Diseases of the Respiratory System

• Common cold


  Characterized by sneezing, runny nose due to nasal congestion and mild fever. Caused by viruses infecting the upper respiratory tract.
• Common cold

  • Duration: About a week
  • Treatment: Take enough rest and drinking a lot of fluids
• Influenza (Flu)


  Characterized by chills, fever, severe headache, muscular pains, runny nose and fatigue. Caused by influenza virus (may come from birds or swine).
• Influenza (Flu)

  • Duration: Flu may lasts for two to five days. In severe cases, flu can last for more than a week and can lead to pneumonia.
  • Treatment: Enough rests, drinking a lot of fluids, taking antiviral medicines and vaccines
• Pneumonia

  Infection of the lungs where the alveoli become inflamed and filled with fluid, caused by bacteria, virus, fungi, or protozoa.
• Pneumonia


  • Characterized by cough, chest pain, fever and difficulty of breathing.
  • Treatment: Take all prescribed medications.
  • Confirmation: Chest x-rays accompanied by a blood test
• Tuberculosis (TB)


  Chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can be transferred from one person to another through coughing, sneezing or spitting.
• Tuberculosis (TB)

  • Signs and symptoms: severe coughing (with blood), weight loss, fatigue, fever every afternoon, loss of appetite, pain when breathing or coughing.
  • Prevention: People with TB should use his own eating utensils.
  • Cure: Proper medication for at least six months
• Asthma


  Chronic and allergic condition where breathing airways swell and become narrow, causing breathing difficulties, shortness of breath and coughing.
• Bronchitis


  Inflammation of the bronchi, usually caused by virus and bacteria but can also be triggered by industrial pollutants and tobacco smoke.
• Bronchitis


  • Characterized by a cough with phlegm and difficulty in breathing.
• Types of Bronchitis

  • Acute Bronchitis
  • Chronic Bronchitis
• Acute Bronchitis

  • Lasts for one to three weeks
  • Treatment: Enough rest and drinking a lot of fluids
• Chronic Bronchitis

  • Lasts for three months or more
  • Can lead to the production of excessive mucus and infection from microorganisms
  • Treatments: Antibiotics/proper medical attention
• Emphysema


  Chronic disease where the alveoli and breathing passages are damaged due to prolonged exposure to tobacco chemicals and air pollutants.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)


  Term used for people suffering from any combination of lung diseases like emphysema, asthma and chronic bronchitis.
• Lung Cancer


  Can be acquired from long-term exposure to tobacco smoke. Tobacco contains carcinogenic chemicals which can cause uncontrolled growth of tumors that occupy the space in the lungs used for gas exchange.
• Lung Cancer


  • Symptoms: coughing with blood, mucus production, weight loss, shortness of breath, blockage of airways.
  • Treatments: Chemotherapy, Radiation, removal of the damaged part.