Upper Respiratory Infections: Causes and Properties

Upper Respiratory Infections Causes and PropertiesRobert MiddletonCase StudyUpper Respiratory InfectionsNature of Upper Respiratory InfectionsThe upper respiratory tract let ins the mouth, nose, throat, larynx, and trachea and diseases are named for the anatomical sites that are involved with the infection. Sinusitis is named for the inflammation and infection of the sinus cavity pharyngitis, the inflammation and infection of the throat laryngitis, the inflammation of the larynx and tonsillitis, the infection and inflammation of the tonsils. Many times because the infections affect several sites at the same time, the infections can be grouped under either rhinopharyngitis or tonsillopharyngitis.Rhinopharyngitis is a viral disease that causes the inflammation of the pharynx and mucous membranes inside the nose, increasing the production of mucous. Additional symptoms may include coughing, fever, headache, and fatigue, if left untreated, infection could lead to viral or bacterial pneum onia.Tonsillopharyngitis is a bacterial or viral disease that causes the inflammation of the tonsils and pharynx, when caused by group A streptococcal bacteria, it is called strep throat. Common symptoms include sore throat, inflammation of the tonsils, high fever, headache, pain in the ears and neck, and fatigue.Causative Agents and Mechanisms of Pathogenesis of Upper Respiratory InfectionsPathogenesis Upper respiratory infections are very contagious and spread by inhalation of droplets containing the microorganism or hand to hand contact and then spread to the epithelial layers of the upper respiratory tract.Causative Agents Most upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses and are the most common of human infections worldwide. Bacterial infections can occur in the upper respiratory tract and are commonly the result of group A streptococcus and outside of the United States corynebacterium diptheriae is a major pathogen.Abscesses can develop as a result of infections of deep er tissues of the mucosal sites want peritonsillar abscesses, retrotonsillar abscesses, and retropharyngeal abscesses.DiseaseVirusesBacteria and FungiRhinitisRhinoviruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virusRarePharyngitis or tonsillitisAdenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses, rhinoviruses, herpes simplex virus convocation A streptococcus, corynebacterium diptheriaePeritonsillar or retropharyngeal abscessesNoneGroup A streptococcus, Fusobacterium, species, Staphlococcus aureusi