Upper respiratory tract infections Flashcards
name three bacteria that cause upper respiratory tract infections
Bordetella pertusis
Corynebacterium diptheria
Haemophilus influenza
what disease is associated with bordetella pertusis?
whooping cough
is bordetella pertusis gram +ve or -ve?
gram -ve streptococci
who are at risk of bordetella pertusis (whooping cough)
<2yrs but can also be seen in young adult <15yrs
how does whooping cough present (bordetella pertusis)
a severe, long lasting cough (100days) that can be so severe it causes vomiting
what is the treatment for whooping cough (bordetella pertusis)
antibiotic erythromycin
how is whooping cough (bordetella pertusis) controlled
vaccination
is corynebacterium diptheria gram +ve or -ve?
gram +ve bacilli
what are the distinctive characteristics of corynebacterium diptheria?
bulbous neck (acute inflammation), pseudomembrane (tissue build up)
how does corynebacterium diptheria cause death?
airway obstruction due to acute inflammation and formation of pseudo-membrane (tissue build up), it also produces toxins can effect the heart
what is the treatments for corynebacterium diptheria?
- Inoculation with diptheria antitoxin
- Penicillin or erythromycin if penicillin allergy
how is corynebacterium diptheria controlled?
vaccination
is haemophilus influenza gram +ve or -ve?
gram -ve
how is haemophilus influenza adapted to be more contagious?
Small therefore spread further when you cough through droplets
who are at risk of haemophilus influenza
<2yrs
elderly especially those with COPD
