Respiratory Tract Infections: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Respiratory Tract Infections
Student's Name
Institution: Department
Course Code: Course Name
Instructor's Name
Date of Submission
Respiratory Tract Infections
Respiratory tract infections are a common health issue affecting individuals of all ages and causing significant absenteeism in schools and workplaces. These infections range from mild illnesses like the common cold to more severe conditions such as pneumonia and tuberculosis (Skalny et al., 2020). The conditions are classified based on their location in the respiratory system, which includes the upper and lower respiratory tract. Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) affect the nose, sinuses, throat, and larynx. They are typically less severe than lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs), which affect the trachea, bronchi, and lungs (Skalny et al., 2020). URIs are usually caused by viruses and are more common than LRIs, which result from viruses, bacteria, or fungi and can be more serious, leading to complications such as pneumonia.
The symptoms of respiratory tract infections can vary depending on the specific disease. However, common symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. Infections of the upper respiratory tract are generally milder than those of the lower respiratory tract due to several factors (Skalny et al., 2020). The immune system better protects the upper respiratory tract, which can quickly identify and eliminate invading pathogens. The lower respiratory tract is also more vulnerable to infection because it is constantly exposed to inhaled particles and microorg...