CDC Criteria for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Infections of the upper respiratory tract includes pharyngitis, laryngitis, and epiglottitis.

Criteria 1 - one or more of the following:

(1) abscess or other evidence of upper respiratory tract infection seen on direct examination

(2) abscess or other evidence of upper respiratory tract infection seen during surgery

(3) abscess or other evidence of upper respiratory tract infection seen by histopathologic examination

Criteria 2 - all of the following:

(1) age > 12 months

(2) at least 2 of the following:

(2a) fever (> 38° C)

(2b) erythema of pharynx

(2c) sore throat

(2d) cough

(2e) hoarseness

(2f) purulent exudate in throat

(3) at least one of the following:

(3a) organism isolated from culture of specific site

(3b) organism isolated from blood culture

(3c) positive antigen test on blood or respiratory secretions

(3d) diagnostic single IgM antibody titer for pathogen

(3e) fourfold increase in IgG antibody titer in paired serum samples for pathogen

(3f) physician's diagnosis

Criteria 3 - all of the following:

(1) age <= 12 months

(2) at least 2 of the following:

(2a) fever (> 38° C) or hypothermia (< 37° C)

(2b) apnea

(2c) bradycardia

(2d) nasal discharge

(2e) purulent exudate in throat