RI is an infection but can be broken down to finer classes that all seem to fall under RI, viral infection, pneumonia fungal and bacterial, parasitic.
High humidity and low air flow can lead to RI and others the perfect bacteria breeding ground. Low humidity leads to bad sheds and excessively low for long periods (20% and lower) can cause lung issues although I have never seen any DMV state that low humidity causes RI at least in as far as my reading has gone anyway. Viral is serious and deadly and doesn't respond to treatment well. Fungal is often mistaken as bacterial, can be caused by high humidity and poor ventilation, it can be easily treated. Bacterial is pneumonia is similar but needs a different treatment. Parasitic is not RI at all but has similar symptoms.
Shedding issues unless severe are not life threatening just inconvenient.
ref, What's Wrong with My Snake? Dr. J Rossi
Understanding Reptile Parasites Dr. R Klingenberg
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