LRTIs (3) Flashcards
list the LRTIs we are expected to know
- influenza
- acute bronchitis
- acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB)
- community acquired pneumonia (CAP)
- nosocomial pneumonia
- empyema/lung abcess
- TB
epidemiology of influenza
distinct outbreaks every year–>typically in winter months
begin abruptly and attack about 10-20% of the population
transmission depends on the virus and the susceptibility of the population
death rates are disproportionately high in elderly and infants
what causes vaccine mismatches with influenza
antigenic drift
what causes influenza
influenza A virus
3 major subtypes of HEMAGLUTININ (H1, H2, H3)
2 subtypes of NEURAMINIDASE (N1, N2)
have ability to undergo changes in antigenic characteristics of envelope glycoproteins
how does the influenza A virus cause infection and spread
HEMAGLUTININ binds to SIALIC ACID on epithelial cell surface to initiate infection
NEURAMINIDASE cleaves the link between progeny and host cell, allowing new virions to escape
when does viral shedding of influenza A begin
24-48 hours before symptom onset
clinical presentation of influenza
ABRUPT onset
fever, cough, headache, myalgias, malaise, sore throat, rhinorrhea
exam usually unremarkable–> flushing and mild cervical lymphadenopathy in some patients
uncomplicated patients improve in 3-5 days
viral shedding stops after 6-7 days
what is the most common complication of influenza
pneumonia
Tx for influenza
most cases are self limited and dont require treatment
antivirals are indicated for the severely ill or those at risk of complications
Ab Tx of secondary infection when needed
in a patient with influenza in which antivirals are indicated, what is the medication used
oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
needs to be given early to see benefit
bacterial causes of acute bronchitis
mycoplasma pneumoniae
chlamydophila pneumoniae
Bordatella pertussis (if cough >3 weeks suspect this)
viral causes of acute bronchitis
respiratory viruses :
influenza coronaviruses adenovirus entero/rhinoviruses RSV measles
is acute bronchitis most often viral or bacterial
viral
clinical presentation of acute bronchitis
cough
what is one way to distinguish between viral and bacterial causes
procalcitonin levels (>0.25 mcg/L suggest bacterial)
what causes AECB
about 50% viral cause
how is AECB diagnosed (criteria)
PRODUCTIVE cough for at least 3 months/year for the last 2 consecutive years=chronic bronchitis
criteria for AECB (need at least 2 to diagnose):
- increased sputum volume
- increased sputum purulence
- increased dyspnea
how is AECB prevented
COPD patients should receive flu vaccine yearly and pneumococcal vaccine every 6 years
what is CAP
pneumonia in a person who is not has not recently been hospitalized
top disease in children worldwide, and among adults in the US
how do pathogens reach the lungs to cause infection in CAP
via inhalation, aspiration or by blood
blood = less common