Infectious illnesses

Question 1

What causes Roseola Infantum?

Answer 1

Roseola is caused by the human herpes virus type 6B or 7.

Question 2

What is the typical presentation of Roseola Infantum?

Answer 2

Common 6 months - 2 years

fever followed later by rash

wide-spread pink-red papules and macules (2-5 mm in diameter) mostly on the trunk, that blanch when touched.

febrile seizures common

Question 3

Features of chickenpox

Answer 3

Fever initially

Itchy, rash starting on head/trunk before spreading.

Initially macular then papular then vesicular

Systemic illness is usually mild

Question 4

Features of measles

Answer 4

Irritable, conjunctivitis and fever are prodromal symptoms

Rash starts behind ears then spreads to whole body

Kolpik spots in the mouth

Question 5

Features of Mumps

Answer 5

Fever, malaise, muscular pain
Parotitis (‘earache’, ‘pain on eating’): unilateral initially then becomes bilateral

Question 6

Features of Rubella

Answer 6

Rash: pink maculopapular, initially on face before spreading to whole body, usually fades by the 3-5 day

Question 7

What type of lymphadenopathy occurs in Rubella?

Answer 7

suboccipital and postauricular

Question 8

Features of Erythema infectiosum

Answer 8

1. Also known as fifth disease or ‘slapped-cheek syndrome’
2. Caused by parvovirus B19
3. Lethargy, fever, headache
4. ‘Slapped-cheek’ rash spreading to proximal arms and extensor surfaces

Question 9

Features of scarlet fever

Answer 9

1. Reaction to erythrogenic toxins produced by Group A haemolytic streptococci
2. Fever, malaise, tonsillitis
3. ‘Strawberry’ tongue
4. Rash - fine punctate erythema sparing the area around the mouth (circumoral pallor), can feel “rough like sandpaper”

Question 10

Features of hand, foot and mouth disease

Answer 10

Caused by Coxsackie A16 virus

Mild systemic upset i.e. sore throat, fever.

Vesicles in the mouth, palms and soles of feet

Question 11

If a child has Rubella, when can they go back to school?

Answer 11

5 days from onset of rash

Question 12

Which conditions require no exclusion from school?

Answer 12

hand foot and mouth
Parvovirus 19
threadworms
conjunctivitis

Question 13

When can a child with scarlet fever return to school?

Answer 13

24 hours after commencing antibiotics

Question 14

When can children with whooping cough return to school?

Answer 14

2 days after commencing antibiotics (or 21 days from onset of symptoms if no antibiotics)

Question 15

When can a child with measles return to school?

Answer 15

4 days from onset of rash

Question 16

When can a child with chickenpox return to school?

Answer 16

When all lesions have crusted over

Question 17

When can a child with mumps return to school?

Answer 17

5 days from onset of swollen glands

Question 18

When can a child with gastroenteritis return to school?

Answer 18

Until symptoms have settled for 48 hours

Question 19

When can a child with impetigo return to school?

Answer 19

Until lesions are crusted and healed, or 48 hours after commencing antibiotic treatment

Question 20

Most common causes of meningitis in neonates (3 months and under)

Answer 20

Group B Streptococcus
E.coli
Listeria monocytogenes

Question 21

Common causative agents of meningitis in 1 month to 6 years

Answer 21

Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)

Haemophilus influenzae