Infection and asthma

Question 1

What are the routes of transmission for infection?

Answer 1

Droplets, direct contact, water and food (ingestion), body fluids, animal vectors1

Question 2

What are the mechanisms involved in asthma pathology?

Answer 2

1. Bronchospasm
2. Airway swelling
3. Increased mucous production (block bronchioles)

Question 3

What is bronchospasm?

Answer 3

Abnormal constriction of the smooth muscles in the wall of the bronchioles

Question 4

What are triggers of asthma?

Answer 4

Exercise (affects 80% of asthmatics)
Cold/dry air
Viral illnesses
Allergens

Question 5

What are the symptoms and signs of asthma?

Answer 5

`Shortness of breath, wheezing and dry cough

Question 6

What are some signs of severe asthma?

Answer 6

Difficulty in speaking, physically/emotionally distressed, exhausted, breathing effort increase (particularly expiration)

Question 7

What are two groups of medications for managing asthma?

Answer 7

Reliever medications: used for acute treatment of asthma symptoms (wheeze, cough, shortness of breath); bronchodilators - relax smooth muscle around outside of airway (open airway to ease breathing.

Preventor medications:makes airways less sensitive, reducing swelling, helps dry mucous, can take a few weeks to reach full effect