at risk of contracting them.

But why are you dealing with frequent respiratory infections?

Several factors could be in play, including viral infections and immune system issues. We intend to help you pinpoint them in this article.

We’ll fill you in on upper respiratory infections and lay out the common causes of these illnesses. And to finish things off, we’ll provide beneficial information you can use to reduce your URI risk starting today.

Understanding Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs)

Prior to disclosing the culprits behind recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, you should be aware of what these illnesses are at a base level.

Upper respiratory infections (URIs), such as the common cold, sinusitis, or laryngitis, are infections of the upper part of your respiratory tract. They’re brought on most commonly by viruses and some are caused by bacteria.

Upper respiratory tract infections affect your nose, sinuses, and throat.

Here are some of the main symptoms people experience with infections of the upper respiratory system:

• Sore throats
• Cough
• Fever
• Stuffy nose
• Runny nose
• Pain in the face
• Voice hoarseness
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Mild fatigue
• Chills
• And more

On average, the common cold starts showing symptoms 2 to 3 days after being exposed to a URI-causing virus. You’ll feel less than your best for one to two weeks – sometimes longer.

Upper Respiratory Infection vs. Lower Respiratory Infection

URIs are often mistaken for lower respiratory infections, which manifest below the vocal cords.

Lower respiratory tract infections are associated with some of the most common symptoms of URIs, like coughing, however other symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose are usually limited to URIs.

Sufferers may also exhibit the following symptoms (often indicative of more severe infections): 

• Severe cough with or without mucus
• Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
• A bluish skin tint
• Pain in the chest (sometimes indicative of a chest infection)
• Wheezing
• Body aches
• Fever
• Swollen glands
• And more

These symptoms may warrant medical attention, especially if they persist or worsen over time.

Common Causes of Upper Respiratory Infections

Many things cause upper respiratory infections or URI-like symptoms. And the more details you have on why you’re contracting these infections, the better it is for your recovery.

Viral Infections

The following viral infections are responsible for upper respiratory infection symptoms:

• Rhinovirus
• Coronavirus
• Influenza virus
• Enterovirus
• Parainfluenza virus
• Human metapneumovirus
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

A virus may enter your upper airways through either your nose or mouth.

These viruses can be spread from one person to another in several situations, like:

• Eating or drinking after someone who’s contracted a virus;
• Inhaling germ-filled droplets disbursed when an infected individual speaks, coughs, or sneezes;
• Having direct contact with infected surfaces (think door handles, computer keyboards, or children’s toys).

Note: Upper respiratory infections from viruses affect us all. Younger children have a much higher probability of catching a viral illness as they typically spend a considerable amount of time around other children. It’s common for them to experience several colds annually.

Adults on the other hand, don’t tend to get sick as often – about 2 to 4 times a year.

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections can sometimes trigger upper respiratory infections often after developing a viral illness.

A bacterial infection is understood to be a medical condition or illness brought on by bacterial growth or a toxin. The bacteria infiltrate your body and multiply, inducing the aforementioned URI symptoms.

With upper respiratory infections, the bacteria settle in your sinuses and throat, causing trouble there.

Typical bacterial upper respiratory infections include sinusitis and, less commonly, strep throat.

Allergies and Irritants

First and foremost, allergies aren’t a direct cause of infections of the upper respiratory tract.

However, when allergy season rolls around, you may experience symptoms that mimic URIs:

• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Coughing (chronic cough)
• Postnasal drip
• Runny nose
• Trouble breathing

Other allergy symptoms range from eye irritation and swelling to weakness and fatigue. Some also experience throat itchiness.

If respiratory allergies are why you find yourself muddling through respiratory infection-like symptoms, your primary care practitioner may offer you an antihistamine prescription and/or immunotherapy. And whenever possible, you can take steps to avoid allergens.

Weakened Immune System

Clinical immunology experts agree that immunocompromised individuals (those with weaker immune systems) aren’t able to fight off infections like others can.

On top of that, after they contract an illness or have a vaccination, their bodies struggle to build lasting immunity or protection.

For this reason, those with weak immune systems have a much higher risk of upper respiratory infections.

