Infectious Childhood Conditions Flashcards
Which form of menigitis is more common?
Viral - but thankfully less serious than bacterial
The peak incidence of contracting meningitis is between what ages?
6-12 months
Early symptoms of menigitis include
fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, irritability.
In infants with meningitis what are the common features?
Floppiness and the dislike of being handled are common.
Any child who experiences neck pain when asked to place their chin on their chest should be referred. Why is this?
Indicative of meningitis.
When does the petechial or purpuric non-blanching rash characteristically develop in meningitis?
In the latter stages of the disease
Chicken pox is the primary infection observed when a patient contracts what virus? How is it spread?
Varicella Zoster Virus.
Spread by either droplet infection or from contact with vesicular exudates.
The incubation period for chicken pox is what?
It ranges from 10 to 20 days, prior to the rash developing the patient may experience up to 3 days of prodromal symptoms that could include fever, headache and sore throat.
How does the rash associated with chicke pox usually present?
The rash typically begins on the face and scalp, and spreads to the trunk and limbs. Initialy, they appear as small red lumps that rapidly develop into vesicles, which crust over after 3 to 5 days.
How is molluscum contagiosum usually directed?
By indirect contact, for example sharing towels, although it is not very contagious.
What are the common places of infection with molluscum contagiosum?
Face and axillae (an armpit)
How does a molluscum contagiosum rash present?
Crops, appear as pink pearl-like spots usually less than 0.5cm in dimater.
How is molluscum contagiosum treated?
The condition will spontaneously resolve but if the parent or child is anxious then referral to the GP should be made because liquid nitrogen can be used to remove the lesions.
Impetigo is a bacterial infection, most notably caused by which two bacteria?
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pyogenes
Where is impetigo most commonly found?
On the face, around the nose and mouth.