Respiratory tract infections: introduction Flashcards
Respiratory tract infections are uncommon in non-immunocompromised patients.
True or false?
False
The respiratory tract is the most common site of infection
List some names of infections of the respiratory tract.
Sinusitis Tonsillitis Pharyngitis Laryngitis Tracheitis Pleurisy Bronchiolitis Bronchitis Pneumonia
What is pleurisy?
Inflammation of the pleura, which is usually caused by an infection
What is pneumonia?
Infection of the alveoli and surrounding lung tissue
What 4 mechanisms protect the respiratory tract from infection?
- Commensals prevent pathogens from colonising
- Swallowing
- Lung anatomy
- Immune system
Is the lower or upper respiratory tract supposed to be sterile?
Lower
Upper is usually colonised by non-harmful bacteria
What features of lung anatomy prevent pathogens infecting the lung?
Muco-ciliary escalator
Cough reflex
What is the muco-ciliary escalator?
2 components:
- mucus producing goblet cells
- ciliated epithelium
Mucus traps pathogens and beating of cilia move them up towards the throat
There they are swallowed and killed
What causes increased susceptibility to respiratory tract infections?
Colonisation of upper airways
Immune dysfunction
Altered lung physiology
Co-morbidities
What problems do rhinoviruses cause?
Sinusitis
Common cold
Bronchitis
What problems do coronaviruses cause?
Colds
Sometimes severe respiratory illnesses such as MERS + SARS
What problems do adenoviruses cause?
Upper tract infections
Sore throats
Pharyngitis
Bronchiolitis
Bronchitis
Occasionally pneumonia
What problems do respiratory syncytial viruses cause?
Bronchiolitis in children
Severe illness in nursing home residents
Pneumonia in the immunocompromised
What does SARS stand for?
What type of pathogen is it caused by?
Where did it come from?
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Caused by a coronavirus
China
What problems does SARS cause?
Severe respiratory illness
That can result in respiratory failure
