Bacterial infections

Question 1

Causes of cellulitis

Answer 1

Associated with venous stasis
Gram positive bacteria most often - e.g. GAS, MSSA, MRSA

Question 2

Cellulitis presentation

Answer 2

Pain
red
warm
swelling
shiny
macular

Question 3

Cellulitis tx

Answer 3

Mild = abx
- flucloxacillin
- clindamycin
- doxycycline
- co-amoxiclav

Tetanus prophylaxis if traumatic

• mark off area with pen, if infection spreads beyond line within 24-48 hrs admit to A+E
• clindamycin
• vancomycin
• moxifloxacin

Question 4

What is vasculitis and what is it caused by?

Answer 4

Inflammation of small vessels
- unknown cause by associated to drug reactions (NSAIDs, Abx), autoimmune disorders, GI, renal, IBD, hypersensitivity, joint problems

Question 5

Vasculitis treatment

Answer 5

Treat underlying cause
Compression stocking and elevation
Sedating antihistamine
Colchicine / dapsone if no systemic involvement
High dose steroid if systemic involvement - may also give methotreaxate, azathoprine

Question 6

Erysipelas presentation

Answer 6

BRIGHT RED FIERY SKIN
Painful
Raised
Well demarcated plaques
Malaise
Streaking redness often on face - may also be on lower extremities

Question 7

Erysipelas cause

Answer 7

Is a bacterial infection - most often caused by Group A Strep

Question 8

Erysipelas tx

Answer 8

Analgeisa
Flucloxacillin

If on face - co-amoxiclav and admit due to eye and brain risk