Infections affecting the respiratory system have become a menace not only to the healthcare system but also to patients over the past decades. Incidents of respiratory infections have been reported to healthcare personnel at an increasingly alarming rate, going by the recent statistics. One particular group that has been adversely affected by respiratory infections are children, especially those who are still young and are yet to break out of infancy. This paper takes an insight into some of the factors that make children susceptible to respiratory infections, taking a keen focus on age and gender.
Description of the Underlying Disease
Ms. Teel's daughter is suffering from acute laryngotracheobronchitis, judging from her symptoms. The disease is categorized to be part of the croup infections (ELSEIVER, 2016). Acute laryngotracheobronchitis blocks the air passages hence hindering normal breathing. Scholars have conducted extensive research and found out that the disease works by blocking the upper airways (Murphy, 2015). According to the study, the infection mainly affects children who are yet to break out of infancy, mostly those aged between 6 months and five years (Murphy, 2015). A virus causes acute laryngotracheobronchiti s. Some of these viruses are rhinovirus, adenovirus and rubella virus. Other factors that have been linked to the infections are family history, ethnicity, and behavior.
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Pathophysiology
Acute laryngotracheobronchitis is an infection that manifests itself in different forms. The most common symptoms of this infections are inflammations of the subglottic glands and edema (Murphy, 2015). Acute laryngotracheobronchitis occurs as a result of cartilage attaching itself to the mucous membranes. Eventually, there is an increase in the levels of mucosal and submucosal edema in the subglottic space (Murphy, 2015). The air passage that is most susceptible to infection is the cricoid cartilage.
Clinical Manifestations
Acute laryngotracheobronchitis manifests itself in various forms. Some of them include a sore throat and low-grade fever. As the infections progress, the symptoms change and become more severe, ranging from harsh coughs and hoarse voice (Murphy, 2015). Additionally, some symptoms such as hoarseness and stridor. Just like in the case of Ms. Teel's daughter, the patient experiences severe coughing at night.
Evaluation and Treatment
Acute laryngotracheobronchitis is a viral infection that may affect an infected person severely if not treated during its early stages. Indeed, the manner in which acute laryngotracheobronchitis manifests itself in an infant will largely determine how it will be combated. However, infants do not require sophisticated methods of treatment since the infections never develop into a severe form like in the case of older people. The Westley croup score is the benchmark that is generally used for treatment.
Reflection
Effects of Gender on Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis
A myriad of factors causes acute laryngotracheobronchiti s. These factors predispose one to develop an increased likelihood of suffering from the disease (Huether, 2017). Gender is one of the factors that determine whether an individual will suffer from acute laryngotracheobronchitis or not. Studies have shown that girls have an increased likelihood of suffering from acute laryngotracheobronchitis as compared to boys (Huether, 2017). Indeed, sex is a major epidemiological factor for various ailments. It is evident that the very element of Ms. Teel's daughter being a girl predisposed her to suffer from acute laryngotracheobronchitis.
Effects of Age on Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis
Age has also been among the factors noted to impact acute laryngotracheobronchitis. Even though older people may also fall victims to the disease, a large section of infants are the most susceptible to being infected. The main reasons for its prevalence in infants are because of children’s weak immunity. Acute laryngotracheobronchitis accounts typically for approximately 15% of respiratory infections in infants (Hammer, 2014). Scholars and pediatricians have noted with concern that the disease is predominant in winter and fall but at times infects kids in summer or spring as well. The affected child usually has an incubation period of between 2 to 6 days (ELSEVIER, 2016) . Indeed, the impact of age on acute laryngotracheobronchitis on the younger population cannot be overlooked since all available data points to its prevalence in infants.
In conclusion, it is imperative that healthcare systems should work tirelessly to ensure that diseases such as acute laryngotracheobronchitis are eradicated among infants. Doing so will provide a ray of hope to many children who will henceforth be free of this infection. If timed successfully, infants will be able to grow into healthy children who will utilize their skills and knowledge to improve the society and the world at large.
References
ELSEVIER. (2016). Respiratory Alterations And Management . ELSEVIER .
Hammer, G.G., & McPhee, S. (2014). Pathophysiology of disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine. (7 th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education
Huether, S.E., & McCance, K.L. (2017). Understanding Pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Murphy, M. (2015). Respiratory Alterations and Management . K nowledge, 12-24.
