CVR - Respiratory infections

Question 1

What are the effects of pneumonia?

Answer 1

• Lung injury -> acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Bacteremia -> Organ infection -> Organ failure
• Systemic inflammation -> organ injury or dysfunction

Question 2

What treatment is available for pneumonia?

Answer 2

Supportive therapy:
- Oxygen (hypoxia)
- Fluids (dehydration)
- Analgesia
Antibiotics:
- Penicillins
- Macrolides

Question 3

What is an oppurtunistic pathogen?

Answer 3

A pathogen which takes advantage of a change in conidtions (often when a person becomes immuno-suppressed)

Question 4

What is meant by the term pathobiont?

Answer 4

A microbe that is normally commensal, but if found in the wrong environment (e.g. the wrong anatomical site) can cause pathology

Question 5

Why do viral infections result in disease?

Answer 5

They lead to damage and lysis of the epithelium which results in:

• Bacterial growth
• Loss of chemoreceptors
• Loss of cilia
• Poor barrier to antigen -> micro-oedema

Can also be because of inflammation due to immune responses

Question 6

Describe the differences between influenza and RSV

Answer 6

Influenza:

• No re-infection by same strain
• Virus mutates rapidly (new strains every year)

RSV:

• Can be re-infected by same strain
• Only 2 variations of the virus (A&B)

Question 7

State the risk factors for infants for RSV bronchioitis

Answer 7

• Premature birth

- Congenital heart and lung disease