RESPIRATORY RESPIRATORY INFECTIONSINFECTIONS

Prof. Dr. N. Ribarova, MDProf. Dr. N. Ribarova, MD

RESPIRATORY INFECTIONSRESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Respiratory infections represent a large group Respiratory infections represent a large group of anthropozoonotic diseases, characterized by of anthropozoonotic diseases, characterized by airborne mechanism of transmission and airborne mechanism of transmission and broad prevalence, esp. in children. This group broad prevalence, esp. in children. This group includes diphtheria, streptococci infections includes diphtheria, streptococci infections /scarlatina/, measles, chickenpox, rubella, /scarlatina/, measles, chickenpox, rubella, pertussis, parapertussis, influenza, mumps, pertussis, parapertussis, influenza, mumps, staphilococci and meningococci infections, staphilococci and meningococci infections, Legionnaires' disease.Legionnaires' disease.

The etiology of these diseases is various. The The etiology of these diseases is various. The causative agents are bacteria and viruses that causative agents are bacteria and viruses that have low stability in outer environment besides have low stability in outer environment besides streptococci, staphylococci and diphtheria streptococci, staphylococci and diphtheria bacteria. Their considerable resistance favors bacteria. Their considerable resistance favors the inoculation in the host organism through the inoculation in the host organism through the skin and mucous membranes or by means the skin and mucous membranes or by means of the air dust aerosol.of the air dust aerosol.

The intensity of the epidemic process of The intensity of the epidemic process of these infections is quite variable. Most of these infections is quite variable. Most of them spread out as epidemics amongst them spread out as epidemics amongst children's population. Epidemic outbreaks children's population. Epidemic outbreaks and sporadic cases appear too. Their and sporadic cases appear too. Their prevalence is limited in diseases where prevalence is limited in diseases where reliable specific prophylaxis is available reliable specific prophylaxis is available (diphtheria, measles, mumps).(diphtheria, measles, mumps).

The first infection, considered as eradicated The first infection, considered as eradicated in the whole world by WHO in 1980, is in the whole world by WHO in 1980, is smallpox, which belongs to the group of smallpox, which belongs to the group of respiratory anthropozoonoses.respiratory anthropozoonoses.

In Bulgaria diphtheria is regarded as an In Bulgaria diphtheria is regarded as an eradicated infection - sporadic single cases eradicated infection - sporadic single cases are reported and the circulation of the are reported and the circulation of the diphtheria etiology agent is persistent. The diphtheria etiology agent is persistent. The elimination of diphtheria is a result of the elimination of diphtheria is a result of the extended use in early childhood of extended use in early childhood of diphtheria toxoid as a fundamental diphtheria toxoid as a fundamental measure for prophylaxis and treatment of measure for prophylaxis and treatment of diphtheria.diphtheria.

Typical for respiratory infections is the Typical for respiratory infections is the seasonal winter-spring incidence with the seasonal winter-spring incidence with the exception of pertussis that spreads in exception of pertussis that spreads in warmer months of the year. Prerequisites warmer months of the year. Prerequisites for this seasonal character are the chilly for this seasonal character are the chilly factor, inadequate nourishment, decreased factor, inadequate nourishment, decreased resistance of the host organism, closed resistance of the host organism, closed indoor contact that favors the spread of indoor contact that favors the spread of infections.infections.

Contemporary prophylaxis for restricting Contemporary prophylaxis for restricting these infections includes specific vaccines these infections includes specific vaccines (for diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, (for diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza), antibiotic prevention rubella, influenza), antibiotic prevention (for streptococci and meningococci (for streptococci and meningococci infections), chemotherapeutic agents (for infections), chemotherapeutic agents (for influenza), immunoglobulines (for rubella, influenza), immunoglobulines (for rubella, pertussis, streptococci and meningococci pertussis, streptococci and meningococci infections).infections).

The effectiveness of the antiepidemic The effectiveness of the antiepidemic measures when dealing with an epidemic measures when dealing with an epidemic point of respiratory infection without any point of respiratory infection without any specific means for prophylaxis is negligible. specific means for prophylaxis is negligible. Such an epidemic process is out of control Such an epidemic process is out of control and its intensity is manifested in epidemics and its intensity is manifested in epidemics among children groups and organized among children groups and organized communities.communities.