Arthropods & Infestations - CE

Question 1

What are signs of bed bug infestations?

Answer 1

• Bites, fecal spots, blood smears on bed linen, moults
• Tx: symptomatic with topical steroid creams
• Eradicate: laundering, pesticides, heat, freezing, vacuuming

Question 2

What is the organism causing scabies and what does it cause?

Answer 2

Sarcoptes scabiei

• causes a pruritic rash
• Transmitted via skin-to-skin contact

Question 3

What is the incubation period for scabies?

Answer 3

• 2-6 weeks before onset of itching in people with no previous exposure
• If previously infected → S/S appear in 1 to 4 days

Question 4

What are the S/S of scabies?

Answer 4

• Intense itching
• Worse at night
• scratching spreads mites
• 90% fingerwebs, palms, soles
• Face & scalp usually not affected

Question 5

What is the Tx for scabies?

Answer 5

• Permethin (Elimite) 5% cream to skin x 2 treatments

- Ivermectin

Question 6

What are the 3 varieties of lice infestations?

Answer 6

1) Pediculus humanus capitis (head louse)
2) Pediculus humanus corporis (body louse)
3) Phthrius pubis (pubic or crab louse)

Question 7

How do Pediculus humanus and Pthirus pubis differ?

Answer 7

Pediculus humanus → smaller, darker, & antennae longer

Question 8

Is a lice infestation due to a lack of personal hygiene?

Answer 8

No, cannot be transmitted that way

Question 9

What diseases are associated with the spread of lice (body)?

Answer 9

• Typhus
• Relapsing fever
• Trench fever

Question 10

What is the most contagious STD?

Answer 10

Pubic lice (90% chance of contraction from an infected partner)

Question 11

What are diagnostic techniques for lice?

Answer 11

• Itching with no apparent rash
• Seeing lice or their eggs on careful inspection
• Live nits fluoresce under Wood’s light

Question 12

What are Tx options for lice?

Answer 12

• Hot water (burn the fuckers)
• Pyrethrum (paralyze the fuckers)
• Malathion (most effective)