Respiratory Infections Overview

Infections affecting the upper respiratory system, including sinuses and throat. Examples include common colds, epiglottis, and pharyngitis.

A respiratory infection that affects the airways and lungs, often lasting longer and more serious than URIs. Examples include bronchitis, bronchiolitis, chest infections, and pneumonia.

URTIs spread through respiratory droplets released when someone sneezes or coughs without covering their mouth, or by hand-to-hand contact with an infected person.

A viral or bacterial infection that enters the respiratory system through contact with infected surfaces or people.

Children are at higher risk due to frequent contact with other children, less frequent handwashing, and putting their hands in their eyes, nose, and mouth. People with heart or lung problems, and weakened immune systems are also at higher risk.

Coughing, fever, hoarse voice, fatigue, red eyes, runny nose, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes are common symptoms of URTIs.

A doctor can make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and physical exam. You may need tests like a chest x-ray, lung CT scan, or sputum test if other infections are suspected.

A type of cancer affecting the larynx (voice box) that can hinder speaking, breathing, and swallowing. It can form in the supraglottis, glottis, or subglottis.

Sore throat, persistent cough, voice changes (hoarseness), pain while swallowing, lump in the neck, trouble making sounds, and ear pain are some symptoms.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus), tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and family history of head and neck cancers increase the risk of developing laryngeal cancer.

A doctor will examine your throat, neck, and ask about your medical history. Additional tests like CT or MRI scans, laryngoscopy, PET scan, and biopsy are done for confirmation.

Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery are some treatment options for laryngeal cancer.

A chronic respiratory disease characterized by restricted airflow and breathing problems, often caused by smoking and air pollution.

Smoking, air pollution, occupational exposure to dusts and fumes, biomass fuel use, childhood factors, asthma, and genetic conditions contribute to COPD development.

Difficulty breathing, chronic cough (sometimes with phlegm), feeling tired, and frequent flare-ups are common symptoms.

COPD is diagnosed by a physical exam, considering symptoms and a breathing test called spirometry.

Avoid smoke and air pollution, get vaccinated, take medications, and engage in pulmonary rehabilitation.

A COPD type affecting air sacs in the lungs, making them lose their shape and elasticity, resulting in difficulty breathing in and out.

Long-term exposure to cigarette smoke, other irritants, genetics (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency), age, and family history of COPD.

Frequent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and frequent respiratory infections are common symptoms.

Emphysema is not curable. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, slowing progression, and improving physical activity level with lifestyle changes (quitting smoking), medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and surgery.

Inflammation of the large airways in the lungs that causes coughing, usually caused by a viral infection (acute bronchitis) or related to smoking (chronic bronchitis).

A dry or phlegm-producing cough lasting for 2-3 weeks (acute bronchitis), wheezing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, blocked or runny nose, headache, fever, aches, pains, and fatigue are common symptoms.

Bronchitis is usually caused by viruses like cold viruses or influenza virus, sometimes by bacteria, and spread through the air or contact with contaminated surfaces.

Older people or young children, those exposed to irritating chemicals, smokers, people with lung conditions, and people with weak immunity are at higher risk.

A doctor listens to your chest with a stethoscope and asks about your symptoms. Tests are usually not needed, but may be done to rule out other conditions like pneumonia.

Drink fluids, rest, take pain relievers, honey (for adults over 12 months), and avoid irritants.

A chronic lung disease affecting people of all ages, causing inflammation and tightening of airways, making it harder to breathe.

Persistent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath (even at rest), chest tightness, and worsening symptoms during colds or weather changes are common.

Family history, other allergies (eczema, rhinitis), urbanization, early life events (low birthweight, premature birth, smoke exposure), environmental allergens, and overweight/obesity.

Asthma is not curable but can be managed using inhalers (bronchodilators and steroids) and other therapies like spacer devices for easier medication delivery.