
Diseases are at their most dangerous, when they are contagious. A single germ from one infected individual can infect an entire community or city, within a short period of time. Scroll below to learn which infectious diseases affect the respiratory system.
The most dangerous things are often the tiniest, the smallest, the things we can not see. This statement is debatable but with regard to infectious diseases, is a clear winner. For infections are caused and to a large extent, spread by tiny organisms, invisible to the naked eye and causing havoc within the body. These diminutive villains are none other than pathogens, which are different species of viruses, bacteria fungi and some parasites. They infect, destroy, multiply and distribute themselves.
Infectious diseases are characterized by a foreign agent or body and spreadable or contagious nature. While any body part or organ is vulnerable to the dangerous effects of such microorganisms, certain areas are more delicate and an infection can result in life-threatening complications. One such area is the human respiratory system, which includes the lungs, the bronchi and the breathing mechanism muscles and nerves. Diseases which affect the respiratory system are truly unsafe, as their contagious nature and the important body area they affect, make for a dangerous combination.
Infectious Diseases That Affect the Respiratory System
Below, some of the contagious diseases, that affect or originate in the respiratory organs are listed, with a description of the important medical points:
Diphtheria
Feature | Description |
Infecting Agent | Corynebacterium diphtheriae (Bacteria) |
Site of Infection | Upper respiratory tract illness, nose and throat |
Contagion Mechanism | Any physical contact with infected person, through air, food or objects |
Key Symptoms | Difficulty breathing, throat infection, fever, mucus and thick cough, neck area is swollen or enlarged |
Complications | Heart problems (mycarditis), kidney malfunctioning, nerve paralysis, permanent breathing problems. 10% of infected cases could die |
Preventive Measures | DTaP vaccine and booster shots |
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Feature | Description |
Infecting Agent | Bordetella pertussis (Bacteria) |
Site of Infection | Upper respiratory infection |
Key Symptoms | Deep and continuous hacking cough, runny nose, vomiting after coughing, mild fever |
Complications | Earaches, pneumonia and seizures. Infants (under 6 months) and toddlers are at risk of such complications. Infants are also at risk of fatalities. Adults and older children can recover completely |
Preventive Measures | DTaP vaccine for infants and young children. For older children and adults, Tdap vaccine should be given |
Pneumonia
Feature | Description |
Infecting Agent | Multiple agents, either bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses |
Site of Infection | Lungs |
Contagion Mechanism | Breathing in germs, which spread through the air, from an infected person |
Key Symptoms | Fever, feeling tired with no appetite, sweating and shaking, coughing with a stabbing chest pain, breathing difficulty |
Complications | Abscesses are formed in the lungs(Empyema). Severe and long term failure of the respiratory system. Sepsis and ARDS can also occur |
Preventive Measures | Seasonal flu shot and pneumococcal vaccine help in protection |
Tuberculosis
Feature | Description |
Infecting Agent | Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Bacteria) |
Site of Infection | Lungs |
Contagion Mechanism | When a TB patient sneezes, spits or coughs, anyone around him/her can get infected from the germs present in the air |
Key Symptoms | Prolonged coughing, sometimes blood is coughed up, sharp chest pain, loss of appetite and pale skin tone, fever with chills and sweating |
Complications | Permanent lung damage can occur. TB if allowed to worsen, will cause death |
Preventive Measures | The BCG vaccine is used in most countries, but is not completely risk-proof |
Primary Pulmonary Histoplasmosis
Feature | Description |
Infecting Agent | Histoplasma capsulatum (Fungus) |
Site of Infection | Lungs |
Contagion Mechanism | The fungus is present in bird and bat droppings and soil. Inhalation of the spores will cause the disease, it does not spread from person to person |
Key Symptoms | Chest discomfort, aches and pains in joints and muscles, mild fever and cough, rash. Most cases do not show symptoms |
Complications | The infection can spread to other organs, if the immune system is weak. If allowed to worsen, the condition can become chronic or permanent |
Preventive Measures | No vaccine exists. At best, endemic areas with contaminated soil should be avoided. These include the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys |
Acute Bronchitis
Feature | Description |
Infecting Agent | Viral (rhinovirus) or bacterial pathogens |
Site of Infection | The bronchi or airways of the lungs |
Contagion Mechanism | Spreads through physical contact with infected person. Can also spread through air |
Key Symptoms | Coughing with mucus production, mild fever, wheezing and fatigue |
Complications | Repeated occurrences leads to chronic bronchitis. Asthma, tuberculosis and sinusitis are long-term conditions, if condition worsens |
Preventive Measures | Annual influenza vaccine helps in prevention. A pneumonccocal vaccine reduces the risk of pneumonia |
It’s clear from the above listing of diseases of the respiratory system, that such conditions have very serious consequences and can cause fatalities. Certain diseases like diphtheria have nearly been eradicated in the U.S. But in third-world countries, lack of vaccination drives and unsanitary living conditions can result in an infection and a rapid rate of contagion, ultimately resulting in an epidemic. The best defense against infectious diseases of the respiratory system or any other body part is prevention, through on-time and effective vaccinations or quick quarantine and treatment of infected cases, to prevent it from spreading.