Review article

Respiratory Tract Infections: The Most Common Human Diseases

Ilija Kuzman

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARI), i.e.
acute infl ammatory diseases of the respiratory system,
are the most common human infections and diseases. The
patients with ARI, and especially those with upper respiratory
infections, are the most frequent visitors of paediatric
and other primary care units. The incidence is especially
high amongst small children. The reason for such a high
incidence of ARI lies in the structure and position of the
respiratory system, as well as in a myriad of easily transmitted
pathogens and modest possibilities of ARI prophylaxis
and treatment.
ARI are manifested in a number of syndromes and degrees
of severity. Most often, they are mild viral infections of the
upper respiratory system. Sometimes, they are accompanied
with complications (otitis, sinusitis). Infl uenza is still a
very common and severe disease which occurs every year in
the form of epidemic. It is accompanied with numerous complications,
especially in the elderly and chronic patients. It
is easy, and very important, to make a clinical distinction
between streptococcal angina and viral anginas.
Most often, lower respiratory infections are not caused by
viruses, except for acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis. Acute
bronchitis is most often reported in viral infections of the
upper respiratory tract in children and therefore should not
be treated with antibiotics. Bronchiolitis is a severe clinical
syndrome affecting the lower respiratory tract in newborns
and infants, and it is most often caused by respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV). The acute exacerbation of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD) is defi ned by clinical
symptoms and requires antibiotic treatment.
Pneumonia is the most severe respiratory infection and as
such requires special attention although it accounts for only
one per cent of all ARI. It affects all age groups and patients
with chronic diseases and compromised immunity. It is
caused by numerous and various pathogens. Therefore, it is
manifested in various symptoms and degrees of severity. It
is most severe in the elderly and small children.
The main problem in the treatment of ARI patients lies in
the impossibility of making a precise etiological diagnosis of
numerous and various pathogens. This results in inadequate
and often unnecessary, irrational and ineffi cient treatment
with numerous adverse events. The abuse of antibiotics is
most often reported in the unnecessary treatment of viral
infections of the upper respiratory system, most frequently
common cold, especially in small children.

Keywords

acute respiratory infections; clinical syndromes; classifi cation; epidemiology; incidence; treatment

Hrčak ID:

18819

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/18819

Publication date:

26.1.2005.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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