Posted: June 5th, 2024

Describe causes of Upper respiratory infections and drug therapy

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
Submission Instructions:
• 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.
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1. Causes of Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs) and Drug Therapy
– URIs are commonly caused by viruses, including rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses, and coronaviruses (Fashner & Spahn, 2018).
– Bacterial causes of URIs include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis (Fashner & Spahn, 2018).
– Treatment for viral URIs is primarily supportive, including rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications for symptomatic relief (Chow et al., 2021).
– Antibiotics are not indicated for viral URIs but may be prescribed for bacterial infections such as streptococcal pharyngitis or acute bacterial sinusitis (Chow et al., 2021).

2. Triggers of Asthma and Treatment Options
– Common asthma triggers include allergens (e.g., pollen, pet dander), respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, and air pollutants (McCracken et al., 2021).
– Treatment options for asthma include short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) for quick relief of symptoms and long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs), and leukotriene modifiers (McCracken et al., 2021).
– Allergen immunotherapy may be considered for patients with allergic asthma (McCracken et al., 2021).
– Asthma education, self-management plans, and regular follow-up with healthcare providers are essential components of asthma management (McCracken et al., 2021).

3. Corticosteroids
– Corticosteroids are a class of medications that have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects (Barnes, 2019).
– Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the cornerstone of long-term asthma control, reducing airway inflammation and preventing exacerbations (Barnes, 2019).
– Oral corticosteroids may be used for short-term treatment of acute asthma exacerbations or chronic severe asthma (Barnes, 2019).
– Potential side effects of long-term systemic corticosteroid use include osteoporosis, diabetes, 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 cough and sputum production for at least three months in two consecutive years (Jinjuvadia et al., 2021).
– Smoking cessation is the most important intervention for preventing and managing chronic bronchitis (Jinjuvadia et al., 2021).
– Treatment options for chronic bronchitis include bronchodilators (e.g., beta-2 agonists, anticholinergics), inhaled corticosteroids, and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (Jinjuvadia et al., 2021).
– Pulmonary rehabilitation, vaccinations (influenza and pneumococcal), and long-term oxygen therapy may be recommended for patients with advanced disease (Jinjuvadia et al., 2021).

References:
Barnes, P. J. (2019). Corticosteroids. Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 40(04), 468-478. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1693402

Chow, A. W., Benninger, M. S., Brook, I., Brozek, J. L., Goldstein, E. J. C., Hicks, L. A., Panes

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