Final answer:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma, and chronic cases of sinusitis are long-term, noninfectious causes of serious respiratory illness, often worsened by factors such as air pollution and tobacco smoke.
Step-by-step explanation:
The long-term, noninfectious causes of respiratory illnesses that can be serious include:
- Asthma: A respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD): A lung disease characterized by chronic poor airflow, causing shortness of breath and a productive cough.
- Pneumonia: A common inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract where the alveoli become inflamed and filled with fluid, inhibiting gas exchange.