Upper and lower respiratory tract infection

Pneumonia and common cold are two different conditions affecting our respiratory system. Though they have a few similar symptoms there are a number of factors that differentiate pneumonia from common cold. They vary in their causitive organism, clinical manifestation, treatment, prevention and prognosis.

Let's compare pneumonia and common cold and learn the difference!

PNEUMONIA: Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lung parenchyma (lower respiratory tract infection) caused by infectious agents.

Causative agents: The causative agent varies with each type of pneumonia. Atypical pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia are the major classification which inturn has various subdivisions.

Bacterial pneumonia:
Streptococcal pneumonia - streptococcus pneumoniae
staphylococcal pneumonia - staphylococcus aureus
Klebsiella pneumonia - klebsiella pneumoniae
pseudomonas pneumonia - pseudomonas aeruginosa
Haemophilus influenza - haemophilus influenzae

Atypical pneumonia:
Legionnaires disease - legionella pneumophila
Mycoplasma pneumonia - mycoplasma pneumoniae
viral pneumonia - influenza virus types A, B, C
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia - pneumocystis carinii
Fungal pneumonia - aspergillus fumigatus
Chlamydial pneumonia - cipittaci
tuberculosis - mycobacterium tuberculosis

Clinical manifestation: It typically starts with the sudden onset of fever usually above 100F, shaking chills, chest pain (pleuritic pain) aggrevated by coughing and breathing, nasal flaring, grunts, use of accessory muscles for respiration, head ache, myalgia and tachypnea. Bacterial pneumonia's manifestation varies with the organism which may include rash, pharyngitis, sore throat and nasal congestion.

Diagnosis: Pneumonia is diagnosed with history (recurrent, recent and untreated RTI's), physical examination(bronchial breath sounds will be heard on auscultation, increased fremitus on palpation, dullness on percussion), chest X ray and scans showing consolidation and dense areas, blood culture and sputum culture.

Treatment: Antibiotics is the first main treatment of choice which includes penicillin G, erythromycin, clindamycin, 2nd generation cephalosporins and bactrim.
Steam or moist inhalations with effective chest physio are effective to bring out the thickened secretions from the lungs.
Hospitalisation will be necessary for oxygen therapy and initial stabilisation. Some may need ventilatory support if it affects breathing.
Surgical measures like lobar pneumonectamy are also considered if they are attached to one particular lobe.

Prevention:
1.Treating upper respiratory condition is the best way to prevent pneumonia.
2.Do deep breathing and effective coughing exercises to bring out the secretions.
3.Take steam inhalation every week though you dont have any symptoms.
4.Avoid contact with infectious people.
5.Stop smoking.
6.Do not lie down in a particular position for a long time after surgery and older patients.
7.Promote oral hygiene.
8.Reduce alcohol intake.
9.Take nutritious diet.
10.Take vaccination against pneumococcal and influenza viral infections.

Prognosis: Prognosis is very poor with pneumonia especially if untreated. It is the fourth common cause of death in United States.

COMMON COLD: Common cold is as common as it's name denotes. It usually refers to the upper respiratory tract infection which affects the nose and throat.

Causitive agents: They are caused by contagious virus which sheds and spreads from person to person. The common viruses that causes this common cold are picornaviruses, cornaviruses, myxoviruses, paraviruses and adenovirus.

Clinical manifestation: Nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing, mild chills with fever, stuffy nose, head ache, musle ache, malaise and cough are the common symptoms.

Diagnosis: They are confirmed usually with the presenting history and further investigations are done if the symptoms do not vanish in 2 weeks.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment for common cold. It is usually treated symptomatically. Increased fluid intake, adequate rest, taking vitamin and protein supplements, saline gargle, using analgesics, decongestants and cough expectorants.

Prevention:
1. Avoid contact with people affected with cold. Even a single droplet will cause infection.
2. Break the chain of infection by proper handwashing, proper disposal of tissues and covering the mouth and nose while coughing, sneezing etc.
3. Eat healthy food which includes fruits and vegetables.
4. Protect yourself in cold weather.
5. Avoid crowded areas.

Prognosis: There is no reported deaths due to common cold. Prognosis is usually good when you take measures.

Now you might have understood how critical and different is pneumonia from a common cold. Prevent yourself from both upper and lower respiratory tract infections and have a long life.