Superinfections

Question 1

What is a superinfection?

Answer 1

Broad spectrum antibiotics are more likely to be associated with adverse reactions eg. Fungal infection or antibiotic associated colitis

• other problems associated with super infections include vaginitis and puritus

Question 4

Narrow spec antibiotics - all the others are broad spec
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Answer 4

• vancomycin
• telcoplanin
• penicillin G
• Clindamycin

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Question 5

Difference between sepsis and septicaemia?

Answer 5

Sepsis - a life threatening medical emergency that is the body’s reaction to severe infection
- affects the whole body

Septicaemia - infection of the blood, cause by bacteria, fungi or virus

Question 6

Sepsis symptoms

Answer 6

Shivering, fever, very cold
Extreme pain or general discomfort
Pale or discoloured skin
Sleepy,lethargic
I feel like i might die
Shortness of breath

Question 7

Signs of sepsis in children and babies

Answer 7

• very high temp: hot or cold to the touch
• no urine in 12 hours
• vomitting
• breathing fast
• non Blanche rash - like meningitis
• Blue/pale skin or lips
• Babies - high pitch cry and lethargic

Question 8

How do we treat sepsis

Answer 8

• Broad spectrum antibiotics at max recommended dose - ideally within an hour to reduce risk of severe illness or death for patients at risk
• normally parenteral benzylpenicllin in community setting and IV cefriaxone in hospital setting
• monitor patients at high risk - especially high resp rate regularly n no less than 30 mins

Question 9

Notifiable diseases- public health risk

Answer 9

• diseases where there could be a public health risk
• doctors must notify the proper officer, local authority, health protection unit
• eg. Anthrax, whooping cough, malaria, measles etc.