Infectious Disease Flashcards
What is the scientific name for the common cold?
infectious rhinitis
Is the common cold a bacterial or viral infection?
It is viral
How many causative agents can cause the common cold?
More than 200 possible causative agents
How does the common cold spread?
Through respiratory droplets
What are the 2 most important methods to prevent the spread of infection?
- Hand washing
2. Respiratory hygiene
How is the common cold treated?
Symptomatically
While a patient is infected with the common cold, what, if any, type of secondary infections may occur?
- What is the causative agent?
- What are the symptoms?
- Bacterial Infections
- Streptococci
- Purulent exudate; systemic signs (i.e. fever)
When does sinusitis usually occur? What is the causative agent?
It is usually a bacterial infection; secondary to a cold or allergy
What is the result of sinusitis?
obstruction of paranasal sinuses into the nasal cavity
What is the pressure experienced by patients suffering from sinusitis caused by?
Where is this pressure located?
- Pressure is caused by inflammation
- It is in the sinus cavity
What is the common name for Laryngotracheobronchitis?
- Croup
Who often suffers from croup?
Children ages 1-2 years old
Is Laryngotracheobronchitis bacterial or viral?
Viral
What is the common causative organism for Laryngotracheobronchitis?
Parainfluenza virus and adenoviruses
How does Laryngotracheobronchitis usually manifest itself in the beginning?
It begins as an upper respiratory infection
How does the Laryngotracheobronchitis infection spread through the body?
It starts as an upper respiratory infection.
Spreads to the larynx with inflammation resulting in obstruction.
What causes the “croupy cough”?
Obstruction in the larynx due to inflammation
What sound is heard on inspiration during Laryngotracheobronchitis?
Inspiratory stridor
Does Laryngotracheobronchitis spread to the people around patient zero?
No, it is usually self-limited
What age range usually acquires epiglottitis?
Common in children ages 3-7
What is the mot common causative agent of epiglottitis?
Haemophilus influenzae type B
Does epiglottitis have an insidious onset or a rapid onset?
Rapid onset
What are common symptoms of epiglottitis? (5)
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heightened anxiety
What sitting position is characteristic of epiglottitis?
A tripod position
Where does swelling occur during epiglottitis? (3)
- Larynx
- Supraglottic Area
- Epiglottis
What does the swelling that occurs during epiglottitis cause? (2)
- Airway obstruction
2. Spasm of larynx common if area is touched with instruments
What are the 2 treatments for epiglottitis?
- Oxygen
2. Antimicrobial Therapy
What type of infection is Influenza?
A viral infection
What part of the respiratory system does Influenza affect? (upper or lower respiratory tract)
It can upper and lower respiratory tract
Which secondary infection frequently appears when a patient has influenza?
Viral Pneumonia
What type of virus is the influenza virus?
Which virus group does it belong to?
- RNA Virus
- Myxovirus Group
What are the 3 types of influenza viruses?
- Type A
- Type B
- Type C
Which influenza virus is the most prevalent?
Why is this type so prevalent?
Type A
What cells does the influenza virus enter?
The respiratory mucosa
What does the influenza virus do in the respiratory mucosa?
What could it cause? (2)
It replicates
Inflammation and necrosis
Where could there be inflammation when a patient has influenza? (3)
- Sinuses
- Pharynx
- Auditory Tube
What are the acute clinical manifestations of influenza?
- Systemic signs (3)
- Pain (3)
- Respiratory (2)
- Systemic signs (3)
- Fever
- Chills
- Marked Fatigue
- Pain (3)
- Headache
- Aching pain
- Sore Throat
- Respiratory (2)
- Unproductive cough (dry)
- Nasal congestion
What is the main cause of death during the flu epidemic?
Pneumonia
How many types of treatment are there for influenza? What are those treatments?
- Symptomatic and supportive
2. Antiviral
When would you not treat influenza purely symptomatically/ supportively?
If a bacterial infection develops secondarily
What is the reason for using antiviral drugs? (2)
- May reduce symptoms and duration
2. Reduce the risk of infecting others
What is an example of an antiviral used against influenza?
Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
What preventative measures can be taken in regard to the influenza virus? (2)
- Respiratory Hygiene
2. Vaccination (not recommended to all but it is recommended for most)
What causes Scarlett fever?
Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus
S. pyogenes
What are the 6 symptoms of Scarlett fever?
Systemic (2)
GI (2)
Above the shoulders (2)
- Typical “strawberry tongue”
- Fever, Chills
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Malaise
What is the treatment for Scarlett fever?
Antibiotics
What part of the respiratory tract does pneumonia affect?
The Lower Respiratory Tract
What is the classification of pneumonias based on? (4)
- Causative agent
- Anatomical location of infection
- Pathophysiological changes
- Epidemiological data
What are the 3 types of causative agents that could cause pneumonia?
- Viral
- Bacterial
- Fungal
Where could pneumonia be located? (2)
Throughout both lungs
or
Consolidated in one lobe
What pathophysiological changes could occur in pneumonia? (3)
- Changes in interstitial tissue
- Alveolar septae
- Alveoli
Where could someone acquire pneumonia? (The epidemiological data that helps with classification of pneumonia) (2)
- Nosocomial
2. Community- acquired
What is a nosocomial infection?
A hospital - acquired infection
What is another name for Pneumococcal Pneumonia?
Lobar Pneumonia
Is Pneumococcal Pneumonia community acquired or nosocomial?
Who does it usually affect?
- It is community acquired
- young healthy adults
What usually causes pneumococcal pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Where is the infection of pneumococcal pneumonia located in the infected patient?
The infection is localized in one of more lobes
Where is the exudate accumulated in pneumococcal pneumonia patients?
The exudate is in the alveoli
What type of congestion is present in pneumococcal pneumonia?
Vascular congestion
What does the exudate of pneumococcal pneumonia contain?
Is it loose or firm?
Fibrin and it forms a consolidated mass