Respiratory syncytial virus (RS-virus)
RS-virus is short for respiratory syncytial virus which, in the winter months, is a common cause of acute bronchitis in small children. RS-virus can give severe symptoms in children less than six months old, while older children and adults merely ... [... more]
Net Doctor |
Ethylene glycol
Emits acrid smoke and irritating smoke when heated to decomposition May be directly irritating to the eyes causing them to immediately sting, burn and water; also irritant to respiratory tract Short-term exposure may initially result in central ... [... more]
Health Protection Agency |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
is a bacterium that causes acute respiratory illness ranging in severity from mild respiratory illness to severe pneumonia. Epidemics usually occur at intervals of about four years and last for about 12 to 15 months. The last epidemic began in ... [... more]
Health Protection Agency |
Adenovirus
Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that infect the membranes of the respiratory tract, the eyes, the intestines, and the urinary tract. There are several different types of adenovirus and different types cause different symptoms. Although ... [... more]
Health Protection Agency |
Croup
Croup is not a single illness but the term given to respiratory infections that cause a child to make a particular croup sound, like a harsh bark, when they cough or cry. Croup is inflammation and narrowing of the larynx and trachea (the main ... [... more]
BBC |
Chronic bronchitis, emphysema and COPD ('smoker's lung')
Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammatory condition in the lungs that causes the respiratory passages to be swollen and irritated, increases the mucus production and may damage the lungs. The symptoms are coughing and breathlessness, which ... [... more]
Net Doctor |
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a respiratory condition that most commonly affects babies less than two years old. This is because children have smaller airways, which can become more easily blocked by mucous. The condition is usually mild and can be treated at ... [... more]
NHS Direct |
Cold, common
A cold is an infection that affects the upper respiratory tract - the nose, throat, sinuses (small spaces in the skull behind the eyes and nose), trachea (the main airway that runs to the lungs), larynx (voice box) and bronchial tubes (the ... [... more]
NHS Direct |
Pneumococcal infections
Pneumococcal infections are caused by bacteria, and can lead to serious diseases such as pneumonia, blood poisoning (septicaemia), and meningitis. Pneumococci can be present in the respiratory tract without causing any problems. Although all age ... [... more]
NHS Direct |
SARS
SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS coronavirus, SARS CoV, coronavirus Severe acute respiratory syndrome, better known as SARS, is a serious respiratory illness thought to have originated in China. It has since been identified elsewhere ... [... more]
NHS Direct |
Acute bronchitis
Acute (ie recent onset) bronchitis is an inflammation of the lower respiratory passages (bronchi). The usual cause is an infection due to a virus. The viruses responsible for acute bronchitis include those that might otherwise only cause a cold, ... [... more]
Net Doctor |
Mycoplasma pneumonia
The micro-organism Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, though it is possible to be infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae without necessarily developing pneumonia. Anyone in contact with a secretion (such as phlegm) from the respiratory ... [... more]
Net Doctor |
