⚕️Sponsor of todays My Health Series posts:⚕️ Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a sudden infection that affects the respiratory tract — the parts of your body involved in breathing, including the nose, throat, airways, and lungs . It can range from a mild cold to severe pneumonia and is one of the most common causes of illness worldwide , especially in children and older adults . ⚕️ Types of ARI ARI can affect either the upper or lower respiratory tract. Type Affected Area Examples Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) Nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx Common cold, sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis Lower Respiratory Infection (LRI) Trachea, bronchi, lungs Bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia 🦠 Causes Most ARIs are caused by viruses , though bacteria can also be responsible. Viral Causes Rhinovirus (common cold) Influenza virus (flu) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Coronavirus (includes COVID-19) Adenovirus Parainfluenza virus Bacterial Causes ...