Behavior of acute respiratory infections in a medical office

Abstract

Introduction: acute respiratory infections are a group of diseases of the respiratory tract caused by viral, bacterial, mycotic and parasitic microorganisms, with a period of less than 15 days. Objective: to characterize the behavior of acute respiratory infections in a medical office. Method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out at No. 17 medical clinic at Hermanos Cruz University Polyclinic in Pinar del Río, between January and May of 2018. The sample consisted of 92 patients who met the criteria of inclusion and exclusion. Data were obtained from primary and secondary sources of information collection. To process these data, theoretical, empirical and statistical methods were used. The principles of medical ethical were observed. Results: female patients predominated (61,0 %), age group 0 to 9 years (31,5 %), smoking as the main risk factor associated (14,1 %), cough and sputum (88,0 %) and fever (85,9 %) as the most common symptoms; acute bronchitis (30,4 %) and common cold (26,1 %) were the most frequent types of ARI. Conclusions: acute respiratory infections is considered an important problem for public health, because they are the most common diseases present in both, children and adults, the early diagnosis based on knowledge of their symptoms and detection of risk factors, reduce complications and mortality.

Keywords

• infecciones del sistema respiratorio
• factores de riesgo
• bronquitis