URTI
Medical abbreviation · Respiratory
| Stands for | Upper respiratory tract infection |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
URTI stands for Upper respiratory tract infection, a respiratory abbreviation.
Infection affecting any part of the upper airway, including colds, pharyngitis, sinusitis, laryngitis and otitis media in some classifications. The abbreviation is standard in British, Australian and international medical writing and in research coding.
Example: GP note: URTI, likely viral; delayed antibiotic prescription given with advice to use only if worse after 3 days.
Usage notes
The UK's NICE guidance promotes "no antibiotic" or "back-up" (delayed) prescribing strategies for most URTIs to curb antibiotic resistance. Sore throat scoring tools such as FeverPAIN and Centor help identify the minority of throat infections likely to be streptococcal. US notes generally use URI for the same group of illnesses.
Related abbreviations
More respiratory abbreviations
- A-a gradient – Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient
- AATD – Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- ABPA – Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
- AC – Assist-control ventilation
- AECOPD – Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- AERD – Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease
- AHI – Apnea-hypopnea index
- AHRF – Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure
- APAP – Automatic positive airway pressure
- APRV – Airway pressure release ventilation
- ARDS – Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- ARF – Acute respiratory failure
See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.