Respiratory disease

Definition Bronchiolitis is a type of chest infection that commonly affects children under 12 months of age. It occurs when the very small airways in the lungs, called the bronchioles, become inflamed and swell up. The bronchioles are the smallest air passages within the lungs. When they are compromised, usually …

Overview – Pertussis Pertussis is a highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract caused by Bordetella pertussis, a bacteria that lives in the mouth, nose, and throat. Many children who contract pertussis have coughing spells that last four to eight weeks. The disease is most dangerous in infants and spreads …

Overview  – Nasal Polyps Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. They hang down like teardrops or grapes. They result from chronic inflammation and are associated with asthma, recurring infection, allergies, drug sensitivity or certain immune disorders. Small nasal polyps may …

What is Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome? The term hantavirus represents several groups of RNA-containing viruses (that are members of the virus family of Bunyaviridae) that are carried by rodents and can cause severe respiratory infections termed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). HPS is found mainly …

Definition of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. COPD is a term applied to a family of diseases that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. It usually progresses gradually, causing limited airflow in and out of the lungs. COPD …

Definition Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is an acute diffuse lung disease. It happens when fluid is filled with air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. It leads to increased pulmonary vascular permeability; enormous fluid in the lungs will lower the oxygen level in your bloodstream. This eventually makes the organ to …

Definition Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which in humans is usually caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). TB is an abbreviation of the word Tuberculosis and is how people often refer to the disease. Bovine TB is a disease caused by similar bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). …

Definition Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After cough fits, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths, which result in …