Examination of Infectious Diseases Patient Flashcards
What does examination aim to do?
- To assess a patient that presents with unexplained fever
- Identification of oral lesions with infective causes
- Identifying patients that require additional work up for surgery due to immunosuppression or bleeding risk
- Prevention of cross infection to clinician and staff
Where to look for assessment of the infectious patient? (6)
- General
- Hands
- Arms
- Face
- Eyes
- Ears
What are the most common causes of fever?
1.Bacterial Infection (Odontogenic abscess, Tuberculosis, Osteomyelitis)
2,Viral Infection (EBV, HIV, HSV)
3.Fungal (Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis)
4.Autoimmune Conditions (Giant Cell Arteritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
5.Malignancy(Leukemias/ Lymphomas)
The longer the duration of fever > less likely to be infective
When a patient has an unexpected fever what do we ask?
- Fever history? Onset, duration, Severity, Precipitating & relieving factors, swelling, changes. pain
- Recent infection? Types, symptoms, what resolved it
- Exposure? sick, food, injuries, sex
- Other? recent surgical history
General assessment?
Temperature >38 C
Weight loss (chronic illness/malignancy)
Skin rash Viral: Infectious mononucleosis, Rubella, dengue fever, Bacterial: Syphilis, Non – Infective: Drugs, SLE, Erythema Multiforme (possible other underlying condition)
Cervical Lymphadenopathy
Hands and Arms assessment?
Purpura & Petechiae Finger clubbing (IE)
Drug injection sites, recent cannula sites
Face assessment?
Seborrheic dermatitis (HIV)
Ulcerative/ vesicular lesions (Location- HSV/ VZV)
Swellings/ Fistulae
Jaundice
Eyes and Ears assessment?
Eyes:
- Conjunctivitis, pain, double vision, photophobia
- Retinal haemorrhages (Leukemia)
- Jaundice (Hepatitis, Malaria)
Ears: Drainage from ear canal (Middle Ear Infection)
Localised signs of infection Upper Respiratory Tract?
Cough, Stridor, sinus, tooth pain
Pharyngeal erythema, enlarged tonsils, regional lymphadenopathy
Localised signs of Lower Respiratory Tract?
Chest pain, cyanosis, sputum
Tachypnoea, crackles, wheezing
Localised signs of infection Genito-Urinary ?
Dysuria, vaginal discharge
Localised signs of infections Cardiovascular?
Chest pain, tachycardia, hypotension, cardiomegaly
Janeway lesions, Osler’s Nodes (IE signs/ symptoms
Localised signs of infection Hepatic?
Jaundice, nausea, Right upper quadrant pain
Localised signs of infection CNS Changes
?
Headache, photophobia, seizures, confusion
What tests should we order?
WBC, Acute phase reactants, blood and urine cultrures
What does WBC test show?
Bacterial: Increased neutrophil count
Viral: Initial transient neutrophil increase, then increase in monocytes
EBV: Atypical lymphocytes, large T lymphocytes – IM
Eosinophilia : Allergic/ Parasitic infections