Diseases of the Respiratory System Flashcards
(92 cards)
What viruses commonly cause coryza?
Rhinoviruses, coronaviruses and adenoviruses
What ear condition can be a complication of coryza?
Otitis media
In sinusitis, what is the treatment for someone who has had symptoms for 10 days or less?
Advise that acute sinusitis is usually caused by a virus it takes 2–3 weeks to resolve.
Symptoms, including fever, can be managed with self-care measures such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or fever. Some people may want to consider a trial of nasal saline or nasal decongestants (although evidence is lacking to support their use)
In sinusitis, what is the recommendation if a person has had symptoms for around 10 days or more with no improvement?
Consider prescribing a high-dose nasal corticosteroid for 14 days
Reserve antibiotics for severe/deteriorating cases of >10 days duration. 1st line = penicillin V
What severe complications can be caused by sinusitis?
Intraorbital or periorbital complications - periorbital oedema/cellulitis/displaced eyeball/double vision/ophthalmoplegia/newly reduced visual acuity
Intracranial complications - swelling over the frontal bone/meningitis/severe frontal headache/focal neurological signs.
How is rhinitis classed by type and by timeframe?
Type = allergic or non-allergic
Timeframe = seasonal/intermittent or perennial/persistent
What is the treatment for allergic rhinitis?
- Allergen avoidance
- Nasal irrigation with saline
Mild-to-moderate intermittent, or mild persistent symptoms = intranasal antihistamines (azelastine) or oral antihistamine (loratadine or cetirizine)
Moderate-to-severe persistent symptoms = regular intranasal corticosteroid (eg fluticasone propionate or beclomethasone)
What is the most common viral vs bacterial cause of pharyngitis?
Viral - endemic adenovirus
Bacterial - Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Beta Haemolytic Strep) aka strep throat
What are the complications associated with pharyngitis
hint - 1 ear, 2 throat, 1 skull
- Otitis media
- Peri-tonsillar abscess (quinsy)
- Parapharyngeal abscess
- Mastoiditis
What is acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup)
A viral or bacterial infection of the larynx and/or the trachea that causes swelling and airway obstruction
What causes acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup)
Commonly - viruses such as parainfluenza, influenza, measles, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Rarely - bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis
What is the treatment for acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup)
Oral dexamethasone (all) and oxygen support/nebulized adrenaline/fluids (if needed)
What age group is at risk of acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup)
6 months- 5 years
May rarely be seen in children as old as fifteen
What causes acute epiglottis?
H. influenzae
What is it critical NOT to do in acute epiglottitis
Inspect the epiglottis until the airway is patent
Which type of influenza causes pandemics and which type causes localised outbreaks?
Influenza A = pandemics
Influenza B = localised outbreaks
A “cold that goes to the chest” is the colloquial way of referring to what?
Acute bronchitis
What are the common causes of acute bronchitis?
Strep. pneumoniae/H. influenzae infections, or in people with COPD
What is the treatment of acute bronchitis?
NO antibiotics unless there is underlying chronic lung disease (amoxicillin)
What is the most common cause of pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae - 80% of cases
What organism commonly causes pneumonia in COPD patients?
Haemophilus influenzae
What organism commonly causes pneumonia following an influenza infection?
Staphlococcus aureus
What organism commonly causes pneumonia that presents with a dry cough and stypical CXR findings +/- autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and erythema multiforme?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
What organism commonly causes atypical pneumonia that often presents with hyponatraemia and lymphopenia
Legionella pneumophilia
