Diseases of the respiratory system are the most common disorders in daily clinical practice in Lithuania. Infectious disorders are the most common of them. So, it is very important to diagnose these diseases properly, to have competence to evaluate results of investigations critically, to known methods of their prevention.
A lot of various microorganisms periodically or permanently persistent in the upper airways, throat and mounth of healthy persons. Due to the competition between them balance among human organism and various infection agents is maintain.
Most of the respiratory diseases usually are caused by specific pathogen(s). Acute tracheitis and acute bronchitis most often are caused by respiratory viruses. Haemophilus influenzae and/or Streptococcus pneumoniae are the most common causative agents of exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive respiratory disease. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main infection pathogen caused community-acquired pneumonia and early hospital-acquired pneumonia. Late hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia usually caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ir Acinetobacter. Immuno-compromised patients usually had pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pneumocystis carinii (Pneumocystis jiroveci), Aspergillus ir cytomegalovirus. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and influenza virus are the main pneumonia caused pathogens during influenza epidemy.
In most of cases of respiratory infection is not realistic to indentify causative pathogen, so treatment is mostly empirical. However, for seriously ill patients and immunocompromised persons to do investigation for possible causative infectious pathogen(s) is recommend.
Synthetic vitamins and microelements supplements do not protect against respiratory infection, nor shortening duration of diseases, nor prevent complications. Fruits, vegetables and healthy lifestyle are the main non-medicament methods for prevention of respiratory infections. Influenza vaccination is most effective medicament method for the prevention of these disorders. However, pneumococcal vaccination may be not so effective, moreover may be harmful.
