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Definition
Recurrent respiratory infections refer to frequent occurrences of upper and lower respiratory tract infections within one year, exceeding the normal range. (The boundary between the upper and lower respiratory tracts is the cricoid cartilage)
Criteria
According to age, underlying causes, and different sites, recurrent respiratory infections are divided into recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. The latter can be further divided into recurrent tracheobronchitis and recurrent pneumonia. Specifying the infection site helps analyze the cause and take corresponding treatment measures. Emphasizing recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections, especially recurrent tracheobronchitis and recurrent pneumonia, is to distinguish between infectious inflammation and allergic inflammation.
Note: (1) The interval between two infections should be at least 7 days. (2) If the number of upper respiratory infections is insufficient, the number of upper and lower respiratory infections can be added together; the reverse is not possible. However, if the recurrent infections mainly involve the lower respiratory tract, it should be defined as recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. (3) The number of infections must be confirmed through continuous observation over one year. (4) Recurrent pneumonia refers to ≥2 episodes of pneumonia within one year, with pneumonia confirmed by lung signs and imaging. Lung signs and imaging changes of pneumonia must completely disappear between the two diagnoses.