| Upper respiratory infection, or URI, is an acute illness | | | | immunity is found grossly deficient. |
| also known as the common cold. It is most often | | | | In return, pathogens are equipped to struggle. |
| due to a bacterial or viral invasion of the body, that | | | | Through genesis of toxins and proteases, and by |
| enters through the respiratory system. | | | | creating capsules, they manage to keep choking of |
| Pathophysiology: | | | | phagocytic cells at bay. |
| URIs characteristically attack the mucosal lining the | | | | Incubation periods vary among the types of |
| upper respiratory airway. It is spread by coming into | | | | pathogens. Rhinoviruses and flu can take up to 5 |
| contact with secretions from an infected person, or | | | | days to incubate. Others, such as pertussis and take |
| by the water droplet nuclei produced when a person | | | | up to 10 days or as long as three weeks before |
| coughs or sneezes into the environment. This is why | | | | symptoms present themselves. Epstein-Barr |
| covering your mouth when coughing, and covering | | | | incubation period can be up to 6 weeks. |
| the face when sneezing is important to prevent the | | | | What kinds of symptoms are witnessed during upper |
| spread of upper respiratory infections to others. | | | | respiratory infection? |
| Once a pathogen enters the body, it must overcome | | | | People who have never suffered from URIor upper |
| particular barriers before causing disease. These | | | | respiratory infection are affected by following |
| barriers include: | | | | manifestations: |
| - Nose hair | | | | - Runny nose |
| - Mucus | | | | - Head congestion - Feels like there is a hug cork |
| - Cells with cilia located in the lower part of the | | | | jammed into the middle of your face |
| respiratory tract | | | | - Nasal congestion - Caused by swollen nasal |
| - Stomach acids | | | | passages that have slammed completely shut |
| The purpose of these barriers is to trap the foreign | | | | - Chest congestion - Bronchial airways clogged with |
| invaders to reduce your chances of getting a cold or | | | | mucus |
| the flu. The cells in the lower respiratory tract have | | | | - Coughing |
| cilia that capture and bring pathogens to the pharynx, | | | | - Sneezing |
| where they can be swallowed and taken to the | | | | - Sore, scratchy throat |
| stomach where they can be destroyed by digestive | | | | - Hoarseness |
| juices in the stomach. | | | | - Fever |
| Your adenoids and tonsils: | | | | Treatment: |
| The adenoids and tonsils help to defend against | | | | Treatment for URI is to reduce symptoms. Most |
| disease causing pathogens due to their immune cells | | | | colds and flu are caused by viruses, against which |
| that respond to foreign invaders. These cells include: | | | | antibiotics have no power. Antibiotics work against |
| Macrophages, Monocytes, Neutrophils and Eosinophils. | | | | bacterial infections only. If you have a URI, there are |
| The general scope of nasopharyngeal passage that | | | | over-the-counter medications for cough, runny nose, |
| comprises of staph and strept even defend from | | | | congestion, and fever to help minimize symptoms |
| pathogens. People with defective immunity, like AIDS, | | | | and help you to feel better. |
| are in grave danger of contagion factor as their | | | | |