16. Infectious Diseases - Pathologies Flashcards
What are systemic symptoms of infectious diseases?
Fever*
Fatigue
Headache
Nausea
*one of the biggest indicators of infection
What are local signs of infectious diseases?
Pain
Swelling
Redness
Warmth
Purulent exudate
What is a possible complication of an infection?
Sepsis (septicaemia)
What is sepsis?
When a pathogen infects the blood
What can sepsis lead to?
Body’s own response causing organ injury
Multi-organ failure
Who is more at risk of developing sepsis?
Immuno-compromised:
* Over 75s
* <1 yrs
* Alcoholics
* Diabetics
* Chemo patients
* Those on steroid treatment
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
Lethargy
Nausea/vomiting
Abdominal pain
Diarrhoea
Coughing
How can infectious diseases be tested?
Culture/staining
Blood tests
Stool tests
Radiography
What can blood tests for infection detect?
Leukocytosis: sign of bacterial infection
Leukopenia: sign of viral infection
High ESR*: marker of infection, influenced by inflammation
*erythrocyte sedimentation rate
What is leukocytosis?
High leukocyte count
What is leukopenia?
Low leukocyte count
Cellulitis: definition
Bacterial infection of the skin creating inflammation of dermal/subcutaneous layers
Erysipelas: definition
Bacterial infection of the skin creating inflammation of dermis/upper subcutaneous layer
More superficial than cellulitis
Well defined edge
Cellulitis/Erysipelas: aetiology
Bacterial - Staphylococcus aureus Infections can enter the skin through minor trauma, eczema (itching), IV drug abuse, ulcers (from diabetes)
Streptococci bacteria in subject’s own nasal passages
Cellulitis/Erysipelas: signs and symptoms
Very red, inflamed skin
Cellulitis: mainly limbs
Erysipelas: face and limbs
Fever, malaise
Cellulitis/Erysipelas: diagnostics
Microbe analysis
Clinical presentation
Cellulitis/Erysipelas: allopathic treatment
Antibiotics
oral/intravenous
Impetigo: definition
Very contagious bacterial skin infection
Common in infants/young adults
Impetigo: aetiology
Staphylococcus aureus
Haemolytic streptococci
Poor hygiene
Impetigo: signs and symptoms
Pustules with round, oozing patches and golden-yellow crusts that grow larger each day
Affects mostly exposed areas - hands/face
Skin folds - particularly armpits
Impetigo: allopathic treatment
Antibiotics
Oral Candidiasis: definition
Superficial fungal yeast infection* of mucous tissues
*mycosis
Oral Candidiasis: aetiology
Often presents after broad spectrum antibiotics
Immune-compromised patients
Skin/mucous barrier and CD4 cells usually enough to protect
Oral Candidiasis: signs and symptoms
White plaques
Dysphagia
Reduced appetite
Oral Candidiasis: complications
Can become systemic in immune-compromised patients - deposits on organs (systemic candidiasis)
Oral Candidiasis: allopathic treatment
Antifungals - topical/oral
eg. Clotrimazol
Can impact liver function/damage local skin
Genital Candidiasis: definition
Very common mycosis* of the genitals
*fungal infection
Genital Candidiasis: aetiology
Not sex-related (opportunistic)
Immune-compromised patients
* Antibiotic treatment
* Diabetes mellitus
* Pregnancy
* Immune system disorders
* Significant stress
Genital Candidiasis: signs and symptoms
Vaginal/genital itch, discomfort, irritation
Thick, clumpy discharge (cottage cheese)
Genital Candidiasis: diagnostics
Physical exam
Fungal culture/analysis
Genital Candidiasis: allopathic treatment
Antifungals - topical/oral
Lyme Disease: aetiology
Bacterium - borrelia, transmitted by tick bites
Lyme Disease: signs and symptoms
Different bacterial strains cause different clinical manifestations (differences between Europe and USA)
Circular pink/red rash at site of tick attachment, over 5cm dia*
