Respiratory Tract Infection
December 31, 2008
Respiratory Tract Infections are of two types: Upper Respiratory Tract Infection or URTI and Lower Respiratory Tract Infection or LRTI. While problems with URTI infect nose, throat, voice box, and upper windpipe, LRTI is a problem associated with bronchi, and alveoli. Given below are some causes and symptoms associated with respiratory tract infection.
Upper respiratory tract infections are usually caused by viruses. The air we breathe is usually infected and contaminated by various kinds of germs which commonly affect the upper respiratory tract of a person.
The main symptom of this problem is cough and can also include other problems like fever, headaches, and also cold, nasal congestion and running nose if the infection has affected the nose. Sinusitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis and common cold are problems associated with URTI. While this sort of infection usually gets over in a span of 3 days, there are rare cases in which the problem spreads to the lungs causing pneumonia. The latter condition is a more serious one and can include symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain and also coughing up of blood. However, pneumonia is a condition which is usually associated with the infection of lower respiratory tract. Similarly, influenza is a systemic illness which can involve the upper respiratory tract as well as the lower tract.
After having discussed upper respiratory tract infection, let’s look at LRTI or lower respiratory tract infection. This is more serious than the former and usually affects the breathing tube and lungs of a person. Bronchitis, acute bronchiolitis and pneumonia are all types of LRTI. While antibiotics are considered to be most effective for the treatment of LRTI, they should be taken only after consultation by a doctor. Whatever be the problem, whether URTI or LRTI, they should be treated on time to prevent serious consequences.
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