CLINICAL | WINTER AILMENTS
A recap of LRTIs Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are any infections in the lungs or below the voice box. These include pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis.
L
RTIs CAN AFFECT the airways, such as with bronchitis, or the air sacs at the end of the airways, as in the case of pneumonia. LRTI is a broad terminology which includes acute bronchitis, pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease/chronic bronchitis (AECB), and acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis. Acute LRTIs (ALRTIs) are one of the common clinical problems in community and hospital settings. Management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and AECB may pose
challenges because of the difficulty in differentiating infections caused by typical and atypical microorganisms and rising rates of antimicrobial resistance. Beta-lactam antibiotics, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones are routinely prescribed medicines for the management of ALRTIs.
KEEPING SUPERHEROES STRONG
Providing clinical and bacteriological efficacy1 KLACID® IN ADULTS2-4
KLACID® IN CHILDREN2-4
Sinusitus
Acute otitis media
Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis and tonsillitis
Lower respiratory tract infections
Lower respiratory tract infections
Acute exacerbatations of chronic bronchitis caused by infectious bacteria
Skin and soft tissue infections due to S. Aureus
References: 1. Langtry HD, Brogden RN. Clarithromycin. A Review of its Efficacy in the Treatment of Respiratory Tract Infections in Immunocompetent Patients. Drugs 1997;53(6):973-1004. 2. KLACID® P125/P250 Granules for Oral Suspension package insert. 7 July 2006. 3. KLACID® XL Modified release tablets package insert. 1 December 2006. 4. KLACID® I.V. Lyophilised Powder for Injection package insert. 1 December 2006. S4 KLACID® P125 Granules for Suspension. Granules are supplied in 50 ml bottles. After suspension, each 5 ml of KLACID® P125 contains 125 mg clarithromycin. Reg. No.: 28/20.1.1/0035. Botswana: S2 Reg. No.: BOT9900333; Kenya: POM, Reg. No.: H98/208; Mauritius: Reg. No.: R4134/02/16; Namibia: NS2 Reg. No.: 04/20.1.1/1269; Uganda: POM, Reg. No: 2469/06/98; Zambia: Reg. No: 128/004; Zimbabwe: PP Reg. No.: 2000/7.2.5/3797. S4 KLACID® P250 Granules for Suspension. Granules are supplied in 50 or 100 ml bottles. After suspension, each 5 ml of KLACID® P250 contains 250 mg clarithromycin. Reg.No.: 29/20.1.1/0190. Botswana: S2 Reg.No.: BOT9900334; Kenya: POM, Reg.No.: H98/258; Mauritius: Reg.No.: R3362/02/16; Namibia: NS2 Reg.No.: 04/20.1.1/1270; Nigeria: POM, Reg.No.: 04-3449; Uganda: POM, Reg.No.: 2470/06/98; Zambia: Reg. No.: 128/005; Zimbabwe: PP, Reg. No.: 2000/7.2.5/3798. S4 KLACID® XL Modified release tablets. KLACID® XL is supplied in blister packs of 5 and 10 tablets. Each tablet contains 500 mg clarithromycin. RegNo.: 31/20.1.1/0379. Botswana: S2 Reg.No.: BOT0100451; Kenya: POM, Reg.No: H2001/0072; Malawi: Reg.No.: PMPB/PL147/13; Mauritius: Reg.No.: R3363/02/16; Namibia: NS2 Reg. No.: 04/20.1.1/1271; Nigeria: POM, Reg. No.: 04-4407; Sudan: Reg. No.: PL 00037/0275; Uganda. POM, Reg. No.: 5977/06/07; Zimbabwe: PP. Reg. No.: 98/7.2.5/3451. S4 KLACID® I.V. Lyophilised Powder for Injection. KLACID® I.V. Lyophilised Powder for Injection is supplied in clear glass vials with a capacity of 15 ml. Each vial contains 500 mg clarithromycin. Reg. No.: 28/20.1.1/0264. Kenya: POM, Reg. No.: H98/207; Mauritius: Reg. No.: R4133/02/14; Zimbabwe: PP, Reg. No.: 2001/7.2.5/3956. For Full Prescribing Information Refer to the Package Insert Approved by the Medicines Regulatory Authority. Date of Publication of this Promotional Material: March 2021. Promotional Material Reference Number: SAF2183028. Abbott Laboratories S.A. (Pty) Ltd, Reg. No: 1940/014043/07. Abbott Place, 219 Golf Club Terrace, Constantia Kloof, 1709. Tel: +27 11 858 2000.
22 April 2021 | MEDICAL CHRONICLE
Macrolide antibiotics are tried and tested, and effective agents for the treatment of LRTIs. Clarithromycin, a macrolide, offers several benefits in the management of ALRTIs. Risk factors that make a person more likely to develop a lower respiratory tract infection include: • A recent cold or flu • A weakened immune system • Being more than 65 years old • Being under five years old • Recent surgery. DIAGNOSIS A diagnosis is made during an exam and after discussing the symptoms the patient has and how long they have been present. Tests to help diagnose the problem include: • Pulse oximetry • Chest X-rays to check for pneumonia • Blood tests to check for bacteria and viruses • Mucus samples to look for bacteria and viruses. UPPER vs LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS LRTIs differ from upper respiratory tract infections by the area of the respiratory tract they affect. While lower respiratory tract infections involve the airways below the larynx, upper respiratory tract infections occur in the structures in the larynx or above. People who have LRTIs will experience coughing as the primary symptom. Patients with upper respiratory tract infections will feel the symptoms mainly above the neck, such as sneezing, headaches, and sore throats. They may also experience body aches, especially if they have a fever. Lower respiratory tract infections include: • Bronchitis • Pneumonia • Bronchiolitis • TB. Upper respiratory tract infections include: • Common colds • Sinus infections • Tonsillitis • Laryngitis. Flu infections can affect both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
References Mahashur A. Management of lower respiratory tract infection in outpatient settings: Focus on clarithromycin. Lung India 2018;35:143-9 Medical News Today. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Jenna Fletcher on February 11, 2019. Accessed 26 March 2021.
