Respiratory Infections

Overview

Respiratory infection, or RTI (respiratory tract infections), affects either the upper or the lower respiratory tract. Upper respiratory infection comprises the common cold, laryngitis, pharyngitis, acute rhinitis, and acute otitis media. Lower respiratory tract infection includes bronchitis, pneumonia, and tracheitis.

Symptoms of upper respiratory infection include runny nose, sore throat, and cough whereas, the symptoms of lower respiratory infection include a dry cough, low fever, and mild sore throat. If left untreated, respiratory infections can cause severe health challenges such as respiratory failure, congestive heart failure, and so on.

What is a Respiratory Infection?

Respiratory tract infection is a severe disease caused in the upper or lower respiratory tract that extends from the vocal cords to the lungs. It creates congestion, cough, and difficulty breathing, affecting sinuses, throat, lungs, or airways. It can impact anyone irrespective of age. However, children, elderly people, and individuals with weak immune systems are at a higher risk of developing this infection.

Types of Respiratory Infection

There are two types of respiratory infections: upper respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection. Lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia affect individuals, resulting in far more dire consequences than upper respiratory infections.

Upper Respiratory Infection

Upper respiratory tract infection is primarily caused by viruses. Symptoms are often very mild and do not show until they lead to serious complications like deafness and rheumatic fever.

Lower Respiratory Infection

The lower respiratory tract infection could be more severe than the upper respiratory tract infection. This infection is mainly spotted in the lungs or below the voice box.

Symptoms of Respiratory Infections

The primary symptoms of respiratory tract infection include coughing that may produce phlegm or mucus. Along with coughing, some common symptoms include sneezing, stuffy nose, headaches, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever, and loss of change in smell and taste. However, when the upper respiratory tract is infected, one may get affected with red eyes, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. When the lower tract is affected, along with the common symptoms, one can experience a blue tint to the skin, rapid breathing, chest pain, and wheezing.

Causes of Respiratory Infections

Coming in contact with the viruses (respiratory syncytial virus) or bacteria can cause such infections. Group A Streptococcus is a form of bacteria that is responsible for such respiratory tract infections. Someone with streptococcal infection sneezes or coughs, they release the bacteria into the air which is inhaled by others. This leads to the spread of the infection.

One can even develop respiratory infections by touching an infected surface or shaking hands with a person who is already suffering from this disease. In some cases, substances in the environment cause inflammation in the airways and lungs. Such substances include tobacco smoke, dust, chemicals, vapours, fumes, allergens, and air pollution.

Respiratory Infection Diagnosis and Tests

To diagnose whether someone's upper or lower respiratory tract is affected, healthcare providers may suggest several types of tests. For checking the infection in the upper respiratory tract, several tests are there such as an X-ray, CT scan, pulmonary function test, and FeNO test. When the infection is on the lower respiratory tract, the providers ask about the symptoms and suggest the following tests:

Sputum Test: A sputum test, also known as sputum culture, is a laboratory test where a sample of phlegm is checked to detect infection in the lungs.

Spirometry: This test checks the quantity and speed of the air one exhales to determine how much bronchial tubes are inflamed.

Peak Flow Meter: A peak flow metre is a portable device to measure one’s ability how much air one can push out of their lungs.

Arterial Blood Gas: It checks the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood level as well as the acidic level.

Chest X-ray: This test indicates the presence of pneumonia and the blockages in the airway.

Pleural Fluid Culture: Here, a needle is injected into the rib to check the fluid level in the lungs and chest wall.

Respiratory Infections Treatment and Medications

Respiratory tract infection, irrespective of upper and lower tract infection, usually does not require much treatment. Affected people can treat the infection with over-the-counter medications for cough and fever along with rest and consumption of plenty of fluids.

If the symptoms get severe, the doctors may suggest some form of additional treatment like antibiotics for infections and an inhaler for breathing treatments. Hospitalisation is recommended when the affected person requires IV fluids, antibiotics, or breathing support.

For infants, the ways of managing the infection are different. Respiratory infections in children may require extra support than the older adults. Doctors check whether the affected infants have a higher risk of developing congenital heart disease or not. They often suggest hospitalisation for older adults of 65 years and above.

Preventive Measures for Respiratory Infection

As a preventive measure, an individual needs to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their face with unwashed hands. It is also better to keep a safe distance from people with respiratory symptoms. They must also make sure to clean the infected surfaces and get vaccinations such as the pneumococcal vaccine and MMR vaccine. People with severe tobacco addiction should stay away from such irritants.

Myths and Facts Related to Respiratory Infection

Following are some myths associated with respiratory infection followed by the actual facts:

Myth 1: Babies And Children are at Higher Risk of Developing Respiratory Tract Infections.
Fact: Everyone can develop respiratory tract infection and this is not limited to babies only. The symptoms may imitate the ones like suffering from the common cold and flu. But there are other major symptoms one can suffer from like sore throat and fatigue.

Myth 2: Cough and Cold Medications are Sufficient for Bronchiolitis
Fact: Cough and cold medications are not at all helpful if someone is suffering from bronchiolitis because of the several side effects. These medicines are not recommended for children under the age of 7.

Myth 3: Antibiotics Can Be Taken for Bronchiolitis
Fact: Bronchiolitis is caused by viruses and does not respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics help patients with bacterial infections and not viruses.