Wk 14: Respiratory OTC 1 (cold + flu) Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the cause of colds + when is it most contagious?
- Rhinovirus
- 2-3 days
What are the symptoms of colds?
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Ear ache: acutely painful (refer)
What is the cause of flus?
RNA virus (orthomyxoviridae)
- A: frequent + epidemics
- B: co-circulates w/ A yearly
- C: mild/asymptomatic infections
What are the symptoms of flus?
- Rapid onset
- Weakness + fatigue
- Fever
What are the complications of flus?
- Acute bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Exacerbation of asthma/COPD
- Otitis media
- Sinusitis
- Pregnancy: smaller neonatal size, low birth weight, prematurity
What is the treatment for fever/chills/headaches + muscle aches?
Paracetamol - can add aspirin/ibuprofen
What is the treatment for a sore throat?
- Anaesthetics: benzocaine spray/lozenges
- Antiseptic: chlorhexidine
- Demulcents: glycerin lemon + honey
- Analgesic: aspirin gargle
- Anti-inflammatory: benzydamine
What is the treatment for congestion?
- Nasal wash
- Decongestants: constrict blood vessels in nasal mucosa
What are examples of oral decongestants?
- Ephedrine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Phenylephrine
What are examples of topical decongestants?
- Ephedrine
- Oxymetazoline
- Xylometazoline
What are the side effects of decongestants?
- Rebound congestion (topical)
- CNS stim: don’t take at night (oral)
What are the CI of decongestants?
- HPT/heart disease: stims heart + inc BP
- Diabetes: inc blood glucose
- Hyperthyroidism
What are the interactions of decongestants?
- MAOIs
- Bblockers
What are the legal requirements of pseudoephedrine/ephedrine?
- Max 720mg packs
- 1 pack per person
What is the treatment for inability to sleep?
Antihistamines - promethazine/diphenhydramine:
- Anticholinergic
- Red rhinorrhea + sneezing
- Don’t red nasal congestion
What are the side effects + interactions of antihistamines?
- S/E: Drowsiness + anticholinergic
- Interactions: alcohol (inc sedative)
What are the CI of antihistamines?
- Severe respiratory disease
- Closed angle glaucoma
- Prostatic hypertrophy
- Epilepsy
- Liver disease
What does the MHRA recommend when using OTC preparations to treat children for Colds + flu?
Not for under 6
In accordance to MHRA, are children allowed codeine?
- Not for < 12: risk of respiratory s/e
- Not recommended 12-18 w/ breathing problems
What are the counselling points for children with a cold/flu?
- Paracetamol
- Fluids
- Rest
- Sleep on side
When would you refer children?
- Noisy breathing/wheezing
- Croup/whooping cough
- Ear tugging
- Persistent high temp
- Persistent nocturnal cough
When would you refer adults?
- Asthmatic
- Coloured mucus
- Dyspnoea/chest pain
- Flu in elderly
- Cardiac/lung disease
What can be prescribed for influenza in at risk groups?
Antivirals: oral oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir
What are the counselling points when treating a patient w/ a cold/flu?
- Fluids
- Rest
- Hand hygiene
- Vit C
- Salt water nasal cleaning
- Avoid over treatment
- Caution w/ sedative antihistamine
- Improvement after 1 wk
