Question

1)Sultana indicated that the baby “catch cold and we took him to the emergency.” She was referring to what is known as the “common cold.” What causes the “common cold”? What are its symptoms? How is it usually treated? Is the underlying cause of the illness treated or are only its symptoms treated?

2)The “common cold” and influenza (flu) are different. What causes influenza? What are its symptoms and how is it generally treated?

3)What is pneumonia? What causes it? What is its relationship to influenza and the common cold?

4)Explain how azithromycin works to treat pneumonia without harming us. In other words, explain the mode of action of azithromycin and the reason for its selective toxicity.

Answer 1

1.Common cold is a upper respiratory tract disease and can be caused by different types of viruses.Rhinovirus is a common virus which cause common cold.

Common cold is transmitted by direct contact with secretion or air borne droplets.

Signs and symptoms of common cold is;

1.Running nose

2.Sneezing

3.sore throat

4.cough.

5.Low grade fever

6.body aches

Common cold is a self limited disease and patient will recover within one week.Over the counter medication is used to treat cold.No antibiotics is needed to treat the cold.In common cold only the symptoms are treated .

2.Flu is a viral infection and is caused by influenza virus.There are 4 types of influenza virus and they are type A,type B type C and D.Type A and B influenza virus cause seasonal flu in winter season.

Common cold develops slowly while flu develops suddenly.The symptoms of Flu are;

1.High grade fever

2.Body pain

3.Runny nose

4.Triedness

5.sore throat

6.Vomiting and diarrhea

7.headache

For the treatment of flu antiviral drugs like Tamiflu,zanamivir is used . Antiviral drugs reduce the symptoms and prevent complications like pneumoniaAntiviral drugs should be taken within 48 hours of onset of symptoms .Decongestants are used for nasal congestion.

3.The inflammation of one or both lungs is called pneumonia.It affects the small air sacs of the lungs and fluid or pus fills those air sacs.Patient will have cough with phlegm , fever and difficulty in breathing.Bacteria ,virus or fungi can cause pneumonia.

Untreated Flu or common cold can develop secondary bacterial infection and cause pneumonia.

4.Azithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat pneumonia.It is a macrolide antibiotics and inhibit the ribosomal synthesis of bacteria.It is a broad spectrum antibiotics and acts against Gram Positive and gram negative bacteria.

Selective toxicity of azithromycin means it is effective against microbes but no toxicity to humans.Azithromycin have high therapeutic index .