Microbiology of Throat Conditions Flashcards
What time periods in life are people more suceptible to sore throats?
children: 5-10 years
young people: 15-25 years
What is acute pharyngitis?
inflammation of the part of the throat behind the soft palate - oropharynx
What indicates a serious, immediate hospital admission sore throat?
STRIDOR
What are the complications of a non treated strep sore throat?
otitis media, peri tonsilar abscess, para-pharyngeal abscess, mastoiditis
Name 5 sore throat red flags?
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
What is the most common bacterial causes of a sore throat?
strep pyogenes (group A strep)
What is the presentation of strep pyogenes sore throat?
acute follicular tonsilitis
How is strep pyogenes sore throat treated?
penicillin
What are the possible complications of a strep pyogenes sore throat?
Rheumatic fever - 3 weeks post sore throat, fever, arthritis and pericarditis
Glomerulonephritis - 1-3 weeks post sore throat, haematturia, albuminuria
What is the name of the criteria that determines whether to give a bacterial sore throat antibiotics?
CENTOR criteria and Fever PAIN
not for children under 3
What bacterium causes Diptheria?
Corynebacterium Diptheriae
What can Corynebacterium Diptheriae produce?
a toxin that is cardiotoxic and neurotoxic
What is the presentation of Diptheria?
severe sore throat with white membrane across the pharynx
Where does Corynebacterium Diptheriae normally get catched?
travel
commonly Russia
What is the composition of the vaccine against Diptheriae?
cell free purified toxin extracted from a strain of C.diptheriae
What is the treatment for Diptheria?
diptheria antitoxin
peniciliin/erythromycin
What is the presentation of infectious mononucleosis?
fever enlarged lymph nodes sore throat pharyngitis tonsilitis malaise lethargy
What causes infectious mononucleosis?
Epstein Barr Virus
What are the less common presentation symptoms/signs of infectious mononucleosis?
jaundice hepatitis rash atypical lymphocytes on blood film leucocytosis on FBC splenomegaly palatal petechiae - red rash on palate
What comprises the post viral syndrome of infectious mononucleosis?
splenic rupture
upper airway obstrution
increased risk of lymphoma
anaemia
What is the action of Epstein Barr virus?
establishes a persistant infection in epithelial cells - notably in the pharynx
What is the treatment for Infectious mononucleosis?
bed rest
avoid sport - prevent splenic rupture
paracetemol
steroids if very severe
How is Infectious mononucleosis investigated?
Epstein Barr virus IgM
heterophile antibody
LFTs
Blood film FBCs
What is candida (thrush) caused by?
Candida albicans
What is the presentation of candida?
white patches on red raw mucus membranes in the throat/mouth
What things put you at risk of developing candidia?
smoking
post antibiotics
immunosuppressed
inhaled steroids
What is the treatment of candida?
nystatin or fluconazole
What may be the problem if there is recurrent candida?
T cell problem
