摘要
Respiratory disease is the term for diseases of the respiratory system. These diseases range from mild and self-limiting such as the common cold to life-threatening such as bacterial pneumonia or pulmonary embolism. They are common and important causes of illness and death. In the US, people suffer 1 billion colds per year. One out of 7 people in the UK are affected by some kinds of chronic lung diseases, most commonly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and asthma. Respiratory disease accounts for over 10% of hospitalizations and over 16% of deaths in Canada.
Respiratory disease is the term for diseases of the respiratory system. These diseases range from mild and self-limiting such as the common cold to life-threatening such as bacterial pneumonia or pulmonary embolism. They are common and important causes of illness and death. In the US, people suffer 1 billion colds per year. One out of 7 people in the UK are affected by some kinds of chronic lung diseases, most commonly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and asthma. Respiratory disease accounts for over 10% of hospitalizations and over 16% of deaths in Canada.
