Respiratory Disorders - Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
What is Influenza?
Influenza is an acute viral infection in the upper respiratory tract.
Is Influenza seasonal?
Yes.
How many strains of influenza are there? What are they called? Which is most prevalent?
There are three main different strains: A, B and C. A is the most prevalent and the one responsible for influenza epidemics.
What is the incubation period for influenza?
1 - 4 days.
Who are most at risk of contracting influenza?
Elderly, Young, Chronically ill, and Health workers.
Why are the elderly and young vulnerable demographics in contracting influenza?
They are more likely to have inadequate defenses to successfully prevent infection.
Why are the chronically ill more susceptible to influenza?
They are at an elevated risk of contracting influenza because their immune system is already busy and overworked because of their chronic illness.
Why won’t Hepatitis viruses cause influenza? They’re both viruses!
Viruses are specific to certain cells. Influenza is specific to cells found in the respiratory tract.
What is the pathophysiology of influenza?
Influenza causes viral injury to the epitheial cells in the upper respiratory tract. The injury causes inflammatory tissue damage.
Is it possible for the influenza virus to spread? If so, where? What can it lead to?
Yes. It is possible for the influenza virus to spread to the lower respiratory tract leading to bronchial and alveolar damage.
What are two complications of influenza?
Secondary bacterial infection, bronchitis or pneumonia.
What is done to prevent secondary bacterial infection in an influenza sufferer?
A patient with influenza will often be given antibiotic prophalactically, espeically the elderly.
What are the manifestations of influenza?
Coughing, Fever, Lethargy, Myalgia
What are the treatments for influenza?
Immunization (prophylaxis), Prevent spread, Symptomatic treatments, Antivirals
Why are immunizations more effective some years than others?
Health authorities guess which virus they predict will be the most prevelant and immunize for that particular strain. Some year, they predict correctly, other years they do not.
What are two antivirals may be prescribed for influenza?
1) Amantadine, which is a first generation drug that prevents the uncoating of the virus in host cell. 2) Relenza, which is a second generation drug that inhibits the replication and prevents lysis of cells.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is the inflammaiton of alveoli and bronchioles. There are infectious and non-infectious forms.
What is another name for Pneumonia?
Pneumonitis
What is the etiology of pneumonia?
Pneumonia is most commonly a bacterial infection. However, it can also be caused by viruses, fungi, aspiration, and noxious fumes.
What is pneumonia called when caused by bacteria?
Typical pneumonia.
What is pneumonia called when cause by sources other than bacteria?
A-typical Pneumonia.
What is pneumonia called when caused specifically from noxious fumes?
Toxic pneumonia.
What is the pathophysiology of bacterial pneumonia?
If one has impaired pulmonary defenses then the infectious agent will enter the respiratory tract and proceed into the lungs. Once established in the lungs it will lead to inflammation giving way to pulmonary edema which impairs gas exchange.
How does pulmonary edema impair gas exchange? What is the term used for this exhange problem?
Pulmonary edema builds up along the walls of the aveoli creating a thicker layer which gasses must pass through to correctly diffuse. This makes breathing more difficult and impairs normal gas exchange. The term used to describe this is “diffusion distance”.
What are the manifestations of pneumonia?
Fever and chills, Dyspnea, Sputum, Headache, Chest pain
How is pneumonia diagnosed?
Physical (breath sounds), X-ray, Sputum analysis
What is the treatment for pneumonia?
Supportive (oxygen and respiration support), Antibiotics if bacterial.
What is the term used for pulmonary edema when noted on an X-ray?
Consolidation
What is the terminology when pneumonia is restricted to one lobe?
Lobar.
What is pneumonia called when the infection has diffused across both lungs?
Bronchopneumonia
When looking at the histology of typical and a-typical pneumonia why is typical pneumonia noted inside the alveoli, and a-typical outside the alveoli?
Viral, or a-typical, pneumonia need to be in the host cells. Alveoli are not cells. They are pockets of air. Thus, the aveoli are excellent areas for bacterial growth but will not house viral infections.
