Respiratory Tract Infections PDF

Respiratory tract infections Principles of medicine part 2/Practice(session 1) Anesthesia department / stage 3  The upper respiratory tract includes the mouth, nose, sinus, throat, larynx (voice box). Upper respiratory infections are often referred to as "colds.“ The lower...

Respiratory tract infections Principles of medicine part 2/Practice(session 1) Anesthesia department / stage 3  The upper respiratory tract includes the mouth, nose, sinus, throat, larynx (voice box). Upper respiratory infections are often referred to as "colds.“ The lower respiratory tract includes the trachea, bronchial tubes and the lungs. Bronchitis and pneumonia are infections of the lower respiratory tract. Upper RTIs Symptoms of the common cold may include: stuffiness (nasal congestion), runny nose, low grade fever, post-nasal drip, and cough; the cough is usually dry (no sputum from the lung is being produced); with post-nasal drip, the cough may bring up some of the nasal secretions that have dripped into the back of the throat.  In some infants and children, the upper airways may become inflamed causing croup (laryngotracheobronchitis, acute LTB). In addition to runny nose and stuffiness, the upper airways, especially the larynx can become inflamed causing a croupy or "barking cough." Symptoms: The most common complaints associated with a cold usually are mild. The following symptoms usually occur with a cold: Runny nose (increased mucus production) Sneezing Nasal and sinus blockage (thick mucus and debris) Headache Sore throat Cough Mild fever Common cold: URTI sinusitis symptoms such as fullness in the face, increased nasal drainage, and occasionally pain and fever;  Diseased and healthy sinus  How are URTI diagnosed? Diagnosis the infection based on a physical exam and symptoms. we look in nose, ears and throat and listen to chest to examine breathing. we often don’t need other tests. If we concerned a lung infection or another infection, we may need a: Lung (chest) X-ray. Lung CT scan. Lung (pulmonary) function test to see how the lungs are working. Nasal swab. Throat swab. Sputum test, when cough up some sputum (phlegm from lungs) for examination. Treatment of upper RTIs: Most of the time, viruses cause upper respiratory infections. Viruses don’t respond to antibiotics. Most likely treat the symptoms at home through pain relievers, rest and drinking fluids. If have a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, can take antibiotics. Penicillin or amoxicillin are frequently prescribed for streptococcal infection of throat. Lower RTIs: Lower respiratory tract infections are any infections in the lungs or below the voice box. These include pneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. A lower respiratory tract infection can affect the airways, such as with bronchitis, or the air sacs at the end of the airways, as in the case of pneumonia. Symptoms: Symptoms of a less severe lower respiratory tract infection can include a dry cough, low fever, and a runny nose. Symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections vary and depend on the severity of the infection. -Less severe infections can have symptoms similar to the common cold, including: a stuffed up or a runny nose a dry cough a low fever a mild sore throat a dull headache -In more severe infections, symptoms can include: a severe cough that may produce phlegm fever difficulty breathing a blue tint to the skin rapid breathing chest pain wheezing Upper vs. lower respiratory tract infections Lower respiratory tract infections differ from upper respiratory tract infections by the area of the respiratory tract they affect. While lower respiratory tract infections involve the airways below the larynx, upper respiratory tract infections occur in the structures in the larynx or above. People who have lower respiratory tract infections will experience coughing as the primary symptom. People with upper respiratory tract infections will feel the symptoms mainly above the neck, such as sneezing, headaches, and sore throats. They may also experience body aches, especially if they have a fever. Lower RTIs: Lower respiratory tract infections include: bronchitis pneumonia bronchiolitis tuberculosis Diagnosis: Usually diagnose a lower respiratory infection during an exam and after discussing the symptoms a person has and how long they have been present. During the exam, we will listen to the person’s chest and breathing through a stethoscope. The doctor may order tests to help diagnose the problem, such as: pulse oximetry to find how much oxygen is in the blood chest X-rays to check for pneumonia blood tests to check for bacteria and viruses mucus samples to look for bacteria and viruses Bronchitis – chest x ray: Pneumonia x ray: Pulmonary tuberculosis: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs, though it can affect any organ in the body. It can develop when bacteria spread through droplets in the air. TB can be fatal, but in many cases, it is preventable and treatable. Symptoms: Latent TB: A person with latent TB will have no symptoms, and no damage will show on a chest X-ray. However, a blood test or skin prick test will indicate that they have TB infection. Active TB: An individual with TB disease may experience a cough that produces phlegm, fatigue, a fever, chills, and a loss of appetite and weight. Symptoms typically worsen over time, but they can also spontaneously go away and return. Early warning signs: a persistent cough, lasting at least 3 weeks phlegm, which may have blood in it, when they cough a loss of appetite and weight a general feeling of fatigue and being unwell swelling in the neck a fever night sweats chest pain Beyond lungs: TB usually affects the lungs, though symptoms can develop in other parts of the body. This is more common in people with weakened immune systems. TB can cause: persistently swollen lymph nodes, or “swollen glands” abdominal pain joint or bone pain confusion a persistent headache seizures  Diagnosis: -A person with latent TB will have no symptoms, but the infection can show up on tests. People should ask for a TB test if they: have spent time with someone who has or is at risk of TB have spent time in a country with high rates of TB work in an environment where TB may be present A doctor will ask about any symptoms and the person’s medical history. They will also perform a physical examination, which involves listening to the lungs and checking for swelling in the lymph nodes. Two tests can show whether TB bacteria are present: the TB skin test the TB blood test However, these cannot indicate whether TB is active or latent. To test for active TB disease, the doctor may recommend a sputum test and a chest X-ray. TB skin test: Pulmonary TB radiology: Pulmonary TB: Management of RTIs: Guidelines for the management of lower RTIs