Respiratory Diseases

Common Cold

Of all respiratory conditions, the most common includes the common cold with an incidence rate of 22 percent percent in the United States. It is often more prevalent in the winter months however, may present at any time of the year. In most cases, the most common causative agent is a rhinovirus although other [Page 1484]etiological agents include: coronavirus, echovirus, paramyxovirus and coxsackievirus. Symptoms entail cough, nasal congestion, headache, fatigue, and generalized malaise.

The condition is self-limiting and as a result, treatment is often supportive. Symptoms routinely resolve within 3 to 5 days with the exception of patients with compromised immunity, which may develop into more serious and progressive illnesses such as pneumonia. Usually this progression occurs as a result of bacterial co infection either from within the body or from an external source. As the mode of transmission is highly facilitated through respiratory droplets, preventative measures should include frequent hand washing and avoiding affected disease carriers.

Influenza

Another common illness in the winter months includes influenza, also known as the flu.

In year 2000, the incidence of the flu was approximately one in three people and affecting 97.9 million individuals in the United States. The most common causes of influenza are influenza A and influenza B. Symptoms of the infection are somewhat more severe than those for the common cold. Flu-like symptoms include cough, runny nose, fevers, chills, headaches, muscle weakness and the general feeling of being drained of energy. The infectious agent mainly attacks the upper respiratory tract. In neonates, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients, the agent may also cause pneumonia and even death. However, a full recovery is almost always expected among infected healthy individuals. Treatments for the flu many consist of fluid replacement and rest. However, in extreme cases, anti-vi-ral medications such as amantadine may be indicated.

Respiratory illnesses range from the common cold to lung cancer to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

With the increased availability of the influenza vaccine, the incidence of cases is decreasing. Among the elderly, vaccination is thought to reduce influ-enza-related morbidity by 60 percent and influ-enza-related mortality by 70 to 80 percent. Among healthy adults the vaccine is very effective in terms of reducing influenza morbidity, and vaccination has been shown to have substantial health-related and economic benefits in this age group.

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