Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
By:Dr. Meenakshi Aggarwal MD
Emory Family Medicine

Definition

* Inflammation of the respiratory mucosa from the nose to the lower respiratory tree, not including the alveoli.

Objectives
* List the various categories of upper respiratory tract infections
* Obtain a pertinent history in a patient with a suspected URI.
* Perform a targeted and thorough physical examination to confirm the diagnosis of URI.
* Perform and interpret selected tests to diagnose URI
* Manage and treat uncomplicated URI’s.

Categories
* Acute Rhinosinusitis
* Acute Pharyngitis
* Acute Bronchitis

Differential Diagnosis
* Influenza
* Pneumonia
* Tuberculosis
* Asthma

Anatomy of Sinuses
Acute Rhinosinusitis (Viral)
* Common Symptoms: Nasal discharge, nasal congestion, facial pressure, cough, fever, muscle aches, joint pains, sore throat with hoarseness.
* Symptoms resolve in 10-14 days
* Common in fall, winter and spring.
* Treatment: Symptomatic

Acute Bacterial Sinusitis
* Causative agents are usually the normal inhabitants of the respiratory tract.
* Common agents:

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae

Moraxella Catarrhalis
Signs and Symptoms
* Feeling of fullness and pressure over the involved sinuses, nasal congestion and purulent nasal discharge.
* Other associated symptoms: Sore throat, malaise, low grade fever, headache, toothache, cough > 1 week duration.
* Symptoms may last for more than 10-14 days.

Diagnosis
* Based on clinical signs and symptoms
* Physical Exam: Palpate over the sinuses, look for structural abnormalities like DNS.
* X-ray sinuses: not usually needed but may show cloudiness and air fluid levels
* Limited coronal CT are more sensitive to inflammatory changes and bone destruction

Ethmoid Sinusitis
Coronal computed tomographic scan showing ethmoidal polyps. Ethmoid opacity is total as a result of nasal polyps, with a secondary fluid level in the left maxillary antrum.

Treatment
* About 2/3rd of patients will improve without treatment in 2 weeks.
* Antibiotics: Reserved for patients who have symptoms for more than 10 days or who experience worsening symptoms.
* OTC decongestant nasal sprays should be discouraged for use more than 5 days
* Supportive therapy: Humidification, analgesics, antihistaminics
a) Amoxicillin (500mg TID) OR
b) TMP/SMX ( one DS for 10 days).
c) Alternative antibiotics: High dose amoxi/clavunate, Flouroquinolones, macrolides

Antibiotics
Acute Pharyngitis
* Fewer than 25% of patients with sore throat have true pharyngitis.
* Primarily seen in 5-18 years old. Common in adult women.

Etiology
A) Viral: Most common.
Rhinovirus (most common).
Symptoms usually last for 3-5 days.

B) Bacterial: Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS).
Early detection can prevent complications like acute rheumatic fever and post streptococcal GN.

Signs and Symptoms
* Absence of Cough
* Fever
* Sore throat
* Malaise
* Rhinorrhoea
* Classic triad of GABHS: High fever, tonsillar exhudates and ant. cervical lymphadenopathy.

NO COUGH
Diagnosis
* Physical Exam: Tonsillar exhudates, anterior cervical LAD
* Rapid strep: Throat swab. Sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 95%.

Throat Cultures: Not required usually. Needed only when suspicion is high and rapid strep is negative.

Exhudates
Management
A) Symptomatic: Saline gargles,

analgesics, cool-mist humidification and throat lozenges.

B) Antibiotics:
a) Benzathine Pn-G 1.2 million units IM x 1OR Pn V orally for 10 days
b) For Pn allergic pts:Erythromycin 500mg QID x 10 days OR Azithro 500 mg Qdaily x 3 days.

Acute Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchial respiratory mucosa leading to productive cough.
Acute Bronchitis
* Etiology: A)Viral
B) Bacterial (Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae)
* Diagnosis: Clinical
* S/S: Productive cough, rarely fever or tachypnea.

Treatment
* Symptomatic
* If cough persists for more than 10 days:

Azithro x 5 days OR
Clarithro x 7 days
Non specific URI’s

* Common Cold
* Etiology: Rhinovirus
Adenovirus
RSV
Parainfluenza
Enteroviruses
Diagnosis: Clinical
Treatment: Adequate fluid intake, rest, humidified air, and over-the-counter analgesics and antipyretics.

Influenza
* Etiology: Influenza A & B
* Symptoms: Fever, myalgias, headache, rhinitis, malaise, nonproductive cough, sore throat
* Diagnosis: Influenza A &B antigen testing
* Treatment: Supportive care, oseltamivir, amantidine

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections.ppt