[Diagnostic Protocol and Empirical Treatment in Emergency Department of Respiratory Infections]

Acute respiratory infections (ARI), like pneumonia, are the second leading cause of years of live lost and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries (WHO). Statistical data show that ARI causes the 30% and 60% of pediatric consultations and represents the 20-40% of pediatric hospital admissions. They account for 63.8% of overall infections treated in emergency department of which, approximately, one quarter involve lower respiratory tract. The most frequent respiratory infections in emergencies, acute bronchitis, COPD flares, bronchiectasis and pneumonia, are analyzed in this protocol.