Catarrh-respiratory syndrome
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Catarrhal respiratory syndrome is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract with hyperproduction of secretion and activation of local defense reactions.
With inflammation of the mucosa above the vocal cords, there are symptoms of rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis; below the vocal cords - laryngitis, tracheitis, epiglottitis, bronchitis, pneumonia.
[Causes of catarrhal-respiratory syndrome
Diseases accompanied by catarrhal respiratory syndrome are referred to the group of acute respiratory diseases (ARI). Most often their pathogens are viruses (ARVI). Less often - bacteria. Causes of catarrhal-respiratory syndrome may be the action of allergic (with vasomotor rhinitis, hay fever) and irritants (eg, chlorine), a cold factor. The combined effects of various factors are often expressed (for example, the cold factor and viruses, viruses and bacteria).
The main pathogens of ARI are viruses that have high trophicity to certain parts of the respiratory tract.
What causes the catarrhal-respiratory syndrome?
Clinical forms of catarrhal-respiratory syndrome
- Acute rhinitis - inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Characteristic symptoms: sneezing, mucus from the nose, violation of nasal breathing. The outflow of mucus on the back wall of the pharynx causes a cough.
- Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa. It is characterized by sudden sensations of perspiration and dryness in the throat, as well as soreness in swallowing.
- Tonsillitis - local changes in the palatine tonsils bacterial (more often streptococcal) and viral etiology. Characterized by intoxication, hyperemia and swelling of the tonsils, palatine arch, tongue, back of the pharynx, loose overlaps in the lacunae.
- Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx with the involvement of vocal cords and subglottic space. The first symptoms are dry barking cough, hoarseness of voice.
- Epiglottitis - an inflammation of the epiglottis with a characteristic pronounced violation of breathing.
- Tracheitis is an inflammatory process of the mucosa of the trachea. Symptoms: sadness behind the sternum, dry cough.
- Bronchitis - the defeat of bronchi of any caliber. The main symptom - cough (at the beginning of the disease dry, a few days wet with an increasing amount of sputum). Sputum often has a mucous nature, but on the 2nd week can acquire a greenish tint due to an impurity of fibrin. Cough persists for 2 weeks and longer (up to 1 month for adenovirus, respiratory syncytial-viral, mycoplasmal and chlamydia nature).
Diagnosis of catarrhal-respiratory syndrome
A decisive role in the confirmation of the diagnosis of diseases with catarrhal respiratory syndrome is played by methods of laboratory diagnosis, among which there are:
- aimed at identification of the pathogen;
- aimed at identifying specific antibodies in the blood serum of patients.
The method of immunofluorescence is most preferable, since it allows accurate morphological analysis with high specificity. It is simple in reproduction and gives the opportunity to get the result within a few hours.
ELISA is widely used to detect specific antibodies in the blood serum of patients with viral or bacterial diseases.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treatment of catarrhal respiratory syndrome
Diagnosis of acute respiratory infections is established in the absence of a clear predominance of a definite nosological form. It implies both the bacterial and viral nature of the disease. The term "ARVI" assumes a viral etiology of the disease with the presence of a catarrhal-respiratory syndrome.
The strategy for the treatment of the catarrh-respiratory syndrome is determined in accordance with the mechanisms of pathogenesis, etiology and the generality of the clinical manifestations of the disease.
For etiotropic treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, drugs of the adamantane series (rimantadine), preparations of the indole group [arbidol (methylphenylthiomethyl-dimethylaminomethyl-hydroxybromoindole carboxylic acid ethyl ester)] and neuraminidase (oseltamivir) inhibitors for influenza. With other ARVI, arbidol is administered.