Lower and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory Tract Diseases
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Respiratory Tract Infections, Causes, and Symptoms
Respiratory diseases are categorized into upper or lower respiratory tract diseases. The upper respiratory tract comprises air corridors from the nostrils to the voice box, while the lower system covers the area from the trachea and bronchi to the bronchioles (Fletcher, 2019). The infections are mainly caused by smoking. Also, allergies, dust, and toxic gases contribute to infections (Crawford, 2021). Acute respiratory infections are caused by a virus that passes to the lungs after an upper respiratory illness. Symptoms for the diseases vary depending on the area affected; upper respiratory infections symptoms include running nose, sneezing, to mention a few, while lower breathing disorders signs include dry cough, headache, and fever.
Differences Between Upper and Lower Respiratory System Infections
Respiratory system infections differ depending on the area affected. The lower respiratory system diseases involve bronchial tubes located under the larynx; upper respiratory system diseases affect structures across the larynx or above. Coughing is the main symptom for individuals suffering from lower respiratory tract diseases. On the flip side, folks with upper respiratory tract diseases experience symptoms on the upper side of the neck. The symptoms include sneezing, sore throats, and headaches. Also, body aches are common if folks are experiencing fever (CDC, 2016). Examples of lower respiratory tract diseases are pneumonia, TB, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis. On the other hand, upper respiratory tract diseases are sinus infections, laryngitis, common colds, and tonsillitis.
Why Infections in the Uppe...