GI infections Flashcards
When there is a case of food poisoning (and diarrhoea as a symptom), what tests are standard
Urea and electrolytes Full blood count Blood cultures Stool cultures Urine cultures
Why would you do a urea and electrolyte investigation
To check for renal failure
Why would you do a stool culture
To see if there is infectious diarrhoea
Why would you check urine cultures in a case of food poisoning
To check for UTI
What does a high urea level mean
Dehydration
What does a high creatinine level mean
Filtration is not working as well
What does an increase in C reactive protein show
There is an ongoing systemic inflammation
What are possible causes of diarrhoea
Salmonella Campylobacter Shigella E. COli Viral gastro-enteritis
If there is a food poisoning outbreak, what would you do
Stool samples from all those involved. Food microbiology if there is any food left over
What antibiotics are used to treat a C. difficile infection
Vancomycin
Metronidazole
What microorganisms would you test for in a case of travellers’ diarrhoea
E.Coli Salmonella Campylobacter Shigella Vibrio cholerae Protozoan parasites
IN a case of giardia lamblia, what would you treat it with
Metranidazole
What is a symptom of giardia lamblia
Dairy products may cause the diarrhoea to become worse
Symptoms of typhoid fever
Weakness Stomach pain Headache Diarrhoea or constipation Cough Loss of appetite Sometimes a red rash
How can typhoid fever be diagnosed
Analysing samples of blood, stools and urine and examined for salmonella typhi
How is typhoid fever treated
Antibiotics
Complications of typhoid fever
Early mortality from severe sepsis Late mortality complications; perforation of bowel, abscesses in the liver, spleen Meningitis Mycotic aneurysm
