The respiratory tract includes the nasopharynx, trachea, and bronchi. The nasopharynx is usually referred to as the upper respiratory tract, and the trachea and bronchi are the lower respiratory tract.
Upper respiratory tract infection is one of the most common diseases of the respiratory system, including infections of the nose, pharynx, and larynx. However, the clinical manifestations of infection in different parts of the upper respiratory tract are not the same. According to the characteristics of clinical manifestations, it is divided into: common cold type, influenza type, herpetic angina type, pharyngitis type, and pharyngoconjunctival fever type.
Lower respiratory tract infection refers to the infection of the parts below the cricoid cartilage, trachea, bronchi and lungs, including tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. Common pathogens include viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, chlamydia, Legionella and other microorganisms. The main manifestations of this disease are fever, cough, and expectoration, which may be accompanied by chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients should seek medical treatment in time to avoid the spread of infection, causing sepsis, septic shock and other diseases, threatening life and health.