Adaptive Response Scenario 1 Jennifer is suffering from an acute upper respiratory tract infection which is most likely to be pharyngitis. It is caused by bacterial, viral and in rare cases fungal microbial agents. Group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus species are the most common causes of pharyngitis with viral agents such as Adenoviruses, Rhinoviruses and Coronaviruses also commonly implicated. Once inhaled, these pathogens upon breaching the various host barriers, invade the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. The toxins they release coupled with the pyrogens on the bacterial cell wall stimulate a local inflammatory response mediated by both humoral and cellular immunity. This results in various alterations of the mucosa that constitute signs of infection. The affected areas of the throat become inflamed leading to swelling and erythema informally called Strep throat. This is compounded by tonsilar inflammation also called tonsillitis characterized by enlarged tonsils that make it difficult and painful to swallow food and also produce difficulty in breathing. Involvement of the ear, acute otitis media, will see the tympanic membrane swell or bulge with distinctive re ...
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