Childhood Infections Diseases

Question 1

What bacteria causes Diphtheria

Answer 1

Corynebacterium diptheriae that produces an exotoxin

Question 2

What is the clinical picture and diagnosis of diphtheria?

Answer 2

The incubation period is 2-5 days and can involve any mucous membrane. Thick, grey membrane covering throat and tonsils.

Clinical picture & cultivate organism.

Question 3

How is Diphtheria prevented?

Answer 3

Vaccination as per the EPI schedule

Question 4

What is pertussis caused by?

Answer 4

Caused by bordetella pertussis, which produces antigenic and biologically active products. Also stimulates immune reponse and immunity following infection

Question 5

What is the clinical picture of pertussis?

Answer 5

Incubation period of 7-10 days. Clinical stage is divided into 3 stages:
1. Catarrhal stage - mild fever, rhinorrhea, mild cough, general malaise.
2. Paroxysmal stage - distinctive cough, thick mucous, vomiting and severe exhaustion. More frequent at night.
3. Convalescent stage - gradual recovery over the course of months

Question 6

What is the management of pertussis?

Answer 6

Depends on age and severity of symptoms. Should be hospitalized. Antibiotics, steroids, oxygen and suctioning.

Question 7

What is tetanus?

Answer 7

Vaccine preventable that is infectious, but NOT contagious characterized by rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal msucles.

Question 8

What is the pathogenesis of tetanus?

Answer 8

Caused by clostridium tetani, which forms spores that are resistant to heat. They release a neurotoxin, which makes neurotransmitter release impossible.

Question 9

What is the clinical picture of tetanus?

Answer 9

Incubation is 7-8 days. Spasms and stiff jaw. Difficulty swallowiing. Other signs: Headache, fever, sweating

Question 10

What is tetanus management?

Answer 10

Hospitilization, away from stimuli. Tetanus immunoglobin. Antibiotic treatment (Metronidazole/Penicillin). Spasms (lorazepam)

Question 11

List 3 complications of tetanus.

Answer 11

Respiratory failure, asphyxiation and serious arrythimias

Question 12

What is the cause of scarlet fever?

Answer 12

Streptococcus pyrogens which has been infected by a bacteriophage. Toxin damages the plasma membrane of blood capillaries.

Question 13

What is the clinical picture of scarlet fever?

Answer 13

Incubation period of 1 to 7 days. High fever, red, sandpaper-like rash covering the body. Strawberry tongue

Question 14

What is the management and complications of scarlet fever?

Answer 14

Analgesic - sore throat, antipyretic - fever.

Complications - acute rheumatic fever, otitis media, pneumonia.

Question 15

What virus causes measles?

Answer 15

Morbillivirus causes measles

Question 16

What is the clinical picture for measles?

Answer 16

Incubation is 10-12 days. Onset of cough, runny nose. Koplik spots, small red spots with blue-white centre on mucous membranes.

Question 17

What is the management of measles?

Answer 17

Bed rest, antipyretic, chloramphenicol and isolation is needed.

Question 18

What is the clinical picture of mumps?

Answer 18

Parotis - inflammation of salivary glands. Pain on any mouth actions.

Question 19

What is the management of mumps?

Answer 19

Bed rest, good mouth hygiene, analgesics and antipyretics. Vaccine

Question 20

What are the complications of mumps?

Answer 20

Orchitis - testicular inflammation, pancreatitis

Question 21

What is the clinical presentation of rubella?

Answer 21

Rash forms, low grade fever, malaise. Maculopapular rash

Question 22

Management of rubella includes?

Answer 22

Isolate patient for at least 7 days after rash. Set patient in a dark room, antipyretic

Question 23

What is the clinical presentation of rotavirus?

Answer 23

Watery diarrhoea, severe dehydration. Symptoms resolve after 3 to 7 days.

Question 24

What is varicella caused by?

Answer 24

Varicella zoster virus. Its the virus that results in chicken pox.

Question 25

What is the management of chicken pox?

Answer 25

Antipyretic, antihistamines, acyclovir. Prevention is through a vaccine

Question 26

Where does poliomyelitis act on the body?

Answer 26

Effects the spinal cord. It spreads orally through picornaviridae.

Question 27

What is the clinical picture of polio?

Answer 27

Most children are asymptomatic. Characterised by low grade fever and sore throat. In 1-5% of cases stiff neck, back and legs occurs.

Question 28

What is the clinical picture of influenza?

Answer 28

Fever, myalgia, sore throat, dry cough.

Question 29

What is the management of influenza?

Answer 29

Treat the symptoms, fluids and bed rest.