Coughs Cold Sore Throats

Question 1

What medication causes sore throats

Answer 1

Carbimazole - refer immediately as indicative of bone barrow suppression

Catopril, cytotoxic, nueroleptics,

Question 2

Treatment for sore throats

Answer 2

Antibacterial - benzalkonium
Local anaesthetic - lidocaine
Anti inflammatory - flurbiprofen
Good contact time (lozenges)

Poor contact time ( mouthwash / sprays )
Good antiseptic numbing properties
Benzydamine (difflam)

Question 3

When to refer a bad throat

Answer 3

Longer than 2 weeks 
Bacterial infection 
Pain with no cold and no improvements after 2 days
Hoarseness for 3 weeks 
Skin rash 
Dysphagia 
Repeated bouts of infection

Question 4

Children under 6 can’t

Answer 4

Restricted to paracetamol (2 months) and ibuprofen (3 months )
Honey and lemon, inhalants (not steam)

Question 5

Causes of a cough

Answer 5

Irritants eg smoke sceneted products
Allergens
Medication- ACE inhibitors
Stress

Question 6

Productive cough

Answer 6

Chesty or loose
Phlegm
Excessive secretions
Helpful - clears the phlegm

Phlegm colours
Clear - fine
Yellow / green - infected 
Blood- haemoptysis 
Pink and frothy- heart failure 
Refer last 3

Question 7

Non productive cough

Answer 7

Dry irritating tickle
No inflammation of upper air way
No phlegm
No beneficial purpose

Question 8

When to refer a cough

Answer 8

Longer than 3 weeks
Recurrent night time couch in children
Suspected bacterial infection
Coughing blood

Question 9

Treatment for a chesty cough

Answer 9

Expectorant - loosen mucous 
Fluid Intake
Decongestants
Steam inhalants 
Demulcents

Question 10

Treatment for a dry cough

Answer 10

Suppressants - codeine (18+)
Sedating antihistamines
Demulcents

Question 11

Symptoms of sinusitis

Answer 11

Fluid build up in the usually air spaced sinuses - bacterial infections and inflammation (maxillary sinus most common)
Lying down and bending makes it worse

Question 12

Treatment for sinusitis

Answer 12

Oral decongestants
Topical / systemic decongestants
Nasal sprays
Antibiotics is severe

Question 13

Symptoms of a cold

Answer 13

Onset 1-3 days
Any time of the year
Lasts 1-2 weeks
Sneezing cough congestion discharge sore throat headache pressure in ears and sinuses myalgia mild fever
Patient presenting
No vaccine
Mild self limiting viral infection of the upper respiratory tract

Question 14

Symptoms of the flu

Answer 14

Onset of hours
December to March
1-2 week lasts
Myalgia chills shivering malaise non productive cough loss of appetite pain and aches sore throat severe headache chills
Third party presenting
Vaccine available
Acute respiratory illness caused by influenza virus

Question 15

When to refer a cold

Answer 15

Flu symptoms
Earache not responding to analgesics
Sinus pain not responding to decongestants
No improvement after 10-14 days of self help

Question 16

Treatment for a cold

Answer 16

Adequate rest and fluids
Rest
Steam inhalants (not in children) hydrates URT tissues to loosen mucous and decrease congestion
Analgesics
Topical decongestants - vasoconstriction effects - rapid and potent - maximum 7 days
Volatile ingredients- menthol and eucalyptus
Sedating antihistamines - antimuscarinic drys up secretions
Oral decongestants - decrease mucous productions - maximum of 7 days