URTI's Flashcards
What are the common viral causes of URTI’s?
Adenovirus, IAV, IBV, PIV1, PIV3, RSV and rhinovirus.
What are the common bacterial causes of URTI’s?
Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Mycoplasma, S.aureus, Strep: beta-haemolytic pyogenes and non-haemolytic pneumoniae.
What is rhinitis?
An inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the nose. Common to many illnesses.
What is otitis media?
Inflammation of the inner ear canal. It should be shiny and translucent, in OM it is red and bulging. Usually self-limiting as the drum will rupture spontaneously. Viral or bacterial (Hi or pneumococcus). Don’t give augmentin.
How is tonsillitis/pharyngitis treated?
Either no treatment or 10 days penicillin.
Why is amoxicillin not used to treat tonsillitis/pharyngitis?
If they have EBV they will come out in a rash.
Compare croup and epiglottitis.
CROUP: PIV1, common, runny nose, stridor, barking cough, treated with oral dexamethasone. EPIGLOTTITIS: HiB, rare, stridor, drooling, treated by intubation and antibiotics.
How are URTI’s spread?
Droplet transmission by inhalation of respiratory droplets.
Name 3 barriers against viruses and bacteria.
Hair in nose, mucous and cillia.
Name 2 immune defenses in the upper airway.
Adenoids and tonsils.
How do bacteria and viruses invade?
Produce toxins, change shape, change structural proteins (change in antigenicity), produce adhesion factors etc.
Name 7 common causes of URTI’s and their incubation periods.
Rhinoviruses (common cold) 1-5 days; group A strep (strep throat) 1-5 days; I & PIV’s 1-4 days; RSV 7 days; pertussis (whooping cough) 7-21 days; diptheria 1-10 days; EBV (infectious mono) 4-6 weeks.
What is rhinorrhea?
Runny nose - profuse nasal discharge is most likely viral.
When should you see a doctor about an URTI?
Symptoms > 2 weeks and getting worse/more severe. Hospitalisation if: dehydration, hypoxia, confusion,
What should not be used on examination if epiglotittis is suspected?
Use a tongue depressor as this can provoke airway spasm.
