THE LINKAGE BETWEEN UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS AND OTITIS MEDIA: EVIDENCE OF THE 'UNITED AIRWAYS CONCEPT'

Abstract

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a nonspecific term used to describe acute infections involving the nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and larynx and resulting from interplay between microbial load (viral and bacterial) and immune response. Infant and young children are prone to developing upper respiratory tract infections, which often result in bacterial complications especially acute otitis media because of the passage of bacteria (colonizing the nasopharynx) in the middle ear via Eustachian tube.