Lower Respiratory Infection

Lower respiratory infectious disease is the fifth-leading cause of death and the combined leading infectious cause of death, being responsible for 2·74 million deaths worldwide.

Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRTI) is the leading cause of death in children below five years of age.

Identification of modifiable risk factors of severe ALRTI may help in reducing the burden of disease.

Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), while often used as a synonym for pneumonia, can also be applied to other types of infection including lung abscess and acute bronchitis.

Influenza affects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

Causes

A lower respiratory infection is an infection in your airways and lungs.

It can be due to:

influenza, or the flu
pneumonia
bronchitis
tuberculosis

Viruses usually cause lower respiratory infections. They can also be caused by bacteria.

Coughing is the main symptom of a lower respiratory infection. You may also feel breathlessness, wheezing, and a tight feeling in your chest.

Untreated lower respiratory infections can lead to breathing failure and death.

Risk factors

Risk factors for lower respiratory infection include:

the flu
poor air quality or frequent exposure to lung irritants
smoking
a weak immune system
crowded childcare settings, which mainly affects infants
asthma
HIV

Risk factors for severe acute lower respiratory tract infection in under-five children:

Lack of breast-feeding
Upper respiratory infection in mother
Upper respiratory infection in siblings
Severe malnutrition
Coooking fuel other than liquid petroleum gas,
Inappropriate immunization for age and history of LRTI in the family were the significant risk factors associated with ALRTI

Prevention

Prevention of a lower respiratory infections is mostly about healthy life style and home remedies :

Get a vaccination

One of the best preventative measures you can take against lower respiratory infections is to get the flu shot/

Influenza vaccination every year. People at high risk of pneumonia can also get a Pneumonia vaccine.

Apply Hand hygiene in daily life. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water to avoid transmitted bacteria, especially before touching your face and before eating.
Stay at home and rest until you feel better if you have a respiratory infection, as rest improves healing.

Diagnosis

Usually, your doctor will diagnose LRTI by taking a thorough history of duration and onset of symptoms and performing a detailed physical exam and then ordering additional tests if needed.

There are several tests your doctor may perform if LRTI is suspected:

Pulse Oximetry: this test uses a small sensor that attaches to the finger or ear. It uses light to estimate how much oxygen is present in the blood.
Chest X-ray: creates an image of the lungs. Doctors can visually inspect this image for signs of pneumonia.
Blood Test: a sample of blood is taken and inspected in a laboratory for the presence of viruses, bacteria, or other organisms.
Laboratory Tests: a sample of sputum or mucus is taken and inspected in a laboratory for the presence of bacterial organisms.

Treatment

Many LRTIs are self-limited and resolve without the need for additional treatment.

There is no universal treatment for all LRTIs, so if you do need treatment, your doctor will choose treatments that best address the symptoms you are experiencing.

in General the treatment of LRTIs include :

Lifestyle

Ingest plenty of fluids, and get plenty of rest.

Using a humidifier to breathe warm, moist air may provide relief.

Avoid cigarette smoke and other pollutants, such as chemical fumes.

Medications

Since most LRTIs are viral, medications are generally not used in treatment.

However, certain over-the-counter medicines may provide some relief from symptoms:

- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin can relieve pain and fever

- Acetaminophen can also provide relief from pain and fever

- Using a bronchodilator inhaler can help wheezing and shortness of breath

- If an LRTI is bacterial, antibiotics may be prescribed, depending on how serious the infection is and your overall health. These treat the bacterial cause of the infection.