Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Jess Infection > Childhood Infections > Flashcards

Childhood Infections Flashcards

1
Q

Name three methods of controlling the spread of infection in children

A
  1. Vaccine schedule
  2. Hygiene
  3. School absence
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a child at risk of if they receive the rotavirus vaccination after 8 weeks?

A

A small increase in the risk of intussusception

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How might a child with an infection present to the GP?

A

History from parents.
Neonates/infants tend to have non-specific symptoms like irritability, loss of appetite, lethargy
May have to base a lot on examination; fever, Increased HR and RR, site-specific signs (tonsillar exudate, red tympanic membrane, etc), or disease-specific like a rash (i.e meningitis, chickenpox) and noises (i.e barking cough)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What controls thermoregulation? What is a normal temperature range and a temperature indicating the presence of a fever?

A

The hypothalamus controls thermoregulation

Normal range: 36.2-37.4 C
Fever: >38 C

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a ‘rival’ and why might it occur?

A

A rival is a dramatic uncontrollable shiver to produce heat in response to pyrogens which elevate the body’s natural set point for temperature in a fever

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe how to utilize the ‘Nice Traffic Light’

A

Used to determine how unwell a child is and what kind of treatment is required:

Red: the child must be assessed urgently by a pediatric team
Amber: the child should be ‘safety-netted’ or referred to the pediatric team for further assessment
Green: Can be cared for at home with appropriate advice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the progression of the classic chickenpox appearance, how long does this process typically take?

A

Begins with macules; red, flat lesions which progress to be ‘papular’; raised, red bumps which progress to become vesicular; fluid-filled lesion
Usually, ~5 days to go from macular - vesicular

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the typical spread of spots in chickenpox

A

Typically begin in a cluster on the trunk (back or chest) and spreads peripherally involving the arms, legs, face, etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What organism causes chickenpox? How long is the incubation period and when is it infectious?

A

Varicella-zoster virus/VZV (double-stranded DNA virus, member of herpes virus group). Its incubation period is 10-21 days and it is infectious 1-2 days before the rash begins until 5 days after

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define ‘incubation period’

A

The time of exposure to the time that symptoms arise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How might VZV be reactivated and what happens if it is?

A

The virus can remain dormant in the sensory nerve ganglia as a latent infection. If the latent infection reactivates it may cause shingles which appears similar to chickenpox but usually stays in one area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Name 3 clinical features for chickenpox and three complications.
What is the prognosis and how long does it typically take to recover?

A

Clinical features: rash, fever, reduced appetite

Complications: secondary bacterial skin infection, pneumonia, encephalitis

Prognosis is generally good, most recover within 2 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

In what age group is chickenpox milder and in which individuals is it rarer?

A

Chickenpox is milder in children compared to adults (especially pregnant ladies) and is rare in healthy children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

If a pregnant woman catches chickenpox what is the baby at risk of? Name three things that it can cause

A

Fetal varicella syndrome; can cause shortening of limbs, microcephaly, skin scarring

If mom catches chickenpox within 7 days of giving birth the baby can get neonatal varicella syndrome; chickenpox in the baby. This has a high mortality rate since the baby hasn’t developed immunity to it (especially with no IgG treatment)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How is chickenpox managed?

A

Managed symptomatically unless there are complications (i.e; paracetamol for fever, trimming nails/camomile to cool skin and take away sensation to itch) and prevention (vaccination)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why is the chickenpox vaccine not on the Vaccine schedule for children?

A
  1. Mild infection (good prognosis)

2. Usually, solely caught by children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the major organism responsible for causing Bronchiolitis? When does this typically occur and which age group is usually affected?

A

Majority of cases caused by respiratory Syncytial virus, usually occurs in epidemic and in winter months and affects >2 yr olds (usually between 3-6 months)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How is bronchiolitis spread amongst individuals and within the body? What are the clinical features and how do they progress?

A

Highly contagious as it’s spread by droplets (i.e in coughing). Spreads widely over the lungs causing +/- high pitched wheeze

Clinical features begin with coryza and fever and progress to irritable cough, tachypnoea and feeding difficulty

19
Q

Define coryza, what does it tend to cause?

A

Inflammation of the mucus membrane lining the nasal cavity - tends to cause runny/blocked nose and upper resp symptoms

20
Q

How is bronchiolitis managed?

What is the prognosis and how long does it typically take to recover?

A

Management depends on severity:
1. Mild (if feeding well and no resp distress), give paracetamol, fluids, safety net advice

  1. Severe (if lethargic, resp distress, abnormal feeding) admitted for observation and given oxygen and a feeding tube

Hygiene and prevention
Prognosis typically good, most recover in 1-2 weeks

21
Q

How might you diagnose bronchiolitis? What might you give to children suffering from recurrent bronchiolitis?

A

Typically diagnosed with signs/symptoms but can give a nasopharyngeal aspirant if they have particularly bad bronchiolitis and not getting better (might want to check it isn’t something else)

Can give a monoclonal antibody to children who can’t build up immunity and have recurrent infections

22
Q

Describe a rash characteristic of measles

A
  1. Koplic spots: White dots, they’re a pathognomonic sign of measles and occur 2-3 days before the full rash
  2. Maculopapular rash: tiny bumps and red
23
Q

What causes measles and how is it spread?

