Emma Best

Question 1

What are the symptoms of measles?

Answer 1

Prodrom: 2-3 days of fever, conjunctivitis, spots.
Characteristic rash day 3-7, most unwell at the time of the rash
10% get a secondary infection - ear, pneumonia, croup

Question 2

What are the symptoms meningitis in an infant?

Answer 2

High fever, now lethargic, may have a non-blanching rash
Irritability because of the stretching of the meninges with movement
Seizures

Complications include hearing loss

Question 3

What are the three main bacterial causes of meningitis in infants?

Answer 3

Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcal pneumonia
Haemophilus influenzae

Question 4

What is the Hib vaccine?

Answer 4

A vaccine against haemophilus influenzae b bacteria.
It is a congugate vaccine (polysaccharide congugated to strongly immunogenic protein) so that it can be given to those under 2.
It induces antibody production against a polysaccharide.
Need 4 shots from 6 weeks to 15 months.

Question 5

What are some features of Streptococcus pneumonia?

Answer 5

Commonly infects those under 2 and those over 65.
Causes bacteriemia, pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis
Gram positive coccus
Has a capsule to escape the immune system

Called invasive pneumococcal disease when causing illness

Conjugated vaccine for those under 2.

Question 6

What are some features of neiseria meningitidis?

Answer 6

Antibodies play an important role in protection. Complement activation and phagocytosis. Not long lasting.

Capsule is poorly immunogenic and polysaccharies are similar to immature neural cells. Used the outer membrane proteins inside the capsule. Conjugate protein vaccine (NZ MenzB vaccine).