Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
(95 cards)
What is acute bronchitis?
Thickening of the bronchial walls due to infection
Often preceded by a common cold
What are the clinical features of acute bronchitis?
Productive cough Fever Normal chest examination Normal chest x ray Transient wheeze
How is acute bronchitis treated?
Usually viral and self limiting- paracetamol and fluids
Antibiotics are NOT needed in the majority of cases
When may antibiotics be needed to treat acute bronchitis
Patients with chronic lung disease- it can cause significant morbidity
What is the risk of fatal pneumonia?
5-10%
30% if bacteraemic
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Malaise, Annorexia, Sweats, Rigors, Myalgia, Arthralgia, Headache, Confusion, Cough, Pleurisy, Haemoptasis, Dysphonia, Abdominal pain, diarrhoea
What can preceed a pneumonia?
An upper RTI
A UTI
How can pneumonia cause abdominal pain?
Sitting on top of the diaphragm
What would you expect to find on examination in a pneumonia patient?
Fever, rigors, herpes labialis, tachypnoea, crackles, rub, bronchial breath sounds, cyanosis, hypotention
Why may you see cold sores in a pneumonia patient
Herpes labialis remains dormant in the body. With pneumonia the immune system will be diverted leading to a flare up of cold sores/ herpes simplex
What investigations are required if pneumonia is suspected?
Blood and sputum culture Viral throat swab CXR ABGs Serology and urine (legionella only) Full blood count Urea and liver function
What does CURB 65 score stand for?
C- new onset of CONFUSION U- UREA > 7 (kidney failure) R- RESP RATE >30 B- BLOOD PRESSURE <90 systolic of <61 diastolic 65- age 65 or older
What does a curb 65 score of 0-2 imply?
Moderate pneumonia
What does a curb 65 score of >2 imply?
Severe pneumonia- higher mortality risk
What are other markers of severity for pneumonia?
Temperature <35 or >40
Cyanosis PaO2 <8kPa
WBC <4 or >30
Multi lobar involvement
Which are the most resistant strains of baceria causing pneumonia?
Legionella nad Staph aureus
What is the most common cause of pneumonia
Strep pneumoniae
Pneumonia: young person.
Whats the cause?
Mycoplasma pneumonia- protracted paroxysmal cough
Pneumonia: CF patient.
Whats the cause?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pneumonia: PWID.
Whats the cause?
Staph aureus
Pneumonia: returned from spain.
Whats the cause?
Legionella pneumophilia
Pneumonia: COPD.
Whats the cause?
Haemophilus influenzae
Pneumonia: alcoholic.
Whats the cause?
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Pneumonia: bird keeper.
Whats the cause?
Chlamydia psittaci