Infectious Disease & Immunology

Question 1

Koplik’s spots are pathognomic of which condition?

Answer 1

Measles (small white spots occurring in the oral mucosa 2-3 days before the measles rash itself)

Question 2

Why is rubella vaccinated against?

Answer 2

Although rubella only produces a mild self limiting illness, if a pregnant woman contracts rubella during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, it can result in congenital rubella leading to the development of a range of health problems in the baby from cataracts and deafness to heart defects and encephalitis

Question 3

Which vaccination is going to be added to the childhood immunisation schedule? (announced in 2015)

Answer 3

Meningitis B

Question 4

What immunisations are given at 2 months?

Answer 4

1) Five-in-one: DTaP/IPV/Hib (*IPV = inactivated polio vaccine)
2) Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
3) Rotavirus (given orally)

Question 5

Which vaccines in the childhood immunisation schedule are live vaccines?

Answer 5

MMR and rotavirus are live vaccines

Question 6

In a child with dehydration, how much and what rate should oral rehydration e.g. Dioralyte be given?

Answer 6

50mL/kg over 4 hours. Give in small and frequent amounts every 5-10 minutes.

Question 7

In children with gastroenteritis, how long does vomiting and diarrhoea usually last?

Answer 7

vomiting 1-2 days

diarrhoea 5-7 days

Question 8

What signs of dehydration should you tell the parents to look out for?

Answer 8

Change in responsiveness e.g. irritable or lethargic
Extremities, hands and feet, become cold
Skin may become pale and mottled
Or if they stop tolerating oral fluids