Semester 2 - Respiratory Tract Infections

Question 1

Where do most primary respiratory infections occur?

Answer 1

Upper respiratory tract
Nasal cavity
Pharynx
Larynx

Question 2

Where do most secondary/severe respiratory infections occur?

Answer 2

(pneumonia, bronchitis)
Lower respiratory tract
Trachea, primary bronchi, lungs

Question 3

What are the physical barriers of the respiratory system?

Answer 3

Skin

Nasal cavity - hair

Question 4

What are the mucosal barriers of the respiratory system?

Answer 4

Saliva, mucous lining - sloughing, anti-microbial peptides

MALT - macrophages, T and B cells

Question 5

What are the Innate immune functions of the respiratory defense mechanisms?

Answer 5

Natural killer cells

cytokine production/inflammation

Question 6

What are the physiological functions of the respiratory defense mechanisms?

Answer 6

Coughing, mucus production

Question 7

What are some factors influencing susceptibility to respiratory tract infection?

Answer 7

Immune competency
Disease conditions or medications (diabetes, cancer, genetic disorders etc)
Stress (why?)
Seasonal patterns of infection - winter (why?)

Question 8

What are sources of primary RT infections?

Answer 8

May be viral or bacterial

‘common cold’ viral

Question 9

What are sources of secondary RT infections?

Answer 9

Commonly bacterial

Occur due to decreased immune capacity during primary infection

Question 10

What are s/sx of rhinits/sinusitis?

Answer 10

Inflammation of nasal cavities/sinuses
Rhinorrhea, nasal d/c, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, fever, headache, toothache, pressure like pain (eyes, teeth, face)
Common cold - most RT infections

Question 11

What are s/sx of pharyngitis?

Answer 11

Inflammation of the pharynx
sore throat, fever, headache, lymphangitis
Group A strep, C. pneumoniae, others

Question 12

What are s/sx of laryngitis?

Answer 12

Inflammation of larynx
Loss of voice, hoarseness of voice
Many causes, more severe URT infection, typically viral

Question 13

What are s/sx of tonsilitis?

Answer 13

Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, tenderness of jaw and throat, peritonsilar abscess (rare, blocking of airways leading to respiratory failure, risk of rupture leading to pneumonia)
Many causes, more severe URT infection (Strep throat)

Question 14

What are the s/sx of parotitis?

Answer 14

Swelling/redness of the neck/face, mouth/facial pain, difficulty opening mouth. Abnormal/foul tastes. Mumps

Question 15

What are the s/sx of otitis media?

Answer 15

Fluid/mucus accumulation, ear pain
Difficulty with sleep, hearing, balance
Redness or blistering of the tympanic membrane
Secondary to URT infection (more commonly in children) usually bacterial (NTHI)

Question 16

What are the s/sx of epiglottitis/tracheitis

Answer 16

Abnormal breathing, difficulty breathing/swallowing
Epiglottitis life-threatening (airway obstruction, cyanosis, respiratory distress)
Bacterial causes common (Hib, H. parainfluenzae, S. pneumoniae)

Question 17

What are the s/sx of bronchitis?

Answer 17

Coughing, mucus production, wheezing, SOB, chest tightness

Viral causes most common (influenza, rhino, corona, adeno), bacterial causes often secondary (Hib, S. pneumoniae)

Question 18

What are the four most common viral causes of bronchitis?

Answer 18

Influenza, rhino, corona, adeno

Question 19

What are the s/sx of bronchiolitis?

Answer 19

more common in children
Coughing, wheezing, SOB, difficulty breathing
RSV most common

Question 20

What are the s/sx of pleuritis/pleurisy?

Answer 20

Chest pain, difficulty taking deep breaths
Fluid accumulation in chest cavity - cyanosis, SOB, tachypnea
Viral more common (influenza, parainfluenza), bacterial (M.tb, strep)

Question 21

What are the s/sx of pneumonia?

Answer 21

Inflammation of the alveoli, consolidation of the lung (x-ray)
Cough with phlegm, wheezing, difficulty breathing
Fever, chills, fatigue
Viral and bacterial (influenza, RSV, adeno, M.tb, S.pneumo, CAP)

Question 22

Who is most likely to have a viral pneumonia?

Answer 22

Immune competent individuals

Question 23

Who is most likely to have bacterial pneumonia?

Answer 23

Secondary to an infection, immunocompromised patients

Question 24

What are the viral sources of respiratory infections

Answer 24

Picornavirus (rhinovirus)
Orthomyxovirus (influenza virus)
Paramyxoviruses (parainfluenza, RSV)
Coronavirus
Adenovirus

Question 25

What are parasitic sources of respiratory infection?

Answer 25

Schistosoma sp.
Ascaris lumbricoides
Toxoplasma gondii

Question 26

What are bacterial sources of respiratory infection?

Answer 26

H. influenza
Group A strep
Legionella pneumophile
Bacillus anthracis
Bordatella pertussis
Corynebacterium diptheria
Yersina pestis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Question 27

What are the fungal sources of respiratory infections?

Answer 27

Blastomyces dermatiditis
Histoplasma capsulatum
Pneumocystitis jiroveci

Question 28

What are some strategies to prevent RT infections?

Answer 28

Immune stimulants
Proper nutrition
Hygiene/transmission control
Vaccines (limited scope)

Question 29

What are some strategies to control RT infections?

Answer 29

Immune stimulants vs. suppressants
Supportive therapies
Transmission control
Antibiotics/antivirals etc