DISORDER OF UPPER
RESPIRITORY TRACT
Presented by L.MOHLOPHEHI
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the presention learners should be able to;
Define common cold and pharyngitis
List signs and symptoms of common cold
and pharyngitis
Outline causes and predisposing factors of
common cold and pharyngitis
Mention Pharmacological treatment of
common cold and pharyngitis
Describe Nursing management of common
cold and pharyngitis
Common cold
It is an illness affecting the nose and throat . It is
usually caused by the rhinoviruses and it is highly
infectious , normally mild illness characterised mainly
by running nose .
NB Symptoms of common cold lasts from 1 to 2 weeks
Signs and Symptoms
Sneezing
Headache
Nasal congestion[stuffy nose]
Halitosis[bad breath]
Chills[shivering]
Rhinorrhea
Predisposing factors
Time of year
Colds can happen of the year , but they are more common
in the fall and winter or during rainy seasons .We spent
more inside when its cold and wet , which increases the
chances of the virus spreading.
Age
Children under age 6 are more likely to develop colds ,their
risk is even higher if they are in day care or a care child
care setting with other kids.
Con..
Weakened immune system
Having a long term illness or weakened immune system
increases the risk.
Exposure
Being in crowds , such as at school or on an
airplane ,increases the chance of getting cold.
Smoking
Smoking or being around secondhand smoke increases the
risk of catching a colds
Nursing management
Drinking warm fluids can help soften the throat
Hand washing [or use of alcohol based antibacterial
cleaning agents]
Get enough rest and put on warm clothes
For example staying indoors
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Stay hydrated as it helps loosen congestion and prevents
dehydration.
Rest because the body needs it to heal
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed
hands to prevent bacteria spreading as it may cause
infection.
Pharmacologycal treatment
Paracetamol
Indication of paracetamol
Fever
Contraindications
The patient hypersensitivity to paracetamol
Renal failure
Side effects of paracetamol
Tiredness
breathlessness
PHRYNGITIS
It is the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the
oropharynx. It is caused by an infection either bacterial
or viral.
Types of pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis- it is the sudden painful inflammation
of the pharynx, the back portion of throat that include
the posterior third of the tongue, soft palate and the
tonsils.it is commonly refered to as a sore throat.
Cont…..
Chronic pharyngitis- is a persistent inflammation of a
pharynx. It is common in adults who work in dusty
surroundings, use their voice to excess suffer from
chronic cough or habitually use of alcohol and tobacco .
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF
CHRONIC PHARYNGITIS
Hypertrophic ….characterized by general thickening
and congestion of the pharyngeal mucous membrane
Arophic….probably a last stage of the first type [the
membrane is thin glistening and at time wrinkled]
Chronic granular….characterized by numerous swollen
lymph follicle on the pharyngeal wall.
Signs and symptoms
Vomiting
Fatigue
Sense of irritation and fullness in throat
Mucus buildup which is expelled out by coughing
Nasal congestion
Fever
Sore throat
headache
CAUSES OF PHARYNGITIS
Streptococcus bacterium[strep throat]
Bacterial infection such as common cold and flu
Allergies
PREDISPOSING FACTORS OF PHARYNGITIS
Frequent sinus infection
Smoking
Cold season
Difficulty when swallowing
NURSING MANAGEMENT OF
PHARYNGITIS
Have plenty of warm fluid to restore fluid loss through
vomiting.
Patient should rest to reduce fatigue.
Avoidance of alcohol and tobacco as it can cause sore
throat.
Garling with warm saline solution may relieve throat
discomfort
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Avoid individuals who are sick to prevent cross
infection.
Wash hands often, especially before eating and after
coughing and sneezing to prevent bacteria from
infecting the body.
PHARMACOLOGICAL
TREATMENT
INDICATIONS OF AMOXILLIN
-Sinus
-pneumonia
Contraindications
A history of hypersensitivity to penicillin
SIDES EFFECTS
-diarrhoea
-nausea or vomiting
