Childhood viral infections Flashcards
(122 cards)
Give 6 notifiable diseases which must be reported to public health England?
1) Acute meningitis
2) Acute poliomyelitis
3) Measles
4) Mumps
5) Rubella
6) Small pox
What is the difference in productions of IgM and IgG in response to infection?
IgM is produced in acute infection - will rise in acute infection
IgG provides long term immunity - will be raised following infection and last for longer
How can measurements of immunoglobulins be used in identifying infection?
Detection of IgM tells you the person currently has the infection
Detection of IgG tells you the person has had the infection in the past
NB. some early acute infections will have negative serology and pts may need to be tested a few days later to see if their is any rise if IgM
Which kind of Ab is found in breast milk?
IgA
Name 7 possible causes of a rash in a child?
1) Parovirus
2) Measles
3) Chickenpox
4) Rubella
5) Non-polio enterovirus infection
6) Epstein Barr Virus (with ampicillin)
7) Bacterial causes such as staphylococcus aureus, N. meningitidis
When can Epstein Barr virus present with a rash?
When patients are given penicillin based Abx
Nb. if patients tell you they get a rash with penicillin it is important to note if that was because they had EBV
Which virus causes measles and what kind is it?
Paramyxovirus
Enveloped single stranded RNA virus
How is the measles virus spread?
Person to person, droplet spread
When is a person with measles infectious?
From start of the first symptoms (4 days before rash to 4 days after disappearance of rash)
What is meant by viral incubation?
The amount of time it takes for symptoms of a disease to appear after an individual is infected
What is the incubation period of the measles virus?
7-18 days (average 10-12)
Are humans the only natural host of the measles virus?
No
What are the clinical features of measles?
Fever Malaise 3C's: Conjunctivitis, cough and coryza Rash Koplik's spots 1-2 days before the rash
Define coryza?
Catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose (runny nose)
What are Koplik’s spots?
Small white spots seen on the tongue 1-2 days before a rash appears in a measles infection, only seen in measles
What kind of rash is seen in measles?
Erythematous, maculopapular, head to trunk
Define erythematous rash?
red rash
Define maculopapular rash?
Type of rash characterised by a flat, red area on the skin that is covered in small confluent bumps
What are the 4 less rare possible complications of measles?
1) Otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear)
2) Pneumonia (unlike bacterial pneumonia cant be cured by Abx)
3) Diarrhoea
4) Acute encephalitis - rare but fatal
Name 1 very rare and fatal complication of measles?
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, 1/25000, occurs 7-30 years after measles
What is the severity of measles infection in pregnancy?
Severe - up to 20% foetal losses
In which groups is death from measles highest?
What 4 factors can play a role in the diagnosis of measles?
1) Clinical
2) Leukopenia
3) Oral fluid sample
4) Serology
What is the treatment for measles?
Supportive
Abx for superinfection