LRTIs Flashcards
Duration of an acute cough vs subacute?
Acute = less than 3 weeks Subacute = 3-8 weeks
Name some referral points for a cough
Haemoptysis (coughing up blood) Smoker with a new / altered cough Fever Weight loss Etc
Natural remedy for acute cough?
Honey. Shown to have benefit in studies with children
Name a few management strategies for chronic coughs
- quit smoking
- identify and avoid trigger (e.g. polluted areas, cold air)
- treat underlying conditions (e.g. GORD or OSA)
- learn breathing techniques to promote sputum clearance
Define bronchitis
Inflammation of one or more bronchi
Is bronchitis more likely to be viral or bacterial?
Viral
Sx of bronchitis?
Cough, wheezing, rattling when breathing, low fever
Define pneumonia
Inflammation of the alveoli
Define pulmonary consolidation
Opaque patches on a chest x-ray due to alveoli filling with exudate, bacteria and white cells
Other than CAP and HAP, name 1 type of pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia
Name a few risk factors for developing pneumonia
Age, smoking, immunosuppression, other respiratory conditions, PPI use, etc
Differentiating symptoms between bronchitis and pneumonia?
Pneumonia is more likely to have a fever and chest pain
Why is oxygen saturation low in pneumonia?
Reduced function of alveoli = less gas exchange
Abbreviation used to assess the severity of CAP?
SMART COP
Mild CAP Tx + duration?
Amoxicillin 1g tds for 5-7 days
*if it’s the typical organism = s. pneumoniae
