Respiratory tract infection

Infections of the respiratory tract

Respiratory tract infection
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever
Complications	Pneumonia, bronchitis
Onset	N/A
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Viral, bacterial, fungal
Risks	Smoking, air pollution, weakened immune system
Diagnosis	N/A
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	Vaccination, hand hygiene
Treatment	Rest, fluids, medications
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	N/A
Deaths	N/A

A respiratory tract infection (RTI) is an infection of the respiratory tract, which is divided into the upper and lower respiratory tracts. These infections are among the most common reasons for doctor visits and can range from mild to severe.

Classification

Respiratory tract infections are classified into two main types:

• Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) affect the nose, sinuses, pharynx, or larynx. Common URTIs include the common cold, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis.

• Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) affect the airways and lungs. Common LRTIs include bronchitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.

Causes

Respiratory tract infections can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including:

• Viruses: The most common cause of RTIs, including rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, and coronaviruses.
• Bacteria: Such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
• Fungi: Less common, but can include species like Aspergillus and Histoplasma.

Symptoms

Symptoms of respiratory tract infections can vary depending on the specific infection but often include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath (more common in LRTIs)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of RTIs typically involves a clinical examination and may include:

• Chest X-ray
• Sputum culture
• Blood tests
• PCR tests for viral infections

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the infection:

• Viral infections: Often self-limiting; treatment focuses on symptom relief with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications.
• Bacterial infections: May require antibiotics.
• Fungal infections: Treated with antifungal medications.

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

• Vaccination (e.g., influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine)
• Good hand hygiene
• Avoiding smoking and exposure to pollutants

Epidemiology

Respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, they are responsible for millions of deaths annually, particularly in children under five years of age.

Global deaths from respiratory infections per million persons, 2012

Also see

• Common cold
• Influenza
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Tuberculosis