Acute Respiratory Diseases (ARD)

Acute Respiratory Diseases (ARI)

Acute Respiratory Diseases (ARI) are a group of infectious diseases that are caused by viruses, bacteria and some other microorganisms. Acute respiratory infections are transmitted by airborne droplets through the respiratory system and primarily affect these same organs. They develop quickly and do not last long.

Depending on the type of pathogen, acute respiratory infections can be divided into three types: acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), bacterial acute respiratory infections and mycoplasma acute respiratory infections. ARVI includes influenza, parainfluenza, adenoviral infection, rhinovirus infection and more than two hundred other viral acute respiratory infections. Bacterial acute respiratory infections can be caused by streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci and many other bacteria. Mycoplasma acute respiratory infections are quite rare diseases, the development of which is caused by mycoplasmas - microorganisms similar to bacteria without a cell membrane.

When contacting a sick person through the air through coughing, sneezing, or talking, pathogens are transmitted into the body, settle on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and begin to release toxins. Most often, children and people with a weakened immune system suffer from acute respiratory infections, and after an illness, immunity is unstable, so each person can get sick with some kind of acute respiratory infection 3-4 or more times every year.

Symptoms of acute respiratory infections usually begin acutely, unexpectedly; on average, about 2 days pass between infection and illness. Before getting sick, a person may experience: a feeling of weakness, weakness, irritability. In the future, these symptoms increase, headache, severe weakness, muscle aches appear, the temperature may rise, and sweating may develop. Depending on the type of pathogen that caused the acute respiratory infection, the following may appear: runny nose, sore throat or cough. In some cases, along with damage to the respiratory tract, symptoms of conjunctivitis - eye damage - may occur.

Although at first glance acute respiratory infections may seem like a harmless disease, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis, heart damage and even meningitis. Against the background of acute respiratory infections, other diseases that a person has are often exacerbated.

To diagnose acute respiratory infections, a clinical examination of the patient is usually carried out, and laboratory tests (blood tests, sputum and other biological materials) may also be prescribed to identify the causative agent of the disease.

Treatment of acute respiratory infections is aimed at eliminating symptoms and maintaining the body during the illness. Antiviral, antibacterial or antifungal drugs are usually prescribed depending on the causative agent of the disease, as well as fever reducers, antitussive and anti-inflammatory drugs. It is important to drink enough fluids and maintain a rest regime.

Prevention of acute respiratory infections includes the following measures: maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding contact with sick people, regular ventilation of rooms, strengthening the immune system (healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, exercise), vaccinations against influenza and other possible acute respiratory infections.