ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND PNEUMONIA Flashcards
what are some of the main defence mechanisms of the respiratory tract?
nasal hairs nasal turbinates cough reflex mucociliary escalator trachea and bronchial tree narrowing sneezing innate and acquire immune responses
what is commensalism?
a relationship between 2 organisms where 1 benefits and the other is unaffected
what is an infection?
the presence of a microorganism causing damage to body tissues
what is an opportunistic infection?
an infection caused by a microorganism that normally does not cause disease but becomes pathogenic when the body’s defence is compromised
what are some upper respiratory tract infections?
tonsilitis pharyngitis laryngitis sinusitis common cold otitis media
what are some common lower respiratory tract infections?
tracheitis bronchitis pneumonia lung abscess bronchiolitis
what is acute bronchitis?
inflammation of the tracheo-bronchial treae
when is peak incidence for acute bronchitis?
winter
what are symptoms of acute bronchitis?
cough
shortness of breath
wheezing
retrosternal burning chest pain
what does acute bronchitis look like on chest xray?
normal
what are the main aetiological agents of acute bronchitis?
mostly viruses - rhinovirs, coronavirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, influenza A/B
bacteria - haemophilus influenza, streptococcus pneumonia, staph aureus and mycoplasma pneumoniae
what are exacerbations of COPD?
acute bronchitis on a pre-existing diagnosis of COPD so you present with a sustained increase in symptoms including SOB, cough and wheeze
what is pneumonia?
an infection in the lungs caused by microbes resulting in ifnlamamtion that brings water into the lung tissue, making it harder to breathe.
what are the causative organisms of community acquired pneumonia?
s. pneumonia
s. aureus
h. influenza
group A streptococci
influenza virus
respiratory syncytial virus
parainfluenza
what are risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia?
advanced age, lowered immunity, smoker, alcohol abuse, malnutrition, chronic lung disease
outline the stages of pneumonia?
congestion - day 1-2 as blood vessels and alvelo start filling with excess fluid
red hepatization - days 3-4 as exudate starts filling airspaces, solidifies them and lungs develop a liver-like appearance
grey hepatozation - days 5-7 as lungs remain firm but red blood cells in exudate break down we get a colour change
resolution - day 8 -3 weeks as exudate is digested by enzyme ingested by macrophages and coughed up
what are complications of pneumonia?
meningitis, sepsis, pleural effusions
what are symptoms and signs of pneumonia?
fever cough haemoptysis pleuritis chest pain tachypnea tachycardia dyspnea muscle pain fatigue crepitation on palpation dullness to percussion
what would you see on an x-ray of someone with pneumonia?
interstitial infiltrates consolidation and pleural effusion sometimes
what causes typical pneumonia?
streptococcus pneumoniae
what microroganism causes atypical pneumonia?
mycoplasma chlamydia and legionella
what is nosocomial pneumonia?
hospital acquired pneumonia - occurs >48 hours after admission or following discharge
what microorganisms cause nosocomial pneumonia?
MRSA
klebsiella pneumoniae
pseudomonas aeuginosa
acinetobacter
what are risk factors for nosoconial pneumonia?
intubation
poor staff hygeine
contaminated quipment
