Respiratory Infections, Vaccines and Treatment

Humans can breathe due to the presence of the respiratory system which comprises nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), commonly called respiratory infections, occur when the parts of the body that are involved in breathing such as sinuses, throat, airways and lungs are infected. The underlying cause of RTIs may be viral or bacterial infections. Symptoms of the RTIs include cough, throwing-up phlegm, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, breathlessness, tight chest, fever, and a general feeling of being unwell. They can be diagnosed using physical examination, lung X-ray, lung CT scan, lung function test, nasal swab test, throat swab test and sputum test. The treatment of the RTI depends on its cause. The RTIs caused by viruses clear up by themselves and do not require antibiotics. However, the treatment for RTIs caused by bacteria involves the usage of antibiotics. The risk and severity of respiratory infections such as seasonal and pandemic influenza, COVID-19, pertussis, pneumococcal infection, tuberculosis (TB), etc. can be reduced by conducting immunization or vaccination drives. This book discusses the fundamentals and advanced studies on the vaccines and treatment of respiratory infections. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. The book will serve as a valuable source of reference for students, researchers and medical practitioners.