Respiratory tract infections are infections that can attack any part of the respiratory tract. Respiratory tract infections can be caused by: bacteria or viruses. Although it can be experienced by everyone of any age group, this condition vulnerable to children.
There are two types of respiratory tract infections based on their location, namely upper respiratory tract infections or upper respiratory tract infections upper respiratory tract infections (URI/URTI) and lower respiratory tract infections or lower respiratory tract infections (LRI/LRTI).
Infections that occur in the nasal cavity, sinuses, and throat, are part of upper respiratory tract infections. Meanwhile, infections of the bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs, are classified as lower respiratory tract infections.
In addition, respiratory tract infections can also occur suddenly or acutely. This condition is known as ARI or acute respiratory infection. ARI can occur in the upper or lower respiratory tract.
There are various microorganisms that can cause respiratory tract infections, ranging from rhinovirus to the Corona virus that causes COVID-19. If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and require a COVID-19 screening, click on the link below so you can be directed to the nearest health facility:
- Rapid Test Antibodies
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
Causes of Respiratory Tract Infections
Respiratory tract infections are caused by pathogenic bacteria, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Transmission of these pathogenic germs can occur when a person inhales splashes of liquid from the respiratory tract, one of which is droplet from patients with respiratory infections. Splashes of this liquid can be released when someone coughs or sneezes.
In addition, this transmission can also occur when someone touches objects that have been exposed to viruses or bacteria that cause respiratory infections and then accidentally touches their nose without washing their hands beforehand.
Respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. If described further, the following are the most common pathogenic bacteria that cause respiratory tract infections, namely:
- Viral infections, such as rhinovirus, Corona virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, hantavirus, or paramyxovirus
- Bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus group A, Corynebacteroum diphtheriae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E.coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Chlamydia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or other anaerobic bacteria
- Fungal infections, such as Candida, Histoplasma, or Aspergillus
- Parasitic infections, such asPneumocystis carinii
If divided according to the location of the infection, several diseases that can occur when a person has a respiratory tract infection, namely:
- Upper respiratory tract infections, including: common cold, sinusitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis, sore throat, laryngitis.
- Lower respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, aspergillosis, or tuberculosis (TB).
In addition, a person can also experience the respiratory tract infections mentioned above in a sudden time (ARI). ARI is most often caused by a viral or bacterial infection. ARI is easily transmitted, especially through splashes of saliva or droplet. Examples of ARI caused by viral infections that can attack the upper or lower respiratory tract are the flu, SARS, and COVID-19.
Risk factors for respiratory tract infections
Apart from bacteria or viruses, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of suffering from respiratory infections, namely:
- Have a weak immune system
- Have a history of heart disease and lung problems
- Have a smoking habit
- Lack of hygiene, such as not regularly washing hands before eating or after handling objects
- Being in a crowded place, such as in a hospital, school, or shopping center
- Traveling to areas where there are many cases of respiratory tract infections
Symptoms of Respiratory Tract Infection
Respiratory tract infections can cause a variety of symptoms. The appearance of complaints and symptoms usually depends on the germ that causes the infection, the location of the infection, the condition of the immune system (immune system), age, and the patient's health condition.
However, when a person has a respiratory infection, complaints and symptoms will appear in the form of:
- Cough
- sneeze
- Nasal congestion
- Have a cold
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Feeling unwell
- Muscle ache
- Freezing
- Fever
Some other symptoms that can be experienced by patients with respiratory tract infections are:
- Hard to breathe
- Difficult to breathe
- Wheezing or wheezing
- Sweat at night
- Decreased sense of smell
- Itchy and watery eyes
In addition, if respiratory infections occur in children and infants, other symptoms that may arise are difficulty eating, fussiness, and sleep disturbances. Symptoms may last for 3–14 days.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of a respiratory infection mentioned above, especially if the symptoms get worse or interfere with activities.
Immediately see a doctor if symptoms last more than 14 days accompanied by a fever with a temperature of 39oC or more and chills, and difficulty breathing.
If you have been diagnosed with a respiratory infection, check with your doctor regularly according to a schedule. In addition to monitoring the results of therapy, this routine examination also aims to reduce the risk of complications.
Diagnosis of Respiratory Tract Infection
The doctor will ask questions about the complaints and symptoms experienced by the patient. After that, the doctor will perform a thorough examination, including the nose, throat, neck, and chest wall.
To determine the cause of the respiratory tract infection and to determine the severity of the patient's condition, the doctor will perform several supporting examinations, such as:
- Blood tests, to see an increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood which is a sign of infection
- Scans with X-rays and CT scans, to check the condition of the lungs and airway
- Examination of phlegm or sputum, to detect germs, including bacteria that cause respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia or tuberculosis
- Inspection pulse oximetry, to detect the presence of respiratory disorders and check the amount of oxygen that enters the lungs
Molecular tests, such as PCR tests are also sometimes needed to detect diseases caused by viral infections, such as COVID-19.
Respiratory Tract Infection Treatment
Treatment of respiratory tract infections will be tailored to the condition of the sufferer. Some cases of respiratory tract infections caused by viruses sometimes do not require specific treatment and can go away on their own.
However, to help relieve complaints and symptoms, sufferers are advised to get enough rest, take a warm bath, eat warm food or drinks, gargle with salt water, drink adequate amounts of water, and avoid exposure to cold air.
If the patient has a fever, taking fever-reducing drugs, such as paracetamol can also be done.
However, if the symptoms of a respiratory infection do not go away and get worse, see a doctor immediately for proper treatment. There are several treatment options that will be given by doctors to treat respiratory tract infections, including:
Drugs
Giving drugs aims to reduce the symptoms of respiratory tract infections. Some types of drugs that are usually given are:
- Antipyretic-analgesic drugs, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, to relieve fever and reduce pain
- Antibiotic drugs, one of which is amoxicillin, if the respiratory tract infection is caused by bacteria
- Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, to reduce nasal discharge if a respiratory infection is accompanied by allergies
- Antitussive medicine, to reduce cough
- Decongestant medications, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, to relieve nasal congestion
- Corticosteroid medications, such as dexamethasone or prednisone, to reduce inflammation in the airways and reduce swelling
Treatment in a hospital with intensive monitoring can be done by a doctor if complaints of respiratory tract infections are severe or if there are complaints in the form of:
- Hard to breathe
- Loss of consciousness
- There are signs of shock
- Severe respiratory distress, so the patient requires supplemental oxygen or other breathing apparatus
- Over 65 years old
Operation
Although rarely performed, surgical procedures may be performed if a person has a severe sinus infection (sinusitis), airway obstruction, or a collection of pus or an abscess in the back of the throat (peritonsillar abscess).
Complications of Respiratory Tract Infection
If not treated properly, respiratory tract infections can lead to various complications, such as:
- Otitis media
- Sepsis
- Stop breathing
- Breathing failure
- Bronchiectasis or pulmonary fibrosis
- Congestive heart failure
- ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
Respiratory Infection Prevention
You can lower your risk of developing a respiratory infection by taking the following steps:
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Doing exercise regularly
- Reducing and managing stress in a positive way
- Avoid direct contact with infected people
- Wash hands regularly with soap and running water or hand sanitizer
- Cover your mouth and nose and use a tissue every time you sneeze or cough
- Keep yourself and the things around you clean
In addition to the methods above, flu vaccination can also be done to prevent flu, especially in children. For mothers who have babies, it is recommended to breastfeed their babies with breast milk to strengthen the baby's immune system.