Transcript Dealing with Respiratory Diseases, Asthma, and Allergies

DEALING WITH RESPIRATORY
DISEASES, ASTHMA, AND
ALLERGIES
OBJECTIVES
Analyze the causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and
treatments of communicable respiratory diseases.
 Analyze ways to prevent infection with
communicable respiratory diseases.
 Discuss asthma and ways to prevent and manage
asthma attacks.
 Describe common causes of allergies.
 Describe ways to prevent or treat allergies.
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WHY IT’S IMPORTANT…
 At
some time, almost everyone will be
infected by a respiratory illness.
 Millions of people are affected by asthma
or allergies
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT COMMUNICABLE
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Communicable disease
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Can be spread from person to person.
6 communicable diseases
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The common cold
Influenza
Pneumonia
Strep Throat
Tuberculosis
Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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The Common Cold
A respiratory infection caused by more than 100
different viruses.
 1/3 of all colds are caused by rhinoviruses.
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A virus that infects the nose
High levels of stress can increase a person’s chances
of catching a cold.
Can last from 2-14 days.
Myths
Being exposed to cold weather.
 Getting chills
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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The Common Cold
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Relief
OTC medication may help relieve some symptoms.
 Will not cure or shorten the length of a cold.
 Gargling with warm, salt water may bring relief to a sore
throat.
 Apply petroleum jelly to the nose to relieve irritation.
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Influenza…The Flu
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A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory
tract.
Most people recover within 1-2 weeks.
Can be life-threatening for elderly people, newborn
babies, and people with chronic diseases.
Can lead to pneumonia
Flu viruses are constantly changing.
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Difficult for the immune system to form antibodies to new
variations of the flu virus.
Can spread rapidly in crowded places.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Influenza…The Flu
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People who are infected with the flu virus often do
not show any symptoms, yet they can still spread the
virus.
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Most contagious during first 3 days of infection.
Diagnosis
Physicians usually diagnose the flu by symptoms.
 Presence of flu in community.
 Flu tests
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Influenza…The Flu
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Treatments
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Aspirin/Acetaminophen may relieve fever and discomfort.
 Aspirin should not be given to children and teens.
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Reye’s Syndrome-disease that causes swelling of the brain
and deterioration of liver function.
Antibiotics are not effective against the flu viruses, but may
prevent pneumonia…sometimes follows the flu.
 Flu shots
 Updated each year
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CELEBRITY SWINE FLU FATALITY.......
AND WE ALL KNOW WHO GAVE IT TO HIM.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Pneumonia
An infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses,
or other pathogens.
 Bacterial and viral
 Can be spread by direct contact with an infected
person or with contaminated objects.
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Pneumonia
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Diagnosis
Lab tests
 Chest X-rays
 Physical examinations
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Treatments
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Antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia.
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Viral bacteria is much more difficult to treat.
 Resistant to antibiotics.
Hospitalization may be needed.
 Vaccine is available for pneumococcal pneumonia.
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Kills more people than all other vaccine-preventable
diseases.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Strep Throat
A bacterial infection of the throat.
 Rheumatic fever can develop if not treated quickly.
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An autoimmune disease in the heart that can cause fever,
weakness, and damage to heart valves.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Symptoms
Fever
 Throat may be painful.
 Throat will appear red.
 Small patches of pus
may be visible
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Diagnosis
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Throat culture.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Diagnosis
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Treatment
Antibiotics will kill
bacteria and prevent
spread of infection.
 Rest
 Fluids
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Throat Culture
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Tuberculosis
A bacterial infection of the lungs.
 Affects people with a weakened immune system.
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HIV, elderly, homeless, IV drug users.
Airborne through coughing and sneezing by infected
person.
 Only contagious if you have “active” tuberculosis.
 Not spread through touch.
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Diagnosis
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Skin test
Inject a protein
substance under the
skin in the forearm.
 Within two days, if a
red welt forms around
the injection site, the
person has been
exposed to tuberculosis.
 Chest X-ray must be
done to confirm.
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Treatment
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Antibiotics
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Some tuberculosis pathogens have become resistant to
them.
Drugs are available to prevent tuberculosis in people
who are in close contact with infected people.
 Rooms with good ventilation and air flow will help
reduce the risk of the spread of tuberculosis.
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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SARS-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
A contagious respiratory illness caused by a new type
of coronavirus.
 Surfaced in early 2003 in some Asian countries.
 Caused outbreaks in other countries, including the
US.
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Symptoms
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Very typical for many other respiratory illnesses.
Fever
 Cough
 Shortness of breath
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Diagnosis
Travel to specific Asian countries.
 Close contact with a person infected with SARS.
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SARS is now under control.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Asthma
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A chronic disease that cannot be cured.
Symptoms
Coughing
 Wheezing
 Shortness of breath
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People with asthma have sensitive lungs that
react to certain triggers.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Triggers
Substances that cause the airways to tighten, swell,
and fill with mucus.
 Airways become narrow and blocked.
 Difficult to breathe.
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Triggers
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Pollen from trees
Grasses
Weeds
Dust and mold
Dog, cat, or other
animal dander
Cigarette smoke
Air pollution
Having a cold or the
flu.
Aspirin or other OTC
drugs
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Perfumes or other
fragrances
Odors from sprays and
paints
Insecticides
Certain foods
Smoke from burning
wood, paper, or other
items
Emotional stress
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Especially during
childhood and
adolescence.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Asthma Attack
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Episode of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
and tightness in the chest.
May cause extreme sickness.
Hospitalization
Death
Symptoms usually decrease with age.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Exercise Induced Asthma
A condition in which a person has difficulty breathing
during or shortly after strenuous physical activity.
 Symptoms
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Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the
chest.
Can be reduced and prevented by improving physical
fitness.
COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Allergies
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Airborne allergens
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The most common are animal dander, feathers, pollens, and
mites.
Symptoms of allergies
Dizziness
 Nausea
 Skin rash
 Drops in blood pressure
 Difficulty in breathing
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Hay Fever
Common term for seasonal respiratory allergies that
typically occur in the spring or fall.
 Symptoms
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Coughing
 Sneezing
 Inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes
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Treatments
Medicine
 shots
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Allergies
Pollen-yellowish powder produced by flowers, trees,
and grass.
 Mites-tiny, eight-legged animals that resemble
spiders.
 Animal Dander-Flakes of dead skin from an animal.
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Allergies
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Not all allergies are airborne.
Medication
 Latex
 Insect stings
 Foods
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Symptoms
Difficulty breathing
 Rapid pulse
 Sudden drop in blood pressure
 Skin rash
 Respiratory irritation
 shock
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COMMUNICABLE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Diagnosis
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Skin tests
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Skin patch test
 Wheal-a round skin
lump that indicates
sensitivity to a
particular allergen.