Some people are born with a weak immune system (primary immunodeficiency), and others develop immune system issues later on. One of the most common contributing factors of immune system disorders and deficiencies is the development of certain health conditions.

Autoimmune conditions (like type 1 diabetes) and illnesses such as AIDS and cancer can weaken your immune system. Furthermore, lung cancer tumors, in particular, can cause a blockage that makes you more prone to URIs.

Per Harvard Health Publishing, when you have a weakened immune system, the following fixes can be helpful: 

• Stay away from cigarettes and secondhand smoke.
• Be diligent about staying away from sick individuals.
• Minimize prolonged stress, which can skyrocket your cortisol levels and inhibit immune system function.

Anatomical Factors

Sometimes, your bodily anatomy could predispose you to repeat upper respiratory infections.

The following abnormalities may lead to recurrent sickness in the upper respiratory tract: 

• Deviated septum: This is a condition where the cartilage wall separating the nasal passages isn’t straight. It falls off to one side. This can lead to problematic sinus drainage and create an environment that’s ideal for bacteria and viruses to thrive. For this reason, deviated septums can result in recurrent URIs. Many people are born with this condition, and others acquire it after an injury.
• Nasal polyps: These are small sac-like growths that pop up after chronic inflammation of the nose or sinuses. Although they aren’t contagious, they can block your nose and increase your risk of coming down with an upper respiratory infection.

A trained medical professional specializing in ear, nose, and throat illnesses can diagnose the above issues and treat them.

Lifestyle Factors: Stress, Diet, and Sleep

How much sleep do you get at night? Do you smoke? How are you managing your stress levels? Many lifestyle factors can ratchet up your risk of frequent URIs.

The most influential include: 

• Stress: When you’re consistently stressed out, your immune system weakens, as we mentioned before. In fact, stress is believed to contribute for 75% to 90% of doctor office visits including upper respiratory system diseases included.
• Diet: What you eat on a regular basis also affects your URI risk. According to a2022 study, eating substantial amounts of red meat increases your chances of getting such an infection. And consuming coffee, tea, fruit, and oily fish was seen to reduce the risk. Failing to get all the necessary nutrients can leave your immune system weak and unable to sufficiently fight the viruses and bacteria you encounter every day.
• Sleep: Upper respiratory infections are a constant threat to anyone who doesn’t get 7 to 8 hours of shut-eye every night. This is because of the association between sleep and your immune system. As you dream, your body produces protective cytokines that play a vital role in your immune response – if you’re short on these proteins, you’re more likely to get sick after contact with a virus. Plus, sleep deprivation can lead to lower antibody levels and fewer illness-fighting cells.

Making small, consistent improvements in these areas can significantly boost your body’s ability to ward off infections.

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Common Reasons for Recurring Infections

Now that you understand the most common reasons we catch colds, let’s dive a little deeper. What causes recurrent infections?

These are the main culprits: 

• You have prolonged, uncontrolled stress.
• You don’t really have an upper respiratory infection; sometimes, symptoms resembling an upper respiratory infection may actually be due to allergies or other non-infectious causes.
• Allergies will stick around for as long as you’re around the allergen, causing your body to react.
• You haven’t been getting enough sleep at night or rest during the day. When you’re under the weather, strenuous activities should take a back seat while you recover. If you’re not giving yourself a break to recuperate, you could remain sick for longer than expected.
• You have become dehydrated from recurrent infections, which can make symptoms worse and hinder recovery.
• There’s an underlying sinus-related issue or abnormality.
• Your immune system is compromised.
• You’re around lots of people who are sick (those who are around kids often or work in the emergency room, for example).
• You don’t wash your hands correctly or often enough.

Addressing these factors can help break the cycle and reduce the frequency of future infections.

The Role of Hygiene in Preventing URIs

Good hygiene is a must for anyone looking to keep upper respiratory infections and other illnesses away.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) urges the public to frequently wash their hands using warm water. With fewer germs on your hands, you lower the chance of respiratory droplets entering your body and infecting your upper respiratory system.

Any time you can’t wash your hands, have some hand sanitizer on hand; slather it on your hands to kill germs on the go. At a bare minimum, wash or sanitize your hands after going to the restroom or having a meal.

