Infections Flashcards
These are the ones not covered in other topics
The main PC of the febrile pt or infectious disease hx is ________
Fever - duration, frequency, patterns, temp recordings, night sweats/ rigors
Diarrhoea - duration, frequency, consistency, bleeding, colour
What are the risk factors for infections?
Recent travel Unwell contacts Immunocompromised Recent hospital admission / surgery Sexual hx Animal/insect exposure Occupation - healthcare, sewage Unusual foods Leisure activities - swimming
What mneumonic can help me to remember parts of a travel hx?
SPACES: Swimming & other activities Procedures - hospital admission, tatoos Animal/ insect exposure Contacts Eating and drinking Sexual hx
Also: where? Who? How long? Immunisations. Prophylaxis
Pyrexia in surgical patients can be a sign of common post-op complications.
What are the causes of post-op pyrexia?
Atelectasis (esp 1st 48hrs) Infection (days-weeks) Tissue damage Blood tranfusion DVT
When looking for an infection in a surgical patient - what sites should you think about?
Wound site (30% in elective, 60% in emergencies)
Lines - cannulas, catheters
Bladder
Chest
(Endocarditis, meningism)
What investigations woud you do for a surgical pt with pyrexia?
BEDSIDE: Urinalysis, Wound swab, (Wells-score)
LABS: FBC, U&Es, CRP, +/- blood cultures, +/- Urine MCS
IMAGING (depends on examination): CXR, Abdo-USS
State the complications of wound infections
Sepsis
Dehiscence
Haemorrhage
Glandular fever is aka _______________
The causative organism is _____ but can also be _______________
The incubation period is 4-5 weeks and is spread through saliva
Infectious Mononucleosis
EBV
Also: CMV, HIV, Toxoplasmosis
How does glandular fever present?
Sore throat Large purulent tonsils - often odynophagia Cervical lymphadenopathy Fever Anorexia, malaise Rash - maculopapular
A 22 y/o female complains of sore throat and fever. On examination her tonsils are large, pustular and she has a rash.
What investigations would you do?
LABS: FBC (high WCC & leucocytes), Blood film (atyopical lymphocytes), LFTs, Mono-spot, EBV IgM
+/- HIV
How to glandular fever managed?
Symptomatic relief
Avoid contact sports and alcohol (splenomegaly)
If severe: Aciclovir + Steriods
Which antibiotic should be avoided if you suspect glandular fever?
Amoxicillin - can cause rash then think they are allergic!
EBV is associated with which cancers?
Lymphoma
Gastric
ENT
