Infection 3: Diagnosis & prognosis Flashcards
What are the 4 major groups of pathogens
- bacteria
- viruses
- fungi
- parasites
Examples of bacteria
- staphylococcus aureus
- streptococci
- escherichia coli
- tuberculosis
Examples of viruses
- rhinovirus
- influenza
- hepatitis B/C
- HIV
Examples of fungi
- candida
- Tinea
Examples of parasites
- malaria
- hookworm
What do you listen out for when patients giving their history
- non-specific symptoms
- specific symptoms
- conditions that make people more susceptible to infection
- lifestyle activities that brings people in contact with infection
What does bacterial infection elevate
Neutrophils
What does viral infection elevate
Lymphocyte
What does parasitic infection elevate
Eosinophil
What does C-reactive protein (CRP) mark
Inflammation
What do urea & electrolyte levels mark
Kidney function
What is used for liver function testing
LFTs
What sample is taken to test for pneumonia
Sputum
What sample is taken to test for gastroenteritis
Faeces
What sample is taken to test for tonsillitis
Throat swab
What is lumbar puncture used for
Testing cerebrospinal fluid for meningitis
How is lumbar puncture done
Put needle between spinal cord
What tests do microbiologists use
Microscopy
- Gram stain
Culture
- plates kill anything except suspected bacteria
Antibiotic sensitivity
How do we detect organisms we can’t grow in the lab
- identify part of organism
- proteins (antigens)
- DNA/RNA (PCR)
- identify body’s immune system response to infection
How can infections be treated
- Supportive therapy
- Specific therapy
What entails supportive therapy
- Symptomatic - paracetamol for fever
- Dehydration/ Low blood pressure - IV fluids
What entails specific therapy
- Antimicrobials - drugs kill microorganisms
- Antibiotic - chemical substance derived from mould - kill bacteria
What does self-limiting infection mean
No treatment is required
What is the ideal antimicrobial
- selective toxicity
- bacteriocidal NOT bacteriostatic
- no resistance
- good pharmacokinetics
- no side effects
- not inactivated by enzymes secreted by microbes
List some of the problems with antimicrobials
- broad spectrum
- narrow spectrum
- some cannot be given orally
- many cause serious side effects
- bacterial resistance
How to reduce pathogens in general environment
- clean drinking water
- improving sanitation
- hygienic food preparation
How to reduce pathogens in hospital environment
- cleaning wards
- filtered air in operating theatres
- sterile instruments
What are prophylactic treatments
- antimalarials
- antibiotics given to immunosuppressed patients
What are the two types of vaccination
Active
- antibodies
Passive
- stimulating immune system
