What is an acute lower respiratory tract infection?
Acute lower respiratory infections include pneumonia (infection of the lung alveoli), as well as infections affecting the airways such as acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis, influenza and whooping cough. They are a leading cause of illness and death in children and adults across the world.
What are the 5 acute respiratory infections?
They include rhinitis (common cold), sinusitis, ear infections, acute pharyngitis or tonsillopharyngitis, epiglottitis, and laryngitis—of which ear infections and pharyngitis cause the more severe complications (deafness and acute rheumatic fever, respectively).
What causes acute lower respiratory tract infections?
A lower respiratory tract infection (RTI) occurs when there is an infection of the lungs, specifically in the lower airways. This infection is usually caused by a virus, but it can also be caused by bacteria or other less common organisms. Common lower RTIs in infants and young children include: Flu.
What is the lower respiratory tract?
Overview. The major passages and structures of the lower respiratory tract include the windpipe (trachea) and within the lungs, the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Deep in the lungs, each bronchus divides into secondary and tertiary bronchi, which continue to branch to smaller airways called the bronchioles.
What are the lower respiratory diseases?
Lower respiratory tract infections are any infections in the lungs or below the voice box. These include pneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. A lower respiratory tract infection can affect the airways, such as with bronchitis, or the air sacs at the end of the airways, as in the case of pneumonia.
What is acute infection?
An acute viral infection is characterized by sudden or rapid onset of disease, which can be resolved quickly by robust innate immune responses exerted by the host or, instead, may kill the host.
What are three common respiratory infections?
Upper respiratory infections include:
- Common cold.
- Epiglottitis.
- Laryngitis.
- Pharyngitis (sore throat).
- Sinusitis (sinus infection).
What are lower respiratory tract symptoms?
Symptoms of a more serious LRTI include: Fever. Severe cough. Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing….These include:
- Congestion or runny nose.
- Dry cough.
- Sore throat.
- Low-grade fever.
- Mild headache.
What are the symptoms of acute respiratory infection?
The common signs of a respiratory infection include:
- Chest or nasal congestion.
- Wet or dry cough.
- Runny nose.
- Fatigue.
- Body aches.
- Low-grade fever.
- Sore throat.
How is lower respiratory tract infection diagnosed?
Diagnosis
- Pulse Oximetry: this test uses a small sensor that attaches to the finger or ear.
- Chest X-ray: creates an image of the lungs.
- Blood Test: a sample of blood is taken and inspected in a laboratory for the presence of viruses, bacteria, or other organisms.
Where does lower respiratory tract begin?
The lower tract consists of the larynx, the trachea , the bronchi and the lungs. The trachea, which begins at the edge of the larynx, divides into two bronchi and continues into the lungs. The bronchi divide into smaller bronchioles, which branch in the lungs forming passageways for air.