Microbiology of Throat Conditions

Question 1

What time periods in life are people more suceptible to sore throats?

Answer 1

children: 5-10 years

young people: 15-25 years

Question 2

What is acute pharyngitis?

Answer 2

inflammation of the part of the throat behind the soft palate - oropharynx

Question 3

What indicates a serious, immediate hospital admission sore throat?

Answer 3

STRIDOR

Question 4

What are the complications of a non treated strep sore throat?

Answer 4

otitis media, peri tonsilar abscess, para-pharyngeal abscess, mastoiditis

Question 5

Name 5 sore throat red flags?

Answer 5

sore or painful throat lasting 3-4 weeks
pain on swallowing or dysphagia for 3 weeks
red/red and white patches, ulceration or swelling or the oral/pharyngeal mucosa
stridor/respiratory difficulty

Question 6

What is the most common bacterial causes of a sore throat?

Answer 6

strep pyogenes (group A strep)

Question 7

What is the presentation of strep pyogenes sore throat?

Answer 7

acute follicular tonsilitis

Question 8

How is strep pyogenes sore throat treated?

Answer 8

penicillin

Question 9

What are the possible complications of a strep pyogenes sore throat?

Answer 9

Rheumatic fever - 3 weeks post sore throat, fever, arthritis and pericarditis
Glomerulonephritis - 1-3 weeks post sore throat, haematturia, albuminuria

Question 10

What is the name of the criteria that determines whether to give a bacterial sore throat antibiotics?

Answer 10

CENTOR criteria and Fever PAIN

not for children under 3

Question 11

What bacterium causes Diptheria?

Answer 11

Corynebacterium Diptheriae

Question 12

What can Corynebacterium Diptheriae produce?

Answer 12

a toxin that is cardiotoxic and neurotoxic

Question 13

What is the presentation of Diptheria?

Answer 13

severe sore throat with white membrane across the pharynx

Question 14

Where does Corynebacterium Diptheriae normally get catched?

Answer 14

travel

commonly Russia

Question 15

What is the composition of the vaccine against Diptheriae?

Answer 15

cell free purified toxin extracted from a strain of C.diptheriae

Question 16

What is the treatment for Diptheria?

Answer 16

diptheria antitoxin

peniciliin/erythromycin

Question 17

What is the presentation of infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 17

fever 
enlarged lymph nodes
sore throat
pharyngitis
tonsilitis
malaise
lethargy

Question 18

What causes infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 18

Epstein Barr Virus

Question 19

What are the less common presentation symptoms/signs of infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 19

jaundice
hepatitis
rash
atypical lymphocytes on blood film
leucocytosis on FBC
splenomegaly 
palatal petechiae - red rash on palate

Question 20

What comprises the post viral syndrome of infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 20

splenic rupture
upper airway obstrution
increased risk of lymphoma
anaemia

Question 21

What is the action of Epstein Barr virus?

Answer 21

establishes a persistant infection in epithelial cells - notably in the pharynx

Question 22

What is the treatment for Infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 22

bed rest
avoid sport - prevent splenic rupture
paracetemol
steroids if very severe

Question 23

How is Infectious mononucleosis investigated?

Answer 23

Epstein Barr virus IgM
heterophile antibody
LFTs
Blood film FBCs

Question 24

What is candida (thrush) caused by?

Answer 24

Candida albicans

Question 25

What is the presentation of candida?

Answer 25

white patches on red raw mucus membranes in the throat/mouth

Question 26

What things put you at risk of developing candidia?

Answer 26

smoking
post antibiotics
immunosuppressed
inhaled steroids

Question 27

What is the treatment of candida?

Answer 27

nystatin or fluconazole

Question 28

What may be the problem if there is recurrent candida?

Answer 28

T cell problem