Week 2 - Respiratory - Infection of the Pulmonary System Flashcards
Where do most respiratory infections occur
- Upper airways
- E.g. the common cold, pharyngitis (sore throat)
and laryngitis
Explain why the Upper Airways are most common in infections
The upper airways filter out contaminants from the air, keeping the lungs sterile despite their direct exposure to the atmosphere. This helps prevent serious infections.
What infections occur in the lower respiratory tract
- Pneumonia is the most serious/a leading cause
of death. - Frequently in individuals whose normal defence
mechanisms are impaired
Define Pneumonia
A group of infections of the pulmonary parenchyma (including structures such as alveolar and bronchi) caused by various organisms such as:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Parasites
What is the Pathophysiology of Pneumonia
- Aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions is the most
common route of lower respiratory tract infection - Another route of infection> inhalation of microorganisms that have been released into the air during:
- Coughs
- Sneezes
- Talks
- Aerosolised water
- Pneumonia can also occur when bacteria are spread
to the lungs from bacteraemia (bacteria within the blood)
What are the symptoms of pneumonia
- Dyspnoea
- Fever, Chills, Malaise
- Productive or dry cough
- Haemoptysis (blood in the sputum)
- Pleural pain
What are the treatment of pneumonia
- Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia
- Supportive therapy
- Antiviral medication may be needed in severe cases
- Infections with opportunistic microorganisms may be polymicrobial and require multiple drugs, including antifungals
- Adequate hydration
- Good pulmonary hygiene (e.g. deep breathing, coughing, chest physiotherapy)
Define Tuberculosis
An infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium that usually affects the lungs but may invade other body systems.
Pathophysiology of Tuberculosis
- Transmitted from person to person in airborne droplets.
- Once the bacteria are inspired into the lung, they multiply and cause lung
inflammation. - Lymphocytes initiate the immune response.
What are the treatment of Tuberculosis
Antibiotic therapy to control active or latent tuberculosis infection and prevent transmission.
What is Influenza
Common respiratory viral infection
Who has a higher risk for Influenza
- Elderly
- Adults and children with chronic disorders of the
pulmonary or circulatory systems - Nursing home & long-term-care residents
What are the main strains of influenza virus
Type A is the responsible for the yearly influenza known as ‘seasonal flu’.
◼ Type A has many different subtypes
◼ The virus can change (called antigenic drift), meaning that mutations
occur in the virus antigen
◼ The body’s antibodies cannot recognise the virus
◼ Reason why ‘new’ types of flu circulate each year > hence new vaccine
What are the symptoms of Influenza
- Cough and fever
- Generalised myalgia (muscle pain)
- Headache
- Sore throat
Does Influenza affects the upper or lower tract
- Influenza virus enters the upper airways from airborne secretions of an infected individual.
- However Influenza infections can invade the lower respiratory tract and cause pneumonia
What are the treatments for influenza?
- Handwashing combined with pulmonary hygiene
- Influenza vaccines
- Influenza virus > great antigenic variation with frequent mutations