This resource covers proper hand-washing techniques – feel free to check it out as a refresher. It’s also helpful to keep high-contact surfaces like light switches, door knobs, and countertops clean. And throw out contaminated disposables like used tissues to minimize your chances of coming across infectious germs.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Recurring Infections

If you’ve been having recurrent respiratory infections and don’t know why, we recommend getting medical help from a healthcare provider (your primary care provider, ideally). They can help you determine what’s causing these repeated infections to give you some much-needed relief.

Here’s how medical professionals typically tackle this issue: 

1. Take your medical history and talk to you about your symptoms.
2. Do a physical exam for diagnostic purposes.
3. Run any tests (nasal swabs, throat swabs, blood work, etc.) that could narrow down the culprit of your repeated infections.
4. Make a diagnosis, create a specific treatment plan, and relay your treatment options to you.

Ideally, your practitioner will uncover the cause of your recurrent URIs right away. But there will be instances where multiple visits and in-depth testing are in order. If more testing is needed, the medical professional will inform you.

For more pressing symptoms, go to the emergency room or an urgent care center.

Preventive Measures to Reduce the Risk of URIs

You don’t have to muddle through cold after cold after cold.

There are many things you can do to fend off these pesky infections: 

• Pay special attention to hygiene (both personal hygiene and keeping frequently touched surfaces clean).
• Get vaccines as is appropriate for your age and healthcare needs, particularly if your immune system is compromised..
• Rest when your body tells you to, and get enough sleep for individuals your age.
• Ensure your air quality is good. Let fresh air in often and change your HVAC filter once every quarter. If desired, you can also hold activities outdoors rather than inside a building, and utilize HEPA filters on a regular basis.
• Put on a surgical mask whenever you’re around large groups of people or those you know are sick.
• Don’t smoke (cannabis or tobacco) or allow others to smoke in your vehicle or in your home.
• See your primary care physician regularly to ensure you’re as healthy as possible.
• Get moving every day – physical activity is essential to immune system health.
• Limit alcohol consumption, as it can impair your immune system’s ability to fight off infections.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Stay away from those showing signs of respiratory infections.

Learn more in this article explaining how to stay clear of respiratory system diseases like the flu.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding Upper Respiratory Infections

What is prescribed for upper respiratory infections?

The ideal medication for your specific upper respiratory infection will be based on your medical history, health status, etc. But in the case of viral infections, supportive therapy is the go-to medical protocol. Over-the-counter medications can make you feel a little better while the illness runs its course:

• Decongestants
• Cough suppressants
• Pain relievers/fever reducers
• Antihistamines

Antiviral medications can be helpful at times. If a bacterium is to blame, your doctor will recommend antibiotic treatment.

Who is most likely to get an upper respiratory infection?

Children (due to their immature immune systems) and anyone with an immune system issue are at a high risk of getting upper respiratory infections. Those with liver disease, AAT deficiency, or cystic fibrosis (a chronic lung infection) are also more susceptible.

What shouldn’t you eat with an upper respiratory infection?

When you have an upper respiratory infection, some individuals find it’s best to avoid foods that are fatty or fried. Also, dairy and spicy foods can cause irritation for most and thus may be something you want to limit or steal clear of until symptoms subside.

Sources

Upper respiratory infections (URIs)

Respiratory System Overview

Common Cold Johns Hopkins

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections With Focus on Common Cold

The Constant Cold: Why Kids Are Always Sick and What to Do About It

Common Cold WebMD

Bacterial Infection

What’s the Difference Between Viral and Bacterial Infections?

Disorders of the Immune System

Why are People with Cancer More Likely to Get Infections?

How to Boost Your Immune System

How Does Stress Affect the Immune System?

Deviated Septum

Nasal Polyps

Inflammation: The Common Pathway of Stress-Related Diseases

Diet and Respiratory Infections: Specific or Generalized Associations

Lack of Sleep: Can It Make You Sick? 

Hygiene and Respiratory Viruses Prevention

About Handwashing

Preventing Respiratory Viruses 

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

6 Natural Flu-Prevention Methods

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