Inflammation of the respiratory tract: basic information

The respiratory tract is the system in which air enters through the mouth and nose , meets the lining of the nasopharynx , and continues through the larynx , trachea ( upper airway ) to where the two tracheas divide to bring air to the bronchi and alveoli ( lower respiratory paths ). The exhaled air then goes back the other way.

Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract

The upper respiratory tract is an important gateway to the body and is therefore properly equipped with a local immune system on the mucous membranes and local lymph nodes .

Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract is a common disease, most often of viral origin ( influenza and flu-like diseases ), possibly of bacterial origin, and more rarely of other origin. They show different symptoms depending on the main location of the inflammation. The leading symptom can be a sore throat (in case of inflammation of the nasopharynx ), a runny nose (in case of inflammation of the nasal mucosa ) or a headache (in case of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses ). Pain when swallowing , hoarseness or loss of voice and a dry, painful cough are symptoms of inflammation of the larynx ( laryngitis ). Acute laryngitis can have a dramatic course in toddlerhood. The symptom set of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract may include fever, general malaise, sore throat, cough, runny nose, hoarseness or concomitant diarrhea . Difficulties usually disappear spontaneously within a few days, or within a week with symptomatic treatment, but they can also become complicated.

Treatment according to the symptoms (so-called symptomatic treatment ) usually includes rest , administration of fluids, compresses, anti -fever and pain medications ( paracetamol , ibuprofen ), locally acting drugs (gargles), drugs that support coughing (so-called expectorants ) or cough suppressants (so-called . antitussive ). Antibiotics will not help with viruses . A visit to the doctor usually makes sense at the earliest after 3 days of such symptoms, or in case of complications . Differentiation from bacterial origin will be confirmed by a low CRP level , usually below 30 mg/l. More serious are infections of the upper respiratory tract of bacterial origin, such as streptococcal angina, bacterial inflammation of the sinuses or larynx. They are usually a complication of viral inflammation. A bacterial origin will help to detect a CRP examination with a level above 50 mg/l. Then antibiotics are indicated .

Inflammation of the lower respiratory tract

Lower respiratory infections are more serious, although symptoms may not be urgent at first. The basic symptom of acute bronchitis is a dry cough and chest pain . This usually turns into a productive cough, with expectoration (coughing up) of mucus . A chronic cough with expectoration of yellow to green mucus indicates chronic bronchitis .

The most common are acute bronchitis of viral origin, which is also often accompanied by an increase in temperature. Similar to angina, determination of CRP will help guide the appropriateness of antibiotic treatment. In the case of a suspected viral origin, we recommend treatment according to the symptoms (so-called symptomatic treatment ), which includes rest, administration of fluids, medicines against fever and pain (paracetamol, ibuprofen), and medicines that support coughing (so-called expectorants) or suppress coughs (so-called antitussives) ).

In case of higher CRP or production of purulent sputum , increasing the suspicion of bacterial inflammation, the doctor will recommend antibiotics. Similarly, they will recommend antibiotic treatment in a patient with a higher risk of complications, such as a patient with chronic lung or heart disease or a patient with diabetes .

Pneumonia is an inflammatory disease of the lung tissue ,including the alveoli. It can fundamentally affect respiratory function. It is manifested by chest pain, temperature, cough and difficulty breathing up toshortness of breath. It is often a complication of viral respiratory tract infections.

The described symptoms, physical findings on the chest and high CRP clearly guide the doctor to perform an X-ray image that will reveal the diagnosis .

However, the symptoms may be less noticeable for a longer period of time: fatigue, less performance and shorter breath, temperatures slightly above 37 °C, coughing and mild chest pain. Auscultation of the chest may be minimal and the CRP examination may not be clear either. The finding of pneumonia on an X-ray examination can then be a surprise.

Antibiotics are used for treatment, as well as regimen measures, including rest, fluids, and cough medicine. Patients in severe conditions are hospitalized and the condition may also require respiratory support.

People with chronic diseases of the heart and lungs, kidneys , patients with limited mobility and diabetics are mainly exposed to the risk of pneumonia as a complication of viral inflammation . All of them should be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcus , as the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia.

Chronic inflammations of the respiratory tract include chronic inflammations of the nasopharynx, larynx and chronic bronchitis , with a large share of smoking in their occurrence. Among allergic diseases, allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma (lat. asthma bronchiale ) are common .