Upper respiratory infections

Children tend to get more respiratory infections such as colds than adults because they have not yet developed immunity to many viruses

UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS 

upper respiratory tract infections (URTI or URI), are diseases caused by an acute infection involving the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx and larynx.

upper respiratory tract infection  is a non-specific term used to describe acute infections of the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi. The prototype is the disease known by the name of common colds, which will be discussed here, in addition to pharyngitis, sinusitis, and tracheo-bronchitis. Influenza is a systemic disease involving the airways and should be distinguished from other URI.

  

CAUSES 

Viruses cause most Upper Respiratory tract Infections with rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus, adenovirus, RS virus, Coxsackievirus, and the influence accounted for the majority of cases.  Human Metapneumovirus was recently found to cause material URI. beta-hemolytic streptococcus group (GABHS) causes 5% to 10% of cases, pharyngitis in adults. Other less common causes of bacterial pharyngitis are C beta-hemolytic streptococcus group, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and herpes simplex virus. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and are the most common organisms that cause bacterial super-infection of virus in acute sinusitis.  Less than 10% of acute tracheobronchitis due to Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, M. or C. pneumoniae pneumoniae.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS 

Acute upper respiratory tract infections are fever, pharyngitis / tonsillitis is often called the flu, and their complications: sinusitis, otitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, and sometimes (even if the bronchi are generally classified as part of the lower respiratory tract.) Symptoms URI common cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, low fever, facial pressure and sneezing. Onset of symptoms usually begin 1-3 days after exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. The illness usually lasts 7-10 days.

Group A beta hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis / tonsillitis (strep throat) presents with sudden onset of sore throat, painful swallowing and fever. Strep throat usually does not cause a runny nose, changes in voice or cough. pain and ear pressure caused by middle ear infection (otitis media) and redness of the eye caused by a viral conjunctivitis is often associated with upper respiratory infections.

DIAGNOSIS 

Upper respiratory tract infections are diagnosed on the type and duration of symptoms. cold symptoms last for months, but do not cause sinus problems, allergies may actually be related.

TREATMENT 

The preferred treatment of upper respiratory infections is rest and plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter cold, flu and sinus remedies and pain relievers may provide temporary relief from symptoms but does not reduce infection. Gargle with salt water can help relieve the symptoms of sore throat. Steaming bowl of soup can help relieve nasal congestion opening. Antibiotics are not effective in treating viral infections, and only prescribed if the cause is a bacterial symptoms, such as sore throat, tonsillitis, earaches, or sinus infections. The best treatment for laryngitis is to rest his voice. repeated periods of tonsillitis treated surgically remove the infected tonsils. Mild croup can be treated at home with rest, fluids and a humidifier. However, children are hard to beat the basin in the hospital. 

If you have an upper respiratory infection, take plenty of rest and fluids. Call your doctor if symptoms worsen or last more than a week. Keep mucous membranes moist with a humidifier and petroleum jelly around the nose. nosedrops Saline may also help loosen mucus. Your doctor may tell you how this solution and how to use it often. You can help prevent upper respiratory tract, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, which would spread the virus your hands have contacted.

Lower respiratory infections

In the health  the lower respiratory tract is normally sterile owing to a highly efficient defence system and lower respiratory tract is frequently compromised by smoking

LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS 

Lower respiratory infections cause disease in the air sacs and the infection that results is called pneumonia. This part of the paper will address the various types of pneumonia (eg, generally, chronic interstitial pneumonia and fungal) and agents that cause them.

Acute respiratory infections are a public health problem of constant and widespread. Cause a greater burden of disease in the world that infection with human immunodeficiency virus, malaria, cancer or heart attacks.In  United States, causing more diseases and deaths than any other disease, and there was little change in mortality from respiratory tract infection for more than five decades.1 2 the results of an acute lower respiratory tract depends on the virulence of the organism and response of inflammation in the lung.

Changes in the characteristics of the aging population and the swelling numbers of immunocompromised patients with conditions increased the number of people in danger. A wide selection of new pathogens also provides challenges for the microbiology laboratory. Overtreatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis, which is largely due to viruses, has led to unprecedented levels of multidrug resistance among invasive pathogens such as Streptococcous pneumoniae. Guidelines for a rational approach to evaluation and treatment of patients with acute bronchitis have been published recently in an attempt to reduce misuse of antibiotics and an attempt to prevent further increases in resistance rates. The role of the laboratory are very limited.

PNEUMONIA 

Pneumonia. It comes in a variety of situations and treatment should vary depending on the situation. It is classified as community or hospital acquired, depending on where the patient contracted the infection. Sometimes it is fatal in older people or those who are immunocompromised. The most common treatment is antibiotics and vary in their side effects and effectiveness. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children under five years. The most common cause of pneumonia is a bacterial pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae accounts for two thirds of bacteremic pneumonia.

A dangerous type of lung infection with a mortality of about 25%. For optimal management of a pneumonia patient, the following assessment - pneumonia severity (including whether to treat as home, hospital or intensive care), identification of the bacteria, the analgesia for chest pain, need for supplemental oxygen, physical therapy, hydration, bronchodilators and possible complications of emphysema or lung abscess.

Community respiratory infections appropriate use of fluoroquinolones is a therapeutic option. These have been shown to be targeted in vitro and typical and atypical pathogens of interest. newer fluoroquinolones (eg moxifloxacin or gatifloxacin) have extended the activities Gram + ve, and once a day and, consequently, the potential first-line treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. However, clinical response is the best indicator of effectiveness of moxifloxacin or gatifloxacin, and have proved effective against community-acquired respiratory tract infections clinically.