Flu-like symptoms - can lead to neurological disease, cardiovascular disease and arthritis if not treated
*can take days/weeks to appear
Lyme Disease: allopathic treatment
Antibiotics
Lyme can be quite resistant
Diphtheria: definition
Highly contagious upper respiratory tract infection affecting primarily the nose and throat
Diphtheria: aetiology
Bacterial - Corynebacterium diphtheriae (gram positive*), transmitted by droplets
* secretes exotoxins that cause necrosis
Diphtheria: signs and symptoms
Sore throat and fever
Grey membrane (necrosis) grows across the tonsils, pharynx, nose (impairs breathing)
Enlarged cervical lymph nodes
Diphtheria: complications
Exotoxins cause endothelial necrosis by inhibiting protein synthesis
Can cause myocarditis and paralyse diaphragm
The membrane can block the airways
Diphtheria: allopathic treatment
Medical emergency
Anti-toxins
Antibiotics
Respirator
DPT vaccine
Scarlet Fever: definition
Infectious disease resulting from exotoxins released by Streptococci pyogenes bacteria
Usually occurs in children (90% <10yrs)
Scarlet Fever: pathophysiology
Bacteria secrete haemolytic enzymes and exotoxins (damage capillaries which both cause red rash)
Scarlet Fever: aetiology
Streptococcus pyogenes (haemolytic streptococcus)
Scarlet Fever: transmission
Droplets
Scarlet Fever: incubation time
3-4 days incubation
Scarlet Fever: signs and symptoms
Sore throat, fever, scarlet rash (blanches under pressure)
Haemorrhagic spots on palate
First 2 days - white tongue with red papillae
After this - more raw/red
Scarlet Fever: allopathic treatment
Antibiotics
Cold Sores: definition
Viral infection causing small blisters around mouth/on lips
Cold Sores: pathophysiology
Classical opportunistic virus
When immunity is low, the virus migrates along the nerve (often the trigeminal) to the skin/mucosa around mouth causing tingling/burning sensation
Cold Sores: aetiology
Herpes simplex virus (Type I)
Stress
Drugs - steroids
Trauma, local infections, sunlight exposure
Cold Sores: transmission
Direct contact or indirect (saliva)
Saliva remains contagious for weeks after symptoms
Cold Sores: signs and symptoms
Commonly asymptomatic
Tingling, itching, burning sensation around the mouth
Small, fluid filled sores that appear most commonly on lower lip
Cold Sores: allopathic treatment
Antiviral cream - acyclovir
Chicken Pox: definition
Highly infectious viral disease, caused by *Varicella-zoster**
*part of Herpes viral family
Who is mainly affected by chicken pox?
Mostly affects children (90%)
Chicken Pox: aetiology
Varicella zoster virus (part of herpes family)
Chicken Pox: transmission/incubation time
Droplets into upper respiratory tract mucosa
Direct contact
2-3 weeks incubation
Chicken Pox: signs and symptoms
Prodromal fever and malaise
Vesicular eruptions on the skin appear over 3-5 days mostly on head/trunk.
Very itchy*
Infective 2 days before rash until all lesions at ‘crusting’
*Danger of secondary infection due to skin breakages
Chicken Pox: complications
Infection because of scratching
Encephalitis
Viral pneumonia
Chicken Pox: allopathic treatments
None
Shingles: definition
Infection by the varicella zoster virus following chicken pox infection
Reactivated varicella virus
Shingles: aetiology
Varicella zoster virus - travels down infected nerve causing neuritis (nerve inflammation) in an immune-compromised individual
Commonly affects thoracic nerves or trigeminal nerve*
The pattern of neuritis clealy demarcates the nerve(s) affects
Shingles: signs and symptoms
1-2 days before rash - burning, itching, tingling
Eruptive phase - skin lesions similar to chicken pox (affecting head/face), causing severe dermatomal pain, altered sensation and vesicular rash