Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
portals of entry for invading microorganisms in order of importance
- Respiratory Tract [Upper (URT): Head and Neck and Lower (LRT): Thorax]
- Gastrointestinal Tract
- Urogenital Tract
- Skin [Wounds, Inapparent breaks and cracks, Unbroken Skin]
can you die from a respiratory tract infection
no you cannot but you can die from its complications
at risk groups for respiratory tract infections
immunocompromised population – very young and very old
can you distinguish between etiological agents on basis of clinical manifestation
no you cannot
what is infectious pharyngitis
sore throat
for a single syndrome, can you have multiple etiologies
yes you can and vise vera
you can have one etiology causing multiple syndromes depending on strain, where in the body, and other factors
what are some features of respiratory tract
temperature differential (lower temp in the RT) significant air exchange (breathing) antimicrobial barriers
in the respiratory tract, establishment of infection requires?
by-pass barrier defenses & filtering systems
contact with suitable receptor surfaces
evasion of immune response
can a majority of microorganism gets passed our natural defenses
no
size a particle must be to get passed lower RT
less than 5 microns
differences between upper and lower RT
upper (nose to bronchioles): lower temp (33-35oC), normal flora, respiratory epithelium, secretory IgA
lower (bronchioles down): 37oC, sterile, particles less than 5 microns can’t pass, nonciliated epithelium, IgA and IgG
effects if microorganisms makes it to the lower RT
more severe symptoms
purpose of cilia
moves mucus down to the glottis to be discarded
what is mucus made up of
mostly water, ions, proteins, glycoproteins, lipid
they all have antimicrobial effects
defense of the respiratory system are defeated by
Smoking Endotracheal intubation Pollution Suppression of the Cough Reflex Predisposing infection Disruption of homeostasis (Age, malnutrition, immunosuppression)
