Diseases In Infection *on IMs*

Question 1

Describe the symptoms & causes of cellulitis

Answer 1

• a severe inflammation of the dermal and subcutaneous layers of skin
• common pathogens include group A strep, staphylococcus aureus
• causes swelling ie tumor, candor dolor
• treat based on symptoms therefore give a generalised antibiotic and paracetamol for pain
• can also have anaerobic necrosis which is foul smelling
• necrotising cellulitis is a life threatening condition and spreads quickly to produce sepsis

Question 2

Outline candida

Answer 2

• caused by the yeast Candida albicans and other candida species.
• infection happens when native flora are wiped out from the mucosal membranes, allowing the yeast to overgrow
• commonly oral or vaginal
• symptoms include burning, itching, redness, hotness, irritation
• treated topically with a cream, spray or powder

Question 3

Outline pneumonia

Answer 3

• many of the organisms that cause pneumonia are part of the normal flora in the upper RT. The lower RT is kept sterile by the cough reflex, mucocilliary escalator, cilia etc
• pneumonia is infection of the alveoli and tissues of the lung. -The alveoli get packed with exudate of mainly neutrophils, making gas exchange inefficient.
• present w malaise, increased respiratory rate, fever, tachycardia, cough
• on x ray can show as lobar ie in 1 segment or lobe, or bronchopneumonia ie patchy consolidation in bronchioles.

Question 4

Outline adenovirus

Answer 4

• very contagious, infects mucosal membranes eg eyes, intestine, airways, urinary tract
• cause pink eye, cough, colds, swelling of brain
• treated w antibiotics

Question 5

Outline meningitis

Answer 5

• affects the ie the brain and spinal cord; they’re covered in 3 layers of connective tissue called the meninges (inside to out= pia mater, arachnoid, dura mater), normally protect brain and spinal cord from injury.
• meningitis happens bc of inflammation of the meninges, can be bacterial or viral.
• symptoms include headache, photophobia, vomiting, stiffness of neck, irritation

Question 6

Outline sepsis

Answer 6

-life threatening organ dysfunction caused by adysregulated host response to infection. Usually bacterial
-septic shock= when severe sepsis leads to circulatory failure and metabolic abnormalities, low BP
-antimicrobial therapy ie antibiotics, o2 to treat hypoxia and IV to optimise tissue perfusion
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Question 7

Neisseria meningitidis

Answer 7

-is a gram negative diplococcus that may be found inside neutrophils.
-can cause meningitis and septicaemia (bacteria in the blood, cause fever, sepsis)
-most common in young children and teenagers
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