Intro to Common Cold, Influenza, Sinusitis and Allergic Rhinitis (2.1)

Question 1

For the common cold;

A) Discuss what it is

B) Who gets it and and how many times a year

C) Transmission

D) Common symptoms

Answer 1

A)

• Also known as ‘Acute Coryza’
• Caused by >200 types of viruses
• 30-50 % by serotypes of rhinovirus
• Self-limiting (75% recover < 7 days)

B)

• Anyone can get a cold at any time, very common

> Children; 5-10 colds per year

> Adults; 2-4 colds per year

> Children > adults (underdeveloped immune system)

• Elderly, asthmatics, heart and lung disease, immunocompromised

C)

• Viruses come in contact with hands from contaminated surfaces (handles, phone, tables)

> Hands then touch nose,mouth, eyes

• Droplets spread from sneezing and coughing coat surfaces, viable for several hours
• Can inhale or ingest infected mucuous particles (if someone coughs/sneees on you)
• Can occur any season but peak in australian winter and spring

D)
Symptoms usually mild to to moderately severe

• Headache
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose

Question 2

For influenza (flu);

A) Epidemiology (what causes it, where its most common, when it occurs the most etc)

B) Symptoms in adults and children

C) Who is at high risk of contracting influenza

D) Prevention?

Answer 2

A)

• Acute illness caused by a group of myxoviruses (influenza type A, B and C)
• Different groups of viruses from those that cause common cold
• Influenza viruses mutate very rapidly -> circulating strains change from season to season –> annual vaccination necessary
• Highly contagious and potentially deadly disease
• Occurs in epidemic or pandemic
• May cause bronchitis, pneumonia
• May take > 2weeks to recover form flu
• Common during winter period (july-sep)
• Transmission same as cold

B)

Symptoms in adults

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Muscle and joint pain
• Tiredness/ extreme exhaustion
• Headache
• Sore throat

Symptoms in children

• High fever
• Lack of energy
• Cough
• Children can also get diarrhoea and vomitting

C)

• People aged 65 years and over
• Aboroginals
• Pregnant
• People aged six months over with medical conditions such as (severe asthma, lung/heart disease, low immunity, diabetes)

D)

• Yearly vaccination for high risk groups and for health care qorkers
• Only 42% at risk group under 65 years of age are being vaccinated annuallly
• Less than being 50% of HC workers are being vaccinated anually
• Children can be vaccinated from 6 months old

Question 3

What are some differences between the common cold and influenza?

Answer 3

See attached image

Question 4

For rhinosinusitits;

A) Discuss its epidemiology

B) Symptoms

C) How to treat

D) When to refer?

Answer 4

A)

• An infection of the sinuses
• Usually follows an acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
• Causes –> bacterial, viral, allergic
• Complications –> Intracranial abscesses, meningitis, orbital cellulitis
• More common in people > 20 yo: sinuses fully developed

B)

• Nasal congestion
• Mucopurulent (mucus + pus) nasal discharge
• Unilateral facial pain (pain behind the eyes)
• Toothache, halitosis, headache, decrease sense of smell
• Pain exarcebated by bending down, moving eyes from side to side, coughing and sneezing
• Fever and chills

C)

• 70% of patients will improve after 2 weeks without antibiotics
• Small percentage may become a chronic issue - with acute exacerbations

D)

• Refer if mucopurulent discharge lasts for longer than 3-4 days
• Refer if fever exceeds 38.4

Question 5

For allergic rhinitis (hayfever);

A) what are the types of allergic rhinitis?

B) What are some of the common allergens that trigger allergic rhinitis?

C) Discuss its epidemiology

D) What are immediate signs/ symptoms and some obstructive signs/ symptoms

Answer 5

A)

Seaonal or perennial

Seasonal/ intermittent allergens

• Airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds
• Incidence is a predicatable (springtime)

Perennial allergens

• House dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, fungi and moulds
• Incidence dependent on environmental exposure

B)

• Dust mites, grass pollen, mould, pet dander

C)

• Hay fever is a misnomer (incorrect name)
• Inflammation of nasal lining
• Strong genetic predisposition (atopic)
• Considered harmless but results in;

> Poor quality sleep, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness

> Harder to think and function at work, greater absenteeism, more work- related injury

> Impacts mood

> Affect exam performance and memory recall

D)

Immediate signs or symptoms

• Runny nose
• Rubbing of the nose
• Itchy nose
• Itchy, sore throat
• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Ithcy ears (buzzing sound)

Obstructive signs or symptoms

• Congested nose
• Sinus pain
• Snoring