Infectious Diseases Flashcards
What are the common organisms causing meningitis?
Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenza type B
Give some differentials of Meningitis
Malaria Encephalitis Septicaemia Dengue Tetanus
What are the early features of meningitis?
General malaise Headache Fever N+V Leg pains Cold hands and feet Abnormal skin colour
There may also be signs of the disease causing meningitis:
HSV (cold sores)
HIV
Mumps (parotid swelling)
Glandular fever (sore throat, jaundice, nodes)
What are the late features of meningitis?
Neck stiffness Photophobia Reduced GCS Coma Seizures: and other focal neurological signs Petechial rash (non-blanching) Shock: prolonged cap refill time; DIC; reduced BP In infants: bulging fontenelles
Name some common disease associated with sub-Saharan africa?
Malaria
HIV
Rickettsiae
Name some common disease associated with south east Asia
Malaria
Dengue
Enteric fever
Name some common disease associated with south and Central Asia
Malaria
Dengue
Enteric fever
Name some common disease associated with South America and the Caribbean
Malaria
Dengue
Enteric fever
Name some disease with a short (<10days) incubation period
Dengue Chikungunya Gastroenteritis Relapsing fever Rickettsiae
Name some diseases with a medium (10-20d) incubation period
Malaria
HIV
Enteric fever
Name some diseases with a long (<21d) incubation period
Malaria HIV TB Viral hepatitis Schistosomiasis
What investigations would you want to perform on a pt with undifferentiated fever?
Malaria film/rapid diagnostic testing
HIV test
FBC: lymphopenia (viral ie HIV), eosinophilia (parasitic/fungal ie schistosomiasis), low platelets (malaria, dengue, HIV, Typhoid, severe sepsis)
Blood cultures (x2)
LFT
Consider: sputum culture, specific serology
