Criteria of Schroeck et al for Appropriate Therapy in a Patient with Nonspecific Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI)

Criteria for the diagnosis of nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection:

(1) sore throat

(2) nasal symptoms

(3) cough

(4) absence of fever or other finding indicative of a bacterial infection

The patient should not be better diagnosed as having bronchitis, pharyngitis or sinusitis.

Often no additional testing is performed. Testing for influenza, Streptococcus Group A or viral pathogens may be performed.

Appropriate therapy:

(1) symptom relief

(2) no antibiotics