Respiratory System Diseases, 195-WHA

Respiratory disease, any of the diseases and disorders of the airways and the lungs that affect human respiration. Diseases of the respiratory system may affect any of the structures and organs that have to do with breathing, including the nasal cavities, the pharynx (or throat), the larynx, the trachea (or windpipe), the bronchi and bronchioles, the tissues of the lungs, and the respiratory muscles of the chest cage.
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Respiratory System Diseases Encyclopedia Articles By Title

1957 flu pandemic
1957 flu pandemic, outbreak of influenza that was first identified in February 1957 in East Asia and that subsequently......
1968 flu pandemic
1968 flu pandemic, global outbreak of influenza that originated in China in July 1968 and lasted until 1969–70.......
adenovirus infection
adenovirus infection, any of a group of illnesses caused by infection with an adenovirus. There are numerous different......
asbestosis
asbestosis, lung disease that is caused by the prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres. A type of pneumoconiosis,......
asphyxia
asphyxia, the failure or disturbance of the respiratory process brought about by the lack or insufficiency of oxygen......
asthma
asthma, a chronic disorder of the lungs in which inflamed airways are prone to constrict, causing episodes of wheezing,......
atelectasis
atelectasis, derived from the Greek words atelēs and ektasis, literally meaning “incomplete expansion” in reference......
bird flu
bird flu, a viral respiratory disease mainly of poultry and certain other bird species, including migratory waterbirds,......
black lung
black lung, respiratory disorder, a type of pneumoconiosis caused by repeated inhalation of coal dust over a period......
bronchiectasis
bronchiectasis, an abnormal expansion of the bronchial tubes in the lungs as a result of infection or obstruction.......
bronchitis
bronchitis, inflammation of all or part of the bronchial tree (the bronchi), through which air passes into the......
byssinosis
byssinosis, respiratory disorder caused by inhalation of an endotoxin produced by bacteria in the fibres of cotton.......
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), progressive respiratory disease characterized by the combination......
common cold
common cold, acute viral infection that starts in the upper respiratory tract, sometimes spreads to the lower respiratory......
cough
cough, an expulsive reflex initiated when the respiratory tract is irritated by infection, noxious fumes, dust,......
COVID-19
COVID-19, highly contagious respiratory illness, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 was first detected......
croup
croup, acute respiratory illness of young children characterized by a harsh cough, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing.......
drowning
drowning, suffocation by immersion in a liquid, usually water. Water closing over the victim’s mouth and nose cuts......
emphysema
emphysema, condition characterized by widespread destruction of the gas-exchanging tissues of the lungs, resulting......
exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage
exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, disease condition in horses in which blood appears in the airways during......
farmer’s lung
farmer’s lung, a pulmonary disorder that results from the development of hypersensitivity to inhaled dust from......
hemothorax
hemothorax, collection of a bloody fluid in the pleural cavity, between the membrane lining the thoracic cage and......
influenza
influenza, an acute viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract that is marked by fever, chills, and......
influenza pandemic (H1N1) of 2009
influenza pandemic (H1N1) of 2009, the first major influenza outbreak in the 21st century, noted for its rapid......
influenza pandemic of 1918–19
influenza pandemic of 1918–19, the most severe influenza outbreak of the 20th century and, in terms of total numbers......
Legionnaire disease
Legionnaire disease, form of pneumonia caused by the bacillus Legionella pneumophila. The name of the disease (and......
lung cancer
lung cancer, disease characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the lungs. Lung cancer was first described......
lung congestion
lung congestion, distention of blood vessels in the lungs and filling of the alveoli with blood as a result of......
lung infarction
lung infarction, death of one or more sections of lung tissue due to deprivation of an adequate blood supply. The......
MERS
MERS, acute viral respiratory illness that is characterized primarily by cough, fever, and shortness of breath......
mesothelioma
mesothelioma, tumour that arises from the sheet of cells known as the mesothelium, which lines body cavities and......
paragonimiasis
paragonimiasis, infection caused by parasitic trematodes of the genus Paragonimus. Infection most commonly is with......
pleural effusion
pleural effusion, accumulation of watery fluid in the pleural cavity, between the membrane lining the thoracic......
pleurisy
pleurisy, inflammation of the pleura, the membranes that line the thoracic cavity and fold in to cover the lungs.......
pneumoconiosis
pneumoconiosis, any of many lung diseases caused by the inhalation of a variety of organic or inorganic dusts or......
pneumonia
pneumonia, inflammation and consolidation of the lung tissue as a result of infection, inhalation of foreign particles,......
pneumothorax
pneumothorax, condition in which air accumulates in the pleural space, causing it to expand and thus compress the......
pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, respiratory disorder caused by the filling of large groups of alveoli with excessive......
pulmonary edema
pulmonary edema, buildup of excess fluid in the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs. Alveoli are the sites of oxygen......
pulmonary fibrosis
pulmonary fibrosis, end result of a variety of inflammatory diseases of the lungs in which dense fibrous connective......
pyothorax
pyothorax, presence of pus in the pleural cavity, between the membrane lining the thoracic cage and the membrane......
respiratory distress syndrome of newborns
respiratory distress syndrome of newborns, a common complication in infants, especially in premature newborns,......
SARS
SARS, highly contagious respiratory illness characterized by a persistent fever, headache, and bodily discomfort,......
silicosis
silicosis, a chronic disease of the lungs that is caused by the inhalation of silica dust over long periods of......
sleep apnea
sleep apnea, respiratory condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. The word apnea is derived......
suffocation
suffocation, the stoppage or impeding of respiration, as by strangulation, choking on food, or other exclusion......
swine flu
swine flu, a respiratory disease of pigs that is caused by an influenza virus. The first flu virus isolated from......
tracheitis
tracheitis, inflammation and infection of the trachea (windpipe). Most conditions that affect the trachea are bacterial......
tuberculosis
tuberculosis (TB), infectious disease that is caused by the tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In most......
What was the impact of COVID-19?
On February 25, 2020, a top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decided it was time to level......