Respiratory Infections
About Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections include a diverse group of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections of upper and lower respiratory systems.
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) affect:
1. Sinuses
2. Airways or lungs
3. Throat
Most RTIs get better without treatment, but sometimes you may need to see your GP.
There are 4 types of respiratory tract infection
Upper respiratory tract infection- Lower respiratory tract infection
- Community acquired respiratory tract infection
- Nosocomial respiratory tract infection
Upper respiratory tract infectionrespiratory tract infection
The upper respiratory tract infection includes 4 main infections.
1. Sinusitis
- Sinus infections happen when fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses), which allows germs to grow, it is caused by viral or bacterial infection.
- The most common symptoms: runny nose, stuffy nose, facial pain or pressure, headache.
2. Common cold
- It is caused by viral infection.
- The most common symptoms are: sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing.
3. Pharyngitis
- It is a painful sore throat inflammation of the back part of the throat, it is caused by viral or bacterial infection.
- The most common symptoms: sore throat and pain with swallowing.
4. Epiglottitis
- Epiglottitis is inflammation and swelling of the epiglottitis, it is caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infections.
- The most common symptoms: Severe sore throat, difficulty and pain when swallowing, difficulty in breathing.
The lower respiratory tract infections include 3 main infections.
1. Bronchitis
- Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), causing them to become irritated and inflamed, it is caused by viral or bacterial infection, such as s. pneumonia.
- The most common symptoms: Sore throat, headache, runny or blocked nose and aches and pains.
2. Bronchiolitis
- Bronchiolitis is almost always caused by a viral infection (respiratory syncytial virus is responsible).
- The most common symptoms: A rasping and persistent dry cough, wheezing, and brief pauses in their breathing.
3. Pneumonia
- It is caused by pneumoccocal pneumonia which is the most type of the bacteria that causes the disease.
- The most common symptoms: A cough which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or bloodstained mucus, difficulty in breathing, which may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting, high temprature, and rapid heartbeat.
Infections that are contracted outside of a hospital or are diagnosed within 48 hours of admission without any previous health care encounter.
If you get community acquired pneumonia, it can develop quickly.
Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Heavy sputum
- Fever and chills
- Chest pain that is worse when you breathe or cough
- Nausea and vomiting
1. Nosocomial infections or healthcare associated infections occur in patient under medical care.
2. The majority of the noscomial pneumonia is associated with ventilation.
3. A quarter of patients on mechanically assisted ventilator develop nosocomial pneumonia.
4. The most common symptoms are fever, decrease in the number of white blood cells and bronchial sounds.
How to prevent infections
Many of the germs that cause respiratory (breathing) diseases are spread by droplets that come from coughing and sneezing.
- Minimize close contact with persons who have symptoms of respiratory illness
- Wash your hands regularly
- Maintain a clean environment
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth
TypeS of treatments
- Vitamin C
- Echinacea
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Zinc lozenges
- Intranasal corticosteroids
- Antibiotics
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
| If you experience | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Cough, possible phlegm production | Symptomatic treatment; antibiotics are not recommended |
| Acute onset of symptoms, presence of middle ear pain, signs of middle ear inflammation | Antibiotic, 80 to 90 mg per kg per day, in two divided doses (first-line treatment) |
| Nasal obstruction, anterior or posterior infected nasal discharge, facial pain, cough, decreased sense of smell | Watchful waiting in mild cases; amoxicillin for severe or complicated bacterial rhinosinusitis |
| Runny nose, cough, sore throat, sneezing, nasal congestion | Symptomatic treatment; antibiotics are not recommended |
| Voice change, tachycardia (heart rate > 100 beats per minute), fever, subjective shortness of breath, tachypnea (respiratory rate > 24 breaths per minute), stridor, respiratory distress, leaning forward | Antibiotic is recommended |
| Fever, headache, muscles pain | Influenza vaccination for prevention; supportive care; initiation of antiviral therapy within 48 hours of symptom onset may decrease illness duration by one day |
| Loss of voice, sore throat, cough, fever, runny nose, headache | Symptomatic treatment; antibiotics are unnecessary |
| Sore throat, fever, absence of cough | Treatment based on assessment |
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