Respiratory Tract Infections

Study Notes

Recognize symptoms of upper and lower respiratory system
The most common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections
Discuss epidemiology and risk factors of upper and lower respiratory tract infection
Outline the management plan of upper and lower respiratory tract infection
Discuss preventive strategies for upper and lower respiratory tract infection

Close contact with children
Medical disorders: asthma and allergic rhinitis
Smoking
Immunocompromised individuals: DM, prolonged use of corticosteroids, transplantation, and post-splenectomy
Anatomical anomalies: deviated nasal septum

Rhinitis and common cold: rhinoviruses, gradual onset, rare fever, slight aches, uncommon chill, sometimes fatigue and weakness, common sneezing, mild to moderate chest discomfort, common stuffy nose, common sore throat, rare headache
Influenza (Flu): influenza, abrupt onset, usual fever, usual aches, common chill, usual fatigue and weakness, sometimes sneezing, common chest discomfort, sometimes stuffy nose, sometimes sore throat, common headache

Inflammation of bronchus, which occurs either as an extension of upper respiratory tract infection or may be caused directly by bacterial agents
Causative organisms: Streptococcal pneumonia, B. pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae (bacterial), Influenza viruses, Adenoviruses, Rhinoviruses, and Coronaviruses (viral)

Symptomatic: cough syrup, antipyretic, antibiotics (amoxicillin or a macrolid antibiotic)
If cough lasts longer than 2 weeks, a chest radiograph should be done

Definition: an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily the alveoli
Etiology: bacterial (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staph aureus), viral (Influenza, Parainfluenza virus, Respiratory syncytial virus, and Coronavirus), and atypical pneumonia (Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Chlamydia, and Coxiella burnetii)

Clinical Features: fever, chills, cough, sputum production, dyspnea, pleuritic pain, tachypnea, tachycardia, hypoxemia, decreased breath sounds, bronchial breath sounds, crackles on auscultation, dullness to percussion, and egophony
Chest Radiography: confirms the clinical diagnosis, shows classical lobar infiltrate, and sputum Gram stain shows S. pneumoniae