Common infections Flashcards
Presentation and symptoms
Presentation of Chicken pox and symptoms
- Fluid-filled vesicles (spots) |Raised ->Crust over
- Distanced
- Very itchy
- Spread via droplet inhalation
SYMPTOMS:
* Fever
* Loss of apetite
* Aches and pain on the joints
* Extremely itchy
Presentations of Rubella and symptoms
also known as German measles
A viral infection that…
* Starts at the face
* Red/pink rash
* Slightly raised
* Swollen glands - Head and/or neck
* Is a notifiable disease
SYMPTOMS:
* Cough & runny nose
* Fever
* Aching joints / pain
Immunised by the MMR vaccine
MMR vaccine
A vaccine for mumps, measles and rubella.
- Always ask if a patient presenting a rash has had the vaccine.
Presentation of Measles and symptoms
A viral infection that…
* Initially starts behind the ears or on the face.
* Spread to the trunk.
* Flat, red spots.
* Spots may become joined together (around the collar bone usually)
SYMPTOMS:
* Cough & runny nose
* Fever
* Red, sore, watery eyes
* Sneezing
* Not itchy
Immunised by the MMR vaccine.
Cold sores
Presents as…
* Fluid-filled blisters -> Crust over
* Usually on/around the lips
* anywhere on the face.
CHARACTERISED by…
* A tingling/itching feeling BEFORE the blisters appear.
Presentation of impetigo and symptoms
Presents as…
* INITIALLY: Fluid-filled vesicles that rupture and weep.
* BECOMES: Yellowish-brown crusted lesions. {Crusty patches}
* Starts on the face and CAN spread to other areas.
* The crusty lesions can grow.
SYMPTOMS:
* Itchy (can be painful)
Presentation of Mumps and symptoms
Presents as…
* Characterised by painful swellings in the side of the face.
* Most contagious a couple days BEFORE and AFTER symptoms develop.
SYMPTOMS:
* Joint paint
* Headache
* Fever (can occur BEFORE swelling)
Immunised by the MMR vaccine
Glass test
Presentation of shingles and symptoms
Secondary chicken pox
Presented as…
* Blotchy rash (usually on ONE SIDE of the body)
* Become itchy blisters that ooze fluid
* Later dry out and scab.
SYMPTOMS:
* Sensetive
* Pain
* Not necessarily itchy
* Headache
Presentation of scabies and green flags
Presents as itchy raised spots on the majority of the body except the back.
Green flags:
* Itchy especially at night
* Itch exacerbates after warm bath
* Family/friends reported itching
* Living conditions overcrowded
Scabies treatment and advice
Apply Permethrin 5% cream once weekly for 2 weeks.
* All family should be treated
* Apply all over the body
* Should be washed off after 8-12 hours
* Reapply if hands are washed within 8 hours
* Decontaminate bedding/clothing/towels by washing at >60c + dry cleaning
Crotamiton 10% cream to help post-treatment itch
Eczema presentation and symptoms
Presents as itchy, cracked and sore skin usually at the hands and flexure of limbs.
Green flags:
* History of asthma or allergic rhinitis
* Dry skin in past 12 months
* Worsening in the winter
Eczema treatment and advice
- Generous application of an emollient
- Topical corticosteroid - Hydrocortisone 1%
- Betamethasone vaelrate 0.025% if moderate
Advice: Avoid scratching and use corticosteroid sparingly
Eczema red flags
Unlikely if…
* No itch present
* Crusting, postules
* Systemic symptoms: fever, malaise
* Defined edge to rash
* Thick, scaly lesions
Contact dermatitis presentation and symptoms
Contact dermatitis is usually caused by an external aggravant. It presents as itchy, blistered, dry or creacked skin. Sometimes it may be vesicular.
Contact dermatitis red flags
Unlikely if..
* No itch
* Systemic symptoms: fever
* Yellowing & discharge
* No obvious aggravant
Contact dermatitis treatment and advice
Treatment:
* Generous use of emollient
* Topical corticosteroid
Advice:
* Avoid scratching
* Use emollients regularly
* Avoid aggravant
Ringworm
Itchy red/silver, circular lesions. Often clear centrally.
Ringworm treatment
Topical imidazole cream
Advice:
* Avoid scratching to minimise spreading
* Children can go to school
* Wash towels & bedsheets regularly
