Colds, Otitis Media, and Sinusitis Flashcards
What are the 2 most common causes of the cold?
- Rhinovirus (50% of the time) [non-enveloped]
- Coronavirus (20% of the time) [enveloped]
What is one of the most common complications of colds in infants and children?
Acute otitis media (age 6-36 months)
Why do children get otitis media when they get a cold?
They’re eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal so fluid accumulation leads to bacterial infection.
What are the 3 most common causes of acute otitis media?
- Pnuemococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
What is the most important diagnostic clue for acute otitis media?
There must be fluid on the ear.
What is the treatment for acute otitis media?
- Wait and see (for 6-36 months old)
- Amoxicillin
- Augmentin (Amoxicillin + clavulanate) or ceftriaxone
- Topical analgesic spray/drops
What is the gold standard for sinusitis diagnosis and how is it treated?
- Sinus aspiration is gold standard
- Amoxicillin or Amoxicillin-clavulanate
What are some general properties of Streptoccus pneumoniae and how is it treated?
- Gram positive
- diplococci
- optocin sensitive
- alpha hemolytic
- positive bile solubility test
- encapsulated
- penicillin, ampicillin, tetracyclin, doxycyclin
- Levofloxacin for resistant strains
- All people at risk (children, elderly, immunocompromised) should get pneumovax
What are the general characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae?
- Gram negative
- pleomorphic coccobacilli
- Non-motile
- Grows on blood agar (needs V and X factor)
- Polysaccharide capsule (6 different serotypes)
What type of Haemophilus influenzae is the one that causes otitis media and sinusitus?
Non-typable H. influenzae
(but… H. influenzae type B causes the most serious infections)
Rhinovirus is a genus in what family of viruses?
Picornavirdae (+ssRNA nonenveloped)
What season is rhinovirus most common and what are its most common symptoms?
- Summer
- Runny nose
How can you tell if someone is more likely to have Rhinovirus or Coxsackievirus?
- Rhinovirus stays in the nose
- Rhinovirus can’t tolerate acid (so no GI symptoms)
What is the treatment for Haemophilus influenzae?
Penicillin
Coxsackievirus is a subgroup of what genus and what family?
- Genus - Enterovirus
- Family - Picornaviridae