LRTI I Flashcards
Bronchitis
Characterised by temporary (self limited) inflammation of the large and mid sized bronchial tubes
Epidemiology of bronchitis
Seasonal variation; peak incidence in winter and where influenza (outbreak?) is present in the community.
Risk factors include:
(1) Age (ie children <5 years and the elderly)
(2) Underlying disease (ie chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma)
(3) Exposure to second-hand smoke
Microbiology of bronchitis
Viral
- Influenza virus
- Rhinovirus
- Adenovirus
- Respiratory synctial virus (RSV)
- Human metapneumovirus
Bacteria (approximately 10% of cases)
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Chlamydophila pnumoniae
- Bordetella pertussis (rare cases)
Pathophysiology of bronchitis
A virus(es) replicating in the epithelial cells of the upper respirtaory tract can spread to the lower airways resulting in:
- Inflammation of the bronchial/bronchiolar epithelia (ie. infiltration of mononuclear cells)
- Necrotic epithelia sloughed off into the lumina of the airways, togetehr with inflammation and increased mucous production and oedema, can cause obstruction characterised by ‘wheezing’.
Bronchitis clinical manifestations
Symptoms usually begin with common cold syndrome
- nasal congestion, rhinitis, sore throat, and general malaise
- low grade fever (37.5-38)
- Cough (dry at first/ becomes productive [white; green; yellow sputum])
- Wheezing *
Symptoms and signs usually resolve over 7-10 days for otherwise healthy person
Diagnosis of bronchitis
Made on clinical presentation, suspected in any person with acute respiratory illness where cough is the dominant symptom.
Differential diagnosis of bronchitis
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Pneumonia (i.e. chest x-ray with signs of infiltrates/consolidation)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); asthma.
Treatment of bronchitis
Supportive therapy: adequate hydration, cough suppressants, decongestants, antihistamines.
Bronchiolitis
Describes inflammation of the smaller air passages, bronchioles, of the lung.
Bronchiolitis epidemiology
Peak incidence is during winter to early spring; usually correlated with the prevalence of RSV in the community.
Most common during the first years of life:
- each uear 1-3% of infants <6 months of age
- more common in boys
- children with chronic underlying conditions (i.e. cardiopulmonary function decline)
Bronchiolitis risk factors
Young maternal age Lower cord blood antibody titres to RSV Lower socioeconomic status Crowded living conditions Bottle feeding Tobacco/smoke exposure
Bronchiolitis microbiology
Viruses (order of prevalence)
- RSV
- Rhinovirus
- Influenza
- Parainfluenza virus (1-3)
- Adenovirus
- Bocavirus
- Non-SARS coronaviruses
Bronchiolitis clinical manifestations
Prodrome (range 2-7 days) of signs of upper respiratory tract infection:
- Coryza
- Cough
- Fever (usually mild)
Followed by:
- Wheezing
- Dysponea
- Dehydrations (due to coughing spasm associated vomiting/ poor oral intake)
- Recovery usually over a period of 1-2 weeks.
Bronchiolitis diagnosis
Based on child’s history and physical examination
Usually suspected in children <2 years of age with:
- cough
- wheezing
- increased respiratory effort
Bronchiolitis differential diagnosis
Broad and usually includes:
- obstruction of an airways by foreign body.
- retropharyngeal abscess
- cystic fibrosis
- congestive heart failure