Posted: June 6th, 2024

Describe causes of Upper respiratory infections and drug therapy

Pharmacology. please answer the following questions:
1. Describe causes of Upper respiratory infections and drug therapy
2. Discuss triggers of asthma and treatment options
3. Discuss corticosteroids
4. Describe chronic bronchitis and treatment options

Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in the current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
o Each question must be answered individually as in bullet points. Not in an essay format.
o Example: Question 1, followed by the answer to question 1; Question 2, followed by the answer to question 2; and so forth.

1. Causes of Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs) and Drug Therapy
– URIs are typically caused by viral infections, most commonly rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses, and coronaviruses (Dasaraju & Liu, 2022).
– Bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, can also cause URIs, particularly in cases of acute sinusitis and acute otitis media (Dasaraju & Liu, 2022).
– Treatment for viral URIs is mainly supportive, focusing on symptom relief with over-the-counter medications like analgesics, decongestants, and cough suppressants (De Sutter et al., 2021).
– Antibiotics are not recommended for most viral URIs but may be prescribed for bacterial complications or secondary infections (De Sutter et al., 2021).

2. Triggers of Asthma and Treatment Options
– Common asthma triggers include allergens (e.g., pollen, pet dander, dust mites), respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, air pollution, and stress (Dharmage et al., 2019).
– Treatment options for asthma include inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonists for quick relief of symptoms, and long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-2 agonists, leukotriene modifiers, and theophylline (Global Initiative for Asthma, 2022).
– Non-pharmacological interventions, such as trigger avoidance, allergen immunotherapy, and education on proper inhaler technique, are also important components of asthma management (Global Initiative for Asthma, 2022).

3. Corticosteroids
– Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects (Barnes, 2019).
– Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of treatment for persistent asthma, reducing inflammation, improving lung function, and preventing exacerbations (Global Initiative for Asthma, 2022).
– Oral corticosteroids may be used in short courses to manage acute asthma exacerbations or severe chronic asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma, 2022).
– Potential side effects of long-term systemic corticosteroid use include osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and adrenal suppression (Barnes, 2019).

4. Chronic Bronchitis and Treatment Options
– Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by persistent inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in the airways (Rabe & Watz, 2017).
– The primary cause of chronic bronchitis is long-term exposure to irritants, particularly cigarette smoke (Rabe & Watz, 2017).
– Treatment options for chronic bronchitis include smoking cessation, bronchodilators (e.g., long-acting beta-2 agonists and anticholinergics), inhaled corticosteroids, and pulmonary rehabilitation (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, 2022).
– Mucus clearance techniques, such as hydration and chest physiotherapy, may also be beneficial in managing chronic bronchitis symptoms (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, 2022).

References:
Barnes, P. J. (2019). Glucocorticosteroids. In M. G. Feary, A. Bernstein, & R. F. Lockey (Eds.), Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice (9th ed., pp. 1550-1567). Elsevier.

Dasaraju, P. V., & Liu, C. (2022). Infections of the respiratory system. In S. Baron (Ed.), Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532961/

De Sutter, A. I., Saraswat, A., van Driel, M. L., & Del Mar, C. (2021). Antihistamines for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(11), CD009345. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009345.pub3

Dharmage, S. C., Perret, J. L., & Custovic, A. (2019). Epidemiology of asthma in children and adults. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 7, 246. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2019.00246

Global Initiative for Asthma. (2022). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention. https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/GINA-Main-Report-2022-FINAL-22-05-03-WMS.pdf

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. (2022). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GOLD-REPORT-2022-v1.1-22Nov2021_WMV.pdf

Rabe, K. F., & Watz, H. (2017). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Lancet, 389(10082), 1931-1940. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31222-9

Check Price Discount

Study Notes & Homework Samples: Developing a Comprehensive Practicum Experience Plan for Advanced Practice Nursing Students »Reflection on Developing a Gynecologic Health History Script