Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
What are the common viral agents for upper respiratory tract infections?
Adenovirus Influenza A, B Para'flu 1, 111 RSV Rhinovirus
What are the bacterial infective agents common for bacterial infective agents?
H influenzae M catarrhalis Mycoplasma S aureus Streptococci B haemolytic, S pyogenes Non haemolytic, S pneumoniae
What is croup?
Inflammation of the larynx and trachea in children, associated with infection and causing breathing difficulties.
What are some of the most common URTI’s?
Otitis media
Acute tonsilitis
Croup
When is Rhinitis comon?
Winter months
What can Rhinitis prodrome to?
Pneumonia, bronchiolitis
Meningitis
Septicaemia
What is Otitis media?
Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) and a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum.
What is clinically significant about Otitis Media?
Common, self limiting
Primary Viral infection
Secondary infection with Pneumococcus / Haemophilous influenzae
Causes spontaneous rupture of ear drum
Antibiotic treatment doesn’t usually help
What are the side effects of augmentin?
High rates of Diarrhoea
Nappy Rash
What are the deferred treatment benefits?
Fewer patients treated
Fewer side effects
What is the problem with prescribing antibiotics for URTI?
Antibiotics may work, but take 2/3 days to work
Side effects are bad
End point is the same for treatment vs no treatment
What is the dilemma for treating tonsillitis and pharyngitis?
Viral or bacterial?
Microbiology tests to confirm the microorganism take a long time
DON’T GIVE AMOXYCILLIN
Either do nothing or prescribe 10 days penicilin
What causes croup?
Para’flu 1
How common is croup?
Common
How do you treat croup?
Oral dexamethasone
