Infections of the Respiratory Tract

 

While the slides were being prepared the lecturer announced the theme to be discussed. He said: «The respiratory tract is subject to infec­tion more frequently than any other part of the body. Respiratory infec­tions stand third as a cause of deaths; they lead all other causes between ages of fifteen and thirty-five. The upper portion of the respiratory tract, the nose, throat and trachea, are affected more often than the lower, the bronchi and lungs. The deeper the inflammation, the more serious are its consequences; pneumonia is frequently fatal. Inflammation of the deeper respiratory structures results from a downward extension of a compara­tively harmless inflammation in the upper structures. »

All the respiratory passages, except the deepest structures of the lungs, are covered with the mucous membrane: when this tissue becomes inflamed it is being swollen and there is a profuse flow of mucus. Pus resulting from bacterial action is mixing w'ith the mucus, making it opaque and white or staining it yellow: the discharge is then said to be mucopurulent. Inflammation of the mucous membrane is of the so-called ca­tarrhal type: the term «catarrh» indicates a chronic state of inflammation.

 

Chronic Bronchitis

 

The inside of the bronchioles is lined with a highly specialized membrane. This membrane has a layer of mucus to trap the foreign matter that have entered the lungs. Millions of hairlike cilia are con­stantly sweeping the layer of mucus with its trapped foreign particles upward to the throat where it is being swallowed.

Repeated irritation of this ciliated mucous membrane can paralyze the action of the cilia, eventually destroy them and stimulate an exces­sive production of mucus. This is the condition known as chronic bron­chitis. Since the cilia can no longer clear the lungs of mucus, it accu­mulates until the flow of air through the bronchioles is obstructed. This obstruction then evokes coughing that helps to clear the lungs. Frequent coughing is the most important, prominent symptom of chronic bron­chitis. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath1 and wheezing.

The main treatment of chronic bronchitis consists of eliminating the irritation that causes it. The source of irritation is often smoking tobacco. The so-called. «smokers cough» is in reality a symptom of chronic bronchitis. The first step in treating any lung disorder in to stop smoking. Coughing itself can contribute to the irritation of the bronchi­oles. If the source of irritation is an infection the disease will be receiv­ing the treatment of a physician.

 

Diarrhoea

The definition of diarrhea is when a person passes three or more loose or liquid stools per day. It is a common condition which most people suffer from at some time in their lives. Diarrhea is a result of an infection in the intestine, which can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or some kind of parasite. In developed countries, an episode of diarrhea is usually not very difficult to control and is not usually considered dangerous. In developing countries, however, diarrheal disease is one of the main causes of child mortality. In children under five years old, diarrheal disease is the second main cause of death - second only to pneumonia.

Because most cases of diarrhea are caused by viruses, it's not usually possible to use antibiotics to treat them. Diarrhoea caused by bacteria will usually go away in a few days even without antibiotics. In fact, the most dangerous thing about diarrhoea is that it causes a patient to become dehydrated. A person suffering from diarrhoea quickly loses lots of water and electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium and bicarbonate) - the essential chemicals that allow the body to work. If the lost fluid and electrolytes are not replaced, the patient becomes dehydrated.

There are three stages of dehydration:

• Early dehydration

the patient is thirsty and may have a headache

• Moderate dehydration

the patient is very thirsty, the patient is restless or irritable, the patient's skin becomes less elastic, the patient’s eyes are sunken

• Severe dehydration

the patient’s symptoms become more severe

The patient goes into shock, the skin is pale and damp, the pulse is rapid and weak, blood pressure is very low

Severe dehydration can result in death if body fluids and electrolytes are not replaced. In developing countries, children who die from diarrhoea often also suffer from malnutrition, which makes them weak so it is easier for them to get diarrhoea. However, each time they get diarrhoea, it makes their malnutrition even worse. It is not surprising, therefore, that diarrhoea is one of the main causes of malnutrition in children under five years old.

 

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