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Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infections can affect the nose, trachea, and larynx. Rhinitis is a viral infection causing inflammation of the nasal mucosa and can be allergic or non-allergic. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, discharge, sneezing, and itchiness. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with medications like antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroids. COVID-19 is a respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that often presents with cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and loss of taste and smell.

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Cedric Komora
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39 views

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infections can affect the nose, trachea, and larynx. Rhinitis is a viral infection causing inflammation of the nasal mucosa and can be allergic or non-allergic. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, discharge, sneezing, and itchiness. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with medications like antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroids. COVID-19 is a respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that often presents with cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and loss of taste and smell.

Uploaded by

Cedric Komora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Upper respiratory
tract infections
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Upper respiratory tract organs include:

 Nose

 Trachea

 Larynx

URTI are viral infection affecting the nose and trachea.

-They include:

1. Rhinitis

2. Covid-19

3. sinatis
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1. Rhinitis

 A group of viral disorders characterised by inflammation and


irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose.

 Can manifests as an allergic infection in which case ot referred


to as allergic rhinitis.

 Non-allergic rhinitis may be caused by environmental factors like


humidity, temperatures and other factors like food, infections, drugs,
systematic diseases.
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Clinical manifestation of rhinitis

 Headache may occur <=sinusitis

 Nasal itchness

 Rhinorea

 Nasal congestion

 Nasal discharge-purulent with bacterial rhinitis

 Sneezing
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Diagnosis of rhinitis
1. Clinical evaluation-history taking

2. Tests

 Allergen-specific serum(IGE)

 Percutanious skin test


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Nursing management of rhinitis

1. Nurse instructs client elwith allergic rhinitis to avoid exposure to allergen


like dust and pollens etc

2. Nurse instruct client on importance of controlling their environment both


at home and at work

3. Saline nasal sprays sooth the mucous membranes, removing irritants


and soften crasten secretions

4. Nurse instruct patient on proper use and administration of the nasal


medication

5. For maximum relief the patient should blow the nose before taking the
medication
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 In the case of infectious rhinitis the nurse reviews with the


patient hand hygiene techniques as a measure of
prevention of organisms transmission.
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Medical management of rhinitis

 Depends on the cause which may be identified in the history and physical examination.

 The examiner asks the patient about recent symptoms as well as possible exposure to allergens in the
home ,environment and workplace.

 If viral rhinitis is the cause medications are administered to relieve the symptoms.

 In allergic rhinitis, tests may be performed to identify possible allergens.

 Depending on the severity of the allergy, desensitizing immunizations and corticosteroids may be rewired.

 If symptoms suggest a bacterial infections, antimicrobials are administered


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Pharmacologic therapy

 Medication for allergic and non-allergic rhinitis focuses on symptoms relief.

 Antihistamine is administered for sneezing,itching and rhinorhea.

 Oral decongestant agents are used for nasal obstruction, internasal corticosteroids may be used incase of
severe congestions and opthalmic agents are used to relieve irritation, itching and redness of the eyes.
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complications

 Acute or chronic sinusitis

 Otitis media-infection or inflammation of the middle ear.

 Sleep disturbance or apnea

 Dental problems due to excessive breathing via the mouth

 Palatal abnormalities –widely spaced teeth

 Eustachian tube dysfunction


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nursing diagnosis

 Nasal blockage related to inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nasal passage evidence by
high respiratory rates above 20bpm
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Nursing interventions

 Use of saline nasal or aerosal sprays to soothe the mucous membranes.


z Viral rhinitis

Commonly referred to as common cold

 Nasal congestion, sneezing , sore throat and general malaise characterize it- the symptoms last from 1-2
weeks

 If there is significant fever or more severe systemic respiratory symptom it is no longer viral rhinitis but
one of the other URTIs
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COVID-19
 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infection caused by Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (1). SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the Sarbecovirus
subgenus of the Coronaviridae family.
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Signs and symptoms


 cough,

 loss of smell and/or taste,

 fever,

 difficulty in breathing,

 headache,

 sore throat,

 running nose,

 chest pain,

 myalgia, fatigue, general weakness and

 diarrhoea.
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RISK FACTORS

 Diabetes melitus-type 1 and type 2

 Heart conditions e.g coronary artery disease


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sinusitis

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