7- Infectious diseases (2/3) Flashcards
meningitis background
inflammation of the meninges
causes of meningitis
bacteria
viral
fungal (rare)
bacterial meningitis
- Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal)
–>Classical non-blanching rash (DIC and subcutaneous haemorrhages) - Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus)
- Group B strep (GBS) in neonates
viral meningitis
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
- Enterovirus
- Varicella zoster virus (VZV)
typical presentation of meningitis
- Fever
- Neck stiffness
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Photophobia
- Altered consciousness
- Seizures
Meningococal ->Non-blanching rash (tumbler test)
neonatal presentation of meninigitis
Non specific signs and symptoms e.g. hypotonia, poor feeding, lethargy, hypothermia and bulging fontanelle
investigations for meninigitis
Lumbar puncture ( not if child is haemodynamically unstable) – if you think child has meningococcal - skip
- Under 1 month presenting with fever
- 1 to 3 months with fever and are unwell
- Under 1 year with unexplained fever and other features of serious illness
Special tests
- Kernig’s test- creates a stretch in the meninges
- Brudzinski’s
Lumbar puncture
- Taken from L3-L4 intervertebral space
- Samples sent for bacterial culture, viral PCR, cell count, protein and glucose
- Blood glucose sample should be sent at the same time so that it can be compared to CSF sample
management of bacterial meningitis
If discovered in the community
- Urgent stat injection (IM or IV) of benzylpenicillin prior to transfer to hospital
Hospital
Investigations
- Blood culture and lumbar puncture
- Send bloods for meningococcal PCE if suspected -> quicker result than blood culture
Antibiotics
- <3 months: cefotaxime plus amoxicillin (to cover listeria)
- >3 months: ceftriaxone
- Pneumococcal infection : ceftriaxone + vancomycin
Steroids
- Steroids (dexamethasone) -> reduces frequency and severity of hearing loss and neurological damage
meningococcal meninigitis
Post exposure prophylaxis
- Contact tracing- risk is highest for people that have had close prolonged contact within the 7 days prior to onset of the illness
- If no symptoms have developed 7 days after exposure they are unlikely to develop the illness
- PEP -> single doses of ciprofloxacin ideally within 24 hours
management of viral meningitis
Viral
- Sample of lumbar puncture should be sent for viral PCR
- Aciclovir can be used to treat suspected or confirmed HSV or ZVZ infection
Meningococcal infections summary
- Meningitis (found in CSF)
- Septicaemia (found in blood)
- Meningococcal sepsis (found in CSF and blood)
Candidiasis
- Infection caused by a yeast called Candida
- Normally not harmful and found on the skin, vaginal area and digestive system
- If it overgrows can cause a rash, itching and other symptoms
Pathophysiology candidiasis
Candida can thrive in certain conditions and overgrow
o Damaged skin
o When its too warm and humid
o Weak immune system
o Steroids
o Antibiotics (weaken immune system)
Risk factors for candidiasis
- Hot humid weather
- Too much time between diaper change
- Poor hygiene
- Antibiotics
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppression
presentation of candidiasis
Skin fold or navel
- Rash
- Clear fluid oozing
- Pimples
- Itching or burning
Vagina
- White or yellow discharge
- Itching
- Redness in external area of the vagina
- Burning
Penis
- Redness on the penis
- Scaling on the penis
- Painful rash on the penis
Mouth
- White patches on the tongue, top of the mouth and inside cheeks
- Itching
- Bad taste
- Pain
management of candidiasis
Management
- Mouth thrush – Nystatin mouth gel
- Vaginal- fluconazole tablet or suppository
- Skin rash- oral or topical fluconazole
conjunctivitis background
Inflammation of the conjunctiva
- Conjunctiva is a thin layer of tissue which covers the inside of the eyelids and sclera of the eye
- Types
o Bacterial
o Viral
o Allergic
Presentation of conjunctivitis
- Unilateral or bilateral
- Red eyes
- Bloodshot
- Itchy or gritty sensation
- Discharge from the eye
presentation of bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial
- Purulent discharged
- Inflamed conjunctiva
- Worse in morning when eyes may be stuck together
- Usually starts in one eye and spreads to the other
- Highly contagious
presentation of viral conjunctivitis
- Common
- Presents with clear discharge
- Often associated with other symptoms of viral infection
o Dry cough
o Sore throat
o Blocked nose
o Preauricular lymph nodes may be tender - Also contagious
What conjunctivitis doesn’t present as
- No pain
- No photophobia
- No reduced visual acuity
–> May be blurry when covered in discharge