Bacterial Infections of the Lung That Arise Secondary to Viral

Question

Bacterial infections of the lung that arise secondary to viral disease are attributable in part to
A) the high virulence of the bacterial pathogen.
B) viruses providing attachment receptors for the bacteria.
C) the host's phagocytes mutating.
D) an impaired mucociliary escalator due to dehydration of the host.
E) the low virulence of the viral disease.

Accepted Answer

Viral infections can damage the mucociliary escalator, which is responsible for clearing pathogens from the respiratory tract. This impairment can lead to secondary bacterial infections.