[Respiratory infections in Emergencies]

Respiratory infections account for 63.8% of infections met. Of which a quarter are lower respiratory tract: acute bronchitis, exacerbation of COPD or bronchiectasis and pneumonia. Acute bronchitis usually of viral etiology and in immunocompetent patients without comorbidity treatment is symptomatic with analgesics and anti-inflammatories. The main cause of exacerbation of COPD is the respiratory infection. The indication of empirical antibiotic choice and it is based on clinical criteria, the severity of the underlying disease, the severity of the exacerbation and the presence of risk factors for infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of death by infection. The use of prognostic severity scales (PSI or CURB-65) is recommended for deciding where treatment is started, the tests to be performed for the etiological diagnosis and the recommended empirical antibiotic therapy. Patients with Healthcare Associated Pneumonia (HCAP) and nosocomial pneumonia (NP) have a higher risk of infection by multiresistant microorganisms (MMR) and increased morbidity and mortality. It requires specific empirical treatment depending on the severity of disease and risk factors for infection MMR.