Respiratory Tract Infection

Overview

Respiratory tract infections can be divided into upper and lower respiratory tract infections. The upper respiratory tract also known as URTIs consists of coryza, acute pharyngitis, and acute tracheobronchitis. There are many other respiratory tract infections which can cause death such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. However, pneumonia and tuberculosis remain the most common causes. Investigations were done to identify the cause of the disease, aid in further management and to prevent complications. The investigations are full blood count, urea and electrolytes level in the blood, albumin level, blood culture, arterial blood gas, sputum culture, and chest x-ray. The white cell count suggests the severity, urea and electrolytes indicates the severity as well, sputum culture to find out the organism causing the infection,and chest x-ray to visualize the damages of lungs. Supplementary oxygen, antimicrobial therapy and avoiding the risk factors remain as the mainstay treatment.