lower respiratory infection
Definition
- Noun:
- Infection of the lower respiratory tract: A medical condition involving inflammation or infection in the parts of the respiratory system below the larynx (voice box), primarily the trachea (windpipe), bronchi, and lungs.
Usage
- This term is used in medical and clinical contexts to describe a category of illnesses affecting the lungs and airways.
- It is often contrasted with "upper respiratory infection," which affects the nose, sinuses, and throat.
Examples
- Noun:
- Pneumonia and acute bronchitis are common types of lower respiratory infection.
- The doctor diagnosed the patient with a severe lower respiratory infection requiring hospitalization.
Advanced Usage
- The term is frequently used in public health statistics and epidemiological reports.
- Lower respiratory infections are a leading cause of mortality in young children globally.
Variants and Related Words
- Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI): A synonymous full form of the term.
- Pneumonia: A specific type of lower respiratory infection where the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed.
- Bronchitis: Inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, a type of lower respiratory infection.
- Bronchiolitis: Inflammation of the smaller airways (bronchioles), common in infants.
Synonyms
- Chest infection: A less formal, broadly synonymous term.
- Lung infection: A general term that can be synonymous, though it may specifically refer to infections of the lung tissue itself (e.g., pneumonia).
Related Phrases
- Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI): A phrase used to specify infections of sudden onset and typically short duration.
Noun
-
infection of the lower respiratory tract
