Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults Flashcards
Upper respiratory tract infections are infections which occur above what?
Vocal cords
What is the inflammation of the trachea called?
Tracheitis
Which part of the lungs does pneumonia involve?
Parenchyma of the lungs
->alveoli and base units of the lungs
Define acute bronchitis.
Inflammation of the lungs
How long does acute bronchitis last?
Temporary so <3 weeks
What are some of the presenting symptoms of acute bronchitis?
Cough and sputum
What is the difference between acute and chronic bronchitis?
Acute- cough is temporary, <3 weeks
Chronic- often seen in those with COPD, having a cough for three months of the year for at least two years in a row.
What type of infection of acute bronchitis usually?
Viral
Describe the management of acute bronchitis.
Supportive management
->lots of fluids
->paracetamol
List some unusual symptoms which would require the individual to see their GP.
- cough is severe or lasts longer than 3 weeks
- high temperature for more than 3 days
–may be a sign of flu or a more serious condition, like pneumonia - cough up mucus streaked with blood
- underlying heart or lung condition, such as asthma, heart failure or emphysema
- more breathless
- repeated episodes of bronchitis
Name some presenting symptoms of someone with an exacerbation of COPD.
- Change in colour of sputum
- Fevers
- Increased breathlessness
- Wheeze (worse)
- Cough (worse)
Name the three common bacteria which cause COPD exacerbation.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
Name some antibiotics which can treat an exacerbation of COPD.
-amoxicillin
- doxycycline
- co-trimoxazole
- clarithromycin
Other than antibiotics, what treatment can be given for an exacerbation of COPD?
Steroids
Nebulisers
Define pneumonnia.
Inflammation of lung parenchyma
How many people with acute bronchitis then go on to develop pneumonia?
1 in 20
What are some of the risk factors for developing pneumonia?
*Smoking, alcohol in excess
* Extremes of age (very young and very old)
* Preceding viral illness
* Pre-existing lung disease
* Chronic illness
* Immunocompromised
* Hospitalisation
* IVDU (IV drug abusers)
Name three types of pneumonia.
Bronchopneumonia
Lobar pneumonia
Interstitial pneumonia
Define bronchopneumonia.
Inflammation of the alveoli
Define lobar pneumonia
Infection in which the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid.
Define interstitial pneumonia.
Rare disorder that affects the tissue that surrounds and separates the tiny air sacs of the lungs.
Describe how bronchopneumonia affects the lung.
Usually affects one lung in patches
Describe how lobar pneumonia affects the lung.
Causes consolidation of an entire lobe of the lung.
Define consolidation.
Solidification due to cellular exudate in alveoli leads to impaired gas exchange
Which preceding viral illness can lead to pneumonia?
Flu
List some of the clinical symptoms of pneumonia.
*Fever, rigors, myalgia
* Cough and sputum
* Chest pain (pleuritic)
* Dyspnoea
* Haemoptysis- rare but red flag
List some of the clinical signs of pneumonia.
- Tachypnoea
- Tachycardia
- Reduced expansion
- Dull percussion
- Bronchial breathing
- Crepitations
- Vocal resonance increase
What is the normal body temp range?
37 degrees +/- 0.6 degree
Define rigors
Shivers
Define myalgia
Muscle pain
What is meant by pleuritic chest pain?
Pain upon deep inspiration
What bacteria can cause brown, rusty looking sputum?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Define Tachypnoea
Rapid breathing
Define Tachycardia
HR > 90bpm
Define Crepitations
Rattling sounds
What investigations could be done in someone w suspected pneumonia in a community setting?
Nothing really
Chest x-ray sometimes used