common infections and treatments

Question 1

treatment :Meningitis caused by meningococci

Answer 1

• Benzylpenicillin or cefotaxime

- Chloramphenicol

Question 2

treatment :Meningitis caused by pneumococci

Answer 2

Cefotaxime [add Dexamethasone]

- Benzylpen [ cephalosporin + vancomycin if pen allergic]

Question 3

Meningitis caused by Listeria

Answer 3

Amoxicillin [or ampicillin] + gentamicin

- Co-trimoxazole [ if pen allergic]

Question 4

Meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae

Answer 4

• Cefotaxime [or cefriaxone]

Question 5

meningitis red flags

Answer 5

stiff neck, non-blanching rash, fever, sensitivity to light]

Question 6

bacterial conjunctivitis treatment

storage of treatments

Answer 6

Chloramphenicol, drops = fridge, ointment = room temp.

Question 7

chloramphenicol contraindications

Answer 7

under 2 (OTC, grey baby syndrome), pregnancy and breastfeeding

Question 8

conjunctivitis types and differences

Answer 8

Bacterial - starts on one eye and moves to other eye, sticky yellow pus, gritty. Viral - watery eyes, usually one eye, redness, gritty
allergic - itchy red watery

Question 9

sinusitis treatment

Answer 9

Sinusitis

• Phenoxymethylpenicillin [non-life-threatening]
• Co- amoxiclav [systemic symptoms, life threatening/severe]
• Penicillin allergy: Dox/Clar/Erythro [pregnant]

Sinusitis - 2 - 3 days then move to 2nd line
If penicillin allergic and pregnant: erythromycin

Question 10

Otitis externa

Answer 10

1st line: Acetic acid (Earcalm)
2nd line: Flucloxacillin [empty stomach QDS, side effects - taste disturbance, cholestatic jaundice for up to 2 months after treatment]

Clarithro/Azithro/Erythro (pregnancy) - if pen allergy
Ciprofloxacin/ aminoglycoside [pseudomonas]

treatment 5-7 days

Question 11

Otitis media

Answer 11

• Amoxicillin - 2-3 days then 2nd line if no improvement
• 2nd line: Co-amoxiclav [worsening symptoms]
• Clarithro/Erythro [Pen allergy]

Oral