Respiratory system infections

Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the varicella (chickenpox) virus. It is highly contagious. The virus causes chickenpox in the child and is easily spread via the respiratory system. Recovery from childhood chickenpox results in the infection lying dormant in the nerve cells. The virus may become reactivated later in life as the older adult s immune system... 

Effects of TCDD on macrophages have also been examined. When assessed ex vivo, macrophage functions such as tumor cell lysis, phagocytosis and oxidative burst were not suppressed by exposure to TCDD.9396 101 In other experimental systems, exposure to TCDD increases IL-1 and TNF production by macrophages.99 102 103 However, the ability of TCDD to alter IL-1 and TNF production is likely organ- or stimulus-specific, because in the context of respiratory viral infection, exposure to TCDD had no effect on IL-1 or TNF-a levels.80... 

Exposure to hexachloroethane vapors can cause irritation to the respiratory system. Acute exposure to 260 ppm hexachloroethane had no apparent effect on the lungs and air passages in rats, but acute exposure to a concentration where particulate hexachloroethane was present in the atmosphere caused lung irritation (Weeks et al. 1979). On the other hand, intermediate-duration exposure to 260 ppm hexachloroethane appeared to cause some irritation of the respiratory epithelium, which may have increased susceptibility to respiratory infection. When exposure ceased, the animals recovered, so there were no histopathological indications of tissue damage after a 12-week recovery period. Lesions of the nasal passages, trachea, and bronchi increased mycoplasma infections mucus in the nasal cavities and decreased oxygen consumption were indicators of respiratory tract irritation from repeated episodes of hexachloroethane exposure. 

Francisella tularensis is very infectious. A small number (10-50 or so organisms) can cause disease. If F. tularensis were used as a weapon, the bacteria would likely be made airborne for exposure by inhalation. People who inhale an infectious aerosol would generally experience severe respiratory illness, including life-threatening pneumonia and systemic infection, if they are not treated. The bacteria that cause tularemia occur widely in nature and could be isolated and grown in quantity in a laboratory, although manufacturing an effective aerosol weapon would require considerable sophistication. 

SYSTEMIC EFFECTS Occurs primarily through inhalation and ingestion. The T vapor or aerosol is less toxic to the skin or eyes than the liquid form. When inhaled, the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, tracheae) is inflamed after a few hours latency period, accompanied by sneezing, coughing and bronchitis, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, and apathy. Exposure to nearly lethal doses of T can produce injury to bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen as indicated by a drop in white blood cell (WBC) count and, therefore, results in increased susceptibility to local and systemic infections. Ingestion of T will produce severe stomach pains, vomiting, and bloody stools after a 15-20 minute latency period. 

Systemic Effects. Dermatitis appears to be the only effect of 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine (free base) exposure for which evidence exists in humans (Gerarde and Gerarde 1974). Gastrointestinal upset and upper respiratory tract infections have also been reported by workers, but the role of 3,3 -dichloro-benzidine was imcertain. 3,3 -Dichlorobenzidine has not been found to cause these effects in experimental animals. 

Systemic-The most common systemic adverse events seen with prostaglandin agonists were upper respiratory tract infection/cold/flu (4% to 10%). 

Animal studies also indicate that the respiratory system is a major target of toxicity following inhalation exposure to chlorine dioxide. Dalhamn (1957) reported the results of several inhalation studies in laboratory animals. In one study, a single 2-hour inhalation exposure of four rats to a chlorine dioxide concentration of 260 ppm (728 mg/m ) resulted in pulmonary edema and nasal bleeding. Respiratory distress was reported in three other rats subjected to 3 weekly 3-minute exposures to decreasing concentrations of airborne chlorine dioxide from 3,400 to 800 ppm (from 9,520 to 2,240 mg/m ) bronchopneumonia was observed in two of these rats. In a third rat study, repeated exposure to approximately 10 ppm (28 mg/m ) of chlorine dioxide (4 hours/day for 9 days in a 13-day period) resulted in rhinonhea, altered respiration, and respiratory infection. No indications of adverse effects were seen in rats exposed to approximately 0.1 ppm (0.28 mg/m ) of chlorine dioxide 5 hours /day for 10 weeks. 

