How to Recognize and Treat Them
Most people have heard the term upper respiratory infection.
It is often used interchangeably when describing a respiratory virus or the common cold.
But do you know what a lower respiratory infection is?
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Lower respiratory infections are illnesses that affect the respiratory system below the throat.
Any infection that affects the lungs and lower airways is considered a lower respiratory infection.
The most common and well-known lower respiratory infections are pneumonia and bronchitis, as well as bronchiolitis in children.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs.
There aremany types of pneumonia.
Most of the time, people with pneumonia aretreated with antibiotics.
Other medications may be necessary to help with the symptoms.
To help reduce your risk of serious illness, get yourflu vaccineeach year.
Older adults should get apneumonia vaccineas well.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is irritation and swelling of the airways leading to the lungs.
Most often, it is triggered by a virus and will go away on its own.
Other treatments may be useful if you have been diagnosed with bronchitis.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe an inhaler to help with a cough and breathing difficulty.
She may also recommend over-the-counter medications such aspain relieversorexpectorants.
Sometimes secondary bacterial infections develop in people with bronchitis.
If this happens, your treatment will be different and antibiotics may be necessary.
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is inflammation or swelling of the small airways in the lungs.
It is an illness that occurs primarily in children younger than 2 years old.
Wheezing and coughing are the primary symptoms of bronchiolitis.
It can be a serious and sometimes fatal illness for young infants.
It’s not always obvious when a child is having trouble breathing.
Knowing what to watch for could save a child’s life.
Older adults can receive a one-time RSV vaccine to prevent severe disease.
American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in infants and young children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccines for older adults.
