Upper Respiratory tract infection Flashcards
(24 cards)
give some examples of URTIs?
rhinitis tonsilitis otitis media pharyngitis laryngitis epiglottitis
are the infectious agents of viral URTIs usually commensal?
no
give examples of the few viruses that can be commensal
HSV
EBV
what are the viral infective agents of URTIs?
adenovirus influenza A and B Para'flu I, II RSV (respiratory cyncitial virus) Rhinovirus
what are the bacterial infective agents of URTIs?
H influenzae M catarrhalis Mycoplasma S aureua Streptococci B haemolytic - S pyogenes alpha haemolytic- S pneumoniae
when considering the natural history of a URTI what three questions are important to consider?
is the patient past their worst?
is the patient at their worst?
is the patient going to get worse?
what is the most important thing to do to discover what stage in the natural history a URTI is at?
reviewing the patient, best way to do this is to ask the parent to review child and seek help if symptoms worsen
what is rhinitis?
common cold
does rhinitis require treatment?
it is self-limiting so often no
what is rhinitis a prodrome to?
pneumonia
meningitis
septicaemia
what is the observation when looking in a patient’s ear who has otitis media?
erythema- redness caused by increased blood flow
bulging drum
should otitis media be treated?
it is self limiting so no antibiotics should be given as side affects are common. instead an analgesic should be given to relieve pain.
what is the aetiology of otitis media?
primary viral infection. followed by a becterial infection
what can be be the problem with treating tonsillitis/pharyngitis ?
it is hard to determine whether it is viral or bacterial
how can you tell whether tonsillitis/pharyngitis is bacterial/viral?
throat swab
what is the treatment for tonsillitis/ pharyngitis?
either nothing for viral or 10 days penicillin for becterial
why must amoxycillin not be given to suspected tonsillitis/pharyngitis patients?
if it is glandular fever then it will cause a reaction which will cause a rash
why is it very important to recognise the difference between croup and epiglottitis?
in children epiglottitis can be fatal
which virus causes croup?
parainfluenza virus I
which bacteria causes epiglottitis?
haemophilis influenzae type B
what are the symptoms of croup?
- severe coryza (inflammation of mucous membranes causing large amount of mucous production)
- stridor
- hoarse voice
- “barking” cough
what are the symptoms of epiglottitis?
stridor, drooling, pyrexia, blood pressure down, septic, painful swallowing, greater comfort when sitting up or leaning forward
what is the treatment for croup?
oral dexamethasone , antinflammatory corticosteroid.
what is the treatment of epiglottitis?
intubation and antibiotics