B. Status asthmaticus is a dangerous exacerbation of asthma symptoms. It requires immediate and aggressive treatment with oxygen, inhaled bronchodilators, and systemic corticosteroids. Hospitalization of the patient is often indicated. By definition, status asthmaticus is not a condition in which symptoms are well controlled. Neither cromolyn sodium nor a leukotriene modulator is indicated for the treatment of status asthmaticus, as their onset of action is too slow. Status asthmaticus often does not resolve without aggressive intervention. Indeed, the patient s condition can deteriorate rapidly to death. Upper respiratory tract infection or excessive exposure to an allergen often precedes status asthmaticus, as does increased use of inhaled bronchodilators. 

Systemic adverse events, including infections (colds and upper respiratory tract infections), headaches, asthenia, and hirsutism, have been reported... 

Mechanism of Action A selective inhibitor of influenza virus neuraminidase, an enzyme essential for viral replication. Acts against both influenza A and B viruses. Therapeutic Effect Suppresses the spread of infect ion within the respiratory system and re-duces the duration of clinical symptoms. 

It is less potent than ciprofloxacin and is primarily used in genitourinary tract infections. It is relatively more potent than ciprofloxacin in above condition. It is not useful in respiratory and systemic infections due to gram positive cocci. 

The differences between mice and men should be obvious to the casual reader. Enterovirus-induced paralytic illnesses are systemic infections, and the virus must at some point move through the body and be subject to circulating drug. Upper respiratory infections resulting from rhino-or enteroviruses tend to be localized to the pharynx, which would require that drug titers remain high in this region of the body. 

McElduff A, Mather LE, Kam PC, Clauson P. Influence of acute respiratory tract infection on the absorption of inhaled insulin using the AERx insulin diabetes management system. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2005 59 546-51. 

Mupirocin (Bactroban) inhibits a specific enzyme responsible for tRNA synthesis in susceptible bacteria. This drug is used topically to treat skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Likewise, mupirocin can be administered by nasal spray to treat local colonization of S. aureus in the nasal mucosa. This idea may be especially helpful in preventing systemic infection in individuals such as health care workers who are exposed to an outbreak of resistant strains of S. aureus. Local/topical administration of this drug is well tolerated, although some irritation of the skin may occur during topical use, and cough and respiratory irritation can occur when mupirocin is administered by nasal spray. 

Echinacea is derived from the root and seeds of the Echinacea plant that grows in parts of the Midwestern United States. This herb is used primarily to stimulate or support the immune system, and is often used to treat cold symptoms and other relatively minor respiratory tract infections.8 38 Although the exact reasons for beneficial effects are unclear, there is considerable evidence that echinacea preparations can reduce symptoms of the common cold when taken soon after symptoms appear.5,71 The ability of echinacea to prevent colds and other infections, however, is less well defined.49 Echinacea can also be administered topically to treat burns and other localized wounds. The most common side effects associated with echinacea are gastrointestinal (GI) upset, skin rash, and other allergic or hypersensitivity reactions.36... 

Oral bioavailability is 57%, and tissue and intracallular penetration is generally good. Telithromycin is metabolized in the liver and eliminated by a combination of biliary and urinary routes of excretion. It is administered as a once-daily dose of 800 mg, which results in peak serum concentrations of approximately 2 g/mL. Telithromycin is indicated for treatment of respiratory tract infections, including community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and streptococcal pharyngitis. Telithromycin is a reversible inhibitor of the CYP3A4 enzyme system. 

Genetic alterations or abnormalities of germ cells, some of which can be caused by toxicant exposure, can be manifested by adverse effects on progeny. The important health effects of these kinds of alterations may be appreciated by considering the kinds of human maladies that are caused by inherited recessive mutations. One such disease is cystic fibrosis, in which the clinical phenotype has thick, dry mucus in the tubes of the respiratory system such that inhaled bacterial and fungal spores cannot be cleared from the system. This results in frequent, severe infections. It is the consequence of a faulty chloride transporter membrane protein that does not properly transport Cl ion from inside cells to the outside, where they normally retain water characteristic of healthy mucus. The faulty transporter protein is the result of a change of a single amino acid in the protein. 

This is a pretty common symptom of MCS, although this phenomenon can arise due to small infections in the respiratory system, but also in other places in the body, without necessarily giving you a high fever. It s important to prevent further exposures and to give your body time to recover. Unbalanced intestinal bacteria can also cause flu-like symptoms. Consult your general practi-... 

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