GI infection control

Question 1

In what population is rotavirus most common

Answer 1

kids under 3

Question 2

how is rotavirus spread

Answer 2

person-person faecal oral

Question 3

When does rotavirus usually occur

Answer 3

in winter

Question 4

What are the symptoms for rotavirus

Answer 4

Mild water diarrhoea 
moderate fever
vomiting 
diarrhoea 
Not bloody

Question 5

How long does rotavirus last

Answer 5

A week

Question 6

Where does the rotavirus survive

Answer 6

in the environment

Question 7

How does the rotavirus produce its effects

Answer 7

Affects the absorption and secretion in the bowel

Question 8

What can happen post rotavirus

Answer 8

post infection malabrosption which leads to more diarrhoea

Question 9

Describe the symptoms of a repeat infection

Answer 9

Much milder

Question 10

How can you diagnose rotavirus

Answer 10

PCR diagnosis on faeces

Question 11

What is the treatment of rotavirus

Answer 11

Supportive - hydration is key - oral where possible

Question 12

How can we prevent the rotavirus

Answer 12

The rotavirus vaccine

Question 13

At what age do children get the vaccine?

Answer 13

2 and 3 months (2 vaccines)

Question 14

Why do we not give 1st dose to babies over 15 wees

Answer 14

increased risk of intususseption

Question 15

What is another name for the norovirus

Answer 15

Winter vomiting disease

Question 16

Who can be affected by the norovirus?

Answer 16

All ages

Question 17

How does the norovirus spread

Answer 17

Faecal-oral / droplet routes of spread

Question 18

Describe the onset of norvirus

Answer 18

Abrupt and unpredictable onset

Question 19

Describe the D & V of norovirus

Answer 19

Explosive and sudden

Question 20

What can vomiting lead to

Answer 20

Widespread environmental contamination and onward transmission

Question 21

How can we diagnose norovirus and how long does this take

Answer 21

PCR on stool takes 6 hours

PCR on vomit using red copan viral swabs

Question 22

How can we treat norovirus

Answer 22

Hydration is key

Question 23

How can we prevent the spread of norovirus

Answer 23

Early ward closure / isolation / cohorting required

Question 24

What can cause Cl difficile

Answer 24

Side effect of antibiotic

Question 25

What does Cl difficile do

Answer 25

Produce toxins and produces spores

Question 26

Describe the symptoms of CDI

Answer 26

Mild, bloody, pseudomembanous colitis

Question 27

Who is most likely to get CDI

Answer 27

Elderly females over 65

Question 28

How much of CDI is community acquired

Answer 28

40%

Question 29

How can we diagnose Cl difficile

Answer 29

Stool testing
sigmoidoscopy membranous lesions
ct scan

Question 30

If the screening tests are positive and the toxin is positive, what does this mean

Answer 30

The patient is positive for c diff

Question 31

If the screening tests are positive and the toxin is negative, what does this mean?

Answer 31

Indeterminate

Question 32

What do we do for a patient who is indeterminate

Answer 32

Single room
contact precautions
close assessment
w

Question 33

How can we control CDI

Answer 33

Good infection control
Strict control on antibiotic use types/ tonnage
handwashing

Question 34

What are the contact precautions for?

Answer 34

To prevent the spread via contact with contaminated hands

Indirectly via contaminated equipment / environment

Question 35

What are contact precautions for infectious diarrhoea

Answer 35

Single room 
cohort bay
hand washing 
glove use 
apron/ gown if anticipate contamination 
ward closure (sometimes) 
limit movement 
single use items 
cleaning/ disinfection of items 
report all exposures to infective material

Question 36

How can you protect you and patients from cross infection?

Answer 36

adherence to infection control precaustions
prudent antibiotic prescribing
stay off 48 hours post cessation of symptoms