minor ailments of heart and resp systems Flashcards
what causes the cold
rhinoviruses (40% of colds)
coronaviruses (10% of colds)
is the cold self limiting
yes, (symptoms will resolve in 7-14 days)
what must you ensure when a patient has diabetes
that the medication is sugar free or that the patient is aware of the sugar content
what should you do when the patient has hypertension/CV/diabetes disease
avoid sympathomimetics as they increase HR and BP
symptoms of the cold
- tingling in nose/throat/eyes
- rhinorrhoea
- nasal congestion
- sore/inflamed throat
- cough
- children may get pyrexia
what is the unofficial rule for determining cold vs flu
if the patient can come to chemist its most likely flu
symptoms of flu
- faster onset of symptoms
- high and sustained fever
- body aches, fatigue, cough etc that’s MORE SEVERE
- symptoms last 2+ weeks
symptoms of covid that don’t align with covid or cold
- loss of sense of taste/smell
- cough is new and continuous
what should you recommend to high risk groups
flu and covid vaccine
when to refer for cold symptoms
- prolonged severe symptoms relating to cough, breathlessness, fever etc
- exacerbation of asthma/COPD
- earache (most common in children)
what does yellow/green or blood specs in mucus mean
bacterial chest infection
non drug advice for the cold
- rest
- increase fluids
- eat fresh fruit and veg to maintain vitamins and minerals
- reassurance that it won’t last long
should people under 50kg take 2 500mg paracetamol
no
side effects of antihistamines
- dry mouth
- sedation
- constipation
- blurry vision
- urine retention
side effects of systemic sympathomimetics
at OTC doses insomnia most likely
possibly tachycardia
side effects of topical sympathomimetics
possible local irritation (5% of patients)
who should be cautious when takin antihistamines
patients with glaucoma and men with enlarged prostate
who should be cautious when taking systemic and topical sympathomimetics
avoid in patients with hypertension, heart disease or hyperthyroidism
what area of throat does pain usually refer to
any part of the pharynx
origin of sore throats
viral origin and so won’t respond to antibiotics
danger symptoms of sore throat (REFER)
- difficulty swallowing
- large tender lymph nodes
- ulcerations
- extreme pain
- if failed meds and symptoms not improving
- previous history of tonsillitis
treatments for sore throat
- analgesic
- antibacterial agents
- anaesthetic agent
- anti-inflammatory agent
- demulcents
what is hayfever
when allergy symptoms arise due to exposure to pollen (tree, grass, flower)
when does hayfever usually start
march to October
peaks June/July
when to refer for hayfever
if breathing is affected or wheezing
what to use to treat hayfever
- oral antihistamines (1st choice)
- antihistamine eyedrops
- topical corticosteroid (nasal spray)
- mast cell stabiliser
hayfever non drug advice (COMMON EXAM QUESTION)
- keep windows and doors closed
- check pollen count and stay in when high
- avoid cutting grass etc
- wear wrap around sunglasses
- avoid hanging washing out on high pollen count days
- smear vaseline on inside of nostrils
- prepare yourself in advance if you know when hayfever season starts
what does phenylephrine do
constrict blood vessels in the nose to relive congestion
