Question

1.Compare the signs of the common cold, sinusitis, influenza, and epiglottitis 2. Explain why secondary bacterial infections may commonly follow viral infections in the respiratory tract of elderly clients. 3. Explain why frequent handwashing may reduce the transmission of influenza. 4. Explain why antibacterial drugs are not effective against virus infections (see Chaprte6). 5.Describe how antiviral agents act against infection.

Answer 1

1. Signs and symptoms of:
• Common cold: stuffy or running nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, body ache, headache, sneezing, low grade fever and malaise.
• Sinusitis: headache, facial tenderness, pain, fever, nasal drainage, congestion, sore throat, cough, tooth pain, ear pain, eye pain, fatigue and sneezing.
• Influenza: fever, body pain, chills, headache, dry and persistent cough, fatigue, weakness, nasal congestion and sore throat.
• Epiglottitis: high grade fever, sore throat, hoarse voice, drooling, difficulty and painful swallowing, restlessness, harsh and noisy breathing.
2. Human cells are prone to bacterial attachment during a viral infection. Viruses makes the mucociliary clearance structure weak which increases the attachment of the bacteria to colonize. For example the respiratory syncytial virus can damage the ciliated cells causing reduction in mucociliary clearance. After a viral infection the immune system is desensitized causing secondary bacterial infection. These are he causes why secondary bacterial infection follow a viral infection.
3. Hand washing can prevent the spread of germs like bacteria and viruses that causes diseases like influenza. Influenza is spread through inhalation or by direct or indirect contact. Hand washing can prevent infection that comes from contact.