Management of acute upper respiratory tract infection: the role of early intervention

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is an illness caused by an acute infection by viruses or bacteria of the nose, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. Most URTIs are short, mild, and self-limiting, but some can lead to serious complications, resulting in heavy social and economic burden on individuals and society.

Areas covered

This article presents the management guidelines and consensus established through the Delphi method during an expert roundtable conducted in November 2020 and results of a targeted literature review.

Expert opinion

The current acute URTI management strategies aim toward symptom alleviation and prevention of URTI virus transmission. The effectiveness of these strategies is highly increased with early intervention, administered prior to the peaking of viral shedding. This reduces the chances of developing a full-blown acute URTI, decreases symptom severity, and reduces viral transmission. Mucoadhesive gel nasal sprays have shown promising results for early intervention of acute URTI. They act by creating a barrier that can trap virus particles, thereby preventing invasion of the mucosa by the virus. Additionally, they deliver broad spectrum activity that is effective against a wide variety of pathogens that cause acute URTI. Acute URTI warrants greater attention and proactive management in reducing its burden.

KEYWORDS:

• Acute URTI
• mucoadhesive gel nasal spray
• hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
• HPMC
• acute URTI early intervention
• acute URTI management
• acute urti treatment
• acute URTI risk group
• acute upper respiratory tract infection

Article highlights

• There is currently no available cure for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and management strategies aim towards symptom alleviation and prevention of URTI virus transmission.

• Early intervention can reduce the chances of developing a full-blown acute URTI, decreases symptom severity, and reduces viral transmission.

• Mucoadhesive gel nasal sprays have shown promising results for early intervention of acute URTI. They act by creating a barrier that can trap virus particles, thereby preventing invasion of the mucosa by the virus.

• Mucoadhesive gel nasal sprays deliver broad spectrum activity that is effective against a wide variety of pathogens that cause acute URTI. Acute URTI warrants greater attention and proactive management in reducing its burden.

Acknowledgments

This review article was co-developed by the authors, in collaboration with Procter & Gamble Health and Ipsos. The authors would like to thank Adrien Gras, Sophia Chen and Myo Myo Swe Oo from Ipsos for their support in the expert roundtable implementation and manuscript development.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by Procter & Gamble Health.