A

Measles virus (single-stranded RNA virus) part of the paramyxovirus family

Spread by droplets (very contagious)

24
Q

Name 5 clinical features of measles excluding the rash

Hint: 3Cs+2

A

Coryza, fever, cough, malaise, conjunctivitis

25
Q

Name two potential complications of measles. How is it managed and what is the prognosis like?

A

Complications; pneumonia, encephalitis (subacute sclerosing pan encephalitis is the specific type, may occur years after child has recovered from measles and can cause dementia and death)

Management: manage symptoms, isolation, vaccinate contacts if required, notifiable disease + Prevention (vaccines)

Prognosis usually good in the UK in the absence of complications recovery may be between 1-2 weeks

26
Q

What kind of virus causes mumps and rubella? How are they spread and what is characteristic of each?

A

Caused by an RNA virus, spread by droplets

Rubella: similar to measles causes coryza, fever and rash but the rash is milder than in measles

Mumps: parotid and lymph node swelling

27
Q

Name one potential acute and one long-term complication of mumps

A

Acute: meningitis

Long term: subfertility in men

28
Q

How would you describe a purpura rash?

A

Non-blanching (won’t disappear if pressed on)

29
Q

What causes meningitis?

*include the names of the three protective layers of meninges tissue

A

It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or non-infectious (i.e caused by drugs) that breaches the BBB and infects the CFS within the subarachnoid space. This causes inflammation of the three protective layers of meninges; Dura mater, arachnoid mater and Pia mater

30
Q

Name the three most common organisms causing community-acquired bacterial meningitis

A
  1. Streptococcus pneumonia
  2. Haemophilis influenza B
  3. Neisseria meningitidis = meningococcal disease
31
Q

Name the major clinical features of meningitis

A

*It’s a medical emergency:

Fever, nausea + vomiting, irritable, reduced consciousness, reduced appetite, aches and pains

Signs of meningism: neck stiffness, headache, photophobia (pain with light), kerning sign

+rash and potentially sepsis

32
Q

What kind of bacteria is Neisseria meningitidae? How is it spread and what is its incubation period? What are the 6 main serotypes and how might it stay in the body?

A

Gram-negative, diplococcus (pairs)

Incubation period 1-3 days, droplet spread
6 main serotypes: A,B,C,W,X,Y

May stay as an upper resp tract commensal, (not causing trouble)

33
Q

How is meningitis managed? What is the prognosis?

A

Once suspected don’t delay treatment, notifiable disease:

  1. Until organism is known give broad-spectrum antibiotic
  2. Give antibiotics to close contacts

High mortality despite antibiotics and 25% morbidity of survivors

34
Q

Where would you insert your needle in a lumbar puncture? What aspects of the CSF would you examine, and how might it appear when there is an infection?

A

Insert into the spinal canal at L3/4. Examine the colour, turbidity and viscosity

Normally CSF is clear, colourless and watery
If infected; may be yellowish, cloudy and thicker

35
Q

What is assessed from each of the four bottles of CSF collected in a lumbar puncture?

A
  1. Microscopy/culture/sensitivity (trying to grow bug and do a gram stain)
  2. Cell count (WBC, high in infection)
  3. Glucose (bacteria use up glucose in infection)
  4. Protein (typically high as the BBB has become inflamed and more permeable to proteins leaking into the CSF)
36
Q

What is a febrile convulsion and what normally triggers it? In what age group does it typically happen?

A

A seizure provoked by a fever in an otherwise normal child (no neurodevelopment, no electrolyte imbalance, etc). Normally triggered by a viral illness

Children are usually 6 months-5 years

37
Q

What are the clinical features of a febrile convulsion?

A

Generalized (involving the whole body), tonic-clonic seizure (two parts, tonic - body goes stiff, eyes roll back, clinic - rapid rhythmic jerking) lasting <5 mins, with complete recovery within 1 hour

After may be in a postictal state; altered consciousness, fatigued

38
Q

How would you manage a febrile convulsion?

A

Admit if its the first febrile seizure, if it’s atypical (i.e one limb moving, facial involvement, prolonged >5min) or if they’re systemically unwell or unsafe at home

Give antibiotics if there is an underlying bacterial infection suspected
Paternal reassurance and can give antipyretic for symptom control only (keep them comfortable)

39
Q

What is the recurrence rate and prognosis for febrile convulsions?

A

Recurrence in ~30% and 1/50 will develop epilepsy

40
Q

What kind of transmission is involved in congenital infections?

A

Vertical transmission: pathogens transmitted from mother-child during pregnancy or delivery

41
Q

Name some common congenital infections (TORCH) and what can these infections cause regarding a pregnancy?

Each infection causes specific clinical features involving which systems/organs? *Name 6 total

A 
T: toxoplasmosis 
O: others; syphilis, varicella, HIV, Zika, etc
R: Rubella
C: Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
H: Herpes simplex (HSV)

Can cause intrauterine growth restriction, miscarriage and premature delivery

The CNS, CVS, MSK system, skin and eyes/ears are often involved

42
Q

What is the main clinical features that a child with CMV is at risk of?
Name four other potential clinical features

A
  1. Sensorineural deafness (may develop later)

Others include; low birth weight, rash, microcephaly, learning disabilities

43
Q

How is CMV managed?

A

Antiviral medication, monitoring/support

Jess Infection (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions