Most influenza infections affect the upper respiratory tract, while lower tract infection typically represents extension from upper airways and may be diagnosed with lower respiratory sampling such as bronchoscopy.
Overview. Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Viral pathogens are the most common cause of respiratory infection in travelers; causative agents include rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, human metapneumovirus, measles, mumps, adenovirus, and coronaviruses.
You get an upper respiratory infection when a virus (or bacteria) enters your respiratory system. For example, you might touch an infected surface or shake hands with a person who's sick. You then touch your mouth, nose or eyes. The germs from your hands enter and infect your body.
Influenza virus infects respiratory epithelial cells that line the upper (including nasal) through lower (to the alveoli) respiratory tract. A key parameter in determining the extent of associated disease is the degree to which the lower respiratory tract becomes invaded by the virus [7].
What is Influenza (Flu)? Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) include colds, the flu and bronchiolitis. Respiratory means something that affects the lungs and airways (breathing passages). VRIs may cause coughing, sneezing, runny noses, sore throats or fever. Viral means something that is caused by a virus.
Listen to pronunciation. (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee trakt) The organs that are involved in breathing. These include the nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
The respiratory tract is divided into two main parts: the upper respiratory tract, consisting of the nose, nasal cavity and the pharynx; and the lower respiratory tract, consisting of the larynx, trachea, bronchi and the lungs.
Differences Between the Most Common Respiratory Infections. Four of the most common types of respiratory infections are COVID-19, the flu, pneumococcal disease, and colds.
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are defined as those infections of the respiratory system, caused by viruses or bacteria, with an evolution of less than 15 days, and which manifest with symptoms such as cough, nasal congestion and obstruction, sore throat, dysphonia or respiratory distress, accompanied or not by ...
A majority of upper respiratory infections are due to self-limited viral infections. Occasionally, bacterial infections may cause upper respiratory infections. Most often, upper respiratory infection is contagious and can spread from person to person by inhaling respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.