HLTH 2501: infectious diseases (respiratory) Flashcards
what is the common cold?
a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract
common pathogens causing the common cold
most often it is a rhinovirus, but may also be an adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, or coronavirus; however, there are more than 200 possible causative organisms
how is the common cold spread?
via respiratory droplets (these are either inhaled or spread by secretions on hands or contaminated objects)
why is the common cold so contagious?
because the virus is shed in large numbers from the infected nasal mucosa and it can also survive for several hours outside of the body
signs of a common cold
red nose, swollen pharynx, nasal congestion, watery eyes sneezing, mouth breathing, sore throat, headache, slight fever, malaise, cough, and may cause secondary infections
rhinorrhea
mucus or snot dripping out of the nose
what are common secondary infections of the common cold?
pharyngitis, laryngitis, or acute bronchitis,
treatment for the common cold
acetaminophen for fever and headache, decongestants, antihistamines, humidifiers, vitamin C, and antibiotics if a secondary infection has developed
another name for strep throat
pharyngitis
sinusitis
is usually a bacterial infection secondary to a cold or an allergy that has obstructed the drainage of one or more of the paranasal sinuses into the nasal cavity
common causative organisms for sinusitis
pneumococci, streptococci, or hemophilus influenza, as well as viruses or fungi
signs of sinusitis
pain in the facial bones (feels like a headache or toothache), nasal congestion, fever, and sore throat
why do you feel pain in the facial bones during sinusitis?
as exudate accumulates, pressure builds up inside the sinus cavity causing pain
diagnosis for sinusitis
radiograph or transillumination
treatment for sinusitis
decongestants, analgesics, and antibiotics
laryngotracheobronchitis
is a common viral infection in children that begins as an upper respiratory infection. causing inflammation of the mucosa and trachea, obstructing airflow
common causative agents of laryngotracheobronchitis
parainfluenza viruses and adenoviruses
signs of laryngotracheobronchitis
nasal congestion, cough, swelling, exudate, and inflammation, which lead to barking cough (croup) and hoarse voice
treatment for laryngotracheobronchitis
humidifiers, shower, or croup tent, but is usually self-limited and recovery is quick
epiglottitis causative organism
haemophilus influenzae
epiglottitis
is an acute bacterial infection common in children 3-7, causing swelling of the larynx, supraglottic area, and epiglottis
signs of epiglottitis
round, red ball obstructing the airway, fever, sore throat, inspiratory stridor (high-pitched sound), refusing to swallow, child takes a sitting position or tripod position with the mouth open, saliva drooling, and pallor
treatment for epiglottitis
oxygen and antimicrobial therapy, and sometimes tracheotomy
influenza
is a viral infection of both the upper and lower respiratory tracts and has three types (A,B,C)
type A influenza
is the most prevalent pathogen for influenza
flu vs cold
flu has a sudden onset with marked fever, fatigue, and body aching but both may cause secondary infections to develop
common secondary infection of influenza
pneumonia
treatment for influenza
antiviral drugs like amantadine, zanamivir, or oseltamivir
incubation period for influenza
1-4 days
what is scarlet fever caused by?
group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus pyogenes
symptoms of scarlet fever
fever, sore throat, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, malaise, strawberry tongue, and a fine rash on the chest, neck, groin, and things
strawberry tongue
common in scarlet fever and is caused by the exotoxin produced by the bacteria
treatment for scarlet fever
antibiotics
upper respiratory tract infections
scarlet fever, influenza, common cold, epiglottitis, sinusitis, and laryngotracheobronchitis
bronchiolitis
is a common viral infection in young children aged 2 to 12 months
causative organism for bronchiolitis
the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a myxovirus
how is bronchiolitis transmitted?
oral droplets
what does the bronchiolitis infection cause?
necrosis and inflammation in the small bronchi and bronchioles, along with edema, increased secretions, and reflex bronchospasm leading to obstruction of the small airways
3 respiratory infections that affect young children
laryngotracheobronchitis, bronchiolitis, and epiglottitis
signs of bronchiolitis
wheezing, dyspnea, rapid and shallow respirations, cough, rales, chest retractions, fever, and malaise
treatment for bronchiolitis
RSV immunoglobulin serum (palivizumab) which is an RSV monoclonal antibody
pneumonia
is often a secondary infection to others and is at risk for developing when fluid pools in the lungs or when cilia function is reduced; causative agent can be a virus, bacterium, or fungus
how is pneumonia classified?
based on the causative agent, anatomic location of the infection, pathophysiologic changes, or epideminologic data
lobar pneumonia
is often caused by a bacterium, often staphylococcus aureus or legionella
pneumonia vaccines
there are 7 available for the most common agents are is often given to those with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease, as well as those 65+
what are common causative organisms of pneumonia for immunosuppressed individuals?
candida or pneumocystis carinii
viral pneumonia
often causes changes in the interstitial tissue or alveolar space
pneumococcal pneumonia
alveoli appears inflamed and is filled with exudate, resulting in a solid mass in a lobe
word for hospital acquired infections
nosocominal
what are causative agents in nosocomial pneumonias?
usually are gram-negative bacterias like klebsiella pneumoniae pr pseudomonas aeruginosa
community-acquired pneumonia
viral or bacterial