This category includes upper respiratory infection, influenza, infectious monomucleosis, and hepatitis.
Treatment is symptomatic with observation for complication.
With an infection of viral etiology, prophylactic antibiotic therapy should be withheld because of the risk of secondary infection with a resistant organism, toxicity of drugs, expense, and confusion with improperly treated bacterial infections. Antibiotic prescription in these situations is a poor substitute for frequent clinical observation and appropriate cultures. If bacterial etiology is suspected, cultures should be taken and antibiotic therapy begun. This should be terminated in five days if clinical or culture results are negative. Upper Respiratory Infection Rhinorrhea, pharyngitis, and sinus congestion compromise the patency of the Eustachian tube and, in the aviation environment, predispose to middle ear disorders such as vertigo or bacterial infection.