Canadian Respiratory Tract Infections

CHE Module Index

Module 1: Acute Bacterial Sinusitis Module 1: Acute Bacterial Sinusitis

By Dr. Anthony Chow and Dr. Alan Kaplan
Acute bacterial sinusitis is defined as an inflammation of the mucosal lining of the paranasal sinuses with symptoms lasting up to 4 weeks. It is also commonly referred to as acute bacterial "rhinosinusitis" (ABRS) since the nasal mucosa is contiguous with that of the paranasal sinuses and any inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is almost always accompanied by inflammation of the nasal cavity.

CHE Credits
1 Mainpro-M1

Module 2: Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Module 2: Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

By Dr. Meyer Balter
Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are the most frequent cause of medical visits, hospitalization, and death among patients with COPD. AECOPD should be considered as a "Lung Attack" given very high in-hospital mortality and poor one year survival, and a key goal of COPD management should be prevention of AECOPD.

CHE Credits
1 Mainpro-M1

Module 3: Community-Acquired Pneumonia Module 3: Community-Acquired Pneumonia

By Dr. Lionel Mandell
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a relatively common and potentially serious illness that is associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in elderly patients and patients with significant comorbidities.

CHE Credits
1 Mainpro-M1

Module 4: Tonsillitis and Pharyngitis Module 4: Tonsillitis and Pharyngitis

By Dr. Marc Lebel
Sore throat is an extremely common presenting symptom in children and adults. The majority of cases of pharyngitis are caused by viruses, and Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is the most commonly encountered bacterial pathogen in pharyngitis.

CHE Credits
1 Mainpro-M1

Module 5: Acute Otitis Media Module 5: Acute Otitis Media

By Dr. Earl Rubin
Acute otitis media (AOM) is defined as the presence of inflammation in the middle ear accompanied by the rapid onset of signs and symptoms of an ear infection. AOM is extremely common in children – 75% of children have at least one episode by one year of age. The most important risk factors for AOM are young age and daycare attendance. Other risk factors include orofacial abnormalities, household crowding, exposure to cigarette smoke, premature birth, not being breastfed, immunodeficiency and a positive family history of OM.

CHE Credits
1 Mainpro-M1

Module 6: Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and Pneumococcal Immunization Module 6: Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and Pneumococcal Immunization

By Dr. Ethan Rubinstein and Dr. Karl Weiss
Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is an acute bacterial disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. IPD, like most infections, disproportionately affects the very young and the very old. The overall incidence of IPD has declined following the introduction of pneumococcal vaccines in children, beginning in 2000. However, IPD continues to effect considerable burden of illness for older adults and those with chronic underlying conditions.

CHE Credits
1 Mainpro-M1

Module 7: Bacterial Resistance Module 7: Bacterial Resistance

By Dr. George Zhanel
Respiratory infections are the number one reason for office visits to physicians and account for a total of 165 million visits. Respiratory infections include both viral and bacterial infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media and tonsillitis/pharyngitis. Streptococcus pneumonia is the most common cause of community acquired RTI, and increasing resistance to antimicrobials in S. pneumoniae is limiting treatment options.

CHE Credits
1 Mainpro-M1