URI - Sore Throat, Earache, and Upper Respiratory Symptoms Flashcards
(133 cards)
What is the most common reasons for visit to primary care providers?
Infection of the upper respiratory tract (URIs)
URI =
upper respiratory tract
How are the URIs usually classified?
Mild
What is the leading cause of time lost from work or school?
URIs
What is the the leading diagnoses for which antibiotics are prescribed on an outpatient basis?
URIs are the leading diagnoses for which antibiotics are prescribed on an outpatient basis
-> it has contributed to the rise in antibiotic resistance among community aquired pathogens (i.e. S. pneumoniae)
What is the percentage of the URIs that are cause by bacteria?
A minority (~25%) of cases are caused by bacteria
What are most URIs caused by?
viruses
- Distinguishing patients with primary viral infection from those with primary bacterial infection is difficult
- Signs and symptoms of bacterial and viral URIs are typically indistinguishable.
How are acute infections usually diagnosed?
acute infections are usually diagnosed on clinical grounds
Nonspecific infections of the upper respiratory tract?
- broadly defined group of disorders that constitutes the leading cause of ambulatory visit
- no prominent localizing featrures
- specific diagnostic tests are generally unnecessary
Nonspecific infections of the upper respiratory tract has other names including:
- acute infective rhinitis
- acute rhinopharyngitis
- common cold
nearly all URIs are caused by…..
- viruses spanning multiple virus families
What is the most common cause of URI?
The most common cause (30%-40%) of URI is Rhinovirus which has at least 100 immunotypes
What are other causes of URI:
- influenza virus (3 types)
- parainfluenza virus (4 types)
- adenovirus (47 types)
- RSV
- Enterovirus
Where are the Nonspecific infections of the upper respiratory tract localized?
lack of localization in one particular anatomical area, such as the sinuses, pharynx, lower airway
For how long does the Nonspecific infections of the upper respiratory tract last?
it is usually self-limited catarrhal syndrome with a median duration of 7 days (range 1-10 days)
The same viruses -
variety of signs and symptoms
What are the principal signs of Nonspecific infections of the upper respiratory tract?
- rhonrrhea (+/- purulence)
- nasal congestion
- cough
- sore throat
What are the other manifestation Nonspecific infections of the upper respiratory tract?
- fever
- malaise
- sneezing
- lymphadenopathy
- hoarseness
- fever (more common among the children)
What are the finding of Nonspecific infections of the upper respiratory tract on physical examination?
nonspecific
0.5-2% of colds are complicated by…..
secondary bacterial infection
Purulent secretions from the nares or throat are (without other clinical findings)…..
often misinterpreted as an indication of bacterial sinusitis or pharyngitis
Nonspecific infections of the upper respiratory tract - treatment:
- DO NOT USE ANTIBIOTICS!
- Symptomized treatment
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen), decongestants
- Zink, vitamin C, echinacea - no consistent benefit in the treatment of nonspecific URI
Rhinosinusitis -
Inflammatory condition involving the nasal sinuses (often more than 1)
Which sinus is the most commonly involved in infections of the sinus?
maxilary