Childhood Infections Flashcards
How do we prevent common childhood infections (including headlice and threadworm)
- Many (MMR, pertussis, varicella) can be prevented by vaccines
- There is no prevention for headlice, and threadworm is prevented with hygiene advice (bedding, daily showering, washing clothes etc)
Pathogenesis, mechanism of spread, and treatment of pertussis
Pathogenesis: caused by gram-negative bacterial infection
Spread: large respiratory droplets
Management: 5-7 day treatment with antibiotics (azithromycin or clarithromycin)
Epidemoiology and clinical presentation of pertussis
- More common in summer-autumn (cyclic cases)
- 7 day insidious onset, then worsening cough for 1-2wks, post tussive vomiting, inspiratory whoop.
- Symptoms then wane over weeks/months
Pathogenesis, mechanism of spread, and treatment of measles
Pathogenesis: viral infection; usually starts in lung, then spreads systemically
Spread: one of the most infectious human diseases. Airborne spread of infectious droplets.
Management: no specific treatment; give vitamin A
Epidemoiology and clinical presentation of measles
- More or less eliminated in Australia, except outbreaks in the unvaccinated population. Children, immunocompromised are at higher risk
- Presents with fever, runny nose, dry cough, sore throat, rash (URTI + rash)
Pathogenesis, mechanism of spread, and treatment of mumps
Pathogenesis: viral infection. Replicates in respiratory tract, and spreads through blood to infect gonads, and salivary glands (such as parotid = massive neck)
Spread: respiratory droplets, direct contact, fomites
Management: No real treatment; self-limiting
Epidemoiology and clinical presentation of mumps
- More common in children
- Prodrome of fever, headache, myalgia, fatigue
- Then, swelling of salivary glands (usually parotid)x
Pathogenesis, mechanism of spread, and treatment of rubella
Pathogenesis: viral infection; replicates in nasopharynx and regional lymph nodes
Spread: direct or droplet contact
Management: Supportive only
Epidemoiology and clinical presentation of rubella
- Common in unvaccinated population
- Symptoms include fever, headache, runny nose, and lymphadenopathy of the head or neck
Is rubella typically severe? What about in pregnancy?
- In normal women, typically milder
- In pregnancy, can cause congenital rubella syndrome: classical triad is OAC (OAK tree): opthalmologic (cataracts, microphthalmos), auditory (sensorineural hearing loss and developmental delayds), cardiac (patent ductus arteriosis, pulmonary artery stenosis)
Pathogenesis, mechanism of spread, and treatment of varicella
Pathogenesis: starts with viral infection in nasopharynx and regional lymph nodes, before spreading to other organs (liver + spleen) and causing viraemia rash
Spread: airbone transmission + vesicle fluid (very infectious)
Management: children w/out other skin conditions (e.g. eczema) generally don’t need antivirals. Children w these conditions, or adolescents/adults are at more risk, may req
Epidemoiology and clinical presentation of varicella
- Much more common in unvaccinated population
- Prodrome of fever/malaise, following by itchy, vesicular rash within ~24hrs
Pathogenesis, mechanism of spread, and treatment of influenza
Pathogenesis: respiratory viral infection
Spread: primarily droplet transmission (may be airborne) and fomites
Mgmt: not usually required; antivirals may be indicated
Epidemoiology and clinical presentation of influenza
- Tends to peak in winter; more common in children
- Symptoms include fever, dry cough, malaise, headache, myalgia
