What are three common respiratory infections?
General Concepts
- Upper Respiratory Infections: Common Cold, Sinusitis, Pharyngitis, Epiglottitis and Laryngotracheitis. Etiology: Most upper respiratory infections are of viral etiology.
- Lower Respiratory Infections: Bronchitis, Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia.
What to do if you have respiratory syncytial virus?
In the most severe cases, a person may require additional oxygen or intubation (have a breathing tube inserted through the mouth and down to the airway) with mechanical ventilation (a machine to help a person breathe).
How to tell if you have a respiratory infection?
Lower respiratory infections may be found in your lungs or breathing airways. They can be caused by viral infections like the severe flu or bacterial infections like tuberculosis. Lower respiratory infection symptoms include a severe cough that may produce mucus (phlegm), cause shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing when exhaling.
Are there any laboratory tests for RSV infection?
Clinical Laboratory Testing. Clinical symptoms of RSV are nonspecific and can overlap with other viral respiratory infections, as well as some bacterial infections. Several types of laboratory tests are available for confirming RSV infection.
Where is the best place to get an upper respiratory infection?
Enclosed spaces where people gather, such as classrooms, offices, and homes, can be high-risk areas for the spread of URIs. , and sometimes up to three weeks. In some cases, these infections develop into more serious issues, such as sinus infections or pneumonia.
When to see a doctor for respiratory syncytial virus?
When to see a doctor. Seek immediate medical attention if your child — or anyone at risk of severe RSV infection — has difficulty breathing, a high fever, or a blue color to the skin, particularly on the lips and in the nail beds. Causes. Respiratory syncytial virus enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.
How does a doctor check for an acute respiratory infection?
Pulse oximetry, also known as pulse ox, can check how much oxygen gets into the lungs. A doctor may also take a swab from your nose or mouth, or ask you to cough up a sample of sputum (material coughed up from the lungs) to check for the type of virus or bacteria causing the disease. How is acute respiratory infection treated?
Enclosed spaces where people gather, such as classrooms, offices, and homes, can be high-risk areas for the spread of URIs. , and sometimes up to three weeks. In some cases, these infections develop into more serious issues, such as sinus infections or pneumonia.
Can a RSV infection spread to the lungs?
RSV infection can spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing pneumonia or bronchiolitis — inflammation of the small airway passages entering the lungs. Signs and symptoms may include:
