Ear, Nose, & Throat Infections Flashcards
What are the Centor Criteria used for?
The Centor Criteria are used to differentiate acute pharyngitis that is caused by Group A Streptococci from acute pharyngitis that is caused by a viral pathogen.
The Centor Criteria for Group A Streptococcus are the following:
1) Tonsilar Exudate
2) Tender cervical lymphadenopathy
3) History of fever
4) Absence of cough
A patient presenting with three of the four findings is likely to have diagnosis of acute pharyngitis caused by Group A Streptococcus.
What is the treatment for acute pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus)?
The treatment for acute pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) is either oral penicillin V or oral amoxicillin.
What are the two most common pathogenic organisms that cause otitis externa?
The two most common pathogenic organisms that cause otitis externa are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
What is infectious mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis is an acute, widespread infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus group. The disease is sometimes referred to colloquially as the “kissing disease” because of its mode of transmission from person to person.
Incidence: In the U.S., is most common in people between 15 and 25 years of age (high school- and college-age adolescents and young adults); beyond that age, most people are immune to EBV.
Causes: The virus is transmitted in saliva and infects the epithelial cells of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and salivary glands before spreading to lymphoid tissue (such as lymph nodes, spleen, liver) via infected B lymphocytes. The incubation period is 30 to 45 days.
Symptoms: Infectious mononucleosis typically causes a sudden or gradual onset (7 to 14 days) of flulike symptoms. Findings include enlarged, tender cervical lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), exudative tonsillitis, possible splenic enlargement and tenderness, and an enlarged spleen. Leukocytosis with atypical lymphocytes is present on blood smears. A maculopapular rash may be present early on. The infection usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Rarely, infectious mononucleosis is complicated by hemolytic anemia, enlargement of the liver, jaundice, meningoencephalitis, or pneumonitis. In Africa, latent EBV infection may be associated with the development of Burkittlymphoma. DIAGNOSIS: The disease is suggested in people between the ages of 10 and 30 who have pharyngitis, fatigue, petechiae on the palate, posterior cervical, auricular, inguinal, or widespread adenopathy; atypical lymphocytosis 20% or 10% with 50% lymphocyte count; /- a heterophile Ab test. Monospot testing. Antibodies to viral capsid antibody of EBV (IgM, followed weeks later by IgG) can be used to determine the presence of acute infection. Differential diagnoses include bacterial meningitis, cytomegalovirus infection, cat scratch disease, allergic reactions to drugs (such as sulfa or phenytoin), German measles, strep throat, Toxoplasma gondii infection, and the acute onset of infection with HIV/AIDS.
Treatment: There is no specific therapy for infectious mononucleosis; NSAIDs are used to treat fever, headache, sore throat, and myalgias. Corticosteroids may be used for complications (respiratory compromise secondary to severe pharyngeal swelling). Antiviral agents are used in severe disease. Full recovery is usual, after a period of convalescence lasting weeks or months.
Impact on Health: Fatigue, muscle pains, and an increased need for sleep may persist for several months after the acute infection improves. From 2% to 4% of teenagers who recover from mono report persistent fatigue two years after the diagnosis
What is leukoplakia?
What is oral hairy leukoplakia?
Leukioplakia is the formation of white spots or patches on the mucous membrane of the tongue or cheek. The spots are smooth, irregular in size and shape, hard, and occasionally fissured. The lesions may become malignant.
Oral hairy leukoplakia is leukoplakia of the tongue. It is typically found in immunocompromised patients as a result of Epstein-Barr virus infection.
