Inflammations of upper respiratory pathways belong to frequent diseases. These are caused by various agents including viruses, bacteria, allergens, physical and chemical pathological agents. Symptoms of these diseases are similar, but the course and severity of individual inflammations vary from a light course to severe inflammations with the possibility of life threatening complications. That iswhy an early and correct differential diagnosis, followed by adequate therapy, is so much needed. Drug therapy and surgical treatment were previously strictly separated and sometime even contraposed.

        Key words: inflammations of upper respiratory pathways, differential diagnosis, drug and surgical therapy.