Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
What causes acute bronchitis?
Complication of a viral URTI
What is chronic bronchitis?
A cough that is productive and lasts for three months of the year - it is not an infection but makes you susceptible to infection
What pathogens cause infection in chronic bronchitis?
pneumoccoci and h. influenzae
What is bronchiolitis
An infection which most commonly occurs to children in the first year of life and gives symptoms similar to asthma - may be caused by maternal antibodies to RSV
What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis?
RSV
What is acute bacterial pneumonia?
Pneumonia caused by bacteria that has a sudden onset and causes inflammation within the airways - CXR will show one area that is completely white out
What is atypical pneumonia?
Pneumonia caused by either bacteria or virus that has a slower onset and longer course and causes inflammation of the interstitial tissue - CXR will show patchy consolidation
What are the causes of acute bacterial pneumonia?
Mostly pneumoccocus but also h. influenzae, staph, klebs, legionella, TB, chlamyophila
What are the causes of atypical pneumonia?
Most commonly mycoplasma but also chlamydia, m. catarrhalis, influenza, RSV, adenovirus
Why can’t mycoplasma be treated with penicillin?
Because it lacks a cell wall
What causes lung abscess?
mixed anaerobes with or without staph or klebs
What is empyema?
Pus in the pleural space
What commonly causes empyema?
Staph aureus
What are the clinical considerations in the diagnosis of pneumonia?
Whether it is community acquired or hospital acquired, the severity index, underlying illness, risk factors e.g. contact with animals, air conditioning, soil, travel, homelessness
What disease is spread from animal hides?
Anthrax
