EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), particularly lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), are leading causes of death and disability worldwide, especially among children under five. Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children present a significant healthcare burden, with associated clinical consequences and substantial costs. Over the past few decades, the declining efficacy of standard antimicrobial drugs, coupled with the slow development of new antibiotics, has made managing pediatric respiratory infections more challenging and underscored the need for alternative therapies. In this review, we discuss the burden of pediatric respiratory infectious diseases, types of respiratory infections and their etiology, and recent findings on the role of the microbiome. We also examine advancements and ongoing challenges in managing these infections, with a focus on alternative approaches for prevention and treatment of respiratory infections in children and adolescents.

 Keywords: Bacteria; Viruses; Pneumonia; Nosocomial Infection; Antimicrobial Resistance; Phage Therapy

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