Exercise-induced suppression of certain immune functions during strenuous training periods, increased exposure to foreign pathogens while travelling, as well as sharing the same training- and living facilities within a team may put athletes at increased risk of infections.

Preventive measures are the first and foremost tasks to implement, to avoid disruption of crucial training and competition schedules. However, when signs of respiratory tract infections (RTI) appear in individual athletes or among members of athletic teams, fast and proper management is paramount to limit the disruption of training and performance capacity.

A short review of clinical manifestations, diagnosis and proper management of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections is given in the first section. Mononucleosis among athletes is briefly discussed and some general guidelines for management of the return to regular training during the convalescence phase of this particular infection are given. This is most pertinent to health professionals dealing with athletes with infections. The second section outlines guidelines with respect to prevention of RTI as well as management strategies when athletes are suffering from RTI. At the end, practical guidelines for safe return to normal a training schedule are summarized, aiming primarily at coaches and athletes.

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