Upper respiratory infections (URI) refers to communicable infections of the upper tract of the human respiratory system. The parts affected include the throat, larynx, nose, bronchi, and pharynx. Some of the commonly contracted infections include the common cold, sinusitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, and laryngitis (Anon, 2010). Both viruses and bacteria majorly cause these acute URI's. General symptoms of the above include coughing, fever, sneezing, nasal discharge, runny nose, nasal congestion, and sore throat.
Epiglottis, one of the URI’s, manifests itself as an inflammation of the epiglottis (Hoo and Ooi, 2014). The purpose of the epiglottis is to protect the trachea, preventing solid particles from getting into the lungs through the windpipe. The condition is common in children aged between 1 to 5 years. A swelling of the epiglottis is quite risky since it can lead to blockage of airflow into the trachea, leading to choking and even death in severe cases. Some of the symptoms of the infection include a sore throat, dry cough, muffled dysphonia, drooling, and pain during swallowing.
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A health assessment of the respiratory system involves two main phases including both the collection of subjective and objective data (Tabloski, 2013). The former is collected while conducting interviews with the client since it is personal in nature. It involves information such as family history, developmental considerations, symptoms, behaviors, illness, and the environment. Such can be adequately derived from the involved parties during an interview whereby personal touch arises. The interviews are pivotal since they guide the physical evaluation of the patient’s respiratory system. In the case of the epiglottis infection, for example, radiographic evaluation, as well as nasopharyngoscopy visualization of the same, can be conducted to help in diagnosis (Anon, 2010).
References
Anon, J. B. (2010). Upper respiratory infections. The American journal of medicine , 123 (4), S16-S25.
Ho, W. H., & Ooi, K. (2014). 6 RESPIRATORY. Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine , 286.
Tabloski, P. A. (2013). Gerontological nursing . Pearson Higher Ed.
