Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
Function of the Upper RS?
- filter air and collect particles
- non-sterile
- normal flora, competes with pathogens to help protect us
- some pathogens can live within normal flora and when it goes to other parts of the body infection can occur
Immune system in the upper RS? Is the upper RS sterile?
-large as it is a portal of entry
need strong immune system effects here
-it is non-sterile
Components of the upper RS?
- tonsils, mucous
- uvula
- pharynx
- nasal cavity
- auditory tube opening
Function of the Lower RS? is it sterile or on-sterile?
- sterile
- good immune response
- gas exchange
- highly vascularized
- antibodies present at all times
Why is it easy for pathogens to cause systemic infection if located in the lower RS?
-highly vascularized, can entry blood plasma easily
What causes cough reflex when you aspirate in the lower RS?
-ciliary escalader
Components of the lower RS?
- epiglottis
- larynx
- trachea
- pleurae
- bronchiole
- diaphragm
Upper RT infections: Bacterial
- pharyngitis
- otitis media
- rhino sinusitis
Causes of pharyngitis? symptoms? how is it treated?
- streptococcus pyogenes
- sore throat
- treated with antibiotics if bacterial
Cause of otitis media?
- middle ear infection
- streptococcus pneumonias
- already present in middle ear not causing damage, but when immune system is compromised or weakened, host defences change. it can cause damage
Cause of rhino sinusitis?
- infection of sinuses
- haemophilus influenza
Are most URTI bacterial or viral?
-most are viral
4 viral URTI’s?
- pharyngitis
- otitis media
- rhino sinusitis
- common cold
Streptococcal Pharyngitis signs and symptoms?
- red pharynx
- swollen lymph nodes
- pain during swallowing
- fever
- headache
- bad breath
Rapid strep throat swab?
- 15 can tell whether it is bacterial or viral
- tells us fast and early so it doesn’t grow into super antigen and turn into scarlet fever, producing damaging effects to the heat and kindeys
Is streptococcus progenies bacterial or viral? what can it produce if it grows rapidly?
- bacterial
- can produce erythrogenic toxins that can damage heart and kidneys
Signs and symptoms of Scarlett fever?
- sandpapery rash on neck and chest and then spreads throughout the body
- red tongue
Otitis media signs and symptoms? what happens if ear drum ruptures? who are most susceptible to ear infections?
-Inflammation and pressur eon ear drum
-ear pain
rupture= earring impairment
-most common in young patients, decrease as you age
Green mucous represents?
-bacterial infections
Signs and symptoms of rhino sinusitis? Most common in what age group?
- sinus pain and pressure
- headache
- feeling of malaise
- adult cases
Common bacterial pathogenic microorganism causing otitis media and rhino sinusitis?
- Streptococcus pneumonia
- 10% of cases (90% are viral causes)
- more likely to be bacterial if high fever and pus nasal discharge for more than 10 days
Streptococcus pneumoniae?
- main bacterial pathogen
- infections move from pharynx to sinuses (sore throat) or to middle ear
- risk of sepsis and meningitis
Are common cold caused by viruses or bacterium? Signs and symptoms?
-always viral
-dry congested nasal
scratchy sore throat
-cough for about 1 week
-NO FEVER
common cold: how does it exit? is it contagious
- infects for hours, exits cells through lysis
- highly contagious
- caused by multiple viruses
Transmission of the common cold? how to prevent it?
-respiratory droplets direct contact -single virus can cause infection -live on door knobs and handles -hand washing prevents it
What causes the sore throat with he common cold?
-cell lysis when virus leaves the host cells
Is there a fever with the common cold? if there is what is it indicative of?
- no there is no fever
- indicative of bacterial infection present