Erbil Polytechnic University

Erbil Medical Technical Institute

Laboratory Department

Lab.technique
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Respiratory system infection and a diagnosis

{2019-2020}

Prepared by:-

Eman Yousif Rashid

Supervised by:-

Dr.fouad Hussein Kame

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Introduction:-

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are among the most common and important problems in clinical
medicine. In developed countries, acute respiratory infections (ARI) account for the majority of
antibiotic prescriptions written, 20% of all medical consultations and over 30% of lost days from work
[1]. The situation is even more dramatic in developing countries where nearly 20% of mortality in
children under the age of 5 years can be attributed to ARI [2]. When a patient is thought to have a
respiratory infection, considering the disease features in a sequential manner can help focus the
differential diagnosis and expedite specific diagnosis and treatment. The starting point is a basic
understanding of the pathophysiology of the respiratory tract and ways in which innate and acquired
immune systems interact with microbial pathogens. The physician then defines the clinical syndrome
being evaluated, the medical characteristics of the affected patient and context in which the infection
was contracted. This information guides laboratory testing, imaging and acquisition of other ancillary
data needed to arrive at a final diagnosis
and treatment plan. This chapter provides
an overview of key concepts related to
RTIs, with an emphasis on clinical and
microbiological aspect.

Content of the subject:-

1. Acute resipartory system
2. Symptom of respiratory infection
3. Cause of respiratory infection
4. Resk factor of respiratory infection
5. Diagnosis of respiratory infection
6. Treatment of respiratory infection
7. Complication
8. Preventing
9. Conclusion
10. Refrence

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Acute Respiratory System:- Acute respiratory infection is an infection that may
interfere with normal breathing. It can affect just your upper respiratory system, which
starts at your sinuses and ends at your vocal chords, or just your lower respiratory system,
which starts at your vocal chords and ends at your lung..

What are the symptoms of acute

respiratory infection?
The symptoms you experience will be different if it’s a lower or upper respiratory infection.
Symptoms can include:

 congestion, either in the nasal sinuses or lungs

 runny nose
 cough
 sore throat

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  body aches
 fatigue

Call your doctor if you experience

 a fever over 103˚F (39˚C) and chills

 difficulty breathing
 dizziness
 loss of consciousness

What causes acute

respiratory
infection?
There are several different causes of acute
respiratory infection.

Causes of upper respiratory infection:

 acute pharyngitis
 acute ear infection
 common cold

Causes of lower respiratory infection:

 bronchitis
 pneumonia
 bronchiolitis

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Who is at risk for acute respiratory
infection?
It’s almost impossible to avoid viruses and bacteria, but certain risk factors increase your
chances of developing acute respiratory infection.

The immune systems of children and older adults are more prone to being affected by
viruses.

Children are especially at risk because of their constant contact with other kids who could
be virus carriers. Children often don’t wash their hands regularly. They are also more likely
to rub their eyes and put their fingers in their mouths, resulting in the spread of viruses.

People with heart disease or other lung problems are more likely to contract an acute
respiratory infection. Anyone whose immune system might be weakened by another
disease is at risk. Smokers also are at high risk and have more trouble recovering.

How is acute respiratory infection

diagnosed?
In a respiratory exam, the doctor focuses on your breathing. They will check for fluid
and inflammation in the lungs by listening for abnormal sounds in your lungs when you breathe.
The doctor may peer into your nose and ears, and check your throat.

If your doctor believes the infection is in the lower respiratory tract, an X-ray or CT scan may be
necessary to check the condition of the lungs.

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Lung function tests have been useful as diagnostic tools. 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 respiratory infection treated?

 a virus (like colds) – this usually clears up by itself after a few weeks and antibiotics will not
help
 bacteria (like pneumonia) – your GP may prescribe antibiotics (make sure you complete the
whole course as advised by your GP, even if you start to feel better)

What are potential complications of

acute respiratory infection?
Complications of acute respiratory infection are extremely serious and can result in permanent
damage and even death. They include:

 respiratory arrest, which occurs when the lungs stop functioning

 respiratory failure, a rise in CO2 in your blood caused by your lungs not functioning correctly
 congestive heart failure

Preventing acute respiratory infection

Most causes of an acute respiratory infection aren’t treatable. Therefore, prevention is the best
method to ward off harmful respiratory infections.

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Getting the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and pertussis vaccine will substantially lower your
risk of getting a respiratory infection. You may also benefit from influenza vaccination and
pneumovax. Talk to your doctor about getting these.

Conclusion:-Respiratory infections represent a frequent health problem for international travelers. The
incidence is underestimated mainly because the majority of infections are mild and not incapacitating. Most are
due to cosmopolitan agents, and “tropical” and/or geographically restricted infections are rare. The RTI of
perhaps the most significance to travelers is influenza. Travelers represent the primary vehicle of the yearly
spread of influenza around the globe, and are critical to the global spread of new pandemics.
Effective antiinfluenza vaccines exist, and all travelers should receive yearly influenza immunization and be
instructed in hand-washing and cough/sneeze hygiene. All travelers should also be up to date for other vaccines,
including those that prevent RTIs, including measles, pneumococcal diseases, Hib, diphtheria, and pertussis.
Clinicians caring for an ill returned traveler with an RTI should characterize the illness as upper or lower RTI,
and consider the travel itinerary, exposure history, clinical manifestations, incubation period, and host-specific
conditions.

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References:-

 https://www.healthline.com/health/acute-respiratory-
disease?fbclid=IwAR1xBelai22ONnNziH04xv8_Q9DGgiRjGl1TpT7QB
Wc4XYOl3DoAxIu3-m8#prevention

 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-
professions/respiratory-tract-
infection?fbclid=IwAR1h5b2P0c5pGYLvm9Gj05zpw47NZl8lgG
aaf_4-jFOPbbbp4oy1x6b4sVM

 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-tract-infection/

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