Respiratory Infections Summary (Table Information Only)

Question 1

Signs and Symptoms of Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis) and Post- Streptococcal Sequelae

Answer 1

Sore, red throat, with pus and tiny
hemorrhages, enlargement and
tenderness of lymph nodes in the neck;
occasionally, rheumatic fever and
glomerulonephritis as sequela

Question 2

Incubation Period of Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis) and Post- Streptococcal Sequelae

Answer 2

2 to 5 days

Question 3

Causative agent of Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis) and Post- Streptococcal Sequelae

Answer 3

Streptococcus pyogenes, Lancefield group
A, Beta hemolytic streptococci

Question 4

Pathogenesis of Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis) and Post- Streptococcal Sequelae

Answer 4

Virulence associated with hyaluronic acid
capsule and M protein, both of which
inhibit phagocytosis; protein G binds Fc
segment of IgG; protein F allows bacteria
to attach to mucous membranes;
multiple enzymes damage tissue

Question 5

Epidemiology of Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis) and Post- Streptococcal Sequelae

Answer 5

Direct contact and droplet infection;
ingestion of contaminated food

Question 6

Treatment and prevention of Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis) and Post- Streptococcal Sequelae

Answer 6

Treatment: appropriate antibiotic.
Prevention: avoiding crowds; adequate
ventilation; daily penicillin to prevent
recurrent infection in those with a history
of rheumatic heart disease.

Question 7

Signs and Symptoms of Diphtheria

Answer 7

Sore throat, fever, fatigue, and malaise;
pseudomembrane forms on tonsils and
throat or in nose; paralysis, heart and
kidney failure

Question 8

Incubation period of Diphtheria

Answer 8

2 to 6 days

Question 9

Causative agent of Diphtheria

Answer 9

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, an A-B
toxin–producing, non-spore-forming
Gram-positive rod

Question 10

Pathogenesis of Diphtheria

Answer 10

Infection in upper respiratory tract;
exotoxin is released and absorbed by
bloodstream; toxin kills cells by
interfering with protein synthesis;
affects cells that have receptors for the
toxin—mainly heart, kidney, and nerve
tissue

Question 11

Epidemiology of Diphtheria

Answer 11

Inhalation of infectious droplets;
indirect contact with fomites

Question 12

Treatment and prevention of Diphtheria

Answer 12

Treatment: antitoxin; appropriate
antibiotic to prevent transmission.
Prevention: immunization of infants and
children with toxoid; boosters for
adults.

Question 13

Signs and Symptoms of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Answer 13

Cough, sudden chills and fever,
shortness of breath, chest pain,
cyanosis, rust-colored sputum from
blood

Question 14

Incubation period of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Answer 14

1 to 3 days

Question 15

Causative Agent of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Answer 15

Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus); encapsulated
strains

Question 16

Pathogenesis of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Answer 16

Inhalation of encapsulated
pneumococci; colonization of alveoli
triggers an inflammatory response;
fluid and inflammatory cells fill the
alveoli

Question 17

Epidemiology of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Answer 17

High carrier rates for S. pneumoniae.
Risk of pneumonia increases with
conditions such as alcoholism,
narcotic use, and viral infections that
impair the mucociliary escalator.
Other risk factors are chronic heart
or lung disease, diabetes, and canc

Question 18

Treatment and Prevention of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Answer 18

Treatment: antibiotics. Prevention:
PCV13: conjugate vaccine against 13
serotypes; PPSV23: polysaccharide
vaccine against 23 serotypes.

Question 19

Signs and Symptoms of Klebsiella Pneumonia

Answer 19

Cough, repeated chills, fever,
shortness of breath, chest pain,
cyanosis, bloody jelly-like sputu

Question 20

Incubation Period of Klebsiella Pneumonia

Answer 20

1 to 3 days

Question 21

Causative Agent of Klebsiella Pneumonia

Answer 21

Klebsiella pneumoniae,
encapsulated enterobacterium

Question 22

Pathogenesis of Klebsiella Pneumonia

Answer 22

Inhalation of colonized mucus
droplets from the throat.
Destruction of lung tissue and
abscess formation common;
infection spreads via blood to
other body tissues

Question 23

Epidemiology of Klebsiella Pneumonia

Answer 23

Klebsiella species and other
Gramnegative rods are common
causes of fatal healthcare-
associated pneumonias. Often
resistant to antibiotics

Question 24

Treatment and Prevention of Klebsiella Pneumonia

Answer 24

Treatment: a combination of
antibiotics; resistance is a
problem. Prevention: no vaccine
available.

Question 25

Signs and Symptoms of Mycoplasmal Pneumonia

Answer 25

Gradual onset of dry cough, fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle ache

Question 26

Incubation period of Mycoplasmal Pneumonia

Answer 26

2 to 3 weeks

Question 27

Causative agent of Mycoplasmal Pneumonia

Answer 27

Mycoplasma pneumoniae; lacks cell wall

Question 28

Pathogenesis of Mycoplasmal Pneumonia

Answer 28

Inhalation of infected droplets. Bacterial cells attach to receptors on respiratory epithelium; inhibition of ciliary motion and destruction of cells.

Question 29

Epidemiology of Mycoplasmal Pneumonia

Answer 29

Mild infections are common; infected people spread the disease

Question 30

Treatment and Prevention of Mycoplasmal Pneumonia

Answer 30

Treatment: antibiotics, excluding cell wall synthesis inhibitors. Prevention: no vaccine available; avoid crowding in schools and military facilities.

Question 31

Signs and symptoms of Pertussis

Answer 31

Characterized by three stages: catarrhal stage includes a runny nose, cough, and fever; paroxysmal stage consists of spasms of violent coughing, sometimes leading to vomiting and convulsions; convalescent stage is indicated by less frequent coughing as the person recovers

Question 32

Incubation period of Pertussis

Answer 32

1 to 2 weeks

Question 33

Causative Agent of Pertussis

Answer 33

Bordetella pertussis, a tiny Gram-negative rod

Question 34

Pathogenesis of Pertussis

Answer 34

Colonization of the surfaces of the upper respiratory tract; ciliary action slowed; toxins released by B. pertussis cause death of epithelial cells and increased cAMP; fever, excessive mucus output, and a rise in the number of lymphocytes result

Question 35

Epidemiology of Pertussis

Answer 35

Inhalation of infected droplets; older children and adults have mild symptoms.

Question 36

Treatment and Prevention of Pertussis

Answer 36

Treatment: certain antibiotics given before coughing spasms start. Prevention: acellular vaccine (DTaP) for immunization of infants and children; Tdap booster for adolescents and pregnant women

Question 37

Signs and symptoms of influenza

Answer 37

Fever, muscle aches, lack of energy, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough

Question 38

Incubation period of influenza

Answer 38

1 to 2 days

Question 39

Causative agent of influenza

Answer 39

Influenza virus, an enveloped single- stranded RNA virus with a segmented genome

Question 40

Pathogenesis of influenze

Answer 40

Infection of respiratory epithelium; cells destroyed and virus released to infect other cells. Secondary bacterial infection results from damaged mucociliary escalator.

Question 41

Epidemiology of influenza

Answer 41

Antigenic drift and antigenic shift prevent immunity

Answer 42

Treatment: antiviral medications somewhat effective for treatment when given early in the disease. Prevention: vaccines developed and given annually.