Download Infections of the Respiratory System

Infections of the
Respiratory System
Why is this
system
important?
 The respiratory system is the most commonly infected system
 Health care providers will see more respiratory infections than any
other type
Overview
The
Respiratory
System
 A major portal of entry for infectious organisms
 It is divided into two tracts – upper and lower respiratory tracts
 The division is based on structures and functions in each part.
 The two parts have different types of infections
 Now that you know your respiratory system is divided into 2 parts, the upper and
the lower respiratory tracts, label the diagram with the correct components that
make up each tract.
 Use the following words:
Labeling
Assignment
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


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



Alveolus
Throat (pharynx)
Bronchus
Lung
Mouth
Larynx
Nasal Cavity
Wind pipe (trachea)
Nose
Bronchiole
 After labeling each component draw a line where you believe the upper and lower
respiratory tracts
 The Upper Respiratory Tract
 Nasal cavity, nose, mouth, pharynx,
 Infections are fairly common
 Usually nothing more than an irritation
The
Respiratory
Tract
 The Lower Respiratory Tract
 Larynx, Trachea, Lungs, Bronchus, Bronchiole, Alveolus
 Infections are more dangerous
 Can be very difficult to treat
Respiratory
functions
1.
supplies the body with oxygen and disposes of carbon dioxide
2.
filters inspired air
3.
produces sound
4.
contains receptors for smell
5.
rids the body of some excess water and heat
6.
helps regulate blood pH
Pathogens of
the
Respiratory
System
Respiratory pathogens are easily transmitted
from human to human
 They circulate within a community
 Infections spread easily
 http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/bestsneeze-22258478
Some respiratory pathogens exist as part of
the normal flora
Others are acquired from animal source,
water, air etc
Fungi are also a source of respiratory
infection
 Usually in immunocompromised patients
Pathogens of
the
Respiratory
System cont’d
 Some pathogens are restricted to certain sites
 Legionella only infects the lung
 Other pathogens cause infection in multiple
sites
 Streptococcus can cause:
 Middle ear infections
 Sinusitis
 Pneumonia
 The body has a variety of host defense
mechanisms
 Innate immune response
Defenses of
the
Respiratory
System
 the cells and mechanisms that defend the
host from infection by other organisms, in a
non-specific manner
 Adaptive immune
 It is adaptive immunity because the body's
immune system prepares itself for future
challenges
 The respiratory system has significant defenses
 The upper respiratory tract has:
 Mucociliary escalator
 As air usually enters the body through the nose (a preferable
point of entry)
Defenses of
the
Respiratory
System
 Cilia (fine hairs) protect against dust and other particles from
the air
 Particles that may slip through the cilia are caught in the thick,
sticky, mucous lining of the nasal cavity
 Air is warmed in the nasal cavity and finally moisture is added
 Coughing
 Secretory IgA
 The lower respiratory tract has:
 Alveolar macrophages
 IgA
Defenses of
the
Respiratory
System cont’d